Cel-Fi
In News
August 6, 2015
How to get a better mobile signal at home
The Cel-Fi Repeater is simple and works with Spark and 2degrees connections. It’s also the only one endorsed by the companies.
It has two components. The main one is placed where your mobile signal is the strongest and it amplifies it to the second unit via a wireless link.
The second component distributes the mobile signal within your home (or business) to any mobile device[…].
August 4, 2015
Nextivity’s Cel-Fi PRO-X Designed to deliver Cell Signal in Tough Environments
Addressing the professional custom installation industry, the San Diego-based cell phone booster company Nextivity Inc. has introduced its Cel-Fi PRO-X cable accessory designed for harsh cell phone environments.
According to the Southern California manufacturer of cellular network solutions, the Cel-Fi PRO-X can be used by dealers to enhance the reliability of cell phone networks in environments plagued by RF (radio frequency) interference. Nextivity explains the PRO-X attaches to its Cel-Fi PRO (for AT&T subscribers) to enable a cabled connection between the smart signal booster’s network and coverage units to provide a strong cell signal[…].
July 20, 2015
June 2, 2015
A cellphone signal booster that really works
I’ve been trying out a product that’s designed to improve cell service, both data and voice, in the home. It’s called the Cel-Fi Duo Signal Booster from Nextivity, a San Diego-based technology company.
I’m using the model designed for T-Mobile cellular phones. A second version is available for AT&T phones. While there are not yet models for Verizon or Sprint, the company produces models that work with 170 carriers around the world […].
July 10, 2015
T-Mobile: Cel-Fi 4G LTE Signal Booster
I went ahead and called T-Mobile to let them know I have an international device and do not have access to WiFi calling but would like a better signal at home. In Jacksonville I actually get great service all over (friends houses, parks, movie theaters, restaurants, etc.)… except for inside my house. I get LTE if I go out in my driveway and walk down it some but I also noticed I can get LTE if I go in my bedroom and stand by the window[…].
June 2, 2015
Nextivity anticipate split market share between Booster, WiFi Calling and Small Cells
With all the current hype around Wi-Fi Calling, it’s important to remember this isn’t the only competing technology for small cells to address in-building coverage blackspots. Repeater and Smart Booster technology is also evolving rapidly, matching multi-technology and multi-band capabilities of the radio network. I spoke with Werner Sievers, CEO of Nextivity, to get another perspective on industry evolution[…].
June 2, 2015
The Case for Small Cells and Signal Boosters in India – Why Indian Opertors must condier them to Improve Coverage?
Two weeks ago when I had been to southern Karnataka and northern parts of Kerala several of my friends and relatives were telling me about dropping signal strengths of several mobile operators. This included state-run BSNL and even leading private telcos like Airtel and Idea Cellular.Few of them had even complained to the authorities at multiple levels but this yielded nothing […].
May 1, 2015
Adeladie Techguy on Today Tonight
Video from the TV show Today Tonight about the use of illegal wireless repeaters, the consequences of using them and how Cel-Fi differs.
April 29, 2015
Frequency offers Nextivity Cel-Fi PRO to boost indoor signal
UK mobile accessories distributor Frequency Telecom has announced the availability of the Cel-Fi Pro indoor coverage unit, a third-generation product from US indoor coverage system specialist Nextivity. The Cel-Fi Pro is a cost-effective, plug-and-play solution for 3G and 4G mobile users with poor indoor mobile signal. The device is powered by IntelliBoost, two custom-designed core processors and Cel-Fi’s latest systems. It features four internal antennas and an external antenna port, and continually seeks the best available signal and adjusts to any changes in the RF environment to maximise signal gain. The Cel-Fi Pro is claimed to provide coverage for up to 13,000 sq ft. The new product is smaller than its predecessors and offers an upgraded user interface. It is available for all four UK mobile networks.
