Extending high-speed cellular coverage to underserved areas
Organization: Rural Community
Industry: Public Sector
Region: Oman
Use Case: Outdoor cellular network coverage extension for residential and public zones
Executive Summary
A rural community in Oman improved cellular coverage and data performance using Airgain’s Lighthouse Smart Network Controlled Repeaters and Directional 5G Antennas. Although located approximately 2.3 kilometers (1.45 miles) from the nearest macro tower, terrain and signal degradation limited connectivity across residential and public areas. Following deployment, throughput increased by up to 10x, speeds improved from 33/13 Mbps to up to 449 Mbps download, and 5G coverage became available throughout the coverage zone. The solution was installed and validated in less than four hours without fiber deployment, major construction, or disruption to existing services.
A rural community located approximately 2,340 meters (1.45 miles) from the nearest macro tower experienced degraded cellular performance due to topographical obstructions and signal fading.
Despite proximity to the macro network, users experienced poor connectivity in open-air and fringe areas, with LTE speeds as low as 33 Mbps down / 13 Mbps up at 200 meters from the coverage zone.
The community needed a solution that could:
Airgain deployed Lighthouse Smart Network Controlled Repeaters, combined with a Directional 5G Antenna, to capture the available signal from the existing macro network and distribute it to previously underserved areas.
The solution was designed to extend coverage beyond the practical reach of the macro tower while maintaining signal quality and network performance. By leveraging existing cellular infrastructure, the deployment avoided the cost, complexity, and delays associated with fiber construction, new tower development, or extensive site upgrades.
Installation, optimization, and validation were completed in less than four hours.
The deployment delivered 5x–10x throughput gains across a 200-meter test strip, significantly improving performance in previously underserved areas.
Measured performance improved from 33/13 Mbps to 412/49 Mbps, with peak performance reaching up to 449 Mbps down in test zones.
The solution enabled 5G coverage across all trial zones, extending high-speed connectivity into areas that previously experienced weak or inconsistent LTE service.
The full solution was installed and tested within 4 hours, enabling fast rollout without complex construction or delays.
The deployment extended coverage using existing macro signals, eliminating the need for fiber backhaul or major infrastructure investment.
The solution was implemented with no service interruption, ensuring continuity for existing users during deployment.
| Metric | Before Deployment | After Deployment |
|---|---|---|
| Download speed | 33 Mbps | Up to 449 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 13 Mbps | Up to 49 Mbps |
| Throughput performance | Baseline LTE service | 5x–10x improvement |
| Network availability | Limited LTE coverage | Consistent 5G availability |
| Infrastructure requirements | Potential fiber expansion | No fiber required |
Reliable cellular connectivity is increasingly essential for rural communities, government agencies, public services, emergency response organizations, and critical infrastructure operators. This deployment demonstrates how coverage-extension technology can rapidly improve connectivity in underserved areas while avoiding the cost and complexity of traditional infrastructure expansion.
