Calls that cut out mid-sentence, messages that arrive an hour late, and a work-from-home day spent waiting for pages to load. Poor signal in Malta is a surprisingly common complaint for an island with masts everywhere – whether you are with Epic, GO or Melita. The good news is that the cause can almost always be measured, and there are several fixes. Here are eight, from free and easy to the most complete.

Why is the signal poor?

• Building materials: thick limestone walls in older houses and dense concrete in newer blocks absorb radio waves.
• Surrounding buildings: ground-floor flats and maisonettes boxed in by taller blocks sit in a radio “shadow”.
• Coated glazing: energy-efficient windows with a metallic layer reflect much of the signal.
• Terrain: valleys, cliffs and the edges of Gozo can put you behind a ridge from the nearest mast.
• Congestion: in busy summer spots such as Sliema, St Julian’s or Mellieħa beaches, a mast can be so loaded that data crawls even with full bars.

Before you start: keep a signal log

For a few days, note where and when calls drop and data slows: the room, the time and the RSRP reading. A simple log shows whether the problem is the building, the area or congestion – and it is very useful when you talk to your operator.

1. Update your phone and check VoLTE

Install system updates and make sure 4G calling (VoLTE) is switched on. As 3G is phased out, a phone without VoLTE may fall back to 2G for calls, which can mean more drop-outs. Restart the phone and toggle airplane mode briefly so it searches again for the best mast.

2. Replace an old SIM card

An old or damaged SIM can cause odd connection problems. Your operator can usually replace it easily, or you can switch to eSIM if your phone supports it.

3. Turn on Wi-Fi calling

If you have fixed broadband, Wi-Fi calling is the simplest fix for calls: your phone routes them over your home network. Many phones and plans support it – check your phone settings and your plan’s terms. The limit: it only works within Wi-Fi range and does nothing for mobile data.

4. Find your best spots

Signal can vary a lot between rooms and between the front and back of the house. Measure RSRP in dBm with a network-info app or the iPhone Field Test mode. Around −90 dBm is good; below −110 dBm is where problems start. Measure in every room, on the balcony and on the roof. That tells you whether the problem is the house or the area – and where an outdoor antenna would go.

5. Contact your operator

Report the problem with your exact address, the rooms and times affected, and attach your measurements. Sometimes the cause is a fault or work on a nearby mast. Ask about indoor coverage solutions as well. This step is essential if you are considering a booster (see fix 8).

6. Compare operators

Epic, GO and Melita do not have their masts in the same places. Does your neighbour get better signal on another network? Test with a prepaid SIM before you switch plans. Coverage maps give a rough idea, but a real test at your address tells you more.

7. A 4G/5G router with an outdoor antenna

For a farmhouse, a holiday home or a flat where fixed broadband is poor, this is often the best fix when data is the main issue. A directional antenna sits outside in the best spot – usually the roof – and the router shares the connection over Wi-Fi. Combined with Wi-Fi calling, it often sorts out calls too, without boosting the mobile network at all. Choose a router and antenna that support your operator’s bands.

8. A mobile signal booster

The most complete fix: an outdoor antenna picks up the signal, the booster amplifies it, and an indoor antenna spreads it around. Calls, texts and data improve for every phone in the house.

Important in Malta: mobile frequencies are assigned to the operators, and a booster transmits on them. Before you buy or install one, contact your operator and get written consent – from each operator, if the booster covers more than one network.

If you go ahead, choose by band and floor area:

• Flat or maisonette: 4G Signal Booster – 300 m².
• Family on different networks: Universal Signal Booster – 300 m².
• Where 5G is genuinely available: 5G Signal Booster – 300 m².
• Townhouse or farmhouse over several floors: 2G & 4G Signal Booster – 500 m².

By operator: Epic, GO, Melita. For more detail, see our mobile signal booster buyer’s guide for Malta.

Which fix suits you?

If you fit a booster

• Put the outdoor antenna where the signal is strongest, aimed at the mast.
• Keep the indoor antenna well away from the outdoor one, with a wall or slab in between – otherwise you get feedback.
• Use a short cable with no sharp bends, and a drip loop before it enters the building.
• On the roof, think about wind, salt air and strong sun: use sturdy brackets and protect the connectors.
• Connect the power last and re-measure RSRP in the same rooms.

Step by step in the installation guide.

Working from home

For video calls, stability matters more than peak speed. A steady few megabits of upload is usually enough for one video call, while a jumpy connection ruins a meeting even if the momentary speed is high. So measure stability at different times of day. If the connection slows in the evenings, at weekends or during the summer season, the cause is probably mast congestion, and no device inside your home will fix that – trying another operator makes more sense.

Signal myths

“More bars always means faster internet”

No. Bars are only a rough guide to signal strength; speed also depends on mast load and the band in use.

“5G will fix it”

Rarely. Higher 5G frequencies have a shorter range than 4G on 800 MHz and struggle more with stone walls.

“Putting the phone on the windowsill always helps”

Often it does, because more signal gets through glass than stone – but not with coated, energy-efficient glazing.

FAQ

Will it work when the holiday home is empty?

Routers and boosters need power. If you switch off the mains when you leave, you will need to turn the device back on next visit.

Can a phone case weaken the signal?

Cases with metal or magnets can have a small effect, but they are rarely the main cause.

Do I need permission for a roof antenna?

In a shared block, always check with the other owners, the administrator or your landlord before fixing anything to the roof or façade.

How long does delivery of an MPSB kit take?

Delivery is free and takes 5–7 working days.

Where can I get help?

Email support@mysignalboosters.com or use the chat on the website. Tell us your operator, your locality and your RSRP reading. There is more in our buyer’s guide and FAQs.

Summary

You don’t have to live with dropped calls. Start with the free steps. In a farmhouse or holiday home, an outdoor-antenna router plus Wi-Fi calling is often enough. If the signal is good outside but weak indoors, talk to your operator about a booster solution and choose a kit that matches the band and floor area. Visit the MPSB shop.