3G Signal Booster
Discussion
Mr E,
I managed to get hold of one of the EE Femcell 3G signal boosters and have to say its amazingly good. Gone from zero signal indoors to maximum with no setup or messing around.
I do have one question...... As far as I can understand if its on anyone within the range of it could use my BroadBand bandwidth to make calls.... Or is there a way of restricting it to known devices ?
Thanks
Tim
I managed to get hold of one of the EE Femcell 3G signal boosters and have to say its amazingly good. Gone from zero signal indoors to maximum with no setup or messing around.
I do have one question...... As far as I can understand if its on anyone within the range of it could use my BroadBand bandwidth to make calls.... Or is there a way of restricting it to known devices ?
Thanks
Tim
I was one of the testers for these devices, and I recall being given the option of keeping it 'open' or specifying the numbers which could be used on it. Not sure if that's still the case though.
Given that the range is relatively small, however, I can't imagine it being an issue. Also, (Mr E can perhaps confirm) I've run a couple of my own speedtest.net tests of my own when the device is attached, and there's no discernable difference in network speed. I don't think it consumes any significant data allowance either.
I'd imagine you're not on a limited broadband data allowance anyway.
Given that the range is relatively small, however, I can't imagine it being an issue. Also, (Mr E can perhaps confirm) I've run a couple of my own speedtest.net tests of my own when the device is attached, and there's no discernable difference in network speed. I don't think it consumes any significant data allowance either.
I'd imagine you're not on a limited broadband data allowance anyway.
We discussed this over email I think, but I'll repeat here for completeness (and for google).
Pints is pretty much spot on (and I'm interested in who he tested them for).
The software can restrict service to specific users based on IMSI. It can also work in hybrid 'semi-open' mode (allow limited numbers of other people to use it but reserve capacity for the home owner).
However, these are deployment decisions taken by the operator and I believe EE deploy them in open mode. There is no configuration you can do as an end user about this (you could talk to EE I suppose).
Voice calls consume very little bandwidth. Data calls will consume the amount of bandwidth the phone is using (plus a small overhead).
Pints is pretty much spot on (and I'm interested in who he tested them for).
The software can restrict service to specific users based on IMSI. It can also work in hybrid 'semi-open' mode (allow limited numbers of other people to use it but reserve capacity for the home owner).
However, these are deployment decisions taken by the operator and I believe EE deploy them in open mode. There is no configuration you can do as an end user about this (you could talk to EE I suppose).
Voice calls consume very little bandwidth. Data calls will consume the amount of bandwidth the phone is using (plus a small overhead).
I have previously had a Vodafone suresignal that they could never get working. Had an EE femtocell for a week now and what an excellent piece of kit that is. Just plugged in to the internet , turned on then called the freephone number, 5 minutes later its up and running. Its on my internal network, no need for messing about with DMZ or port forwarding. I had it working on a BT HH3 which I have just swapped for a Netgear router , no problem with either.
Now connected downstairs running over powerline back to the router upstairs, crystal clear voice quality, very impressed.
Its fixed in open gateway mode so anyone with orange, tmobile or EE can use it and it does give signal out into the garden and a few metres down the street. Unlikely anyone will be hogging my bandwidth and its not something I'm worried about.
ETA: regarding bandwidth I know colleagues of mine have Vodafone suresignals on 2Meg broadband and it doesnt work very well so although its not using masses of data you probably want a 4Meg+ broadband circuit. I have 73Meg so not a problem for me.....
Now connected downstairs running over powerline back to the router upstairs, crystal clear voice quality, very impressed.
Its fixed in open gateway mode so anyone with orange, tmobile or EE can use it and it does give signal out into the garden and a few metres down the street. Unlikely anyone will be hogging my bandwidth and its not something I'm worried about.
ETA: regarding bandwidth I know colleagues of mine have Vodafone suresignals on 2Meg broadband and it doesnt work very well so although its not using masses of data you probably want a 4Meg+ broadband circuit. I have 73Meg so not a problem for me.....
Edited by Dodsy on Thursday 9th January 14:10
Dodsy
When you called EE to set it up - what did data did they collect from you ? was it the phones which were going to use it or your location/postcode or the IMEI code from the back of the Femmtocell ?
