no signal, no broadband - can I use my mobile over ADSL wifi to text and call????

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chatoyance

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#133412 21-Oct-2013 17:49

I've been trying to find an answer to this all day without success but am hoping someone here has worked out the answer to my problem...
I have moved to a rural area, and there is virtually no mobile signal at my house. I say virtually because occasionally someone has gotten a signal somewhere random like in the bathroom or outside. However neither my partner (2degrees) or I (vodafone) have ever received signal anywhere on our section. Coverage maps seem to show that you wouldn't expect any signal at all from any network.
We live opposite a school so eventually broadband might get here but I understand this particular school is pretty much at the bottom of the list so I won't hold my breath.
Currently we have Telstra ADSL on a copper wire, speed is reasonable for what it is, I just ran a test and it was 1.6mbps download speed.
So. My urban friends still expect to be able to send me text messages.
Is there a way I can use an app or something to send texts through my PC's wifi network? Preferably one that lets me use my own mobile number?
or, failing that, would a booster like SureSignal work? I can't figure out from Vodafone's info if it would - we have more than the 1.0mbps speed it requires, but it's a copper line. Also I don't really feel like spending $199 if a free/cheap app will get me results....
Anyone have any insights? TIA

freitasm

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#919309 21-Oct-2013 17:54

There are a few alternatives...

If you have Vodafone (TelstraClear) then you could use the Vodafone Sure Signal to have a mobile signal at home - this way you (on Vodafone mobile) will have voice and SMS over the broadband but not your partner.

Another alternative is to (assuming you have smartphones) use Skype to place calls and SMS when in range (you will have to register your mobile number with Skype so you can send SMS from the app with your number). This mean you can also send SMS from your PC - but remember those aren't free and are one way only, people can't reply to you.

And Sure Signal is not a "booster" but a small, fully functional cell site (a pico cell). A "booster" would need to have at least a signal to boost. The Sure Signal manages phones that attach to it and use your broadband to connect back to the Vodafone mobile network.

chatoyance

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Wannabe Geek

#919320 21-Oct-2013 17:59

thanks for your quick reply... do you know if my ADSL will be compatible with Suresignal given that it's not fibre? I'm sure I can convince my partner to shift networks if it's the best option going

michaelmurfy

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#919321 21-Oct-2013 18:05

Hi Emma,

I saw your comment on the Vodafone page and was about to chat to you on there, but thought I'd do it from my world instead heh. Looks like they've told you about Sure Signal which is a great product but you've said that your broadband runs quite slow, in fact it looks like you're connected to a Conklin.

What's your suburb? Might be worth popping your address into http://www.chorus.co.nz/maps to first see what broadband speed range you're in, if your broadband is normally approx 1mbit it should work with Sure Signal with texting and 1 device doing a voice call but don't expect miracles on the voice call part.

Have you looked at that (now multicoloured) provider to see if they offer better coverage in your area?

Also, welcome to Geekzone!

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johnr

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#919323 21-Oct-2013 18:07

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobile/3g-sure-signal/

Sure Signal should work OK for you if you can get 1.6Mbps DL

Approx where are you located?

michaelmurfy

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#919324 21-Oct-2013 18:08

johnr: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobile/3g-sure-signal/

Hah John, she did ask if Sure Signal would work on a sub 1mbit connection which might be on a Conklin.

johnr

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#919325 21-Oct-2013 18:11

michaelmurfy:
johnr: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/mobile/3g-sure-signal/

Hah John, she did ask if Sure Signal would work on a sub 1mbit connection which might be on a Conklin.

SS should still work but it may not be the best for it

chatoyance

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Wannabe Geek

#919326 21-Oct-2013 18:13

To answer several people's questions at once, I'm in Elsthorpe. Kenderdine Road to be specific. I haven't found any coverage map from any provider that shows signal in my part of the road :(

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johnr

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#919329 21-Oct-2013 18:18

chatoyance: I haven't found any coverage map from any provider that shows signal in my part of the road :(

Ok then so Sure Signal should be the best solution but please note it's not going to provide coverage to a rural block of land they are designed to provide coverage in a house

chatoyance

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Wannabe Geek

#919330 21-Oct-2013 18:20

that would be fine, I don't trust my goats near my mobile anyway!

Primarily it would be to allow me to send and receive txts within the house. Calling not such a priority since I can always use the landline.

michaelmurfy

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#919331 21-Oct-2013 18:21

Ah yes, you're in a 1mbit zone connected to a Conklin without a fibre fed exchange without any plans under RBI to upgrade this area, so you're in a tough situation here. Sure Signal /should/ work, comparing the coverage maps it seems that Telecom have the upper hand since they have weak coverage around your area versus Vodafone with none.

Depending on what type of phone you have I'd recommend ordering a Telecom sim off the internet and just testing it out to see if coverage improves, else you could try Sure Signal to see if this works also but the issue is you're connected to a Conklin with a very limited amount of bandwidth so should never rely off it to always deliver you text messages and calls.

johnr

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#919332 21-Oct-2013 18:28

Looks like planned RBI mobile coverage will help with new mobile coverage in the future but it will still be very limited

http://www.vodafone.co.nz/network/rural/

Coil

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#919339 21-Oct-2013 18:58

Hi,

Yes thats a copper feed exchange, I would assume over 20KM of copper

If you get a sure signal working okay on that i would be surprised but they do use about 1 Mbps of bandwidth so congestion wouldn't exactly work with it, But i dont see any future plans either. You might be stuck in time down there.

Thanks.

1eStar

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#919375 21-Oct-2013 20:08

In the meantime, work out where your closest celltower might be located (i.e. which side of the house) and stand your phones in the window of that side of the house. Without your hand shielding the signal, there is a chance you may get a text through. Maybe even put a call through on a wireless earpiece if you can pick up a signal. Most rural dwellers soon work out which window ledge to prop their phone on.