Mobile coverage is our all-important lifeline to the internet when we're out and about. No one wants to see their phone drop down to 3G - or worse, to no signal at all. So what exactly determines your mobile coverage and are there any ways to improve it?
Five ways improve mobile coverage
If you're having issues with mobile coverage at your home or office, there are a few things you can try.
1. Install a mobile repeater
Installing a repeater is the only genuine way to genuinely improve your mobile coverage and further extend a mobile
network. However, the majority of repeaters are illegal in Australia. Cel-Fi has a range that have both ACMA and
telco approval. Additionally, you need written permission from your network carrier to use it.
Telstra will sell you a Cel-Fi Go - rebadged as Telstra Go. Telstra Go repeaters are wired into your home or office. The cheapest stationary repeater will set you back $34 a month (minimum cost $816 over 24 months) excluding the cost of installation. Before you get one of these stationary repeaters Telstra may assess your eligibility. If you're able to proceed you may need a professional to come and install it.
Alternatively, Powertec has Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone options available online. Be sure you pick the one for your network, as they're locked to your provider. You can't extend two networks at a time, and you can't reconfigure it for a different provider if you change.
If you're regularly on the road in areas of patchy coverage, Telstra has a Mobile Smart Signal Repeater you can install in your car. This will set you back $864 (excluding installation), but will require professional installation by an auto-electrician. It's also suitable for use in other vehicles and marine vessels.
Before committing to a repeater, it's best to talk to your telco about whether it's the right solution for you.
2. WiFi Calling
WiFi Calling won't technically improve your
coverage, but it can help if you're struggling to make a phone call indoors. Instead of relying on a mobile network,
WiFi Calling routes your phone calls from the internet, even if you're in a black spot.
3. Change phone
Not all phones are built the same when it comes to antenna strength, so if you're genuinely struggling but don't want to change provider, it might be worth considering a Telstra Blue Tick or Optus Top Pick for Regional Coverage device.
These are phones with stronger antennas to make it easier for customers living in regional and rural areas.
Here are Telstra's most popular current Blue Tick phones:
Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 200MP, 10MP, 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26 FE 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26 FE 128GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Pixel 10 Pro XL 256GB
- 6.8 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 42MP
Galaxy S26 512GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 200MP, 10MP, 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S25 512GB
- 6.2 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
iPhone 16e 128GB
- 6.1 inch display
- Rear Camera: 48MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26+ 512GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Here are Optus' most popular Top Pick for Regional Coverage phones:
Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 200MP, 10MP, 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy A16 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Android 14, One UI 6.1
- 5G Capable
Galaxy S26 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26 512GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S26 Ultra 512GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 200MP, 10MP, 50MP, 50MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy S25+ 256GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Moto G57 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 8MP
- Front Camera: 8MP
Galaxy S26+ 512GB
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 10MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
Galaxy Z Flip7 5G 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 12MP
- Front Camera: 10MP
Galaxy A56 5G
- 6.7 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 50MP, 12MP, 5MP
- Front Camera: 12MP
4. Change mobile network
If you're struggling getting coverage with your provider of choice, you may simply need to change mobile network.
We've heard plenty of weird stories where inner-city apartments can get Optus coverage but have awful Telstra for
some reason (and vice-versa), so just because you technically should have coverage doesn't mean you always will.
If
you're changing providers to try and get better coverage, just make sure you don't change to one on the same
network. For example, Boost is powered by the Telstra network, and amaysim by Optus. Learn more about which network powers each provider in our guide.
5. Request a new Telstra payphone in your area
Well, this one is a bit of a long shot, but if you're a Telstra customer, it might just work. If you don't have a payphone in your area, you can actually make a request one to be installed via the Telstra website. Many new Telstra payphones have an integrated small cell, which improves 4G coverage.
Your request for a new payphone must include evidence that you are an authorised person to make the request on behalf of five or more individuals who would be directly affected by a new payphone at that location, or 100 or more individuals who reside in the vicinity of the proposed payphone site.
Of course, you'd need to have a valid reason for wanting a payphone in your area (and we're guessing better mobile coverage won't count), the application would need to get approved by Telstra, and then you'd need Telstra to install a payphone that actually has a small cell (not all of them do).
But hey, you've got to shoot your shot, right? Either way, you've just learnt a fun telco fact!
What factors impact my mobile coverage?
There are a couple of main factors that impact the connectivity you get from your mobile network. These are as follows:
Your proximity to the closest mobile tower
The biggest factor that impacts your mobile coverage is how close you are to a mobile tower or small cell (a mobile cell that lives on a street pole, rather than a dedicated tower). The closer you are to a mobile tower, the better your connectivity. In the same way, the further you get from a tower, the worse your signal.
Physical obstacles between you and the network tower
While 4G and 5G mobile towers have a good amount of range, this can be impacted by obstacles between you and the network tower. Big hills or buildings can interrupt your signal - even trees! Another fun fact - oddly enough, the Sydney Harbour Bridge acts as a Faraday Cage and blocks external radio signals, so you're going to struggle to get connectivity when you're crossing.
The materials your building is made of
In the same vein, the materials your home, apartment, or office are made from will affect your connectivity indoors. Reinforced concrete walls, metal, brick, plaster, and tinted glass are the main culprits when it comes to reducing your coverage indoors, but even wood and plywood will make some difference to your mobile signal.
The impact of this multiplies the more layers a mobile signal needs to travel through. For example, you might not get any connectivity in building lifts (which are typically located in the centre of a structure) or in underground car parks.
5G connections are more impacted by building materials than 4G.
Congestion
Congestion doesn't technically affect your mobile coverage, but it impacts your mobile performance. If you're in an area or at an event where a lot of people are using their phone at the same time, network speeds become slower. This is especially noticeable at large events like music festivals, but you may even encounter it on public transport during peak hours. mmWave 5G may eventually help to combat this but it's a long way from being widely available.
Antenna strength
Different phones have different designs, which ultimately impact their antenna strength. Many may remember the Apple AntennaGate drama where the iPhone 4 would lose reception if you held it in a certain way. While those issues are long gone, some phones still have stronger antennas than others. The stronger a phone's antenna, the better job it will do at maintaining a reliable connection - especially in weaker coverage areas.
How do I check my mobile coverage?
WhistleOut's search engine has a coverage checker tool. All you need to do is punch
in your address when searching for a new phone plan. It will let you know if your area is covered by 5G.
You can get a broader view of the coverage map below. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest
shade of purple, with 4G and 3G both shown in lighter shades. You can switch between the Telstra, Optus and Vodafone networks.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
Alex Choros
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