We have just conducted in-depth field testing of the mobile 4G boosters currently on the market to determine which work best in what situations. We are working on our summary overview of our findings, which will be available to our members soon.
Our (temporary) setup for head-to-head booster testing on our Mini Cooper until our RV renovations were completed.
During our testing, we visited a variety of locations with all of the above equipment installed, using the stock antennas that come with the boosters. We sought out a variety of locations with both marginal & optimal signal conditions for each of the major carriers. Our 2015 testing locations started in Elkhart, Indiana and followed Route 66 into New Mexico, and then around the desert southwest. They include urban, suburban and more remote rural areas - RV Parks, crowded events, public campgrounds and boondocking.
We took 3 baseline readings with each of our cellular devices with no booster on. Each device is tested independently, with all other devices in airplane mode.
We then turn each booster on, one at a time, and repeat taking 3 readings for each device, and then average them out. All readings were taken with the device being right next to the interior antenna.
The devices & carriers we are testing include:
Verizon - Netgear AC791L, Novatel 6620L MiFi and (when time permits) iPhone 6s.
Baseline testing, for one carrier, for one device. We repeat this for each booster.
Scoring Systems
For each booster at each location, we are assigning two scores score:
Qualitative formula: (Booster Average Download Speed / Baseline Average Download Speed) + (Booster Average Upload Speed / Baseline Average Upload Speed). Will it capture all of the nuisances like switching bands, ping time and signal strength? No. But it will capture actual performance increase. The higher the score, the better the performance noted. This gives us something to average out over time.
Subjective Grading: On a scale of A, B, C, D & F each booster and location is given a grade based on relative performance. These scores are then given a numerical value based on scholastic grade point averages, to give us an overall GPA.
A - 4.0 = Solidly created a more usable signal
B - 3.0 = Solid performance, but not signifiant gain, nor loss
C - 2.0 = Comparable performance with the booster as without, with potentially mixed results with improved upload speeds and somewhat degraded download speeds.
D - 1.0 = Degraded performance with the booster engaged, but still usable. You are better off with it off.
F - 0 = Signal was useable without a booster, but unusable with the booster engaged.
For speed and ping readings, we are using the Ookla Speedtest app. We take the readings directly on device on our smartphones & tablets we are testing on. When testing mobile hotspots, we test on one of our iPads while connected via WiFi to the hotspot.
Each testing location took nearly 3 hours to complete the testing, and burned through a good chunk of data. It's a very time intensive review process conducted from August - December 2015.
As of December 2015, we have completed this round of testing, and the results of that testing is available below, and are now also reflected in our Review Center.
All of the individual field testing results and observations have been shared with our members below during the entire process. Not only have the results show the performance of each of the boosters, but also what to expect in different types of signal situations.
Number of field locations tested: 16
2015 Booster Testing Locations
This round of testing is now complete, and the raw field testing data & analysis is available below to members. Boosters in this round of testing have also been added to our Review Center, and our indepth reviews for each provided there.
This Guide Brought to You by Our Members
We are honored to be able to present the basic sections of this guide for free without 3rd party advertising.
This content is brought to you by funding from our premium members.
Our members have access to the entirety of this guide, interactive guidance, product reviews, alerts, vendor discounts and more.
If you're a member, please log in above to see the member exclusive portions of this guide.
If mobile internet is an important part of your lifestyle, here are ways you can help:
Approaching Your Mobile Internet Solution & Sample Setups
Considerations for Working Remotely Using Mobile Internet
Understanding & Optimizing Your Cellular Data Performance
Become a Member
The MIA is our premium membership - designed for those who consider mobile internet an important part of their lifestyle.
In thanks for making content like this possible, we offer a bunch of additional perks. From interactive guidance, in-depth member exclusive content, discounts, alerts, classroom and more.
We cross post news articles and guides, and can help point you in the right direction to our content here on the resource center.
It is with gratitude to our premium members that we're able to offer our free content - and for that, they also have access our private Q&A areas for more in-depth guidance.
Stay in the Know
We're constantly tracking the industry and analyzing new developments for mobile travelers. If you'd like to receive updates, we offer several ways:
Cherie has been a full-time technomad since 2006. Currently exploring North America by boat and RVs with her partner Chris and the admiral of the fleet, Kiki (meow).
After answering so many questions about mobile internet on their personal Technomadia travel blog (view their Mobile Internet Setup) we founded the Mobile Internet Resource Center in 2014.
Access to comments is part of the interactive areas of a full MIA Membership.
Mobile internet can be a challenging topic - that's why we created this resource center.
Our video course is designed to help you understand your needs, the challenges out there. It even includes private video sessions with our staff to ask questions.