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As mobile data use explodes, alternatives to cellular networks will become ever more desirable.
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Read more.Quote:
As mobile data use explodes, alternatives to cellular networks will become ever more desirable.
we have a few pico cells in work, never liked them
We got a femto cell from Vodafone, could never get it to work, after numerous calls to their support got told they don't support our juniper firewalls then they basically hung up!
My dad has one of these from Vodafone, he managed to set it up relatively easily and works nicely. Previously wasn't able to get signal anywhere inside the house.
I'd be interested to see some cost comparisons based on use of these (the bandwidth costs for the telcos) vs costs of running their own cell towers and network. Especially since data traffic need not touch the telcos network at all.
double post...
one issue I had was you couldn't lock it down in any way, so some one walking down the road would use your cell and that can be an issue if you are in a busy area.
I'm a Vodafone SureSignal user... full strength and brilliant for texting (no longer have to do the magic dance infront of the house windows), voice is terrible... and the cheek of it is any data usage still counts on your monthly limit!
I'd not say they are user-friendly, alot of configuring - and if they've got your postcode wrong it takes ages repeatedly telling them that you need the high-level support to sort it.
I ordered a Vodafone SureSignal box this morning, as I've been working from home for quite a while and I am fed up of being dropped out of conference calls due to my poor mobile signal.
It should make my life a little less frustrating, so can't wait to get it setup, looks like it will be a breeze.
:woowoo:
Interesting. So you wouldn't recommend it as an alternative to Wi-Fi for data?Quote:
Originally Posted by chadders
Please correct me if I'm wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by chadders
Vodafone charge you for the femtocell.
Vodafone also charge you a little bit extra monthly for the privelage of having the femtocell.
The femtocel uses your Broadband internet connection.
The femtocell can be picked up and used by anyone close enough to your house, thereby providing Vadafone with a free micro 3g mast that you pay the costs of running.
Vodafone also charge you for the data usage via 3g that actually goes through your own fecking broadband connection?
If this is true, I'd simply find another provider.
Response in RED below:
Quote:
Originally Posted by badass
I find Vodafone's implementation of femtocells very cheeky indeed. For a start, they shouldn't cost £50. Preferably, they shouldn't cost anything. Why should you pay for the privilege of filling in coverage holes in the operator's network?
And the fact that you're then billed for the data which is going over your own broadband connection with no infrastructure cost to Vodafone is laughable!
In my opinion, femtocells are just a stop gap. What you really want is the ability to route phone calls and text messages over wifi. I would be happy if this still counted as part of your bundled minutes and texts, that's fine by me, I have far more than I ever use. The massive advantage this would have is you could use your phone as you normally would on any wireless network you can connect to at home or abroad. Yes I could use Skype (or any other VoIP solution) but I don't want to, I'd much rather use the build in software of my Android handset, use my number and the regular interface for making and receiving calls.
Orange offer something on Blackberry called UMA (Unlicenced Mobile Access) which routes everything through your wifi connection, Voice Calls, SMS, Data, they still take it all out of your bundles but it works seamlessly.
The thing that annoys me though is that they have disabled the service when you aren't using a UK IP address. So for instance, I'm working in Boston MA for 6 weeks right now and I can't use the hotel or office wifi to call home. Instead I have to pay international call prices.... :censored:
It's best not to view the first generation of femtocells as the final destination.
For example, SoftBank in Japan supplies a second-gen femtocell for free, and most devices about to launch combine WiFi and Femto in the same box. Expect a similar evolution of the way femto data use is offered as well.
The result is that WiFi and femto will become increasingly interchageable for data, with femto offering voice and simple location services as well.
More details on my blog at Ubiquisys.
Orange UMA never worked, for me, and gave up getting support.
Considering I get a pap signal from ANY mobile provider, at least Vodafone have "a solution" - so that bit I am happy about.
As for paying data usage over SureSignal rather than WiFi - it's a convenience factor (the 3G works better than the WiFi for some reason) and tracking usage it barely gets near the 500mb limit. Enough for emails and Google calendar syncing.