How to increase telecom xt coverage at home

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › How to increase telecom xt coverage at home

Buzznz

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Wannabe Geek

#95326 30-Dec-2011 21:56

Hey team,

Is there a wireless device I can buy to increase the signal strength of my telecom mobile round the home, I have limited service and most of the time calls drop off, if anyone could point me in the right direction that would be appreciated

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#563043 30-Dec-2011 21:57

Where are you approx?

Buzznz

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Wannabe Geek

#563051 30-Dec-2011 22:02

In Northern southland

johnr

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#563055 30-Dec-2011 22:03

Buzznz: In Northern southland

Can you narrow it down anymore?

sbiddle

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#563059 30-Dec-2011 22:08

Simple answer is there isn't - other than looking for phones that have better RF performance which may help.

Buzznz

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Wannabe Geek

#563061 30-Dec-2011 22:09

Where is this going?, I just need some help with boosting my signal

johnr

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#563062 30-Dec-2011 22:11

Buzznz: Where is this going?, I just need some help with boosting my signal

RBI deployment Google it

Oblivian

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#563063 30-Dec-2011 22:13

To be frank the guys are trying by asking these questions. If they know your location. They can look up the cell towers in the area via various forms. Or check if it is on primary or secondary coverage

They will likely then ask what model phone. Each maker can have different chipsets in them, some better than others.

Without petitioning with all the residents if you are in a secondary coverage area in the hope you get a tower errected, there is not a lot you can do. There are devices out there that have external antennas and a repeater, but they are not given freely (or cheaply)

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Buzznz

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Wannabe Geek

#563067 30-Dec-2011 22:19

Near Waikaia

quickymart

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#563071 30-Dec-2011 22:22

No coverage at all according to the official XT coverage map, so I would say that anything you're receiving is purely a bonus (or just good luck).

freitasm

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#563072 30-Dec-2011 22:26

JohnR asked because of "RBI" (Rural Broadband Initiative), a government-funded project to expand broadband to rural areas. He probably wanted to know if you were close to any area.

Vodafone has the Sure Signal, but it only works with (as you guessed) Vodafone mobile and requires Vodafone broadband. It's a femto cell and basically it creates a small cell site within your home/office (small coverage only) and uses the broadband to connect to the Vodafone network for voice and mobile data.

Telecom has nothing like this. And no, you shouldn't even think of repeaters/boosters. They are illegal in New Zealand.

johnr

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#563074 30-Dec-2011 22:29

Buzznz: Where is this going?, I just need some help with boosting my signal

Don't worry I am not going to come rob your house, @Nate might but not me

You can't boost the signal that would be breaking the law

Check out

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/about/media-centre/rural-broadband-initiative/coverage/

RBI is joint Vodafone / Telecom and Waikaia does have new coverage in planning

John

johnr

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#563079 30-Dec-2011 22:37

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/services/femtocell/

raytaylor

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#563493 1-Jan-2012 15:08

Interesting you bring this up Johnr about the RBI for improved calling coverage.
I understand how the OP would be able to get better vodafone coverage as a result of the RBI rollout, but how would he when he is on Telecom?

Have you some joint equipment agreement being formed, or is telecom going to be colocating on the new tower also?

Also does anyone know if a passive repeater (back to back high gain directional + low gain omni) is legal in new zealand?

To the OP: does the cellphone have an external antenna port, or can you use one of those cradle and external roof mounted antenna combos that are listed on trademe - they are a micro passive repeater?

A couple of customers of mine live around the northern side of lake taupo and use one of the cradles to get better cellphone coverage to their kitchen counter at home.

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johnr

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#563495 1-Jan-2012 15:12

raytaylor: Interesting you bring this up Johnr about the RBI for improved calling coverage.
I understand how the OP would be able to get better vodafone coverage as a result of the RBI rollout, but how would he when he is on Telecom?

Have you some joint equipment agreement being formed, or is telecom going to be colocating on the new tower also?

1) It's improved mobile coverage including data not just calling

I suggest you read the RBI INFO that I have linked to!

John

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#563497 1-Jan-2012 15:14

Ray's question is if the RBI deployment will improve Telecom coverage as well, not only Vodafone's?

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