Some people in the mobile market are touting femtocell offerings like Sprint’s Airave or T-Mobile’s @home as the newest technology that will revolutionize the mobile market, allowing people to drop their land lines and solely use mobile devices moving forward. While they do offer some advantages, femtocells have far from proven themselves and have some significant issues for users to consider:

• Femtocells are effective only in the home or building where they are installed, and they lock users into a monthly broadband subscription fee. They are not able to boost cellular coverage in a mobile environment.
• Signal improvement is generally limited to a set number of phones previously programmed into the femtocell during set-up.
• Femtocells, like the Airave and @home, are carrier specific and won’t boost signals for multiple individuals with differing carrier subscriptions.
• Perhaps most notably, femtocells require a high-speed Internet connection, something currently unavailable in many areas of the U.S.

Unlike femtocells, cellular amplifiers are not tied to a broadband connection. This eliminates additional monthly fees and provides help to those without access to broadband service. Amplifiers from Wilson Electronics boost all incoming and outgoing cellular signals within their frequency range, greatly reducing dead zones and dropped calls. It is important to note that Wilson cellular signal amplifiers in particular are type-accepted by the FCC and are available in a wide variety of wireless and direct-connection models.

The benefits of an enhanced cellular signal amplifier have encouraged many consumers to look into any and all technology that promises extended and enhanced signal reach. When evaluating technology, especially femotcells, pay attention to the details and limitations it may have. If looking for a mobile, accessible cell signal booster, you might want to consider a cellular signal amplifier instead.

Contributor - Walt Brooks, Wilson Electronics

Hey Verizon Wireless ... there are still hundreds of thousands of people still afraid of Dead Zones. Just look at the complaints on our map. I find it quite comical that wireless carriers are still patronizing our intelligence to think that they have perfected network coverage inside of buildings. The Verizon Wireless commercials Don't Be Afraid of Dead Zones actually are actually pretty scary. I was 7 years old when I first saw "The Shinning" a Jack Nicholson hit in 1980. I still have scars from seeing that movie at such a young age. I think it remains one of the scariest movies I have ever seen. It is ironic that Dead Zones remain one of the most annoying things thousands of mobile phone users still have to deal. It is amazing how we continue to thousands of organic visitors and hundreds of complaints on our map everyday.

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Verizon Wireless has a new commercial that launched at the Super Bowl patronizing its' customers and trying to brain wash others that they have the perfect solution. When it comes to 3G, I think Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile are about the same when it comes to coverage. 3G is a lot of hype but the last mile of coverage to the home and office is going to be solved by other solutions than existing networks.

Like many other consumers in the U.S., I waited patiently to see just how great the new 3G iPhone would be. The hype around 3G network benefits prompted many consumers to wonder if mobile computing’s true potential would now be realized. However, when I looked at AT&T’s 3G network coverage map, I was astounded. There are some significant holes in coverage to say the least. Several consumers have also reported that, despite claimed 3G coverage by AT&T, the only available network coverage was EDGE, which isn’t comparable in network speed or performance.

Disappointment comes with the hype that 3G was a new, better cellular network. Consumers thought they were getting a better product, with better, faster coverage, but current 3G network coverage is spotty at best.

3G network woes are unfortunate, but consumers can take advantage of 3G iPhone features even with less-than-perfect network coverage. Many consumers don't know that they can make the most of a 3G phone and network by boosting the cellular signal with a cell signal amplifier. Amplifiers are a great solution to making the most of a new gadget by providing increased coverage than what is typical.

Cellular amplifiers are available for the home, car and office. These amplifiers boost 3G and other cellular signals and decrease the possibility of dropped calls. With the increase of 3G data card use for mobile computing, these amplifiers also come in handy for data communications.

The 3G network dilemma doesn’t mean that consumers shouldn’t avail themselves of cool gadgets like the iPhone. They can, however, increase their enjoyment by taking advantage of improved cellular reception from other cool gadgets like amplifiers that allow them to use these cell phones without issue.

Contributor: Walt Brooks, Wilson Electronics