Verizon gets official with Network Extender: $249, no monthly fees
By Darren Murph 
posted Jan 25th 2009 12:02PM
posted Jan 25th 2009 12:02PM
Right on cue, Verizon has launched its very own femtocell into the world: the Network Extender. For those unfamiliar, this here box connects to one's broadband internet connection and essentially acts as a mini cell tower right in the home. In other words, it'll make your at-home VZW coverage absolutely amazing. Unlike Sprint's AIRAVE, though, there are absolutely no monthly fees attached -- simply plunk down $249.99 up front and watch your signal improve. As for limitations, you can only use this within the Verizon Wireless Enhanced Services coverage area (read: not overseas), and there's no support for EV-DO data speeds or Location Based Services such as VZ Navigator and Chaperone. It's available now for ordering online or over the phone, and all the nitty-gritty details are covered in the FAQ section linked below. So, AT&T -- you're next, right?[Thanks, Anonymous]
Unlike WiFi, this technology is carrier-specific. It will only work with Verizon. WiFi is something you already have at home, and which is already available in hundreds of millions of locations worldwide. WiFi can also be generated easily in those hotel rooms around the world. With WiFi, all services also work (including all data), not just circuit-switched voice. For these reasons, I think T-Mobile USA's solution of using dual-mode WiFi handsets is a lot smarter. Just imagine if you've got several carriers in your household and/or business -- Sprint, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile -- why have several Femtocells (one per carrier) when it ought to be enough to just simply have WiFi? And if you have a large space -- larger than 5,000 square feet -- you need multiple Femtocells for each carrier. In contrast, T-Mobile USA guarantees flawless in-building coverage virtually for free, thanks to WiFi.
Seems silly not supporting EV-DO and LBS services, but I suppose that can be a higher-end model for more $$, right?
Yes, those features will be available in subsequent models, toward the end of this year. Seeing as prices for the silicon involved are dropping rapidly, such a future model may cost less, not more. However, it will be a long time until any Femtocell cost starts approaching WiFi, which is truly dirt-cheap. In fact, WiFi is so cheap that T-Mobile USA is willing to take the small hit to actually GIVE you a WiFi access point ($50 minus a $50 rebate). And you can walk into any electronics store and buy a WiFi access point for $29.99, which they sell at full/standard profit.
Why do you need EVDO with the VZW Network Extender? To even have this device in the first place, you have to already have a ppre existing wired broadband internet (cable, dsl, FiOS) connection which is likely to be much faster than EVDO. I have absolutely superb EVDO coverage at my house and a BBerry Storm which I freakin love, but when I am at home my Storm is a phone only, if I need to get online I have a God damn computer for that, which is way easier and faster to surf the net on anyways. If I were to suddenly lose EVDO at my house I wouldn't miss it at all.
@Anton: Why do you always feel compelled to offer such generic meta-analysis which has no direct relationship to the topic at hand? Fuckin' Christ already!
why should you pay for coverage that should be included in your monthly fees. If you have a weak cable connection for tv or internet, my cable company comes down to my house and installs an amplifier for frre. They want happy customers. I dont get this at all
not a single wireless provider will guarentee coverage indoors. so its not included in your monthly fees.
i think this is an amzing idea, cause im lucky to get a single bar of 1x inside my house. when i go out my back door or my front door, i get full service.
A cable company will fix a signal issue for free if it's outside the house. If it has anything at all to do with your internal wiring, they will charge you to fix it. So no, cable companies do ensure trouble free service for no additional fees.
bull3964 @ Jan 25th 2009 1:30PM
A cable company will fix a signal issue for free if it's outside the house. If it has anything at all to do with your internal wiring, they will charge you to fix it. So no, cable companies do ensure trouble free service for no additional fees.
i mentioned nothing about cable companies, if that was directed to me.
