How Can Your Boat Benefit From a NetCov Signal Booster
At NetCov, we are passionate about improving connectivity everywhere, including on the water. Investing in a mobile phone booster for boats​ means better communication for everyone on board giving you peace of mind about your safety. A boat signal booster will ensure a consistent mobile connection for boats on lakes and rivers or docked in a marina, and improve service for ocean-going vessels while they are close to shore.
Here are some of the main reasons why we believe a good phone signal is essential for marine uses.
- Improved communication. Installing a cell phone signal booster for boats​ means that people on board can stay connected to their friends and family. It also allows marine workers, such as fishermen, to communicate important information about their catch with local markets and restaurants.
- Increased safety. Increased signal strength means that you can contact emergency services in the event of an incident.
- Stay connected for longer. If you’re sailing offshore, you’ll retain a cellular connection for much longer than you would without a signal booster.
- Clearer calls. Better mobile connectivity means clearer voice calls and less chance of dropped calls or missed texts.
- Better mobile data speeds. Installing a high-performance signal booster on your marine vessel means faster mobile data speeds allowing everyone on board to use their mobile applications and stream entertainment.
- Improved navigation and access to weather updates. Improved signal strength also means access to navigation and weather apps which can help streamline your boating experience.
NetCov offers complete installation, ongoing maintenance and specialist advice tailored to the marine sector. We offer a bespoke solution to solve your connectivity needs.
How Do Signal Boosters Work on Boats?
What Affects Mobile Phone Signal Strength on Boats?
Several factors can affect mobile phone signal strength on board boats, including:
- Distance from shore. The main factor that influences mobile connectivity at sea is the vessel’s distance from shore. Most phones will lose cellular signal between 5 and 30 miles from shore.
- Distance from a mobile phone tower. The strength of your cellular signal at sea will also depend on the boat’s distance from a mobile phone tower. If the nearest tower is significantly inland, you will lose mobile connectivity much more quickly.
- Obstructions. If there are any obstacles, such as trees or hills, which block your boat’s path to the nearest mobile phone tower this will have a negative impact on connectivity.
- Weather conditions and sea state. If the sea is turbulent and choppy, it will be harder for mobile signals to travel to the vessel. Similarly poor weather, like rain, thunder and fog, or storms, can reduce mobile signal strength.
- Type and location of the antenna. Boats and other seafaring vessels often have antennas to pick up signals. Antennas located high up on a mast will typically receive a better-quality mobile phone signal, than those located lower down or at deck level.
- Network congestion. If a boat is moored in a busy marina, you might expect to have a better signal than at sea, but if there are many users trying to connect this can harm your mobile connectivity.
How Do Marine Signal Boosters Improve Poor Mobile Signal on Boats, Ships and Yachts?
Our marine cell phone signal booster​s work by picking up your desired network or networks (such as EE, O2, Vodafone, Three and many others) and amplifying this signal throughout your vessel. For large ships, we can install multiple booster units to ensure seamless mobile connectivity throughout the vessel ensuring everyone can stay connected no matter where they’re located.
To learn more about how our Ofcom-certified signal boosters can make a difference on your boat, you can get started with a free initial consultation.
Can I Use WiFi Instead of a Boat Signal Booster?
When it comes to improving connectivity on your boat, you can use land-based WiFi, such as the one provided by your marina. However, this will only be useful if your boat is moored and even then marina WiFi can often be unreliable and weak, especially when below deck.
Here are some of the main advantages of using a mobile signal booster compared to WiFi:
A cellular connection is more secure than WiFi.
Everyone can easily place calls and connect to the internet without logging in.
There is less interference and fewer network issues.
This allows for seamless connectivity even when you’re away from the marina.
Why Choose NetCov?
At NetCov, we are committed to improving connectivity onboard marine vessels to ensure better communication, safety and navigation. We believe everyone
has the right to improved connectivity.
Working with us means you’ll be provided with expert advice and guidance throughout your boat signal booster installation. We even include regular maintenance to ensure your signal-boosting system continues to perform.
Choosing our service means:
You will receive the highest quality mobile signal-boosting equipment from CEL-FI, including exterior antennas, coaxial cables, amplifiers and internal antennas.
You can rely on our decades of experience and expertise in improving cellular connectivity in the UK.
You will be working with the leading telecommunications company in the British market.
Our Signal Booster Installation Process
Free Initial Consultation
Our free consultation includes an on-site visit where our experienced team will measure the strength and quality of the existing signals and provide you with a proposal and price estimate.
Design and Planning
Next, our team will put together a full design plan for the project, including personalised CAD schematics, based on your requirements. This includes the option of discreet antennas.
Professional Installation
Our qualified engineers will then install your Ofcom-approved signal-boosting system to boost connectivity in your workplace. Complete set-up and installation is always included in our service.
Ongoing Maintenance
All of our signal boosters include ongoing maintenance and support from our expert engineers to ensure their continued performance. Our team will be on hand to make any necessary improvements post-installation.
Networks We Cover
Our high-quality signal boosters are the most reliable way to improve connectivity onboard your vessel. We provide signal-boosting solutions for all the most popular UK networks, including Three, Vodafone, EE and O2.
Our Locations
At NetCov, we design and install signal-boosting systems on boats, ships and yachts across the UK. Whether your boat is moored in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol or anywhere else in the country, we can help improve your connectivity.
Sectors We Work With
Get In Touch
Speak to a member of our friendly team to get expert advice on starting your journey towards better internet connection for your business.
Boat Signal Booster FAQs
The main limitation of boat signal boosters is that they only work if they have a mobile signal to boost. This means that if your boat is too far away from the shore or the nearest mobile phone tower, your signal booster will not be able to work. So, although boat signal boosters can significantly improve mobile connectivity while sailing offshore, they will only work if your vessel is near enough to the shore to pick up on a cellular signal.
The range of a boat signal booster will depend on a wide range of factors, including the nearest mobile phone tower, the weather, and any obstructions. Typically, boat boosters will work up to 30 miles away from shore. This makes them a particularly useful investment for vessels that sail close to the coast and a booster will provide a reliable mobile connection in this use case.
If you are interested in improving your boat’s connectivity and improving signal strength, please get in touch with our team.
Marine signal boosters generally require little maintenance, but marine antennas will require regular cleaning to ensure they aren’t obstructed by dirt or debris or affected by corrosion.
At NetCov, complete installation and ongoing maintenance is always included in the price of your marine signal booster. So, if you are interested in improving your boat’s connectivity please get in touch with our team.