This document proposes soft activation and inactivation of (network) repeaters that are, for example, activated on an as-needed basis. With soft activation, repeater gain ramps upward at a controlled rate, thereby avoiding rapid changes in interference caused by the repeater. Likewise, with soft inactivation, repeater gain ramps downward at a controlled rate. Soft activation/inactivation results in more gradual changes in the interference contribution of the repeater, thereby improving the performance of interference-compensating radio receivers operating in proximity to the repeater.