VZW Network Extender

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/accessory/femtocelldemo.jsp

I'm not sure how long this item has been available from Verizon or if anyone has experienced a poor enough signal in their home or office that they would shell out the money to buy it but I am curious to know what everyone here thinks about Verizon peddling this thing for $249.99.  I mean, you are basically extending their network for them up to 5000 square feet, according to their product description, for free.  The device connects to your broadband internet service and allows any Verizon Wireless phone to connect to it at anytime.  The only limitation you can place on it is the priority access for up to 50 numbers.  However, if none of those numbers are connected to your network extender, up to three phones can be using your internet bandwidth for free.  To me this seems like a big scam on VZW's part.  They charge you $250 to help improve their service???  And they add in a little line about how there is no monthly fee for you to use the device?  Of course their isn't a monthly fee for this thing!  There should be a monthly price break on the calling plan price for any VZW customer that puts one of these things into operation.  It's your bandwidth, your home and your hardware.  Verizon should be paying you for improving their network within your area without them having to build another cell tower.

What do you think?

It was probably modeled after systems large office buildings and businesses use in order to provide cellular service. For example, if you've ever been in a casino, Home Depot, or something along those lines you'll notice the lack of windows. Add that to the millions of miles of pipes in the walls and ceilings and these places are not signal friendly... so they set up magnifiers that allows customers to make calls within the buildings. You can't get people to willingly go somewhere that their phone doesn't come in these days.

There are many other options if people are having problems, including very similar units that allow number blocking. Most communities have a dedicated wireless accessory store. If you find a good one, they will have a selection of antennas and other products that can help.

I heard somewhere that Verizon sometimes shares towers with Sprint... I wonder if a Sprint phone would be able to connect to those.

You cannot block specific numbers from accessing this device.  The only control you have is the priority access for numbers that you list.


I'd sign up for it if it was a free device as well.  Why not?  Especially since I could easily just turn the thing off if it seemed to be having an adverse effect on my bandwidth.  But I could never see an individual paying another $250, on top of the cost of the phone and monthly calling plan, to purchase this device and then let other people benefit from it for free.  It seems to me that if you really need this device, you would probably be better off switching to a network that offered better service around your home.

I think it's a good option for people who live in terrain that degrades tower signals or live in rural areas without signal (but have broadband). My understanding is that this is almost the same thing as Sprint has available. I'm seriously thinking about buying one soon because I live in the country where signal is scarce to begin with and the hills just defeat the signal in my house. For $250 it's cheaper than most housewide boosters I've found on the market. (I do get enough signal when I'm on the top floor near a window to use one of those BTW.)

For me, people using my extender to boost signal is a moot point. 5000 sq ft will not get to the roadway. And my neighbors are some squirrels and my Uncle. Even so, if it bothers you so much people could use your signal, why not just disconnect it when not in use? Maybe configuring your router to cap bandwith/priority to absolutely reduce drag on your connection?

Although, I do think since you cannot absolutely discriminate (and the open use for 911 would be criminally negligent to remove) you should probably catch a break on your service plan. But I wouldn't complain about it much.

I have one.  i love it. sure $250 sucks but i'll be a few years before they put a proper tower near enough to where i live for me to get a reliable signal (i live in the middle of a 64000 acre state park).  the device supports 3 calls at a time, so my first concern was there is a teenage girl who lives across street and she'll constantly tie up on of the "lines".  you can mange it so that only the numbers (up to 50) you allow can use the devise.  so it has my number, my wife's number and i'll also add my parents, in-laws, and friends that actually make it out here to visit.