Internet Provider

[dandj]

I think the coverage limitation is to prevent people from using the network extender in other countries, not dead zones.  It works just fine in Big Trees.

[Matt]

We have Comcast Internet and wifi (in Blue Lake Springs) ... we also have t-Mobile that has zero coverage up here, but also have wi-fi capable cell phones and use that to provide us with cell phone coverage at the cabin and up at Bear Valley.

[vnj]

Did I miss the answer to the question about how to get  $100 off the price of the network extender?  I searched here but could not find a reply.  I was in a Verizon store yesterday to purchase a new phone and they were firm on the $250 price for the extender.  Any further input would be appreciated.  Thanks.
Valerie

[Dave and Nancy]

We did buy a Verizon Network Extender and it works great from the cabin.  I was not able to get a $100 discount but I didn't try at a Verizon store.  I called them and they have a $50 rebate from now through May, I think.  I did not see the rebate advertised anywhere but had to ask. The rebate form came in the box with the Extender.  FYI, the generic name for these devices is a "femtocell."

The sound quality is great, regardless of whether you are talking to another Verizon phone, a land line, or another cell provider.  Other cell provider phones can not call out on it.  You also do not get free "Mobile to Mobile" since it goes from mobile to internet to Verizon to mobile even if you are talking to another Verizon phone.

Dave

[Bjornbo]

We bought a Verizon Network Extender (we got $50 off, not  $100)  and have not been able to get it to work after several days of trying. We are located in BTV at about 4980 feet near Boards Crossing and Sierra Parkway. It plugs in fine with the cable modem. The GPS light and SYS light won't lock in though after moving the GPS all over the house and even putting the GPS outside.

After spending about an hour with Verizon tech support- they told us it won't work up here because it needs to communicate with a Verizon cell tower - which is just too far away - Their map shows BTV is not useable by a Network Extender. As most of BTV is, we have a lot of trees, but I did put the GPS in a clearing, and still couldn't get it to lock.

My question - how do you get it to work up here? Are you actually in BTV? Did you locate the unit towards the west? Any help would be appreciated cause otherwise, it's too expensive to be a door stop and is being shipped back to Verizon.

Thanks
Glen

[Dave and Nancy]

I'm puzzled by why a Verizon tech support person would say that it needs to communicate with a Verizon cell tower, because:

        1.  A GPS unit does not communicate with cell towers.  It communicates with GPS satellites which are orbiting the earth for the purpose of communicating with GPS units, and
        2.  If a Verizon cell tower was available for cell phones to communicate with, why would you need a Network Extender?  Your phone could just communicate with the cell tower itself.

My understanding is that the Network Extender provides cell service by relaying the cell phone signal via the internet to Verizon's servers, which connect to the cell phone system.  The GPS is used to ensure that you're not actually trying to use the unit in a foreign country to escape international calling charges.  Of course, Verizon claims that the purpose of the GPS is to ensure that the e911 service still works.

We are not in BTV, but across the Highway from Camp Connell General Store.  However, the person that originally posted about Network Extenders was in BTV itself, I believe.  We have the Network Extender sitting in a south-facing window sill.  I did see somewhere that it said the unit must be at least 2 feet from a wireless router.  Could that be a problem?  We haven't tried plugging it directly into the cable modem.  Then you no longer have internet access, right?  My modem, at least, has only one network connection, so the router must be plugged into it.

Hope this helps,
Nancy

[bigtreestechman]

Not sure if cell phone technology has changed but it used to be that cell phones used assisted gps.  Basically, the gps unit in the phone was much simpler than stand-alone units.  The phone GPS would lock on the satellites and send relatively raw coordinate data over the cellular system to a verizon (or att, sprint, etc) server where map data would be generated and sent back to the phone.  It would be like having the map generated by google maps... if you loose the internet (cell phone) connection, the map doesn't get generated / updated.
In another post, someone once said that there are cell phones out there with complete stand-alone GPS units embedded but I don't have personal experience with these.
joe

I'm puzzled by why a Verizon tech support person would say that it needs to communicate with a Verizon cell tower, because:

        1.  A GPS unit does not communicate with cell towers.  It communicates with GPS satellites which are orbiting the earth for the purpose of communicating with GPS units, and
        2.  If a Verizon cell tower was available for cell phones to communicate with, why would you need a Network Extender?  Your phone could just communicate with the cell tower itself.

My understanding is that the Network Extender provides cell service by relaying the cell phone signal via the internet to Verizon's servers, which connect to the cell phone system.  The GPS is used to ensure that you're not actually trying to use the unit in a foreign country to escape international calling charges.  Of course, Verizon claims that the purpose of the GPS is to ensure that the e911 service still works.

We are not in BTV, but across the Highway from Camp Connell General Store.  However, the person that originally posted about Network Extenders was in BTV itself, I believe.  We have the Network Extender sitting in a south-facing window sill.  I did see somewhere that it said the unit must be at least 2 feet from a wireless router.  Could that be a problem?  We haven't tried plugging it directly into the cable modem.  Then you no longer have internet access, right?  My modem, at least, has only one network connection, so the router must be plugged into it.

Hope this helps,
Nancy

[dandj]

The first Verizon network extender I bought locked onto the GPS, but had difficulty with phones connecting.  I exchanged the unit, and the new one works just fine.  I did try it at home first this time.  I placed the GPS antenna in a window.  The cabin is in BTV.

--Dennis

[vnj]

The Verizon website now has the network extender for $199.99, however when you click on "buy now" you learn of a $100 rebate.     I was in the Verizon store today and they too have the $100 rebate going on - if you ask about it.  It comes to about $130 with tax (since tax is charged on the before rebate price.)   The only thing  holding me back is that if it does not work, Verizon charges a $35 restocking fee.   
Any further word out there on how well they work in BTV?

[Bjornbo]

I couldn't get mine to work...I tried and tried. Moved it all over the cabin to each of the windows, upstairs and downstairs,  even putting the GPS antenna outdoors- it could never lock on the GPS signal.

My belief is that we have too many trees for the NE to adequately lock on to the satellite. If you are located in a big enough clearing I think it would work in BTV. Both the good and bad news is we just have too many trees    Several years ago we tried to get Dish Network and had a horrible time locking in on their satellites, so we finally gave up on them too.

We returned the NE and did not get charged a $35 restocking fee. Maybe since we called tech support and spent so much time trying to get it to work.  Or maybe we were just lucky.

Anyway, that has been our experience.

Glen

[mvezz]

Has anyone tried the AT&T 3G MicroCell (similar to Verizon Network Extender)? If so, has it worked for you?

[caleach]

I too am anxious to try the AT&T version but I didn't think you could buy it in this area.  Has anyone seen it for sale?

[vnj]

Keep an eye on Craigslist for network extenders.  (the one being advertised in Sparks is no longer available; the guy just didn't delete his posts.)  A few days after checking with Sparks, another came up in Sacto which I purchased.  I'll let you know if it works.  We are in BTV near Meko and Shoshone.    I haven't seen any for AT&T yet.  Search on both network extender and on femtocell and on whatever AT&T calls theirs.
Good luck!

[dandj]

AT&T had a trial in North Carolina and is supposed to be rolling out their extender boxes elsewhere.  I haven't seen a timetable yet.

[mvezz]

I bought one of the AT&T 3G MicroCells last week in the Bay Area and will try to install it this weekend at the cabin. Apparently it is supported in our area so we'll see how it works.