Best Cell Phone Booster for Farms & Rural Areas in Canada

Best Cell Phone Booster for Farms & Rural Areas in Canada

Written by Alejandra Jasso
13th Feb 2024

Boosting Cell Signal in Poor Signal Areas

Enjoying life in your deep woods cabin or mountain cottage? Or maybe you're tilling the earth, working hard on your farm.

Tis' the life.

But, as they say, every rose has its thorns.

Dropped calls, slow internet, and spotty service are a pain when working or on vacation. Being able to connect is a necessity, especially during emergencies.

A cell phone signal booster for your home, farm, cabin, office, or vehicle can help keep you connected.

We fix poor cell phone signal! Find the right signal booster for you:

For Home
For Vehicle
For Business
For Commercial

Why is Cell Service so Bad in Rural Canada?

Living in a remote, rural area means having limited cell phone reception for calls and cellular data.

The main culprit is cell tower distance. Building materials, thick foliage, hills, and mountains also cause cell signals to go bad.

Unfortunately, carriers don’t want to improve their network in underserved markets because it’s too expensive. They can't justify the cost without multiple users. It’s unfortunate since mobile networks tend to be the main form of communication. Even a study by the National Association of Countries (NACo) confirms this.

How to Boost Cell Service in Rural Areas and Farms?

There are multiple tricks you can try to boost your cell reception anywhere. However, the most reliable long-term solution is investing in a cell phone signal booster. These devices take your weak outside cell signal and deliver it even stronger inside. The:

  • Outdoor antenna communicates with distant cell towers and fine-tunes received 5G, 4G, and LTE cell signals.
  • Coax cables help bypass troublesome building materials.
  • Amplifier significantly boosts the signal.
  • Indoor antenna(s) broadcast the boosted signal wherever you need it.

See here for a full breakdown of how signal boosters work. Overall, cell phone boosters for rural areas will significantly improve cell reception in remote homes, farms, vehicles, and businesses.

Signal Booster Benefits:

  • Eliminate searching for usable service.
  • Reliable 4G and LTE coverage wherever you need it. 5G ready.
  • Uninterrupted calls and faster internet.
  • Work with all cellular devices (phones, tablets, hotspots, etc.).
  • Compatible with all Canadian carriers (Rogers, Bell Mobility, Telus, and more).
  • IC and FCC approved.
  • Relatively easy to install.
  • No need to connect to WiFi.
  • No monthly fees.

Do Cell Phone Boosters Really Work in Rural Areas?

If there’s a sliver of cellular signal outside, cell boosters work wonders in rural areas.

Sometimes the signal may be too weak for your cellular devices to pick up, so you may think there is no signal. Thus, it’s important to measure your cellular signal strength to determine if cell signal is present and how weak it is.

With the use of powerful cellular antennas and an amplifier, cell phone boosters will amplify your signal strength and improve indoor cell coverage.

Don’t believe us? Watch this short video to view the results of a signal booster installation in a rural home.


This installation was carried out in America, but the same applies to any Canadian carrier. For the full story, visit our weBoost Home Complete Review .

Choosing the right antennas is crucial for boosting cell phone signals in rural areas. To view our top rural area antenna recommendations, click here.

What are the Best Cell Phone Boosters for Rural Areas and Farms?

With over 200,000 signal boosters provided across every state and province in Canada and the USA, we’ve compiled a list using our expertise of the best signal boosters for:

Best Cell Phone Boosters for Rural Homes and Farms

Home signal boosters ensure reliable calls, texts, and data speeds in most rural locations. Choosing the right signal booster for you depends on your existing signal strength and coverage needs.

weboost home multiroom
weBoost Home Multiroom - 650144

Budget-friendly signal booster for small to mid-size rural homes.

Buy Now at $799.99

If you live in a fringe area, don't consider anything less powerful than the weBoost Home MultiRoom. You’ll see minimal results. Featuring up to 65 dB gain and high output powers, it can reach distant towers and cover several rooms. It’s a great option for small and mid-size rural homes, cabins, cottages, and bungalows.

weboost home complete
weBoost Home Complete - 650145

Most powerful cell booster for mid to large rural homes and barns.