April 23, 2015
New Cel-Fi PRO-X Ensures Optimal Cellular Coverage in the Most Challenging Infoor Environments
Nextivity Inc. today announced the launch and availability of the Cel-Fi PRO-X™ cable accessory designed specifically for use in environments where radio frequency (RF) signal propagation is an issue, such as manufacturing, mining, marine, and parking facilities, etc. The new PRO-X accessory attaches to the Cel-Fi PRO (for AT&T subscribers), enabling a cabled connection between the smart signal booster’s Network and Coverage units to deliver a strong cellular signal even in the most challenging environments[…].
April 20, 2015
This is what the signal bars on your smartphone REALLY mean
Sadly, the little signal bars on your iPhone or Android smartphone aren’t always that good an indicator of whether you can use the thing.
Many models don’t update the bars they show for up to 15 minutes – so if you’re holding your phone aloft like a big aerial, staring furiously at a screen with five bars, you might just be wasting your time.
The number of bars on display also doesn’t mean much – handset makers decide their own standard, and they don’t match across, for instance, Samsung and Apple devices[…].
April 19, 2015
What do the signal bars on your smartphone actually mean? We asked an expert
We all check how many bars we have on our smartphones and assume it’s an accurate guide to how strong our signal is. But what do those bars really represent?
“There’s no standard. They do indicate signal strength, but it’s up to the handset manufacturer to come up with whatever algorithm they want,” explains Steve van Skike, Senior Manager of Test and Regulatory for cell-phone booster company Nextivity. “They certainly want to do something that is appropriate for the consumer, it needs to be meaningful information, but the details are up to them.”[…].
February 9, 2015
#ONEshow15: Nextivity on carrier-grade signal booster
TESSCO’s #ONEshow15 brought networking industry leaders from around the world together for the annual infrastructure show. George Lamp, VP of operations and support for Nextivity, discusses indoor coverage solutions that are carrier-grade and easy to install.
February 7, 2015
November 16, 2014
The Chris Voss Show
The only signal booster approved and authorized by AT&T. Designed and certified to improve coverage. Peace of Mind: if you are not satisfied, return Cel-Fi booster within 30 days.
Insanely Simple: plug & play, power up and Cel-Fi is set!
Reduces dropped calls and improves voice clarity[…].
January 28, 2015
Telenor picks Nextivity Cel-Fi for corporate client service
Telenor Norway said it has launched a small cell service to improve indoor coverage for business customers. Having tried out various different technologies, it has opted for Cel-Fi mobile signal boosters, produced by Nextivity. It involves two devices,one to receive signals from outdoors and transmit them wirelessly to the premises. The second device is located wherever the customer wishes to improve reception. Everyone in the site that has Telenor coverage then gets a better service[…].
November 16, 2014
Nextivity Cel-Fi PRO Signal Booster Review: Now with LTE
By Kevin Purcell
The Nextivity Cel Fi Pro Signal Booster for AT&T updated the older Cel Fi Smart Signal Booster we reviewed earlier. The system promises to boost an AT&T LTE signal in a home, office or business with two units that extend the coverage in places where an AT&T signal normally doesn’t get the job done due to poor coverage. The company promises, “All you need is one bar to get five.”[…].
November 12, 2014
Hands on: Cel-Fi Mobile Repeater
By Adam Turner
If your home is a mobile blackspot then a Cel-Fi mobile repeater might help you stay connected.
If you’ve got solid mobile phone coverage throughout your home then you probably take it for granted, but not everyone does. Mobile blackspots don’t just affect people who live in the middle of nowhere, blackspots are also scattered across the suburbs depending on your telco and choice of handset. Reception can even vary from room to room as you move around the house.
If you can get a sniff of mobile coverage outside, but it drops out when you walk in the front door, then a Cel-Fi mobile repeater might be able to come to your rescue[…].
November 04, 2014
Cel-Fi Smartr Repeater (RS2): Hands-on
By Tony Ibrahim (Good Gear Guide)
Theoretical data speeds are all the hype these days. Shop staff are quick to cite them, but the truth is the Internet speed your smartphone will get will depend on a number of factors unique to your home.
