Femtocells: Do we have it?

[portcullis]

The other option for my guy was a cellular repeater. With femto no being an option, that's just cost him close to nine grand for something that can provide signal in a 300 square meter area. And the guys who supply the things tell me they may or may not be legal.

 

[Tacet]

They're probably not legal, but I'm not an expert on the legialities of this. Are they ICASA certified? If not, then they're for sure not legal. If they are, then we're back to the legal question of you transmitting in Vodacom's spectrum. Thing is, if you cause interference on someone's cellphone, it'd make sense for me that it would be illegal. The spectrum belongs to Vodacom, and they're the only ones who may legally transmit there. Imagine a line of customer repeaters running around PTA. It would cause havoc on numerous base stations... Hypothetical, I know, but I think the law will come down on such a scenario.

 

[Ancalagon]

I would love to have one of these things. We have zero signal where I live - deepest darkest Bryanston. Meanwhile, on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I get a constant 5 bars.

Sometimes get pretty irritated with the know-it-alls who have decided against any towers in Bryanston.

 

[Ockie]

I would love to have one of these things. We have zero signal where I live - deepest darkest Bryanston. Meanwhile, on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I get a constant 5 bars.

Sometimes get pretty irritated with the know-it-alls who have decided against any towers in Bryanston.

I am aware of the issue that was experienced in Bryanston. One of the towers were switched off in the area, but mobile sites have been switched on for both 2G and 3G to rectify this. The client for whom I logged this call is in Elgin Rd and she confirmed it has bee resolved.

 

[UnUnOctium]

The whole point of femtocells is high-density areas where there are just way too many users per tower (no one likes dropped calls ). We have a guy in my research group looking into them but realistically, they are viable solutions in only a few places in SA (Sandton CBD being the only one I can think of). I can make you one easily , but the problem is that no one provides the service. Simply a router that works on 800/900/1800/2100 instead of your 2400 for WiFi. In my opinion it's just a temporary solution while we're working on the real deal (hello cognitive radio ).

Also:

They're probably not legal, but I'm not an expert on the legialities of this. Are they ICASA certified? If not, then they're for sure not legal. If they are, then we're back to the legal question of you transmitting in Vodacom's spectrum. Thing is, if you cause interference on someone's cellphone, it'd make sense for me that it would be illegal. The spectrum belongs to Vodacom, and they're the only ones who may legally transmit there. Imagine a line of customer repeaters running around PTA. It would cause havoc on numerous base stations... Hypothetical, I know, but I think the law will come down on such a scenario.

They are legal in that they comply with the multiple access scheme of the towers (TDMA if I remember correctly for GSM) and do not transmit at as high a power as the towers. Consequently they have a small range and only 'interfere' locally where they appear as an extra provider on your phone.

 

[Tacet]

I can make you one easily , but the problem is that no one provides the service. Simply a router that works on 800/900/1800/2100 instead of your 2400 for WiFi.

Yeah right. I'd like any cellphone speak to your 2.1GHz router. 802.11 and WCDMA are two totally different specs, worlds apart in implementation. Calling nonsense on that statement of yours.

I won't argue with the legal issues, though I'm not convinced that it is that easy. No one has legal rights to transmit in licenced spectrum, except for the licensee and whoever the licensee gives permission to, afaik.

 

[UnUnOctium]

Yeah right. I'd like any cellphone speak to your 2.1GHz router. 802.11 and WCDMA are two totally different specs, worlds apart in implementation. Calling nonsense on that statement of yours.

I won't argue with the legal issues, though I'm not convinced that it is that easy. No one has legal rights to transmit in licenced spectrum, except for the licensee and whoever the licensee gives permission to, afaik.

Yes, GSM/UMTS transceiver instead of WiFi. http://para.maxim-ic.com/en/search.mvp?fam=femto_tx&tree=master and http://para.maxim-ic.com/en/search.mvp?fam=cell_tcr&tree=master . I think you misunderstood me, I didn't mean .11 protocols at a diff frequency, meant that it's like a normal wifi router with the exception that instead of using a wifi signal it provides cellular a signal + protocol.

 

[nuyork]

Sorry to hijack this thread a little, but it's on a similar topic of boosting 3G signal.

Has anyone ever heard of these NetGear Cel-Fi units?

A friend of mine got one from Vodacom as he was having issues with his 3G reception. Basically it boosts the outdoor coverage to the inside of the house. So you please the window unit by the window where there is at least some 3G signal, then you can place the coverage unit anywhere in the house, and it is supposed to boost the 3G signal from the window to inside the house.

My friend's coverage went from -98db in the middle of his house to -60db, and speeds are a lot better.

This is not a cell extender, and there are no installations or configuring required. Basically plug in the one unit by the window, plug in the other unit where you require 3G coverage, and both units find each other wirelessly and it works.

Here's some info:-

http://www.celfihelp.com/

http://www.nextivityinc.com/product-overview.php

It works pretty well for people who have excellent 3G coverage outside there house, but as soon as they step inside the 3G coverage is lost, most likely due to metal roof - e.g. zinc or corrugated iron which blocks out cellphone reception.

I believe you can get these from Duxbury, but I'm not 100% sure. When you buy them you need to say which model you want, so like you want one for Vodacom 3G or MTN 3G as I believe each unit is configured for different frequencies, which ever cellphone company uses.

 

[Tacet]

Yes, GSM/UMTS transceiver instead of WiFi. http://para.maxim-ic.com/en/search.mvp?fam=femto_tx&tree=master and http://para.maxim-ic.com/en/search.mvp?fam=cell_tcr&tree=master . I think you misunderstood me, I didn't mean .11 protocols at a diff frequency, meant that it's like a normal wifi router with the exception that instead of using a wifi signal it provides cellular a signal + protocol.

Yep, I misunderstood you. With the Maxim chipsets you've ref'ed, it might work, but it will still be an impressive design - a little bit more impressive than a Wifi router. But certainly doable. Problems that you'll face includes strict timing (probably GPS), nodeB handover etc.. But yeah, all of these can be solved. Sad part is, like you said, that the largest concern will be to find a service provider that will support it from their side.

@nuyourk - it looks interesting. What is the pricing on these? Wouldn't it be cheaper to have a 3G dongle with a directional antenna in the window, and have that hooked up to the house's network? Or does he need the 3G for voice as well?

 

[nuyork]

@nuyourk - it looks interesting. What is the pricing on these? Wouldn't it be cheaper to have a 3G dongle with a directional antenna in the window, and have that hooked up to the house's network? Or does he need the 3G for voice as well?

Not sure about pricing. I suppose Duxbury would have prices. My friend got it for free from Vodacom. True it might be cheaper to just use a yagi antenna, if it is just one 3G datacard. But I suppose if you have more devices, 3G phone, 3G devices. This might be a better option.

 

[nuyork]

Review of the AT&T Femtocell - http://revision3.com/tekzilla/iphone4

 

[SUPERMAN89]

I would love to have one of these things. We have zero signal where I live - deepest darkest Bryanston. Meanwhile, on a farm in the middle of nowhere, I get a constant 5 bars.

Sometimes get pretty irritated with the know-it-alls who have decided against any towers in Bryanston.

So true, you know them farm people got it going on with fiber passing though no wonder. Next time you LAN-ing you might see farmer joe pulling up !!!!!frag!!!!!