Live Life without Walls:
Network signal has become as indespensible as Food & Clothing. But, epp, Shelter does interfere with our new basic necessity.
With growing trend of urbanization and lack of living space, network penetration has become extremely difficult. High-rise buildings, metal windows, reflector glasses, congested housings and Network-interference has greatly pleagued our accessibility.
Even with a BTS mere 100 mtr, away, there is very ordinary coverage and network strength. So, when you plan to setup your room/flat/wireless setup keep in mind certain things. Use the following calculator to calculate and plan your personal Wireless setup.
Basic Tips:
1. Try to locate where is your nearest BTS (Transmission Tower) of your Service Provider
Direction and approximate distance... Take help from Google Maps if needed!
If you have two or more tower of your Service Provider, choose the nearer, if one is EDGE and other is GPRS only, prefer the EDGE. Prefer 3G Towers over 2G Towers, even if you are using 2G services. Amongst 3G protocols your Preference should be:
HSPA+ over HSUPA over HSDPA over HSPA over WCDMA
2. If you are planning to setup a stable wireless internet system, (i.e. you are not going to Move/Shift the system) remember the following:
Do NOT connect your USB Dongle/Stick/Modem directly to your USB port; rather use a USB Cable extension available in the market.
3. Where to Keep your Wireless Receiver/Modem?
This is the million dollar question; we are hunting for the answer.
Room: The Room in your Flat that is physically towards the direction of your Preferred Towers geographical location. Take help from Google Maps if needed! Keep your device near your window (But, keep them away from thieves!)
Keep it near the Opposite wall (instead of the Wall nearer to the Tower: IMPORTANT!!!), so that the wall may serve as a reflector (In case a Window is unsafe/not available).
USB Extension Cable: Do NOT connect your USB Dongle/Stick/Modem directly to your USB port, rather use a USB Cable extension available in the market. Keep your device near your window (But, keep them away from thieves!)
Modem Orientation: Vertical Modems/Vertically placed Modems are 20% more signal efficient compared to the horizontal/Conventional ones. So, place your Modem in a vertical position whenever possible.
Direction: Window Side is preferred. But, keep them away from thieves! as I said. This will help you avoid many Concrete/Brick Walls. Wood panels too absorb a lot of signal, so keep your Windows open if possible. Avoid Brick walls/ concrete structures as much as possible. This will help you Boost your Signal 10% to 90%. If a high-rise/ large Building interferes between your device and the tower, there is a way out too. Use a concave Metal Reflector!
Reflector: A 6 inch by 8 inch aluminium foil (commonly available in markets), make its centre depressed by 1 inch at the centre, so that it looks like a dish (concave shape). It will give a 20% to 40% gain if properly setup. Sounds odd? Ehh! Nope, try it. You'll thank me... Oh, IMPORTANT, keep your reflector, behind the Modem..
For Laptops/ Using on the Move: Not much to do apart from using a Vertical Modem or maximally an USB extension Cord.
