Is a mobile signal booster legal in India? (2026)

Short answerAccording to the Department of Telecommunications, it is unlawful for anyone other than a licensed telecom operator to possess, sell or use a mobile signal repeater or booster. That applies to homes and offices alike. There are lawful ways to fix indoor signal, listed below.

This guide explains public rules in plain language. It is not legal advice. Rules change; check the sources below and speak to a lawyer for your situation.

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What the rules say

In July 2022 the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a public advisory. In its words, "it is unlawful to possess, sale, and/or use mobile signal repeater/booster by any individual/entity other than the licensed Telecom Service Providers."

The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced the old Indian Telegraph Act. Section 3 requires government authorisation to run a telecom network or to possess radio equipment. Section 42 sets penalties for doing so without authorisation, including imprisonment of up to three years and fines that can run to lakhs or crores of rupees depending on the offence.

Exactly how each section applies to a particular device or installation is a question for a lawyer, not a website. What isn't in doubt is DoT's stated position on boosters.

Why DoT acts against boosters

A booster listens for the operator's signal, amplifies it, and rebroadcasts it. Done badly, and most unlicensed devices are installed without any planning, it can interfere with the operator's network. That interference doesn't stay in your flat. Industry bodies have described unauthorised repeaters as a major cause of call drops for other people nearby.

What enforcement looks like

2020, Delhi: DoT's monitoring teams removed hundreds of boosters and issued notices to the people using them.
Dec 2020: DoT asked e-commerce sites to pull booster listings.
May 2024, Mumbai: DoT's Wireless Monitoring Organisation seized boosters and antennas from a shop and dismantled residential and commercial installations, citing the new Telecommunications Act.

They're sold online. Doesn't that make them legal?

No. Listings have continued to appear despite DoT's directions to marketplaces. Something being available to buy doesn't make it lawful to install or use. Some sellers say boosters are "not banned" or are "compliant". We haven't seen any of them cite a DoT authorisation for that claim.

What is legal instead

Measure first. Find out which rooms are affected, on which networks. Measuring is passive: it transmits nothing.
Wi-Fi calling. Jio and Airtel offer it at no extra charge on supported phones. How to set it up.
An operator complaint, with evidence. Operators run the network. Readings make a complaint specific. How to complain.
In-building coverage through the operators. For societies, offices and commercial buildings, operators and licensed infrastructure providers can deploy in-building systems. Authorisation rules notified by DoT in July 2026 create licence categories for this kind of infrastructure.
Buildings rated for connectivity. Since October 2024, TRAI rates properties for digital connectivity, including indoor mobile coverage. See getting ready for the rating.

Where SignalFix stands

We don't sell, install or maintain mobile signal boosters. Our SignalCheck measures your rooms. When a fix is needed, we deliver it through a lawful route, confirmed in writing in your quote before work starts, and prove the result with a Bar Certificate. If the honest answer is Wi-Fi calling or an operator complaint, that's what we'll tell you.

[CLIENT INPUT REQUIRED: name the specific lawful route (operator partner / authorisation) once confirmed by counsel]

Is a mobile signal booster legal in India?