Yes. Certain mobile signal boosters can legally be installed and used in the UK without an individual Ofcom licence, provided the equipment and its use meet the requirements of Ofcom's licence-exemption regime.

Mobile signal repeaters are radio equipment. UK law requires radio equipment to be appropriately licensed or covered by an exemption, so not every signal booster advertised online is necessarily legal to use.

The technical requirements applying to licence-exempt mobile phone repeaters are set out in UK Interface Requirement IR2102, alongside the relevant Wireless Telegraphy exemption regulations.

What Does “Ofcom Licence-Exempt” Mean?

A licence-exempt mobile signal repeater can be installed and used without the user obtaining an individual Wireless Telegraphy licence from Ofcom, provided it complies with the applicable technical and operating requirements.

Ofcom's rules cover several types of repeaters, including:

• provider-specific static indoor repeaters;
• multi-operator static indoor repeaters; and
• certain low-gain in-vehicle repeaters.

For commercial buildings, the first two categories are the most relevant.

The licence exemption is not the same as Ofcom approving or endorsing a particular product or manufacturer. The equipment still needs to meet the applicable requirements and be used within the conditions of the exemption.

Why Are Mobile Signal Boosters Regulated?

A mobile signal booster receives an existing mobile network signal, amplifies it and retransmits it within a building.

Poorly designed or non-compliant repeaters can cause interference to mobile networks and other users. Ofcom's requirements are intended to allow suitable repeaters to improve indoor coverage without causing harmful interference or adversely affecting mobile networks.

This is why buying an unverified low-cost repeater simply because it is advertised as “legal”, “5G compatible” or “Ofcom approved” can be risky.

How Can I Check Whether a Signal Booster Is Legal?

Ofcom publishes a list of mobile repeaters that it understands meet the technical requirements of its licence-exemption regime following testing by an accredited test house.

Ofcom makes clear that inclusion on this list does not mean it promotes or endorses those products, and the list is updated from time to time.

Several Nextivity CEL-FI systems are included on Ofcom's published list.

View Ofcom's Current Repeater List

If you are unsure whether a particular repeater is suitable for legal use in the UK, Frequency Signal Solutions can advise on CEL-FI systems for commercial applications.

Ofcom also provides a market-surveillance contact for questions about repeater legality (marketsurveillance@ofcom.org.uk).

Ofcom-Compliant CEL-FI Mobile Signal Solutions

Frequency 3G Telecom Ltd is the UK and Ireland Master Distributor for Nextivity CEL-FI products.

Frequency Signal Solutions is its specialist commercial mobile signal solutions division, providing CEL-FI solutions for businesses, public-sector organisations and other commercial environments.

Depending on the building and requirement, CEL-FI systems can provide coverage for one or multiple mobile networks and can be used in environments ranging from smaller business premises to large, complex and multi-floor buildings.

Choosing the correct system depends on factors including:

• the mobile signal available outside the building;
• which mobile networks require improved coverage;
• the size and construction of the building;
• the areas in which coverage is required;
• the number and distribution of users; and
• whether professional system design and installation are required.

When Is a Site Survey Required?

A mobile signal booster can only work with the mobile signal available to it, so the first step is understanding the existing signal conditions at the property.

For smaller or straightforward commercial requirements, we may be able to recommend a solution from information provided by the customer.

For larger, multi-floor or more complex sites, a professional site survey may be required to measure existing signal levels, identify available networks and frequencies, assess the building layout and determine the appropriate system design.

This helps avoid specifying equipment that cannot provide the required coverage.

Commercial Mobile Signal Booster Installation

Frequency Signal Solutions provides commercial mobile signal solutions for environments including:

• offices and commercial properties;
• factories, warehouses and distribution centres;
• healthcare facilities;
• hotels and hospitality venues;
• retail sites;
• data centres;
• public buildings;
• care and retirement properties; and
• other commercial and enterprise environments.

Depending on the project, our service can include consultation, site survey, system design, CEL-FI product specification, professional installation through trusted installation partners, testing, commissioning, remote monitoring and ongoing support.

Discuss Your Mobile Signal Requirement

Looking for a Home or Self-Install Mobile Signal Booster?

If you are looking for an Ofcom-compliant CEL-FI solution for a home, home office or smaller premises that you intend to install yourself, our specialist Mobile Signal Boosters website is the appropriate place to start.

Mobile Signal Boosters provides self-install CEL-FI systems, online purchasing, product-selection guidance and setup support.

Visit Mobile Signal Boosters