Forums are a great way to get a handle on what people are thinking. But there are also times when we discover that information communicated or shared within a forum is not as clear or accurate as it should be.
Devices for improving cellular service in the home are a case in point. Naturally customers go looking for a solution to their indoor coverage problems, hoping they get a clear answer. Sometimes they do. But other times – especially since several solutions exist to improve indoor cellular coverage – they’re looking at the wrong technology options. Adding to the confusion are different brand names applied to similar devices offered by other providers, making it even harder to sort out what each of them actually does.
There are multiple technology choices for addressing the challenges of poor indoor cellular coverage, but the recommended solution may depend on a number of variables – such as the type of customer (consumer vs. enterprise), indoor coverage area, budget, usage application, geographic location, etc. To find the best solution to meet your particular indoor coverage needs, we suggest taking the time to familiarize yourself with the various options. We also offer up these pointers on what to consider before making your decision.
Question #1: What kind of signal do you want to boost: your Wi-Fi or cellular signal?
In cases where you live in the middle of nowhere with no access to DSL services, the only access to the internet is over a cellular network. If your house has a poor cellular signal however, and you are dropping calls consistently, you need a cellular signal booster.
If you subscribe to Wi-Fi calling, but your Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong enough to cover an entire house, you may need a Wi-Fi booster that can take the original signal and spread it further.
If there is absolutely no cellular service in your home, but you do have a DSL line, you can install a mini-tower (or femtocell). It uses your existing internet connection to backhaul to the cellular network, wherever that may be.
Question #2: Will the device interfere with others in my home?
Some devices can generate interference on the network, and that’s never a good thing. Of course, Cel-Fi Smart Signal Boosters eliminate the risk of interference thanks to built-in algorithms that enable them to co-exist with other devices in the home or office, including Wi-Fi routers on the same spectrum. In other words, Cel-Fi knows how to play nice with others, which is a very important feature to consider, since you can run into all sorts of problems if devices start fighting for spectrum space.
Question #3: What happens if I step outside while on a call?
With a Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster, There are no concerns about moving from indoors or outdoors and vice versa. Unfortunately, this cannot be said for all solutions.
With Wi-Fi calling however, the call will drop once you are out of range of the Wi-Fi signal and will not automatically switch to the cellular network – and vice versa.
Femto Cells may also have problems with hand in (from the macro network to the house) and hand out (from the house to the macro network). Many can do one but not the other: most commonly they can hand out but not in.If you’re still stuck making a decision, you can always ask one of our support folks. We’re happy to help you out so that you can find the best solution for your indoor coverage needs.