A variety of things can degrade the signal. These include large trees, structural beams and dense building materials, such as bricks. A few unlucky people might live on the outskirts of a signal, or populate a small space carriers refer to as “black holes”. People in rural areas often endure the brunt of poor reception simply because carriers aren’t as enthusiastic about infrastructure support[…].
October 9, 2014
How one Reseller Uses the CEL-FI® Smart Signal Booster to Solve Poor In-building Reception & Grow Its Customer Base
By Cel-Fi Editors, October 9, 2014
DELIVERING INNOVATION & OPTIMAL VALUE – Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, Atlantic Technology Group (ATG) is an end-to-end solutions provider for mobile applications, devices, and lifecyclemanagementservices. The company’s customers are largely comprised of small and medium-sized enterprises located throughout the continental United States. ATG prides itself on providing customers with innovative technology solutions that fit their needs and budget, and that help drive real business returns. ATG has built up significant expertise in the area of in-building coverage. Strong cellular reception outside a building does not necessarily carry through to the inside, resulting in poor-quality or dropped calls. A distributed antenna system (DAS) was often the only solution, but these installations—which numbered between two and four each month—were time- consuming for ATG’s 10 employees […].
September 24, 2014
Nextivity CEO Talks Magic Behind Uncarrier 7.0
By Andrew Berg
This article corrects an earlier version that stated T-Mobile’s Personal Cellspot was produced by Nextivity. It was actually developed in partnership with ASUS. The Cel-Fi Duo booster discussed in the story was announced by Nextivity on 9/17, not as part of T-Mobile’s Un-carrier 7.0 announcement.
When T-Mobile announced its Uncarrier 7.0 initiative, which included Wi-Fi calling on all phones, it also offered to give customers in poor coverage areas something called a Personal Cellspot, essentially a residential signal booster. While not necessarily a new technology, the Cellspot represents a novel solution by a major carrier to solve the coverage conundrum[…].
Full Article
September 19, 2014
Nextivity aims to boost weak indoor cellular signals
By Mike Freeman
San Diego’s Nextivity thinks it has found a solution to the thorny problem of poor indoor cellular coverage by a reworking a renegade technology to make it mainstream. The 60-employee firm has developed Cel-Fi signal boosters, which include the company’s proprietary semiconductors designed to play nice with nearby cellular base stations in the macro wireless network. Signal boosters haven’t been a favorite technology for wireless operators, said Werner Sievers, chief executive of Nextivity. The devices tend to create interference, which reduces the number of calls a base station can handle[…].
September 18, 2014
Nextivity Cel-Fi PRO Signal Booster Includes LTE
By Jason Knott
Nextivity has unveiled Cel-Fi Pro, its third-generation carrier-specific smart cell phone signal booster for 3G, 4G and LTE (including VoLTE).
The unit is the first commercially available smart signal booster built on Nextivity’s third-generation Cel-Fi baseband processor (Toshiba 65 nanometer).
The Cel-Fi Pro automatically adapts to the indoor environment to increase cellular coverage, providing 10 times the gain of earlier versions. It also uses patented echo-cancellation algorithms for stronger signals in the coverage area, according to the company. The device is an all-digital, carrier-specific signal booster, and is immediately available in the U.S. for AT&T subscribers, and globally for other mobile network operators […].
September 17, 2014
T-Mobile’s new 4G LTE Signal Booster revealed [unboxing video]
By Cam Bunton
T-Mobile’s product guru, Des Smith (aka @askdes) has officially shown off the brand new Cel-Fi made LTE Signal Booster. Like the Asus router, it comes with the Personal Cellspot branding. As we’d already discovered, the new Signal Booster comes with a more attractive design than its 3G/4G predecessors. Granted, it’s still a black plastic box, but at least it’s been given a splash of colour with the trademarked Magenta livery
The latest signal booster is something we’ve come across before. As explained in the video, you need at least 1 bar of LTE at your home somewhere to make use of the LTE Signal Booster, 2 bars is preferable. That said, if you have a fast internet connection, your best bet is to grab one of thenew ASUS CellSpot routers. That is – of course
– unless you have a non Wi-Fi Calling device.