The reason I ask is that my Femmtocell was donated my my neighbout who no longer uses EE - but my unit seems to work fine without anysetup or call to EE
Cheers
When you called EE to set it up - what did data did they collect from you ? was it the phones which were going to use it or your location/postcode or the IMEI code from the back of the Femmtocell ?
The reason I ask is that my Femmtocell was donated my my neighbout who no longer uses EE - but my unit seems to work fine without anysetup or call to EE
Cheers
Dodsy said:
Had an EE femtocell for a week now and what an excellent piece of kit that is. Just plugged in to the internet , turned on then called the freephone number, 5 minutes later its up and running.
Edited by Dodsy on Thursday 9th January 14:10
Again, I'm pleased to hear from another happy users, especially in relation to a voda sure signal (which isn't one of mine; it's the competitions).
Dodsy said:
ETA: regarding bandwidth I know colleagues of mine have Vodafone suresignals on 2Meg broadband and it doesnt work very well so although its not using masses of data you probably want a 4Meg+ broadband circuit. I have 73Meg so not a problem for me.....
]
Latency and reliability is more critical than bandwidth for voice calls to be honest; I've run on 2Mb links with no significant issues with voice. Data throughput to the phone is obviously capped at backhaul rates (if they're slower than the radio will go).]
Nice But Dim said:
Dodsy
When you called EE to set it up - what did data did they collect from you ? was it the phones which were going to use it or your location/postcode or the IMEI code from the back of the Femmtocell ?
The reason I ask is that my Femmtocell was donated my my neighbout who no longer uses EE - but my unit seems to work fine without anysetup or call to EE
Cheers
Just the IMEI code, its an open gateway so it doesnt care who uses it there is no link to the mobile phone number or location.When you called EE to set it up - what did data did they collect from you ? was it the phones which were going to use it or your location/postcode or the IMEI code from the back of the Femmtocell ?
The reason I ask is that my Femmtocell was donated my my neighbout who no longer uses EE - but my unit seems to work fine without anysetup or call to EE
Cheers
From the EE website
When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
If you change your home broadband supplier, router or move house then the Signal Box will stop working and the green light will flash quickly. You'll need to call customers services to get it re-activated. This is just security feature to help us prevent fraud.
When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
If you change your home broadband supplier, router or move house then the Signal Box will stop working and the green light will flash quickly. You'll need to call customers services to get it re-activated. This is just security feature to help us prevent fraud.
Dodsy said:
From the EE website
When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
If you change your home broadband supplier, router or move house then the Signal Box will stop working and the green light will flash quickly. You'll need to call customers services to get it re-activated. This is just security feature to help us prevent fraud.
That's handy info, thanks. I'm about to change my router for a Home Hub 5 as I'm switching to super fast broadband/infinity thing.When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
If you change your home broadband supplier, router or move house then the Signal Box will stop working and the green light will flash quickly. You'll need to call customers services to get it re-activated. This is just security feature to help us prevent fraud.
My EE Signal Box is brilliant. Works superbly and has made a massive difference to how we communicate.... I use the mobile for every call now and it's 100% reliable. The Vodafone thing previously was rubbish - very unstable.
Do you happen to know what the number is to re-register the Signal Box? There seem to be so many numbers!
Dodsy said:
When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
I cannot understand how they've calculated those numbers.NDA said:
That's handy info, thanks. I'm about to change my router for a Home Hub 5 as I'm switching to super fast broadband/infinity thing.
My EE Signal Box is brilliant. Works superbly and has made a massive difference to how we communicate.... I use the mobile for every call now and it's 100% reliable. The Vodafone thing previously was rubbish - very unstable.
Do you happen to know what the number is to re-register the Signal Box? There seem to be so many numbers!
To activate your Signal Box you'll need to call Customer Services.My EE Signal Box is brilliant. Works superbly and has made a massive difference to how we communicate.... I use the mobile for every call now and it's 100% reliable. The Vodafone thing previously was rubbish - very unstable.
Do you happen to know what the number is to re-register the Signal Box? There seem to be so many numbers!
