3G GSM modem signal problems

Hi
I was just working on a project related to 3g connectivity.

I have a 3g dongle inside a steel box. The 3g dongle does'nt seem to get the signals inside the box .

Dont we get 3G signals inside a stainless steel box?

Any solution for this, without replacing the steel box ?

Radio waves are not good at passing through metal boxes, if they were microwave ovens would be a lot less popular !

The thicker the metal and the more solid the box the less radio gets through.

Making holes in the box, and making sure it not earthed might help.
Some modems have provision for an external aerial, you could try that or
possibly, some sort of aerial on the outside to the inside might help conduct the signal.
A website devoted to radio could probably help more.
Let us know if you find anything.

usually USB dongles have external antenna ports. See if yours have the same. Just connect an external antenna there and connect it outside steel box.