September 17, 2014
T-Mobile’s new 4G LTE Signal Booster revealed [unboxing video]
By Cam Bunton
T-Mobile’s product guru, Des Smith (aka @askdes) has officially shown off the brand new Cel-Fi made LTE Signal Booster. Like the Asus router, it comes with the Personal Cellspot branding. As we’d already discovered, the new Signal Booster comes with a more attractive design than its 3G/4G predecessors. Granted, it’s still a black plastic box, but at least it’s been given a splash of colour with the trademarked Magenta livery
The latest signal booster is something we’ve come across before. As explained in the video, you need at least 1 bar of LTE at your home somewhere to make use of the LTE Signal Booster, 2 bars is preferable. That said, if you have a fast internet connection, your best bet is to grab one of thenew ASUS CellSpot routers. That is – of course – unless you have a non Wi-Fi Calling device.
September 17, 2014
T-Mobile Programs Extend In-Home Coverage
By Joseph Palenchar
Bellevue, Wash. – T-Mobile expects to improve its coverage in homes with the availability of its Personal CellSpot for phones equipped with Wi-Fi calling. Separately, the carrier launched the a T-Mobile-optimized Cel-Fi Duo signal booster from Nextivity for consumers who lack a Wi-Fi calling handset or a home broadband connection. As announced last week, the Asus-made T-Mobile Personal CellSpot is available at no extra charge for qualifying customers with a $25 refundable deposit […].
September 11, 2014
Cel-Fi won Best Product Award from CEPro, at CEDIA 2014 conference
CE Pro Announces Winners of 6th Annual BEST Awards
By CE Pro Editors, September 13, 2014
CE Pro is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 CE Pro BEST (Best Electronic Systems Technologies) Awards, recognizing the most noteworthy new products and technologies for 2014. “The BEST Awards offer the most exposure for submissions than any other awards program in the custom installation industry,” says Jason Knott, editor-in-chief at CE Pro. “All submissions will appear on CEPro.com and in the November 2014 print edition of CE Pro. The awards are independently scored by the CE Pro editors and a team of integrators in the field who evaluate the submissions based on their innovation, their benefit to the integrator and their ultimate benefit to the consumer.
“The scores are tallied up and the winner is selected. So the recognition for the winners is really coming from custom installers in the field, not just from CE Pro. I congratulate all the winners and all the entrants.”
All entrants and BEST winners will be featured in the November issue of CE Pro and can be viewed online at www.cepro.com/best. Awards will be presented today (September 11) at the CE Pro Headquarters Booth #826 at CEDIA Expo at 5:00p.m. Winners will have the opportunity for a photo with CE Pro editors.
Following are the CE Pro BEST Award Winners for 2014: […]
Digital Phone System/Dedicated Intercom/Cellular Signal Booster – Nextivity, Cel-Fi PRO […]
September 10, 2014
Nextivity Announces a Third-Generation Smart Signal Booster
By Nick Marshall
Nextivity’s Cel-Fi Pro adds intelligence to enable interoperation with small cells for in-building wireless coverage where no usable backhaul exists or to extend small cell coverage within an enterprise by eliminating coverage dead zones. Compatible with the new FCC Part 20 rules, Cel-Fi Pro’s smarts allow it to integrate with a small cell network and offer advanced network protection mechanisms to permit high system gains and a wide (up to 13,000 sq. ft.) coverage area.
September 10, 2014
CTIA Announces 2014 Emerging Technology Award Winners
The Cel-Fi Pro by Nextivity Won E-Tech “Crowd Favorite” by Receiving the Most Show Attendees and Online Votes
LAS VEGAS – On day two of Super Mobility Week 2014, CTIA–The Wireless Association® announced the winners of the Emerging Technology (E-Tech) Awards. Announced on the Studio C stage, the E-Tech Awards winners represent the most innovative emerging mobile services, solutions and technology from areas such as the cloud, network equipment, M2M and the Internet of Things.