Buy Now at $1,399.99

The weBoost Home Complete is much stronger than the Home Multiroom. It’s our top recommendation for reliable reception in medium to large remote homes and barns. Coverage is likely to range from 185 to 464 sq m with weak outside signal.

weboost office 100
weBoost for Business Office 100 - 652060/653060

Professional grade cell booster for rural large homes and farm structures.

Buy Now at $1,649.99

The weBoost for Business 100 should do the trick for those with large cabins or farm complexes. Unlike the Home MultiRoom and Home Complete, this is a commercial-grade signal booster. It’s a great option for a whole large home solution in poor signal areas. When paired with a directional antenna, unit can reach farther to deliver a stronger signal.

Best Cell Phone Boosters for Remote Driving

You don’t have to put up with spotty cellular signals while on road trips or operating agricultural machinery. Vehicle boosters are designed to communicate with towers on the go and cover most of your vehicle's cabin. You’ll have a dependable connection on remote terrain for GPS, voice, and streaming.

weboost drive reach
weBoost Drive Reach - 650154

Most powerful vehicle booster for drivers anywhere.

Buy Now at $699.99

The weBoost Drive Reach is our strongest vehicle booster. It's a very popular booster for trucks and EMS. Featuring high uplink power, it does a great job of communicating with far cell towers.

When compared to the Drive X, it has about 74% more reach. Featuring many antenna configurations, you can customize it to fit many vehicles. Cars, trucks, SUVs, tractors, animal transporters, and more. It's our top recommendation for reliable voice and data on the go in extremely fringe areas.

weboost drive reach overland
weBoost Drive Reach Overland - 652061

Cell booster exclusively designed for off-road and overland vehicles.

Buy Now at $769.99

For off-roading enthusiasts, the weBoost Drive Reach Overland is the way to go. It features an all-terrain outdoor antenna and a folding mounting bracket. Camp, climb mountain ranges, and explore the backcountry all while remaining connected.

weboost drive x
weBoost Drive X - 655021

Most affordable vehicle booster for remote drivers.

Buy Now at $549.99

The weBoost Drive X will do just fine for those non-extreme signal environments. It’s slightly less powerful than the Drive Reach, but still effective. Anything with less gain and output power may result in insufficient amplification. Like the Drive Reach, it also has numerous antenna options for easy installation on any vehicle.

Best Cell Phone Boosters for Rural RV Camping and Living

The best RV booster will depend on whether you want enhanced signal while driving or camping.

weboost destination rv
weBoost Destination RV - 650159

Powerful booster for stationary RVs in rural campgrounds.

Buy Now at $899.99

If you tend to stay parked for long periods, we recommend the weBoost Destination RV. It’s like the Home Multiroom, but optimized for stationary RVs, campers, and mobile homes. It uses a powerful Yagi antenna to capture weak signal and a panel antenna for maximum coverage. When you’re ready to move to a new location, the 25’ telescoping pole allows for quick setup and takedown.

weboost drive reach rv
weBoost Drive Reach RV - 650354

Powerful RV booster for rural roads and campgrounds.

Buy Now at $729.99

On the other hand, if you’re constantly on the go, the weBoost Drive Reach RV is a much better choice. It can reach distant cell towers and keep you connected while driving or camping in remote locations. Since it’s designed for mobile use, you can set it and forget it.

In incredibly poor signal areas, the Destination RV will outperform the Drive Reach RV.

Best Portable Cell Phone Booster for Rental Cabins and Remote Job Sites

bolton psu
Bolton Technical Portable Signal Unit (PSU) - weBoost Edition

Portable signal booster and LTE router for cellular and internet in remote applications.

Call for Pricing

Many rely on vehicle boosters to reduce reception issues when staying in a secluded cabin or visiting remote job sites. However, it’s not feasible to constantly run to your vehicle to make a call or surf the web.

The Bolton Technical Portable Signal Unit (PSU - weBoost Edition) allows you to enjoy reliable cell signal and internet anywhere. In the woods, off-the-grid, on the mountains, and other fringe areas. It’s a portable, battery-powered box that includes a signal booster and LTE router. It also comes with LED lighting and power outlets to keep your whole setup running.

