What are GSM boosters/amplifiers?

GSM amplifiers (also called repeaters) are radio equipment designed to take over the signal transmitted by the 2G/3G/4G base stations of the providers of mobile communications services and amplify it indoors, offering an improved level of the radio signal received by a mobile phone.

2G/3G/4G signal amplifier usage

The mobile telephone service works through radio waves propagation, which may be affected by various obstacles (buildings, tunnels, hills, forests, lakes or weather conditions), by the telephone type used, by the number of calls initiated simultaneously by several persons, etc.

Here is what the users must know before buying and using a signal amplifier:

•  Putting into operation an amplifier without a CE marking may cause harmful interferences to the other users in the coverage area, as well as to service providers;
• Such a device can be put into operation only upon the agreement of the mobile telephone operator whose signal you need to amplify! Putting into operation such amplifiers involves using the frequency spectrum and can be performed only by or upon the agreement of the operator holding the licence for the use of the radio spectrum.   
• A 2G/3G/4G booster must bear the CE marking, just as any other equipment that uses the frequency spectrum. Otherwise, the respective equipment is non-compliant and must not be put into operation! 
• In extreme cases, interferences caused by non-compliant equipment can hinder the calling of the emergency number 112!
• If the holders of such non-compliant equipment continue to use it, they breach the provisions of Government Decision no. 740/2016 on making available on the market of radio equipment, risking sanctions that range between 500 and 5,000 lei. 
• Detailed information about non-compliant equipment and the applicable legislation in such cases is available here and here.

Signal amplifier usage in Romania

Since the beginning of 2020, ANCOM has traced and put out of operation 20 2G/3G/4G signal boosters that caused harmful interferences to mobile telephone services, following complaints from the providers of such services, as well as from the users. Most of these were found in Bucharest and in Timis county.  

Check your mobile voice coverage on www.aisemnal.ro

The users can get an accurate picture of the 2G, 3G and 4G signal coverage and level for each of the mobile operators in the Romanian market on www.aisemnal.ro, a platform integrating all the mobile voice signal measurements carried out by ANCOM during the dedicated campaigns conducted in 2019.