More than 50 industry experts, analysts and media examined and scored the nearly 300 entries across CTIA’s three programs to determine the finalists and winners, but the Cel-Fi Pro by Nextivity, the “Crowd Favorite,” represents the favorite product of Super Mobility Week attendees and online users[…].
September 08, 2014
Cel-Fi PRO delivers the biggest boost yet for indoor cellular coverage
By Steve
“Hello, are you there?”
If you own a mobile phone, chances are you’ve uttered these words in some form while simultaneously moving closer to a window or running up the stairs to get a better cellular signal. In the U.S. alone, 41% of households rely on their mobile phones as their primary mode of communication. Coupled with the fact that more than 70% of all mobile calls originate indoors, it becomes clear that consistently reliable indoor cellular coverage is more critical than ever before.
Enter Cel-Fi PRO. The all-new, all-digital smart signal booster from Nextivity makes its debut today at CTIA. Created to solve the problem of poor indoor signal coverage for 3G, 4G and LTE (including VoLTE), Cel-Fi PRO helps eliminate dropped calls and dead zones inside subscribers’ homes or offices, improving overall voice and service quality[…].
March 14, 2014
There’s a new channel program in town – Nextivity launches formal channel program
By Kelly Teal, March 14, 2014
San Diego-based Nextivity Inc. said this week it is looking for VARs and integrators to sell its Cel-Fi signal booster, which amplifies indoor wireless coverage. There are no inventory commitments, and partners may opt to have Nextivity provide customer support and drop-ship service. The company has formalized its partner initiative after resellers started asking to sell the Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster. Over the past six months, Nextivity worked with those early adopters to create “the most appealing and compelling” program that it could, said Werner Sievers, CEO of Nextivity.
“Our reseller base has grown through word of mouth,” he added. “In developing this expanded program, we focused on providing even greater opportunities for resellers to capture new revenue streams in this rapidly growing market.”
For example, there’s online training, and sales and marketing brochures. Nextivity provides assets for partners’ Web sites, helps partners with SEO, and offers volume discounts. Next, there’s support for pre-sales and installation. Nextivity employs a team of people dedicated just to resellers; this team replies in real-time or within one business day, Sievers said. But to be frank, he said, Cel-Fi “is so advanced that support is very rarely called for.”
The same goes for certification. Resellers don’t need to undergo such a process because Cel-Fi is plug-and-play, Sievers said.
“Training is usually done in a few minutes over the phone,” said Sievers. “We have a short slide deck designed for businesses installations and one for residential installations. Orders are placed on our Web site. We give our resellers the option for drop shipping…and we have zero lead time. We ship same day.” VARs and integrators may apply online to join the Nextivity channel program.
The Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster is authorized by 139 carriers worldwide in 70 countries for use on their networks.
March 12, 2014
Posted on CEPro – Nextivity Launches Cel-Fi Reseller Program for Integrators
By Jason Knott, March 12, 2014
Nextivity’s new Cel-Fi for Resellers program does not have minimum purchase requirements and includes downloadable marketing materials for cell signal boosters.
San Diego-based Nextivity Inc., makers of the Cel-Fi digital cell phone signal booster, has launched a new authorized reseller program for its Cel-Fi smart signal booster. The Cel-Fi for Resellers program for Value Added Resellers (VARs) and custom integrators was developed based on industry feedback, according to the company. In the program, integrators are not required to meet minimum inventory commitments. They can also choose to have Nextivity provide customer support, as well as drop shipping services.
“Our reseller base has grown through word of mouth, which is testament to the advanced technology built into Cel-Fi and our service commitment to our partners,” says Werner Sievers, CEO of Nextivity. “In developing this expanded program, we focused on providing even greater opportunities for resellers to capture new revenue streams in this rapidly growing market.”
He adds, “Our resellers value real time support, especially during installation and pre-sales—even though Cel-Fi rarely requires it. To address their needs, we created a dedicated reseller team that is ready to respond to their queries within an hour, and where possible in real-time, during business hours.”
