Nothing's worse than a slow-loading webpage or waiting for a buffering video.
Many households are opting to use 4G or 5G cellular connectivity instead of cable or fiber broadband. People choose cellular for various reasons: sometimes due to the expense of wireless broadband, but most often because in rural areas cell signal is simply the fastest option available.
But LTE and 5G NR have their limitations. Slow LTE and 5G data rates are common. In this article we discuss exactly how you can improve 4G LTE and 5G data rates.

1. Latest Hotspot + Directional Outdoor Antennas

2. MIMO Signal Booster + MIMO Directional Outdoor Antenna(s)

3 Best Ways to Increase 4G LTE & 5G Data Speeds at Home

If you’re looking for the very best 4G or 5G data speeds, you’ll need to install <a href="https://www.waveform.com/a/b/guides/hotspots">directional outdoor antennas</a> to your hotspot or a <a href="https://www.waveform.com/pages/best-cell-phone-signal-boosters">cell phone signal booster</a> with a directional antenna.
But how do you aim your antenna? You need to know exactly where your nearest cell towers are located.
We read other guides online for finding towers, but most of them were misleading. So we tested a dozen different apps and websites against known tower locations to test their accuracy. Then we boiled that down to a short list: the 5 best ways to find and map your nearest 4G or 5G cell towers.

3 Crucial Tips for Before You Start Mapping Towers

Why Aren't There Accurate Maps of Tower Locations?

Have more questions? Found a better solution?

5 Best Ways to Locate & Map 4G & 5G Cell Towers Near You

Since the late 1980s, electrical engineers and computer scientists have been engaged in a battle against the laws of physics and information theory.
More than five years in the making, the new 5G standard brings several new tools to that fight. In this article, we explore how 5G New Radio pushes the limits of Shannon's Law to achieve faster data rates.

5G’s Faster Data Rates and Shannon’s Law  

Recent weeks have seen a tremendous amount of controversy and uproar in the media surrounding 5G.
Concerns about the health effects of radio frequencies used in wireless technologies are nothing new. Almost every new iteration of WiFi and cellular technology past has been met with skepticism.&nbsp;
Now 5G mmWave has finally arrived, promising super high speeds and ultra low latencies.
This is all very exciting, but are the health concerns valid? In this article we discuss the actual science behind 5G radio frequencies and explore just how concerned you should be.

5g Is Here and It Probably Can’t Hurt You

If you're looking to squeeze out the very best data rates from your Netgear Nighthawk M1 (MR1100), then band locking is key.
Unfortunately the Netgear Nighthawk M1, like most hotspots, doesn't always pick the best performing combination of bands.
Fortunately, using a telnet console and entering AT commands makes it possible to band lock the Netgear Nighthawk M1.
This can get a little technical, but we'll keep it as digestible as possible! Read on for step-by-step instructions.

What is Band Locking and Why Should You Do It?

Tip: Test Bands Individually and Together

Step 1: Open a Telnet Session with Your Netgear Nighthawk

Step 2: Use AT Commands to Display Network Information

Step 3: Use AT Commands to Band Lock Your Nighthawk

How To Band Lock The Netgear Nighthawk M1 (MR1100)

Taking cell signal measurements using the "Field Test Mode" functionality of your phone can help you choose and install the right signal booster.
In this guide, we explain why it's important to take signal measurements, what field test mode is, how it works, and where to find your strength and quality readings.

How Will Signal Measurements Help Me Decide Which Booster To Buy?

What do my RSRP and SINR/RSSNR measurements mean?

Field Test Mode for iPhones and Android

Step 1: Find Tower Identifiers & Signal Strength

How to Create a Cell Tower Map by Wardriving

Author: Kyle Reis
Ever wondered what determines your 4G and 5G data rates?
It's helpful to first understand "modulation" – the process of how digital data is encoded onto a wireless signal.
Different modulation schemes, combined with 4G and 5G "coding rates" that depend on signal quality (SINR) combine to determine your data rates.

How does the analog radio wave get translated into a digital signal?

So a more complex constellation is better?

How does SINR determine modulation schemes and coding rates for 4G LTE?

How can I get a better modulation scheme or coding rate?

MIMO 4x4 Panel External Antenna Kit

Our MIMO 4x4 Panel External Antenna Kit will improve SINR for 4G LTE/5G Routers, Gateways and Modems, helping you raise your modulation scheme and unlocking faster data speeds.

Cel-Fi GO X Signal Booster

Our Cel-Fi GO X Kit will boost signal strength and broadcast it over an indoor area, unlocking faster bands and improving connections on wireless devices.

Modulation Schemes, Coding Rates, and 4G/5G Data Speeds

Using MIMO antennas to improve your signal can take a bit of patience.
We’d be surprised if you saw better data rates immediately upon connecting the antennas.
Be prepared to spend an hour or two to find the right location and direction for your antennas! 
Once you get them set up and running properly, you should see a significant improvement in signal and performance on your LTE router, right away.
This guide is based on feedback from hundreds of customers like you. We’ve revised it dozens of times to make it as helpful as possible and make the process of getting better data rates as easy as we can.
Go ahead and give this a read before setting up any MIMO external antennas. It’ll help you save time, avoid the most common pitfalls, and ensure your system works as well as possible.

