Field note · Ireland
Mobile Signal Booster for an Office in Ireland: Vodafone, Three and eir
Staff dropping calls in the office? How Irish businesses test Vodafone, Three and eir signal, size a booster kit, plan antennas, and what ComReg says.
Short answer
Offices lose mobile signal because of concrete, steel, coated glass and distance from the mast. A mobile signal booster (repeater) brings a usable outside signal indoors through an outdoor antenna, a booster unit and indoor antennas. Test Vodafone, Three and eir signal outside, size the kit to the floor area and layout, and check ComReg's rules and the exact model before installing.
Why offices in Ireland have poor signal
Modern offices in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick use reinforced concrete, steel frames and energy-saving coated glass. All three block mobile signal. Older town-centre buildings have thick stone walls, and business parks on the edge of towns can simply be far from the nearest mast.
Poor signal costs money: missed customer calls, failed two-factor codes, and staff walking outside to take calls.
Step 1: survey the signal
Ask staff which networks they use. In Ireland that is mainly Vodafone, Three and eir, plus brands on their networks such as Tesco Mobile, GoMo, Lyca and 48. With Wi-Fi off, test each network outside the building, on the roof (if safe and permitted) and in the worst rooms. Note bars or dBm and whether calls hold.
Check ComReg's coverage map for your Eircode area, but trust your own readings first.
Step 2: size the kit
A small open-plan office or shop usually suits a 500 m² class kit. A full office floor, a medical practice or a showroom often needs a 1,000 m² class kit. Very large buildings and warehouses need a site plan and possibly a larger system. Coverage figures are best-case open-plan numbers.
Walls and meeting rooms break up coverage, so plan where indoor antennas go: usually one central ceiling antenna for open plan, and extra antennas for areas behind solid walls. Prices in our Ireland shop are shown in euro (EUR).
Step 3: install it properly
Mount the outdoor antenna high, facing the best signal, and keep it well apart from the indoor antennas to avoid feedback. Use good-quality cable and the shortest practical route. Agree roof access and cable routes with the landlord or facilities manager first.
The rules in Ireland
ComReg regulates mobile repeaters in Ireland and has warned that some repeaters cause interference to mobile networks. Read ComReg's current guidance on repeaters before buying or installing one, and check the exact model against it. We make no approval, certification or legality claim for any kit we sell.
Other options
Wi-Fi calling is supported on Vodafone, Three and eir for many phones and can help if the office Wi-Fi is strong. Business customers can also ask their network about in-building coverage services. A booster suits offices where staff are on several networks and Wi-Fi calling is not reliable for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
Can one booster cover Vodafone, Three and eir?
A multi-band kit can carry all three if it supports their bands and each network has usable signal outside the building.
What size booster does a small office need?
Many small offices suit a 500 m² class kit. Larger floors or many enclosed rooms may need a 1,000 m² class kit and extra indoor antennas.
Are signal boosters legal in Ireland?
ComReg regulates repeaters and has warned about interference from some devices. Read ComReg's current guidance and check the exact model before installing.
Will it work if there is no signal outside?
No. A booster needs usable signal at the outdoor antenna. It cannot create coverage.
Can you recommend a kit for my office?
Yes. Send us your floor area, layout, networks used and signal readings and we will suggest the best fit.