A repeater is a device you install at some point in the path if you need to link up between a distance greater than the maximum for a direct link. It functions somewhat like the line amplifier of a cable TV distribution. It needs a power source but you can install it once and forget about it.
A switch has ten times the bandwidth of a hub, i.e., 10Mb/s for a hub and 100Mb/s for a switch.
I don't have a current price for a repeater but a single basic repeater should be below 1k. You can use a hub or switch as a repeater too.
Valte, how's the weather in Kolasib -- warming up ?