Equipped with a Yagi, the booster captures signals from miles away and delivers reliable service for all cellular devices. This includes the LTE router. Everybody within its coverage area will be able to receive calls, send texts, livestream, or work without interruptions. That’s with or without electricity.

You can get up to 18 hours of operation with the two included batteries. To save battery juice, use the built-in plug socket to power the unit when electricity is available. An extension cord will be needed.

For optimal results, use the PSU in enclosed areas with the lid open.

Best Cell Phone Signal Boosters for Rural Businesses

Businesses need robust repeaters designed to cover large spaces and handle more capacity. The weBoost for Business line ensures reliable connectivity for customers and employees alike.

The weBoost for Business Office 100 is perfect for small rural business buildings. Its available in 50 and 75 Ohms. For areas with really weak signal, we recommend opting for directional antennas (sold separately). To maximize your coverage, additional indoor antennas may be needed. It offers up to 740 sq m of coverage.

If you need more than 740 sq m sq m of coverage, go with the weBoost for Business 200. Directional antennas (sold separately) will yield better results in remote environments. It’s more powerful, and it’s capable of covering up to 930 sq m under perfect conditions.

wilsonpro enterprise 4300
WilsonPro Commercial Signal Boosters

For rural commercial buildings over 4,645 sq m.

Contact Us

For commercial buildings over 4,645 sq m, the WilsonPro line by Wilson Electronics is the way to go. Contact our signal experts at 1-888-813-5598 for a free consultation. These require a site survey and a professional installation.

Best Cell Phone Booster Antennas for Rural Areas

The two types of outdoor signal booster antennas are omnidirectional and directional.

If you live in a rural area with faraway cell towers, don't bother with an omnidirectional antenna. Even though it’s easier to install, it will provide less gain for your system. This is critical when you live far away from a cell tower.

In terms of directional antennas, there are two main types: Yagi and LPDA.

weBoost High Gain LPDA Antenna
weBoost High Gain LPDA Antenna - 311228

Best antenna for very rural areas. 50 Ohm.

Buy Now at $359.99

LPDA antennas are more powerful than Yagis. They should be used in very rural areas to provide more powerful signal. However, they're expensive and harder to install. Yagi antennas, on the other hand, are easier to use and tend to work well if you live within 3 miles of a tower.

Wilson Electronics Yagi Directional Antenna
Wilson Electronics Yagi Directional Antenna

Common directional antenna. 50 or 75 ohm.

Starting at $80.99

If you need to upgrade your Yagi or LPDA, it’s important to keep impedance in mind. Antennas, cables, and signal boosters all have impedance ratings of 50 Ohm or 75 Ohm. Mixing and matching impedance can lead to signal loss. It’s best to stay consistent. In some cases, however, we need to connect a 50 Ohm antenna to a 75 Ohm system for the extra power. This can be done with an adapter. To connect our 50 Ohm antennas to our 75 Ohm booster, we recommend an N-Male to F-Female adapter.

For indoor antennas, avoid whips. Try and get a panel antenna or a dome antenna if possible.

Rural Area Signal Booster FAQs

1. Are Signal Boosters for Rural Areas Legal?

In Canada, "IC-approved signal boosters are 100% legal. You’re free to use them to improve cell coverage in your rural living spaces or vehicles

2. How Well Do Cell Phone Booster Work in Rural Areas?

If you have a sliver of signal, they work well.

Cell boosters were made for people in low-service areas. You won't have to head into town or beg for a bar anymore. They reach to AND from the cell tower to deliver reliable reception.

3. Do Cell Phone Signal Boosters Work Off-Grid?

That depends on the signal situation. If cellular signal is available, even if weak, then a cell phone signal booster can work for you while off the grid. However, if you're in a dead zone, then a cell phone signal booster will not work for you.

4. What is the Best Off-Grid Cell Phone Booster?

Cell signal in off-grid locations tends to be extremely weak. To maximize signal boost and coverage, you should get a signal booster with the highest gain and uplink power you can afford for your application.

Consider the Home Complete or Office 100 depending on size for off-grid homes, a WilsonPro unit for off-grid businesses, the Destination RV for off-grid RVs, and the Drive Reach for all other vehicles.

