For Australian users and businesses, reliable mobile connectivity is not a luxury, it is essential to operations, productivity, and customer engagement. Yet, not all locations enjoy strong and consistent coverage. From regional offices to urban buildings, poor mobile reception continues to cause significant frustration and operational challenges.
While installing a mobile signal booster may seem like a straightforward solution, the reality is far more complex. In Australia, strict regulations govern which devices can be legally used and using an unauthorised booster can lead to severe consequences, including substantial fines and, in extreme cases, jail time.
This raises an important question: what is the difference between a legal booster from one that is prohibited? According to the Australian Communications & Media Authority (ACMA), cellular mobile repeaters may only be operated with written approval from a mobile carrier. In addition, the ACMA has introduced provisions for certain ‘exempt’ repeaters, provided they meet specific technical and compliance standards.
In this article, we’ll break down exactly what mobile signal boosters are legal in Australia, what to avoid, and how you can improve connectivity without running into regulatory risks.
When mobile coverage is inconsistent, the first instinct is often to look for a way to “make the signal stronger.” This is exactly what mobile signal boosters (also known as mobile repeaters or amplifiers) are designed to do.
Put simply, signal boosters are radiocommunications devices that capture weak cellular signals, strengthen them, and rebroadcast them within a defined area. The result is clearer calls, fewer dropouts, faster data speeds, and more stable connections.
The principle behind signal boosters is simple: a larger, more powerful antenna can capture signals far better than the tiny antenna inside a mobile phone. A complete system generally includes four key components:
Boosters can improve coverage in environments ranging from small offices to large warehouses (anywhere from 250 to over 500 square metres). Vehicle boosters are also widely used, ensuring stable reception across entire cars, trucks, and caravans.
There are several approaches to improving signal strength, each with distinct applications:
Signal boosters are highly effective in areas where coverage is weak but not completely absent. However, they cannot create connectivity in locations where no mobile signal exists at all. Instead, they optimise the available signal to deliver better performance across voice and data services.
Australia’s mobile connectivity challenges are structural, measurable, and deeply tied to geography, infrastructure, and technology.
Australia’s sheer landmass creates connectivity challenges unlike those faced in most other countries. Even with world-class networks in metropolitan areas, regional and remote communities still contend with patchy reception or complete blackspots.
Yet, even with this infrastructure advantage, natural barriers remain. Hills, mountains, and dense vegetation disrupt radio wave propagation, creating what engineers call “log-normal fading.” These natural signal shadows limit connectivity regardless of how many towers are deployed.
For businesses in cities and suburbs, the challenge often comes from inside the building rather than outside. Modern construction materials, while excellent for insulation and energy efficiency, are disruptive to mobile signals.
This explains why users may have strong reception outdoors but lose service the moment they step into a building with metallic tints, foil-based insulation, or reinforced concrete walls.
In regional and remote Australia, communities rely on mobile networks for essential services, from emergency responses to healthcare access and day-to-day business operations. However, poor connection remains an obstacle.
Between 2021 and 2024, the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman received over 51,800 complaints from regional Australians relating to poor service quality and coverage issues. Despite government initiatives such as the Mobile Black Spot Program, many rural communities still struggle to connect reliably.
For businesses, poor connectivity manifests in far more ways than just dropped calls. Weak signals often lead to call disruptions and garbled conversations, slow internet speeds that interrupt cloud-based workflows, and website loading failures that directly affect customer interactions.
Another hidden but costly consequence is the strain on mobile devices themselves. Research shows that when signal strength drops, devices consume significantly more power in their constant search for a stronger connection.
Wi-Fi devices, for example, use over 800% more energy when signal strength falls from -50 dBm to -90 dBm, while 3G devices consume 52% more power as signal strength weakens from -85 dBm to -105 dBm. This battery drain frustrates employees and reduces the reliability of mobile devices that are critical to daily business operations.
Australia’s regulatory framework around mobile signal boosters exists to protect telecommunications infrastructure and ensure reliable mobile services for everyone. Without these safeguards, unauthorised devices can cause widespread interference, reducing coverage not only for the user but for entire communities.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is responsible for regulating all aspects of mobile signal booster use in Australia. The legal restrictions were first set out in the Telecommunications (Prohibition of Mobile Phone Boosters) Declaration 2011 and most recently updated in the Telecommunications (Prohibition of Mobile Phone Boosters) Declaration 2021.
Under these regulations, the operation, supply, or even possession of mobile phone boosters designed for use on public mobile telecommunications services (PMTS) is prohibited. Offenders may face fines of up to $360,000, and supplying illegal devices can attract penalties exceeding $210,000. In the most serious cases, breaches can also lead to imprisonment of up to two years.
The issue comes down to interference. Unauthorised boosters lack the sophisticated hardware needed to manage communication with mobile networks. When they overload nearby base stations, the stations reduce transmission power to compensate, weakening service for entire areas. This not only impacts businesses but can also prevent critical emergency calls from connecting, creating life-threatening risks.
The Radiocommunications Equipment (General) Rules 2021 introduced a pathway for certain devices to become “exempt repeaters.” These models are assessed and approved through carrier applications and meet strict technical standards designed to prevent interference.
Exempt status means the repeater can be purchased without upfront carrier paperwork, but written carrier authorisation is still required for use. At present, Cel-Fi products are the primary ACMA-approved repeaters available in Australia. These “smart repeaters” only amplify the signal of one carrier at a time, monitor base station levels in real time, and include built-in safeguards to prevent network overload.
Businesses should be cautious when sourcing mobile signal solutions. A booster may be unauthorised if:
For Australian businesses, the message is clear: always verify that your solution is carrier-authorised and ACMA-compliant. Working with approved providers ensures improved connectivity without exposing your organisation to fines, legal action, or reputational damage.
In Australia, Cel-Fi is the only consumer signal booster legally authorised for use. Backed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) and approved by all major carriers, Cel-Fi devices are trusted not just in Australia, but also in New Zealand and across the Pacific as well.
Unlike illegal “boosters” that indiscriminately amplify signals and cause interference, Cel-Fi smart repeaters work as an extension of the carrier’s network. They target and enhance specific carrier signals, making them up to 1,000 times more powerful and more reliable than generic amplifiers.
Cel-Fi devices are approved by all three major Australian carriers:
And if you’re with a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) like Aldi Mobile, Boost, or Woolworths Connect, you can still benefit from Cel-Fi, but your compatibility depends on which parent network your MVNO runs on.
For complex environments, such as large commercial buildings, multi-level offices, or expansive homes, professional installation is strongly recommended.
Certified technicians conduct thorough site surveys using specialised tools, including signal meters, to determine optimal antenna placement. Professionals can complete installations quickly, with minimal disruption to your operations, and ensure the system is configured correctly. Many installers also offer service warranties, providing additional peace of mind.
DIY installation is feasible for smaller, simpler setups, such as a single office or home. However, you will need basic technical skills and tools, including ladders, drills, and sealant. Keep in mind that improper installation can limit performance and may void device warranties.
Strategic placement of antennas is essential for achieving optimal signal performance:
From the unique geographical hurdles of regional areas to signal-blocking building materials in urban offices, poor mobile reception can disrupt operations, slow productivity, and frustrate staff. Legal, ACMA-approved mobile signal boosters provide Australian businesses with a reliable way to overcome connectivity challenges while remaining fully compliant with national regulations.
At MobileCorp, we specialise in connecting Australian businesses. Whether you need guidance on selecting the right signal booster or professional installation support, our team can help you get started. Call us today on 1800 243 252 to explore a compliant, reliable mobile connectivity solution for your business.