January 28, 2014
Posted on News Electronics – Open source mcu core steps in to power third generation chip
Nextivity, which makes cellular repeaters to boost indoor signal coverage, has already developed two generations of chips for its Cel-Fi signal booster products. Its latest device, the Cel-Fi RS3xx, supports the Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless standard.
“From a [processing] performance point of view, Nios, OR1200 or an ARM9 will all do the job,” said Michiel Lotter, chief technology officer at Nextivity. “We were looking for a way to get something cheaply and not have to worry about whether we were going to use two, three or six cores in our system.”
The Cel-Fi signal booster sits between the base station and a user’s wireless device. “It grabs the signal from the base station, cleans it up as much as it can and retransmits it to the handset,” said Lotter. Cel-Fi also undertakes the reverse, uplink path, for handset transmissions to the base station.
Cel-Fi is an alternative to technologies such as femtocells, that also improve indoor signal coverage. But, while a femtocell needs a DSL or broadband connection to the network, the signal booster needs only a cellular signal. Signal boosters are now recognised as one of the various small cell approaches by telecom regulatory bodies and industry organisations such as the Small Cell Forum, said Werner Sievers, Nextivity’s ceo.
January 10, 2014
Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster on TV for winning Most Innovative New Product Award from CONNECT
Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster was on NBC San Diego end of December for winning Most Innovative New Product Award from CONNECT. In december, Cel-Fi received the Most Innovative New Product (MIP) Award in the Hardware and General Technology category at the 2013 CONNECT MIP Awards ceremony held early December. In its 26th year, the annual awards program continues its tradition of honoring San Diego’s leaders of innovation and groundbreaking new products launched in the last year.
December 17, 2013
Startup Taps OpenRisc for Booster, from the Linley Group, the industry’s leading experts in semiconductor markets.
Author: Loring Wirbel
Cellular-repeater startup Nextivity used an Altera/Synopsys Nios CPU core, synthesized in an ASIC, for two generations of what it calls the Intelliboost Baseband Processor. This product serves in Cel-Fi, the company’s indoor-coverage extender for heterogeneous networks (hetnets). But for its third-generation Cel-Fi system, Nextivity designed its own proprietary processor using six CPU cores based on the OpenRisc OR1200.
Cel-Fi boosters are cellular-repeater systems for homes and small businesses. Users place a window unit housing the network CPU indoors where the cellular signal is strongest. This unit filters, boosts, and retransmits the signal using the unlicensed 5GHz band to a companion distribution unit positioned where the signal is weakest. The retransmitted signal supports up to four 20MHz cellular RF bands carrying any combination of WCDMA, HSPA+, and LTE.
Nextivity engineers considered a single-chip processor incorporating six ARM9 cores based on the ARMv5TE ISA, but they instead turned to OpenRisc for greater flexibility and lower licensing costs. OpenRisc is the flagship design of the OpenCores community, a Linux coalition formed in 1999. OpenRisc 1000 is an architectural description of a family of 32- and 64-bit processors, and OpenRisc 1200 (OR1200) is its first instantiation, written in Verilog. So far, Beyond Semiconductor, Orsoc, and Samsung have developed commercial OR1200 implementations, although Cadence also uses the synthesizable core as a reference design for EDA tools.
November 24, 2013
Canadian Reviewer: Nextivity Cel-Fi RS2 Signal Strength booster
Maintaining a good cellular reception indoors has always been one of the biggest issues with cellular phones. Now that mobile devices push voice, text and more importantly data across various bands getting a strong enough signal is something of a challenge. That’s where a device like Nexitivy’s signal strength booster comes in.
Well-built and looking very much like professional equiptment, the Cel-Fi RS2 is a lot easier to use than it looks out of the box. Simply find place in your home or office that gets at least one bar of 3G coverage. No extra service fees, no internet connection required; Just a little bit of 3G signal strength andthe Cel-Fi system will bring you blazing fast downloads, smooth video and surfing, and improved voice coverage throughout your home or office.
The Cel-Fi RS2 really makes a difference in situations where one needs improved access to cellular data and voice networks and while not exactly the most portable solution around, it is still one of the most user-installable solutions.
