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Question

cell phone antenna boosters/ thru cable?

Apr 26, 2011 4:09AM PDT

Our cell phones don't ring in the house or we get dropped calls. Has anybody heard of some 'booster antenna' where you enter your number thru a cable modem with a device for a stronger signal?
Any suggestions?
We are with AT&T

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Booster antennas.....
Apr 26, 2011 5:16AM PDT

...do not connect through any cable connection, they merely amplify the existing cellular connection. Most of these devices are mounted to the side of a building or near a window. At&t does sell a device (MiFi I believe) that works like a local antenna and connect through a broadband internet connection. The booster antennas can cost several hundreds of $$ vs the MiFi connection. To get more information about MiFi, go to your local At&t store, call customer service or go to the At&t Wireless internet site. Best of success to you..

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Answer
ATT microcell
Apr 27, 2011 12:57AM PDT

ATT sells a microcell & service, which you would employ to make and receive calls/data via your home broadband service. More info-

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Experiences with ATT 3gmicrocell
Apr 30, 2011 2:07AM PDT

I was in the ATT store back in Jan '11 trying to get some help with my account, when the manager 'ran' my account on the system- and told me I was eligible for a 'free' 3gmicrocell tower. I have 2 iphones on one account and I don't think they wanted me to jump ship...

I was living in upstate NY with Verizon FIOS fiber to the house for my internet. It took a few hours to set the thing up- You plug it into the internet and power it up. It takes up to 1/2 an hour to find a GPS signal, then it sits and waits to be acknowledged by ATT- that is the slow part- I had to cycle it a few times. It eventually came on- and I was good to go. Coverage in the house was poor, then I had 5 bars! Excellent signal in the house, and good call quality.

Then I moved to Iowa... ATT isn't big here in Southeast Iowa- though I get many bars outside. I have Mediacom cable internet to my apt. I had to go back to the ATT website and tell them I moved the cell tower, and it took the same amount of time to hook it up. I find it INVALUABLE NOW! I got no bars in my apartment, and being away from 'home' am very dependant on my cell phone. There are 5 bars on my phone, and call quality is great on my end.
I have used Google voice to give me a 'local' Iowa phone number. With the microcell I haven't felt the need to get a landline. Very Happy with the product. When I unplug the interent, It takes about 1/2 hour to come back on line when I plug it back in.

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Answer
Signal boosters
May 4, 2011 2:48AM PDT

Wilson has some good signal boosters to boost your reception around your house. I've seen some go as low as $200 to as high as $1000. I would go somewhere along the middle ($500-$600).

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That's my preferred choice, actually
May 4, 2011 11:51AM PDT

The rub is for most effective use there needs to be an externally mounted antenna. Most folks don't want to deal with this, nor the up front costs vs an easier to digest microcell.

To the OP> One benefit of a dual band (850/1900) repeater/amplifier solution from Wilson is that it works for most U.S. carriers. And not having any monthly fee is a nice icing on the cake, if you will.

cheers,
Pedro