Verizon Network Extender Boosts Cell Phone Signals at Home
Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:10 pm
Verizon Wireless today began selling a device that boosts cell phone signals within a home, making it easier for people to drop a home phone line and rely solely on wireless.
Photo: Verizon Network Extender Boosts Cell Phone Signals at Home Photo 1
These devices are known as "femtocells." Once Verizon's Network Extender is connected to a broadband Internet line, it acts as a miniature cellular tower, listening for signals from a subscriber's cell phone up to 5,000 square feet.
Verizon Wireless, the country's largest carrier, is following in the footsteps of Sprint, which started selling a femtocell under the Airave brand last year.
Sprint's Airave costs $100, but the company charges an extra $5 per month for use. Verizon Wireless is not charging a monthly fee. Both Verizon Wireless and Sprint femtocells are made by Samsung and relay voice and low-speed data connections.
AT&T is currently testing femtocells in employees' homes. Plans to conduct customer trials will begin in the second quarter. The AT&T unit will relay fast 3G data connections.
"Our new Network Extender device will bring the full benefit of the Verizon Wireless voice network to the small but important segment of customers who may experience a weaker signal in their homes because of geographic or structural conditions," said Jack Plating, Chief Operating Officer of Verizon Wireless. "For those who have wanted to sign up for Verizon Wireless service but hesitated because of reception problems unique to their home location, this is the answer."
T-Mobile has chosen a different technological standard to expand indoor coverage. It offers Wi-Fi routers and handhelds that can make calls over Wi-Fi in addition to regular wireless calls.
They got it right by not charging to use your own minutes
2. Posted by prevail
Fri Jan 30, 2009 12:46 pm
I am one of those Verizon users who has to walk outside to get a signal that I can rely upon. I have a tower only 1.3 miles from my house.
I had ATT prior and had no problem getting a single even though their tower was farther away. It seems that Verizon's signal has greater difficulty being accessed indoors. Is there something about Verizon signal that keeps it from being accessed indoors?
Will the additional towers that Verizon aquires from their acquistion of Alltel help?
Finally, I purchased one of their Extenders yesterday. Once I receive it and had a chance to test it out I will report the results here.
3. Posted by prevail
Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:59 pm
It isn't often something works as well as advertised. much less better!
I have to admit that the Verizon Extender DOES work as advertised.
I received my extender this morning by Fed Ex. It took me 5-10 minutes to set up the system. I called Verizon since I did not see a way to prioritize the phones using the network.
Once that was done, I had to wait 60 mins for the GPS system to find my network.
Well I went from having 0-1 bars in my house to a full 4 bars. I have a 4200 sq ft home and have 3-4 bar reception in every room.
This is a WOW product!
4. Posted by DonLouie
Tue Feb 03, 2009 11:32 am
That mirrors the Airave experience, minus the $150 upfront and the $5 MRC
5. Posted by mloverme
Wed Feb 04, 2009 1:00 am
Hey,
I got one of these for my dorm room because I get no signal in there. I plugged it in and my GPS light just stays solid red. It has been like for about a day. I even have the GPS out of the unit and on my window. Any suggestions?
6. Posted by mloverme
Wed Feb 04, 2009 5:37 pm
I finally got the GPS to get signal. 4 Bars all through my apartment dorm! This thing rocks. No EVDO or 3G but I just need to make calls and send texts so its all good.
7. Posted by DonLouie
Mon Feb 09, 2009 9:46 am
I wonder if they'll add an unlimited option?
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