Mobile Range Extenders

[TheArchitect]

Hi Guys

I have a work mobile which i need to have reliable signal from when at home. Im on the EE network with an iphone and cannot find anything from ee to help with the signal. I have been pointed in the direction of this Mobile Repeater GSM1800Mhz has anyone used anything like this and are they reliable? work has offered to pay but I wanted to check before proceeding as surely its transmitting a radio signal and needs some sort of licence? I asked on the websites popup help thing and they said its legal but they would!

Thanks

[arcturus]

You need an EE Signal Box

I have the Vodafone version (SureSignal) and it works brilliantly for me.

[TheArchitect]

EE arnt been too helpful at the moment as they haven't got any in stock and apparently have not 'optimised' the mast in my area.

Anyone know if the one linked above is legal and works?

Thanks

[marshalla]

Ofcom say it's not legal : http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radiocommunication-l...

[Mr E]

TheArchitect said:

EE arnt been too helpful at the moment as they haven't got any in stock and apparently have not 'optimised' the mast in my area.

I can't comment on stock, but the status of the local transmitter is irrelevant for the signal box product.

It will solve your problem.

[joebongo]

They use your broadband signal don't they? So aren't mobile signal repeaters really. That's why they're legal I think.

[anonymous-user]

These boxes are called femto cells, they are very small base stations and use the same frequencies as the large base stations. As these frequencies have been sold off only the licencee who owns the frequency can use them i.e. you need to get the box from the network operator.

They do use your home broadband to connect the call back into their network so the trade-off is better coverage at home but you let them use your broadband for free and pay for the power consumption. If your broadband fails or the power goes off you will not have a mobile phone signal to use.

[Mr E]

joebongo said:

That's why they're legal I think.

They're legal because they're controlled by the operator, who own the spectrum.

[cuneus]

We got written permission from EE to use a conventional repeater

(no broadband because if you lose your phone you would lose your mobile as well with a femtocell)

[TonyRPH]

The device the OP linked to is not legal.

It does not use a broadband connection, it is a wireless receiver / transmitter.

Ofcom said:

Ofcom has not granted any licences for the installation or use of repeaters nor made any exemption regulations. The unlicensed installation and use of a repeater would put the user at risk of prosecution under the 2006 Act. If found guilty users can face a fine of up to £5,000 and up to a year in prison.

The Ofcom link that Marshalla provided is quite clear on the subject.

I worked for a company that suffered poor mobile phone reception - we wanted to use one of these devices (and were told by the vendor that it was legal*) - but you can only transmit on the UK mobile network if you are a mobile operator.

Re-transmitting a poor signal does not make you an operator, and does not fall under the licence of the mobile company you are using.

• they are not - also see this link

cuneus said:

We got written permission from EE to use a conventional repeater

(no broadband because if you lose your phone you would lose your mobile as well with a femtocell)

AFAIK, no mobile operator has the right to delegate the use of their licence in this manner.

Therefore, 'written permission' from your mobile provider does not exempt you from prosecution.

Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 18th May 13:10

[Jakg]

Mr E said:

I can't comment on stock, but the status of the local transmitter is irrelevant for the signal box product.

It will solve your problem.

I think they are trying to say "let us fix the mast" rather than providing the signal box.

[Mr E]

Jakg said:

I think they are trying to say "let us fix the mast" rather than providing the signal box.

Yes, I got the subtext. I have a vested interest in shifting as many little white boxes as possible...

[cuneus]

TonyRPH said:

cuneus said:

We got written permission from EE to use a conventional repeater

(no broadband because if you lose your phone you would lose your mobile as well with a femtocell)

AFAIK, no mobile operator has the right to delegate the use of their licence in this manner.

Therefore, 'written permission' from your mobile provider does not exempt you from prosecution.

Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 18th May 13:10

You better tell Eversheds that they are wrong then

http://www.eversheds.com/global/en/what/articles/i...

"As the report notes, these are currently illegal to deploy without operator permission"

"As this needs to be in the licensed part of the radio spectrum for mobile phones to make use of it, this gives rise to a significant regulatory issue: without a licence from Ofcom or permission from the operator who holds a licence, this use of the licensed spectrum will constitute a criminal offence"

[TonyRPH]

cuneus said:

You better tell Eversheds that they are wrong then

http://www.eversheds.com/global/en/what/articles/i...

"As the report notes, these are currently illegal to deploy without operator permission"

"As this needs to be in the licensed part of the radio spectrum for mobile phones to make use of it, this gives rise to a significant regulatory issue: without a licence from Ofcom or permission from the operator who holds a licence, this use of the licensed spectrum will constitute a criminal offence"

eversheds article said:

Ofcom and many network operators continue to hold the view, however, that the prolific use of signal repeaters would cause interference issues and, on that basis, Ofcom has not granted an exemption for the use of these devices.

And...

We are aware that a number of third party providers are making claims that their devices are legal to use in the United Kingdom without a licence or express permission from the network operators. For the reasons set out above, we remain extremely sceptical about such claims and consider the use of these devices to be unlawful under the current regulatory framework in the UK.

Whilst it might be that Ofcom decides to exempt the use of mobile signal boosters in the future, it has not to-date done so and, until it does, we would advise companies to be extremely cautious of third-party signal booster solutions.

Did you actually read the article?

Or have I missed something?


ETA: The article seems to be somewhat contradictory because it states:

"without a licence from Ofcom or permission from the operator who holds a licence, this use of the licensed spectrum will constitute a criminal offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 (WTA 2006) with the potential, if convicted, of up to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or a £5,000 fine. "

And then goes on to state:

"Whilst it might be that Ofcom decides to exempt the use of mobile signal boosters in the future, it has not to-date done so and, until it does, we would advise companies to be extremely cautious of third-party signal booster solutions."

I suggest the last paragraph is incomplete - and should state:

"Whilst it might be that Ofcom decides to exempt the use of mobile signal boosters in the future without any licence requirements, it has not to-date done so and, until it does, we would advise companies to be extremely cautious of third-party signal booster solutions."


I'm guessing these are fairly recent changes to the regulations, because when I last queried with our mobile operator at my previous place of work (some time in 2010/11 iirc) we were told we could not use a repeater.

Edited by TonyRPH on Sunday 18th May 20:04

[DSLiverpool]

If you can use your mobile in a window or in any part of the house I can help you extend this around the house easily - can you ?

[cuneus]

No contradiction - if you get operator permission - it's legal

[Mr E]

DSLiverpool said:

If you can use your mobile in a window or in any part of the house I can help you extend this around the house easily - can you ?

Yup, with pleasure. But I don't need the sniff of coverage in the corner of the window to do it.

[DSLiverpool]

Mr E said:

Yup, with pleasure. But I don't need the sniff of coverage in the corner of the window to do it.

You can buy a house cordless set up that links via wifi to your mobile enabling you yo dial out or answer your mobile from your home phone seamlessly.

[Mr E]

DSLiverpool said:

You can buy a house cordless set up that links via wifi to your mobile enabling you yo dial out or answer your mobile from your home phone seamlessly.

That kind of needs your mobile to have some coverage, no?

[DSLiverpool]

Mr E said:

DSLiverpool said:

You can buy a house cordless set up that links via wifi to your mobile enabling you yo dial out or answer your mobile from your home phone seamlessly.

That kind of needs your mobile to have some coverage, no?

Yes hence my initial answer asking if you can use your mobile say in a window or a corner of the house then this is suitable.