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"The network extender really does work." on by mr4523mr
Pros: Greatly improved cell signal
Cons: One more electronic box to clutter your desk (but it's not a big deal)
Lack of wireless router connectionSummary: In decided whether to purchase the network extender, I relied heavily on all of you who wrote user reviews (thank you, everyone!) and figured it's only fair that I should add my own review. I live in a hilly area of Los Angeles where cell service is spotty and inconsistent. At home, I usually have 1 bar or no bars, and there are rooms where I could hear the other person but they couldn't hear me.
The network extender was ridiculously easy the set up. I simply removed it from the box, connected the ethernet cable to my router, plugged in the power cord and placed the device on my desk near a window. The Power and WAN LEDs glowed solid blue, and the GPS and System lights began blinking red. It took about 5-10 minutes for the device to lock onto GPS, at which time the GPS LED glowed a steady blue. The System LED continued to blink red for another few minutes (causing a momentary panic -- Why isn't it working?!), but then glowed solid blue.
I opened my phone and waited for something magical to happen. After a second or two, I waved the phone in front of the network extender (probably not required, but it made me feel part of the process) and a few seconds later, my phone showed 4 bars!
Naturally, I immediately made a call. (During calls, the WAN LED blinks blue.) As the guide said, I hear short double tone after I dialed the number. (You can also dial #48 to get automated confirmation that you are connected through the network extender.) The call connected immediately, and both ends of the conversation were loud and clear, with none of the slight latency a few others have reported. I walked through every room of my house (an old house with thick plaster walls which can really dampen wireless signals) and then outside and into the detached garage (a spot in which I could usually hear the other party, but they couldn't hear me). While the number of bars went down the further I got from the network extender (and the more plaster walls came between the network extender and the phone), the call continued uninterrupted with no noticeable loss in quality.
I went on verizonwireless.com (under the My Services tab on the top of the My Verizon page) and "My Network Extender" was in the list. I changed the access from "Open Access (Unrestricted") to the recommended "Managed Access (Prioritized)," although I don't think it will make a big difference since no one outside my house is probably close enough to connect to the network extender anyway. As soon as I clicked Managed Access, the System LED started blinking red again. After a few minutes, it still hadn't turned blue, so I did what I always do in such situations: I unplugged the thing and plugged it back it. It took a few minutes for the GPS to lock on and turn solid blue, but then all was fine again.
The bottom line is, I agree with all the others who said, "This thing works." Yeah, it's $249, but that's a one-time cost and since it makes the cell signal functional and reliable, I think it's more than worth it. The fact that there is no monthly fee (as some other services charge for similar devices) is also a big plus in my book.
My next step is to take the network extender to the east coast, where I have no cell service whatsoever. If this works there (and I have no reason to think it won't), I will finally be able to cut off the very expensive landline! -
"Good Device - With Exceptions" on by jgreg7
Pros: When working, it provides a strong signal that is actually better than a cell tower signal. Great way to eliminate a land line.
Cons: In addition to the ethernet connection, it also needs a GPS signal to work. If you live in an area of poor GPS signal reception, this will not work for you.
Summary: I recently purchased a Samsung Network Extender SCS-26UC4, to provide a cell phone signal for my Verizon phone.
The reason I need the network extender is that I live on a ground floor apartment in a multi-story building, my only windows open out into a courtyard surrounded by the other apartments. The apartment structure forms a closed square around the courtyard. My front door opens into a closed hallway.
The cellular signal in the vicinity of my apartment is very poor, hence the reason I purchased the Samsung Network Extender SCS-26UC4 from Verizon.
The Network Extender plugs into a high speed Ethernet connection (Cable or DSL), in this case my router. This provides the connection for the phone over the internet (some variation of VOIP I am guessing). When the Network Extender is working, the phone will pick up a full signal, calls are clear and static free, better than an external cell tower signal.
The Samsung Network Extender is equipped with a GPS to provide a location signal for Verizon to use, and for the 911 emergency services. Up to this point, it all makes sense. For some unknown reason, the unit has to keep refreshing the GPS signal. If the GPS signal is not refreshed, the unit will turn off or loose the signal it puts out to the phone. (Basically it stops working). I am not sure why it continually needs to refresh since the unit is not going anywhere.
Here is the problem: I do not get GPS reception (Please note apartment description above). I am able to use the extension cable and a broom handle to extend the GPS antenna outside my window to get an initial signal, however this is not a practical long-term solution. Once the signal is linked the unit works well. I pull the antenna back into my apartment and when the GPS fails to refresh, the unit stops working.
Apparently you can not disable the GPS. The design of this unit does not make sense to me. If I could not get a cellular signal, why would the designers assume I could get a GPS signal? I have talked to Verizon on multiple occasions, and they simply do not have any suggestions to make this work. The response is always "it needs the GPS signal".
My computer (and iPod) know where they are by the internet node connection, why can't they use that? Once the unit gets the initial GPS location, why does it have to continuously refresh?
Bottom line, if you do not have good GPS signal reception, the Network Extender will not do you much good. -
"Great product - iffy CNET review" on by bonesbautista
Pros: Improves voice quality in fringe areas.
Cons: A bit pricy for something that should be a given if they'll sell you service and a device.
Summary: There really isn't more to it than that. I am a bit surprised that VZW didn't offer a plan porting voice use over the broadband connection, but they do have to pay for switching.
About the review - did it occur to you to try the unit in a fringe area instead of an area offering Ec/No ("reception" doesn't mean anything with CDMA/WCDMA devices - power to noise ratio does). Basing your test "results" in an area that already offers a favorable Ec/No ratio and decent voice quality offers little more than a waste of bandwidth reading your "review" - surely someone on your staff lives in a VZW fringe area that could have tested the device.
And, I have read the comments echoing disappointment that the device doesn't do anything for data speeds - if you have the broadband for the Extender, what the heck are you doing that requires a high-speed mobile connection on your phones? The device doesn't list data speed enhancement in its specs or promotional literature - then why knock it? I'm disappointed the Extender doesn't grow wheat year 'round and print money - that isn't in the specs either. -
"Great reception--you MUST manage it online" on by mcnevich
Pros: Used to get 0 or 1 bar throughout my house--now I get full bars throughout the house, and about 75 feet in front and behind house.
Cons: Even if you mange your extender online, other callers who are not on your preferred cell numbers list can use it without your knowledge so if you live in an apartment/townhouse/condo, your close neighbors will be using it also.
Summary: Uptime so far has been 99%--it only went down for a brief period since I got it (system wide outage on Verizon's part). While you can manage the extender on your verizon online account, others within range can use it without your knowledge--the numbers you put in are given preferred access. One good feature is that anyone within range can use your signal for a 911 call. I didn't have to use the included GPS wire that is supposed to be attached to a window because I have it set up in a room that has a skylight right above it. If you live in a multi-level home i would suggest putting it on the middle or top floor so you get great reception throughout your house. Make sure you put the unit at least 10 feet from your wireless router to avoid interference. Try to set it up in a room with window access in case you need to use the GPS wire because the wire is long but no extremely long.
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"Excellent solution for poor cell coverage at home" on by aaronwt
Pros: Easy setup, long length of cable included for the GPS antenna so it doesn't need to be next to a window, works exactly as advertised.
Cons: Price. $250 is a little steep but worth it since my signal strength is zero to one bar without it.
Summary: The extender is excellent because it works as advertised. i now have 4 bars of signal strength throughout my condo. Actually the signal strength is better around the entire building with the extender on.
The setup up was a breeze.
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