Monday, November 4, 2024
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Musings from Dennis: Verizon should GIVE me a femtocell

As the new-is editor/publisher of “Apple World Today,” this is my (mostly) weekly column in which I discuss anything that’s on my mind. Which may or may not include Apple or even technology. This week I’d like to tell you why Verizon should GIVE me a femtocell.

Forget 5G. I can’t get more than one bar of Verizon service in my neck of the woods. Which is why I use Wi-Fi calling on my iPhone when I’m at home. 

What is a femtocell?

A femtocell is a small cellular base station. The small boxes beam low-power wireless signals to cell phones and relay signals back to the carrier through the subscriber’s high-speed Internet connection. The femtocell incorporates the functionality of a typical base station but extends it to allow a simpler, self contained deployment. Basically, they”re miniature cellular towers for the home.

Verizon offers the femtocell-like LTE Network Extender (pictured), which it says is “like having your own mini cell tower for your home or office” and which “enhances your existing LTE coverage at no additional cost.”

However, the LTE Network Extender costs US$249.99. Why should I pay Verizon for a product that gives me the service I’m already paying for?

Why, you may ask, don’t I switch to AT&T, Sprint, or another wireless carrier? Because their wireless service is just as undependable.

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Have a great weekend.

Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.