If you’re an Orange customer call 0800 079 0275
If you’re a T-mobile customer call 0800 956 3146
If you’re an EE customer call 0800 956 6141
Had a Vodafone sure signal for 6 odd years, has worked very well, no issues. I now have an O2 Boost box, and am having issues with it, have to jump through loads of hoops before O2 will exchange. Just done the last change, so they will change it if it fails again. Boost box with O2, takes 10 days to activate as they apply for a radio license for the place it is located. For Sure Signal and Boost Box, only registered numbers on their networks can use, they are not open to all
casbar said:
Boost box with O2, takes 10 days to activate as they apply for a radio license for the place it is located.
Someones telling you porkies - its just a standard femtocell which is part of the operators network using their approved frequencies so they dont need a radio license. Been with Three since May and have zilch signal at home. Inspired by this thread, I spoke to customer services & tech support yesterday (both In India) and a Home signal box was duly ordered/despatched. Arrived this morning and WOW, full bars and signal throughout the house. Wish I'd done this last May.
Mr E said:
Dodsy said:
When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
I cannot understand how they've calculated those numbers.Although this link says that a mobile call via broadband uses 30kbps up and 60 kbps down http://www.anandtech.com/show/3626/att-3g-microcel...
So maybe 9Megabytes for 20 mins isnt far out
Edited by Dodsy on Friday 10th January 15:12
Dodsy said:
Mr E said:
Dodsy said:
When you use the Signal Box it will use some of your of your home broadband allowance. To give you a guide: a 20 minute call will use around 9MB. For an average household we predict the Signal Box will use around 500MB a month, but it depends how many calls you make and messages you send
I cannot understand how they've calculated those numbers.Although this link says that a mobile call via broadband uses 30kbps up and 60 kbps down http://www.anandtech.com/show/3626/att-3g-microcel...
So maybe 9Megabytes for 20 mins isnt far out
Raw user data for a 20 minute call with 100% voice would be 14640Kb (bits).
Calls aren't usually 100% talking (unless your mother is like mine and stuck on transmit). So, the codec will drop into silent mode and reduce that number a bit. But let's stick with ~15Mb (bits) DL or UL (or both) for a call of 20 mins.
Let's ignore setup signalling as negligible.
The traffic is protected between the small cell (the box) and the security gateway to prevent anyone else looking at the contents. So, let's assume ~20% overhead for security because I don't want to to the maths properly and I don't want details of our actual solution on a public forum.
I make that 18Mb (bits). Nowhere near the 9MB (bytes) quoted above.
In reality, if you assume 50% silence in each direction on a call, and the same security overhead, you get a number nearer 9Mb (bits) (silent frames aren't free).
I suspect you're correct and someone has got their bits and bytes mixed up.
I also wonder if the source of the numbers quoted was me...
WideBand AMR improves voice quality but is also heavier on bandwidth.
(Arse-covering disclaimer. The above is off the top of my head whilst drinking tea and eating a twix. It is not peer reviewed. It could well be wrong. It does not represent my professional view and has nothing to do with my employer. Frankly if you use for anything other than a discussion point on this thread you're insane).
Edited by Mr E on Friday 10th January 15:43
casbar said:
Had a Vodafone sure signal for 6 odd years, has worked very well, no issues. I now have an O2 Boost box, and am having issues with it, have to jump through loads of hoops before O2 will exchange. Just done the last change, so they will change it if it fails again. Boost box with O2, takes 10 days to activate as they apply for a radio license for the place it is located. For Sure Signal and Boost Box, only registered numbers on their networks can use, they are not open to all
Can't comment on that, can only tell you what O2 told me. Didn't have the same with Vodafone though!I hadn't heard of the O2 Boostbox, so I tried looking for it one their website. Nothing obvious. So after some "live chat", it turns out that it is only available to business customers,
But 3 of my 5 phones are out of contract so I can make one of them a business phone at an almost identical price and get one.
It seems a bit mad but there you go.
Any downsides to being a business customer?
But 3 of my 5 phones are out of contract so I can make one of them a business phone at an almost identical price and get one.
It seems a bit mad but there you go.
Any downsides to being a business customer?
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