| Ever missed a call because your phone was in and | | | | more than a handful of users so everyone can be |
| out of service and it only rang once before going to | | | | talking or surfing at the same time. |
| voicemail? Constantly having to go to windows or | | | | - Femtocell: Depends on the carrier. Sprint's |
| outside to make a call? Tired of playing the "Can you | | | | AIRWAVE allows up to 3 simultaneous users. |
| hear me now?" game? With more and more people | | | | Verizon's Network Extender supports up to 3 |
| opting to do away with their landline, reliable call | | | | simultaneous users. AT&T's Microcell supports up to |
| quality and carrier service has never been more | | | | 4 simultaneous users. |
| important. So what can you do to improve your | | | | Bandwidth |
| reception and stop dropping calls? | | | | - Booster: N/A |
| The most popular options are cell phone signal | | | | - Femtocell: Prepare to allot anywhere from 40Kbps |
| boosters and Femtocells. Without going into too | | | | to 300kbps of your upload and download bandwidth |
| much detail, by the end of this article you should | | | | depending on the number of active calls / data |
| have enough information to decide which one is right | | | | sessions. |
| for you. | | | | Cost |
| Let us start by defining the two technologies. Most | | | | - Booster: Basic Dual Band home coverage kits |
| wireless cell phone signal boosters (also called | | | | can start as low as $325 |
| amplifiers and repeaters) work by capturing the signal | | | | - Femtocell: Anywhere ranging from free (with a |
| outside, amplifying it, and then redistributing it inside. | | | | subscription to unlimited calling), to $99 with a $5/mo |
| This is done through 3 major pieces: an outside | | | | fee, to a $250 one time fee. |
| antenna (either directional or omni-directional), the | | | | Installation |
| amplifier, and the inside antenna (either directional or | | | | - Booster: Installation of most cell phone signal |
| omni-directional). The outside signal can be weak or | | | | boosters can be completed in anywhere from 1 to |
| strong, but must be present in order for the booster | | | | 4 hrs.. Mounting the outside antenna, mounting the |
| to operate properly. In general, the weaker the | | | | inside antenna and running the cabling between |
| signal outside, the more gain the amplifier needs to | | | | everything is the most time consuming. Amplifier |
| provide in order to offer adequate coverage inside. | | | | and internal antenna placement are completely |
| Femtocells are basically miniature cell phone towers, | | | | flexible. |
| about the size of a wireless router, that are provided | | | | - Femtocell: Physically easier to install - requiring just |
| by your wireless carrier and are installed in your home | | | | a simple Ethernet connection to your existing router. |
| to provide coverage of up to a 40' radius. They are | | | | However, most require a GPS lock in order to |
| essentially a Wi-Fi router for cellular and PCS | | | | activate and confirm location, so it is advised to install |
| frequencies. Information is transmitted wirelessly | | | | next to a window. However, it is also advised that |
| from your phone to the femtocell, then from the | | | | they be placed in a central location for best |
| femtocell to the carrier via your broadband internet | | | | coverage. Raise your hand if you have windows |
| connection. | | | | located in the center of your home? |
| Now let's get down to the purpose of this article. | | | | Boot Up Time |
| The easiest way to decide which product is right for | | | | - Booster: N/A - once the amplifier is powered |
| you is to take a look at the comparisons below. | | | | on you can make and receive calls. |
| Connectivity | | | | - Femtocell: Some femtocells require up to 60 |
| - Booster: Dual Band models work with virtually all | | | | minutes to set up and stabilize for the first time. |
| carriers except Nextel and other iDEN push-to-talk | | | | Subsequent power cycles take 10-15 minutes to |
| networks, although there are boosters made | | | | stabilize. |
| specifically for Nextel. | | | | Call Hand-Off |
| - Femtocell: Only works with one specific service | | | | - Booster: N/A - a cell phone signal booster is an |
| provider. Ex. You are a Verizon Wireless subscriber. | | | | extension of the outside tower so you are essentially |
| Provided there is little coverage by all carriers in your | | | | already connected to it when making and receiving |
| current location, installing a Verizon Network Extender | | | | calls. There is no hand-off to take place. If you |
| will help you out but don't plan on your AT&T friends | | | | are connected to a tower as you're driving up your |
| raving about excellent coverage when they stop | | | | street, you'll be connected to the same tower once |
| over to watch the game. | | | | in your home (just with a stronger signal) |
| Data | | | | - Femtocell: Seamless call transfer to the tower as |
| - Booster: Dual Band models work with data plans for | | | | you leave the femtocell coverage area, but you're |
| all carriers using 850/1900 MHz for their data. This is | | | | going to have to hang up and re-dial if you're entering |
| most carriers, but does not include T-Mobile 3G | | | | the coverage area. |
| - Femtocell: Supported data rates vary by carrier. | | | | In summary, if you live in an area with absolutely no |
| Some femtocells do not support data at all. Ex. | | | | cell coverage, only affiliate with people who are using |
| Verizon's Network Extender currently only supports | | | | the same carrier as you, don't mind giving up some |
| 1X CDMA, not EVDO or 3G. Generation 1 of Sprint's | | | | of your already-paid-for broadband bandwidth, will |
| Airwave only supports 1X CDMA, not EVDO or 3G. | | | | never have a need for 3 or more people to be on |
| AT&T's microcell supports 3G data, but only works | | | | the phone at the same time and don't mind saying "I'll |
| with 3G phones. | | | | have to call you back, I'm at home now" then a |
| Multiple Users | | | | femtocell might just be the solution for you. |
| - Booster: Most dual band wireless models support | | | | |