MIMO Panel External Antenna Kit

Our favorite MIMO antenna kit, this MIMO panel is easy to install and will provide meaningful signal improvement, even if you're surrounded by trees, hills or tall buildings.

MIMO Log Periodic External Antenna Kit

These cross polarized log periodic antennas offer a higher passive gain for an even more powerful MIMO signal, and work best with direct line-of-sight to the tower.

Ideally from start to finish so that you understand the whole process before you begin.

Start by assembling your MIMO antennas to get them ready for testing and installation.

This step is the most time-consuming, but it’s worth the effort. Getting it right has a huge impact on your system’s performance.

Without making any holes in your roof or walls, temporarily run the cable indoors to your hotspot or LTE router and run speed tests – if everything's looking good, it’s time to finalize your cable runs and hard-wire everything.

Look up your nearby towers on CellMapper.net. Try to find the eNodeB IDs that your LTE/5G router or hotspot is connecting to using the device’s admin interface.

Aim your antenna(s) at each nearby tower and band lock your hotspot or router to every band that the tower transmits. Run speed tests on each band to find the fastest bands.

Try enabling multiple bands and using carrier aggregation to find the fastest band combination. Carrier aggregation allows your devices to connect to two or more bands simultaneously but doesn’t always result in an improvement. Stick to a single band if that gets you the best results.

Our Guide for Aiming External MIMO Antennas

If you're considering deploying a DAS, or already have a DAS inside your building, 5G is likely top of mind. 
With faster speeds, higher capacity, and better support for IoT devices, 5G has a great deal to offer.
In this article we offer insights from the 5G DAS deployments our team has designed and installed, and based on some of the conversations we've had with our customers.

5 Key Take-Aways for Venue Owners Considering a 5G DAS

5G operates in three distinct frequency ranges, but "mid-band 5G" is the most cost-effective combination of coverage and capacity for most venues.

A DAS is only as good as the signal source that feeds it. Work with your integrator to pick the right option for your venue.

It's possible to add new frequencies to "modular" DAS systems - but the exact details depend on the vendor.

New frequencies and updates to 5G are constantly being released. Plan ahead to make sure your system is future-proof.

Probably the single most important factor to a successful deployment is finding the right systems integrator. Whether you're deploying a new system or upgrading an existing DAS, <a href="https://www.waveform.com/pages/custom-solutions">reach out to our team of DAS specialists</a>.

Why DAS Technology Is Critical for Indoor 5G

Three Types of 5G, and Why Just One Will Be Deployed In Most Venues

5G DAS Signal Sources: Small Cells and Off-Air

Future-Proofing Your 5G DAS By Preparing for C-Band

The Future of DAS Is 5G: What You Need to Know

The Signal Guide 

weBoost has just released the first-ever residential signal booster kit that comes with professional installation included as standard.&nbsp;
The groundbreaking new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.waveform.com/products/weboost-installed-home-complete-474445">weBoost Installed Home Complete (474445)</a>&nbsp;is a game-changer for many customers.&nbsp;
Licensed, insured, and certified professionals can now take all the uncertainty and inconvenience out of a home booster set up.

A Game-Changer In The Cell Signal Boosting Market

The weBoost Home Complete; A Tried-and-Tested Signal Booster

weBoost Installed Home Complete Launches Today

Hi! We're Waveform, the signal specialists. 
In the last 14 years, we've helped tens of thousands of customers achieve blazing fast data rates and eliminate frustrating dropped calls.
We love nerding out about cell signal, and we specialize in finding the right solution for every unique situation.

Cel-Fi GO X

With 100 dB of single-carrier gain, the GO X performs better than boosters that costs thousands of dollars more

These antenna kits will get you the very best data rates with a 4G/5G hotspot or router

weBoost Installed Home Complete

The first home booster kit to include professional installation throughout the US

Cel-Fi QUATRA 2000

If you're deploying in a home or office that's larger than 5,000 square feet, this is the booster to beat. While it's relatively expensive, the performance of the Quatra 2000 is unmatched.

Welcome, Linus Tech Tips fans!

Not sure when to use plenum rated or non-plenum rated cable? Don’t know if the ceiling in your building is plenum space or not? Wondering if you can use non-plenum rated cable in conduits?
In this article, we'll answer all your plenum-related questions.

What are the different cable ratings and who rates them?

How do you know if a cable is plenum rated?

When can you use non-plenum rated (CMR or CM) cable?

Do you need plenum cable if it’s in conduit?

Guides

Featured

Field Test Mode for iPhones and Android

Our Guide for Aiming External MIMO Antennas

The Future of DAS Is 5G: What You Need to Know

All Guides

3 Best Ways to Increase 4G LTE & 5G Data Speeds at Home

5 Best Ways to Locate & Map 4G & 5G Cell Towers Near You

5G’s Faster Data Rates and Shannon’s Law

5g Is Here and It Probably Can’t Hurt You

How To Band Lock The Netgear Nighthawk M1 (MR1100)

Field Test Mode for iPhones and Android

How to Create a Cell Tower Map by Wardriving

Modulation Schemes, Coding Rates, and 4G/5G Data Speeds

Our Guide for Aiming External MIMO Antennas

The Future of DAS Is 5G: What You Need to Know

The Signal Guide

weBoost Installed Home Complete Launches Today

Welcome, Linus Tech Tips fans!

Why and When To Use Plenum Rated (CMP) Cable