Poor XT signal-- advised by Telecom to get amplifier?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Poor XT signal-- advised by Telecom to get amplifier?

snnet

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#116477 30-Apr-2013 15:08

I recently contacted Telecom to ask if they had plans to introduce a femtocell device as I have poor coverage inside my home. Today I got a call on my cell phone (which was sitting on top of some books in my wardrobe to get reception to receive text messages) so I waited to see if there was a voicemail and it was from someone at Telecom advising me to call 0800 800 123 and discuss my poor signal

So, upon following these instructions I was told to search TradeMe for a signal booster/amplifier..... I was just wondering if this is a legal device to have because I'm sure I've read many times that it isn't and you can get into trouble for having one?

I'm really just looking for some clarification- legal or not? Are there legal alternatives?

knoydart

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#808045 30-Apr-2013 15:15

Unless the amplifier is specifically authorised by the Cell Co (in this case Telecom) in the form of a femto cell or similar then it is illegal to use. Use of an external aerial which is unpowered I think should be fine (and they appear on Trademe from time to time).

Any non Cell Co supplier offering you an active device is a big no no.

plambrechtsen

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#808108 30-Apr-2013 16:51

That sounds extremely unusual advise and completely wrong.

If you email me pl at telecom.co.nz with your phone number and some further details I can chase that one up.

johnr

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#808109 30-Apr-2013 16:53

Ouch that staff member needs to be spoken to

LennonNZ

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#808113 30-Apr-2013 17:08

Are these things Legal?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586136251.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586350588.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586187721.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586734688.htm

Then there are these scam thingys

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-587066457.htm

sbiddle

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#808127 30-Apr-2013 17:21

THey're not an active device so they're legal.

Whether the passive case for a phone actually works or not is another issue entirely. Connecting a 5 dBi antenna to a USB stick that support an external antenna will deliver an improved signal.

wongtop

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#808129 30-Apr-2013 17:25

LennonNZ: Are these things Legal?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586136251.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586350588.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586187721.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586734688.htm

Then there are these scam thingys

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-587066457.htm

High gain antennas are legal, but you are not allowed to emit on spectrum owned by someone else. I would say the 1st and 4th links are legal (high gain antennas). The third is almost certainly not. The second is a bit grey to me, but with a powered amp I would say that it is likely that it would be illegal as it would mess with the phone's power control (the phone adjusts its emission power so it can just be "heard" by the cellsite - this is particularly important for 3G networks which have a key requirement to keep noise to a minimum)

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knoydart

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#808159 30-Apr-2013 18:13

Yes agreed, the second is bordering on illegal and the third is illegal. I'll get my of my colleagues to go have a word with Trademe re those items...

plambrechtsen

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#809374 1-May-2013 09:46

wongtop:
LennonNZ: Are these things Legal?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586136251.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586350588.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586187721.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-586734688.htm

Then there are these scam thingys

http://www.trademe.co.nz/mobile-phones/accessories/antenna-signal-boosters/auction-587066457.htm

High gain antennas are legal, but you are not allowed to emit on spectrum owned by someone else. I would say the 1st and 4th links are legal (high gain antennas). The third is almost certainly not. The second is a bit grey to me, but with a powered amp I would say that it is likely that it would be illegal as it would mess with the phone's power control (the phone adjusts its emission power so it can just be "heard" by the cellsite - this is particularly important for 3G networks which have a key requirement to keep noise to a minimum)

I would completely agree with you #2 and #3 are illegal. Since #2 requires a power supply and thus has an amplifier in it and in my opinion is a transmitting device so wouldn't be legit rather than a completely passive solution which is ok.

I have personally directed folks at: http://www.cellutronics.co.nz/

Who from my personal (and not that of Telecom) seem to be a reasonably reputable company selling high gain antennas and the connects for Mobile data, and passive style ones too. However I would only ever recommend it for fixed installations of Mobile Data. Not anything for a regular mobile phone.