Verizon Sent me a Network Extender?

BetaMan said:

Seems strange that Verizon can cash in on you using the network extender since it is using your cable to access the internet/network and NOT their cell towers. Looks like they get to take advantage of YOUR cable and still charge YOU for it AND it takes usage/traffic off of THEIR network when you do!

Hmmm....

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So does that thing still charge you minutes and data usage even though it runs through your home wifi?

drdoom said:

Has anyone successfully talked Verizon into letting them get one of these for free?

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I own one of the older model extenders, bought it for $150 a year ago so I called and asked for either a free upgrade or a new one at a discounted price. Nada on both. She even checked with a supervisor who said no.

gonzoguy24 said:

Yeah. You are wrong. It does plug into my network router. I use about 2-3 GB a month at the moment. I really think they are trying to avoid network issues like ATT had with the iPhone. I think it is a brilliant idea!

And it is the Samsung one that came out in October that does 3G and 1x.

I got it tonight. Whoever said it works "OKAY" must have an older one. I have full bars on 3G and on 1x 100 percent of the time now...I was usually at 2-3 bars in the house before. My housemate has full now on his OG Droid when he got 2-3 before also.

Thanks Verizon!

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Only problem is that Verizon hasn't sold a network extender that use the connection for data. You are still using the tower for data and the extender for voice.

drewcam888 said:

Only problem is that Verizon hasn't sold a network extender that use the connection for data. You are still using the tower for data and the extender for voice.

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Are you sure about that. The FAQ suggests that it runs EVDO off your router.

And anyways, if you're going to the trouble of using a Network extender, you should use wifi anyways.

This is Big Red's sneakily prepping for this.

I PM'd you about the extender, gonzoguy. I dont know that it went through for sure, I got no confirmation.

I actually was thinking of possible getting one of these . I moved to a diffrent unit in the same building and on the same floor but went from always having full service to bouncing from 3g and 1x . This is a dumbe question and I think I already know the answer but the Network extender only would help a verizon phone so my roomate with Sprint that can't get any 3g or 4g service is SOL

Yeah I don't think so either. Not my problem haha

It probably won't work for sprint...but just tell him to get an airave. It is the same thing(made by samsung as well) as the network extender for Verizon. I have an airave from my month and half with the Evo and godawful sprint lol and a network extender...

I should get rid of em
but they came in handy when i had no signal

The VNWE will NOT work with Sprint.

I purchased a network extender used off of eBay and absolutely love it. I am completely unable to use my Verizon phone where I live. Since buying the extender(over 4 months ago now), I have not had a call dropped.

I use my wireless router for the data and the extender for voice.

Not sure I want to host EVDO data connections for all of my neighbors on my cable modem.

1) My network extender is voice only, no EVDO and your phone must come with 15 feet of the extender to register with it(from the instructions)
2) Verizon allows you to manage permitted numbers for your extender in your control panel
3) I enjoy a rural residence and the squirrels and deer have yet to upgrade from their pagers.

I just got this offer too. I've never had a problem with reception on my Incredible here in Chicago, but they called me up and offered me a free Network Extender, no caveats. (I was dubious so I kept making sure there was no way I'd ever be charged for anything related to this.) The rep mentioned that they're testing out the offer in this market, so maybe it's just the Chicago area, seeing as how the original poster is from Aurora.

My question to you guys is: If I've never had any reception problems at home, does it make any sense to still install this thing? Or would I be better off selling it?

Those of you that got the offer: How much are you using the phone for voice and data? Also, i read somewhere not too long ago that radio frequencies are quickly becoming over-crowded. Maybe this is a move to reduce air use of those that use their phones for everything while their at home. Seems extremely practical, actually, and will probably save Verizon a boat-ton of money if they can cut RF use to the point of not needing to purchase expansions to their available RF access.

I know there's technicals associated with alot of the stuff i wrote that i don't know and/or possibly got wrong. Please feel free to clarify respectfully if you know what i'm talking about

Tesloid said:

Those of you that got the offer: How much are you using the phone for voice and data? Also, i read somewhere not too long ago that radio frequencies are quickly becoming over-crowded. Maybe this is a move to reduce air use of those that use their phones for everything while their at home. Seems extremely practical, actually, and will probably save Verizon a boat-ton of money if they can cut RF use to the point of not needing to purchase expansions to their available RF access.

I know there's technicals associated with alot of the stuff i wrote that i don't know and/or possibly got wrong. Please feel free to clarify respectfully if you know what i'm talking about

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My money is that Big Red is sitting on a boatload of the things, and want to get rid of them before the 4g version comes out. And if they are trying to get rid of them, they might as well build customer goodwill and reduce the network load at the same time.

Like Gonzoguy, I assumed it was to ease the load on their towers with the expected onslaught of new smartphone users when the iphone hits. Wireless carriers aren't generous for no reason. In fact, AT&T offered me a free one in September as a last-ditch effort to keep me when I canceled my plan with them due to poor service.

Today I also got a call from verizon, they offered me also the same. And I also had issues with my droid incredible and replaced it twice, the final one is doing good.
Let me also know if some wants it. PM me...

After reading this thread, I sent Verizon an e-mail explaining our poor reception, and asking how to get a free one.
The next day, Verizon called me back offering to send me one for $49.99.
I said that was a really great price, but I couldn't see me spending $50.00 to improve their poor coverage area in our 1800 unit sub-division.
She immediately offered to send me one for free, to keep, with no strings attached.
I see the new ones are capable of flowing data, so I think I will give it a try.
It seems that if you ask, they are more then happy to give them away with no hassle whatsoever.

@Retired Guy - you hit the nail on the head. They're not generous from the bottom of their heart. They need folks to set up mini towers in poor reception areas.

It looks as if I will be calling Verizon soon.

briman4031 said:

@Retired Guy - you hit the nail on the head. They're not generous from the bottom of their heart. They need folks to set up mini towers in poor reception areas.

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I'm not real tech savvy, and half the terms that get used on the forums go right past me, but I was able to muddle through the info on these range extenders. If anyone wants to amplify on, or correct me, feel free, and no offense will be taken.
So here goes...
I don't think that the extenders are going to take a large amount of traffic off of the towers. It appears that any phone needs to initially be within 15 foot of the device to connect. After that, it only seems to have a range of maybe a 100 foot radius. And to top it off, the user can chose to limit access to it to only a selected list of authorized phones if they desire.

I suspect that in the confines of our 1600sf home, it will provide improved coverage, and maybe extend out to the end of our yard. But that would seem to be the extent of it.

Additionally, it's not stated flat out, but a call that is received from a tower will not roll over to the extender. But it does look like a call initiated on the extender will roll over to a tower.

And finally, the new version of the extender will flow data on 3G, but seeing as almost anyone using this setup will be using it in a home with a wireless router, it makes no sense to not switch over to WiFi for data when you are in your home anyhow, negating the benefit of the 3G capability.

About the only thing I am hoping for is that I won't keep missing calls, or having to go out on the porch to be able to understand a caller.
No benefit on data, due to already using Wifi.
No neighbors being able to piggyback off of our extender.
Like I said, I don't really see a measurable benefit to Verizon as far as reducing the tower load.

The new magic box should be here on Wednesday.
Once I struggle through the set-up, I'll post on any benefits or improvements.

I emailed VZW about my service woes in my house. Their coverage map shows solid red in my entire area yet I am constantly in -105dbm at my house. They told me to do all the normal stuff (update roaming, soft reset, hard reset) of course that wont do anything. They made no mention of a network extender to me. No reason to have to pay for one of these things when their service is the problem.