5. How Do Signal Boosters Boost Cell Phone Reception in Remote Areas?

A cell phone signal booster works by doing 3 main things:

The outside antenna pulls in existing 5G, 4G, and LTE signals.

The amplifier boosts cell signals.

The inside antenna broadcasts the boosted signal inside your cabin, office, or vehicle.

It's important to note that cell phone booster ENHANCES signal. They do not create it. Think of it as healing the injured and not raising the dead.

Usually, if you can get some signal near your home, a cell phone booster will work for you.

There are areas where cell signal doesn't exist or is spotty. If you live or travel to one of those areas, you might see very limited results, even with a booster. But something is still better than nothing.

6. Is There a Way to Get Cell Service Anywhere?

Unfortunately, no. If there is absolutely zero cell signal, not even a signal booster can help improve connectivity. However, with the right antennas, a signal booster will enhance reception anywhere a sliver of cell signal is available.

7. Will Signal Boosters Work for My Farm Out in the Country?

Yes.

The best cell phone signal booster for farms depends on a few factors:

  • How far away you are from your nearest cell tower.
  • Where you need coverage (buildings or vehicles).
  • The strength of your outside signal.

If your signal strength is very weak, you’ll need to invest in a strong booster to get decent results.

As a general rule, you should buy the strongest booster possible if you live far away from a cell tower. However, if you live pretty close to one, you can get away with a weaker booster.

Many farmers have opted for the Bolton Technical PSU. Portable, it allows them to get signal anywhere on the farm.

8. Does a Cell Phone Signal Booster Work for Camping?

Cell reception is often less than ideal when camping. If you have access to a power source, vehicle and residential boosters work great when camping in environments with existing cell signals. They must be used in enclosed areas due to IC regulations and for optimal results. If electricity isn’t available, the PSU would be a better option. It can keep you connected for up to 18 hours on pure battery power.

9. How to Get Cell Service in the Woods? 

Reliable cellular reception is a bit tricky in the woods. With so many trees, cell signal is easily blocked.

Whether you live or camp in the woods, as long there is an ounce of signal, you’ll be able to get decent service with a signal booster. You may need to upgrade the included Yagi antenna for a stronger one. If you don’t have access to electricity, we recommend the Portable Signal Unit.

10. How to Get Cell Service in the Mountains?

If signal can reach the mountain or close enough to it, a booster can help you get better cell reception. That is unless you're on something like Mount Everest. If you don’t have access to electricity, consider the PSU.

11. Will a Cell Phone Booster Work for My Phone?

Absolutely.

Cell boosters work with all CELLULAR DEVICES. Smartphones, tablets, hotspots, cellular routers, etc.

12. What if I Switch Carriers in the Future?

The booster will continue to improve your signal.

Our Wilson Electronics units (weBoost & WilsonPro) are multi-carrier systems. This means they’re compatible with Rogers, Bell Mobility, Telus, and all other carriers.

They are future-proof!

13. What About 5G Service?

Signal boosters are 5G ready, meaning they work with certain parts of 5G.

However, even though Rogers, Bell, Telus, and other carriers have started deploying 5G, it’s not available everywhere. It’ll be a while for 5G to reach rural areas.

14. Will 5G Make Rural Signal Boosters Obsolete?

Nope.

4G LTE is the backbone of the nation's wireless service. It's not going anywhere anytime soon, AND it's getting faster. These boosters are also 5G ready.

4G LTE is expected to peak in 2030-2035. So... come back in a decade and ask the same question. We might have a different answer.

Contact Us to Get Cell Service in Remote Areas Today!

Wilson Amplifiers is the leading provider of cell phone signal boosters. We hate dropped calls and poor coverage. It’s our goal to eliminate spotty signal, especially in remote, rural areas. If you have questions about our products or need help choosing the right one, call us at 1-800-373-2927 or e-mail us at sales@wilsonamplifiers.ca.

  • Free consultations with our US-based customer support.
  • Free shipping.
  • Better signal or industry-leading 90-day money-back guaranteed. No questions asked.
  • Lifetime technical support and a 2-year warranty for all products.

Ask us anything, we’re happy to help!

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