October 24, 2013
Sun Star Newspaper- Device boosts signal at home, work
WIRELESS service provider Smart Communications has started testing on its network the use of Cel-Fi, a globally-recognized signal-boosting device that eliminates so-called dead spots inside homes and offices, and dramatically improves mobile reception for voice and data in enclosed spaces.
“Cel-Fi offers a lot of promise because it functions much like a personal cell site and boosts the network performance in corners where signal strength is challenged.” said Smart co-founder and chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea.
Distinguishing itself from traditional analog boosters, the Cel-Fi is a plug-and-play device and may be installed in minutes with no need for cables, antennas or configuration.
October 8, 2013
RCR Wireless – Reality Check: Grasping the last piece of air in mobile coverage
Connectivity is everywhere, from the clothes we wear to the tablets and smartphones we use. There’s also been considerable buzz around the influx of wearable devices. In fact, Juniper Research estimates that shipments will grow ten-fold, reaching 150 million by the end of 2018. While some wearable devices will be Bluetooth enabled and others will operate using Wi-Fi, many will take advantage of cellular networks.
But there’s a catch to all this – the vast majority of cellular usage today (more than 70%) originates indoors, where reception can be spotty at best. The question we should be asking is what will happen if smart watches, devices like Google Glass and other wearable devices don’t have a strong enough mobile signal to work indoors?
September 9, 2013
Howard Forum Review – Like 11 Bars of Signal: Cel-Fi Signal Booster Review
Can you hear me now? Are you there? It’s been awhile since I’ve tested a signal amplifier. There are a couple of reasons. First off, they usually require installation, which can be quite costly if you can’t do it yourself. You have to install an ugly antenna outside and then run wire from your roof to inside where there’s no signal. It’s a hassle. It can also be difficult to find a good place to test them. If you live close to a tower, network signal strength may not be low enough to notice a difference. After all, these days, many phones usually sound fine right up until they’re about to drop a call.
Fortunately, my house is the perfect candidate for a signal booster. On the top floor, you can actually see the tower that services my houses from the window. However, it’s about 1.5km away. This means I get excellent signal in my bedroom and virtually none in my basement. Which brings me to the Cel-Fi signal booster. It’s a HSPA booster for Rogers (T-Mobile and AT&T units are also available). It’s wireless so you don’t have to run any wires besides plugging it into the wall. It consists of 2 parts; a window unit and a coverage unit. You put the window unit somewhere where you get the strongest network signal (usually a window) while the coverage unit goes where you have bad signal (probably a basement).
So how’d it do? In a word, performance was stunning. It works so well, at times I wonder if the Cel-Fi employs magic. I’m talking Harry Potter, my cellphone magically gaining 11 bars of signal, that sort of thing.
July 23, 2013
AT&T Authorizes Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster For Use on Its Wireless Network
Nextivity Inc. today announced that AT&T has formally entered into an agreement with the company, authorizing the Nextivity Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster for use on the AT&T wireless network. This agreement makes Cel-Fi the first consumer booster authorixed for use by the mobile operator. AT&T is the second top-tier operator in the United States to authorize Cel-Fi for use on its wireless network, and joins more than 120 global operators that have already given the booster their stamp of approval.
July 23, 2013
RCR Wireless US News – Nextivity gains AT&T approval for cell booster
The wireless industry’s acceptance of cell signal boosters gained momentum this week as AT&T announced a deal with Nextivity authorizing the use of its Cel-Fi Smart Signal Booster for use across AT&T Mobility’s 2G and HSPA-based 3G networks. Nextivity has also received authorization for the use of its boosters by T-Mobile US.
July 23, 2013
ComputerWorld News – Wireless may replace phone lines in Sandy-ravaged areas of N.Y., N.J.
Hurricane Sandy devastated coastal areas in New Jersey and New York last October and left some Verizon Communications customers without copper phone lines.
Just this week, Nextivity announced it is working with AT&T to provide its Cel-Fi smart signal booster for use on the AT&T wireless network. The Cel-Fi technology is already offered by T-Mobile US.