While no cell phone company will guarantee any particular coverage -- indoor or outdoor or otherwise -- from its macro cell network, the femtocell solution (whether licensed frequency a la Sprint/Verizon and soon AT&T, or unlicensed a la T-Mobile USA in the form of WiFi) practically speaking has as its only purpose to EFFECTIVELY guarantee indoor coverage, at least up to an approximate square footage from one single base station. For this reason, it is already (almost) impossible for a T-Mobile USA customer to say that he/she has lousy coverage at home or the office, as long as you (1) have broadband and (2) get a WiFi handset. Now the same thing applies to Verizon and Sprint, with the difference being you have to buy or otherwise obtain a Femtocell, but supposedly it will work with any old in-network phone you may already have had for years. AT&T should be in the market within the year. This basic principle has been a life-saver for over one million T-Mobile USA customers following its June 27, 2007, launch of cellular-through-WiFi technology.
I hope AT&T follows the no-fee model if they ever get around to offering femtocells
Don't know if it will have a monthly fee, but it does have 3G
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2009/01/25/att-3g-microcell-a-femtocell-coming-sooner-than-we-think/
so this device still ticks off your normal plan minutes right?
i think i would rather pay a few $$ a month to get unlimited calling when using one of these in my house...
I'm waiting for the news article where some clown drags one onto an airplane just to use their cellphone in the air.
well, given that you have to connect it to a broadband internet connection, that will be most unlikely. so I hope you're willing to wait a long time.
Given that many airlines already have it, or will have WiFi, you shouldn't have bandwidth problems. You might have contention and/or latency problems on board the aircraft.
the reason there is no monthly fee is that there is no way you can fully restrict access. basically, all you can do is prioritize your devices, but if you are not using the femtocell, anyone nearby with a verizon phone can use it. so, basically, verizon should be paying you. it is still a good idea, especially for houses or businesses where neighbors cannot leech because of distance.
Now is this basically the same thing as a repeater say that Wilson sells?
From the Verizon website
100 Percent Compatibility
The Network Extender is compatible with all Verizon Wireless phones as well as some handsets from many of the nation's leading carriers.
So, does this mean when my Alltel CDMA phone is within 15 feet of the Verizon Network Extender, it will work?
I'm on the fence with this... I'm a Verizon Customer with 2 family share plans. I've got a Storm, and my wife and kids all have high end messaging phones, etc. They work great practically everywhere, EXCEPT where I live!! I live 1/2 mile from a state line... Verizon was established in my state for years, but recently expanded into the neighboring state. I've got strong EVDO coverage 1/2 mile down the road, but the neighboring state is only 1X. Now, my whole neighborhood is bouncing between the signals constantly, and I can't hold a call for 10 seconds, and our batteries are constantly draining because of this.
I believe this would help my situation, but shouldn't Verizon also be to blame for their coverage? Seems to me this is a way for them to make more money, while saving money on their network coverage... Opinions?
Oh the evil cell carriers, out to gouge more money from the poor, poor helpless working guys like us. Gimme a break. Just another classic case where you can't expect a "wireless" product to work wherever you need it. No carrier touts "Coverage wherever you need it, 100%." No, because they no better. And I don't care how good your local cell sales guy is, if he tells you coverage is absolute...you might want to find another salesman.
As long as "wireless" remains "wireless," there will be pitfalls and shortcomings. With nearly 200 million cell users, you can't make them all happy. I have crummy wireless coverage at home, but I understand it is what it is. I've had vzw for years, and I'm not switching. I'm an idiot to bank my business, and my sole means of connectivity over imperfect radio waves flying through the air.
Want better home service? Buy the extender. Want something absolute? Get a hardline, and call it a day. That's my .000002 cents.
any word on any unlimited calling plans while using this device? i thought i heard somewhere that they were going to offer that...
mine should arrive on wednesday and i'm anxious to see how it works. verizon service is great but it's very spotty at my home. i've dealt with it for long enough, so i'm hoping that this works as described because i really don't want to switch carriers. vzw customer service was very accommodating as well, very helpful.