How to Improve Mobile Signal Strength: Case Study with Convatec

We understand the challenges businesses face when poor mobile signal disrupts communication and productivity. That’s why we’re proud to share this success story from Convatec. Faced with persistent signal issues, Convatec turned to us for a reliable solution. We installed a state-of-the-art mobile signal booster, providing seamless coverage throughout their premises and effectively addressing the challenge of how to improve mobile signal strength.

This article highlights how we tailored our solution to meet Convatec’s specific needs, ensuring minimal disruption during installation and delivering results that enable their team to stay connected effortlessly.

Convatec, a global leader in medical solutions, faced a significant challenge at their UK site: poor mobile phone coverage. With critical operations dependent on reliable communication, the building’s weak signal across all 3 of the 4 networks (Three, O2 and Vodafone) — was causing frustration and impacting efficiency.

Why Was the Mobile Signal So Poor?
Modern building construction techniques often prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability, which is fantastic for reducing environmental impact but can have a major downside for mobile connectivity. Materials such as metal cladding, reinforced concrete, and low-emissivity glass are designed to insulate and reflect heat—but they also block mobile signals from entering the building. As a result, even in areas with strong outdoor coverage, indoor signal quality can be severely impacted.

Convatec faced several critical challenges with their mobile connectivity:

• Poor signal strength across all three major UK networks (Three, O2, Vodafone)
• Dead zones inside the building, where making or receiving calls was impossible
• Frequent disruptions, such as dropped calls and sluggish mobile data speeds

These issues went beyond being a minor inconvenience—they were directly impacting the efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations.

To tackle these challenges, easyNetworks installed the Nextivity Cel-Fi QUADRA solution , a system that is both Ofcom approved and supported by all major UK networks. This ensures compliance with regulatory standards while guaranteeing reliable performance. The Cel-Fi QUATRA system is designed specifically for situations where indoor signal strength is inadequate, delivering carrier-grade mobile signal throughout the building.

We started with a comprehensive survey, carefully analysing the property and its surroundings, including nearby mobile masts. This technical assessment allowed us to identify the optimal mast for each of the four major mobile networks, ensuring the external antennas were perfectly positioned to capture the strongest possible signal.

Once the survey was complete, our team leveraged nearly 30 years of expertise in network installations to identify how to improve mobile signal strength and implement the solution in several key steps:

1. Mobile booster antenna
   High-gain antennas were installed on the roof and optimised for each mobile mast to capture the strongest mobile signal from each mobile operator.  Extremely low-loss antenna cable was used to connect each antenna back to a CEL-FI QUATRA Network Unit via lightning arrestors.
2. Mobile signal indoor antennas
   Cat.6 data cabling was used to connect each CEL-FI QUATRA Coverage Unit to the CEL-FI QUATRA Network Unit.  Antennas were attached to each CEL-FI QUATRA Coverage Unit and initial testing was undertaken to check coverage predictions.
3. Mobile signal booster testing
   Following installation, our team walked the entire buildings to take readings of the mobile signal strength for each mobile network.  This was fully documented and a heat map was produced.  The result was excellent mobile signal in almost every corner of the building.

The difference was immediately noticeable. Convatec’s staff now enjoy excellent mobile coverage across Three, O2, Vodafone, and EE throughout the building. Voice calls are crystal-clear, and mobile data is fast and reliable, enabling the team to focus on their important work without worrying about connectivity issues.

Convatec’s operations have become smoother and more efficient, and their teams can communicate effortlessly with colleagues and partners—whether they’re taking critical calls, joining virtual meetings, or accessing cloud-based applications on the go.

• In addition to being the mainstay of business communication, poor mobile phone coverage can significantly hinder productivity. Here’s why having a robust mobile signal is critical:
  • Seamless Collaboration: Dropped calls and poor voice quality disrupt conversations, leading to misunderstandings and wasted time.
  • Improved Employee Efficiency: Staff can remain connected to apps, emails, and cloud services without delays, boosting their productivity.
  • Enhanced Customer Service: Quick, reliable communication ensures a better customer experience and avoids missed opportunities.
  • Business Continuity: Strong mobile signals ensure critical operations can continue uninterrupted, even during emergencies.

  For companies like Convatec, where communication is the backbone of daily operations, a strong mobile signal is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Convatec is dedicated to improving the lives of patients worldwide with innovative medical solutions, including advanced wound care, ostomy care, continence care, and infusion devices. Their work touches countless lives every day, and easyNetworks was proud to play a role in supporting their mission. By providing the reliable connectivity they need, we’ve helped ensure their teams can focus on what truly matters: delivering life-changing healthcare solutions.

With nearly 30 years of experience and a proven track record in delivering tailored network solutions, easyNetworks is your trusted partner for enhancing connectivity. We’ve invested in advanced equipment and specialist training to accurately measure network strength, ensuring every project is designed and installed to the highest standard.

Our Nextivity Cel-Fi QUATRA solution is cutting-edge, fully Ofcom-approved, and supported by all major UK networks—providing you with a legal, reliable, and future-proof mobile signal enhancement.

Contact us today to transform your mobile connectivity!