Guidance for Areas with Unreliable Mobile Coverage
Advice and Solutions for Homes and Workplaces with Intermittent Mobile Signal
Iceland ranks among the leading countries in the world when it comes to telecommunications access for both residents and businesses — despite its sparse population and geographically challenging terrain for building network infrastructure.
Nevertheless, there are still a few locations where full indoor mobile coverage cannot be guaranteed, and even fewer where there is no outdoor signal at all. The Icelandic government and telecommunications companies are continually working to improve connectivity for everyone.
Through the “Iceland Connected with Fibre” (Ísland ljóstengt) project, many rural homes have gained access to fibre-optic internet, providing a strong and reliable network connection. Such broadband access also enables solutions that can enhance indoor mobile coverage.
Several options are available for users experiencing weak or unreliable indoor mobile connections, helping them achieve better reception and ensuring greater safety and reliability.
Calling and Messaging over WiFi (Voice over WiFi – VoWiFi)
Voice and SMS over WiFi is the most straightforward solution currently available.
This service allows mobile users to make and receive calls and send text messages via their home WiFi connection, instead of relying solely on mobile network coverage.
To use this service, you need:
- A mobile phone that supports VoWiFi, and
- A telecom operator that has activated the service on its network.
Icelandic operators are at different stages of implementing this service, so users are advised to contact their telecommunications provider for information and assistance.
4G/5G Outdoor Antennas
Users who experience unstable mobile connections — and do not have a fixed internet connection such as fibre — can purchase or rent an external antenna.
These antennas can be installed on, for example, a rooftop, allowing them to receive 4G or 5G signals from the mobile network. The signal is then distributed inside the building via a WiFi router, providing strong indoor coverage.
This type of equipment is also popular for summer cottages and rural homes to achieve reliable high-speed connectivity.
Users should contact their telecom provider for guidance on purchasing or renting such equipment.
Signal Repeaters / Amplifiers
Signal repeaters or amplifiers serve a similar purpose to the antennas mentioned above — they receive a mobile signal and rebroadcast it indoors.
Some of this equipment has been available from resellers in Iceland, but its use is subject to approval by the telecommunications companies, which are the entities licensed by ECOI to distribute mobile signals in Iceland.
Repeaters are most commonly used on ships and, in exceptional cases, in remote rural areas where the risk of interfering with other communications is minimal.
If you believe a repeater may be necessary, you must first consult your telecommunications provider.
Complaints Regarding Abnormal Mobile Network Interference
The Electronic Communications Office of Iceland (ECOI) receives and investigates complaints about telecommunications interference.
ECOI seeks to identify the causes as quickly as possible and takes the necessary steps to resolve the issue.
Complaints can be submitted electronically via the ECOI website or sent by email to: fjarskiptastofa@fjarskiptastofa.is
You may also contact us through our Facebook page.