Does a Signal Booster help with ATT/Iphone reception?

[Rockymthi]

I continue to get only 2-3 bars at my home with ATT on Iphone 3gs/16gb. Has anyone used one of these Signal Boosters (cost from $200-300) and do they work? Or if I upgrade to an IPhone4 with more memory, will it make a difference?

I looked into the Microcell but this is not a solution as you need an internet connection to use it.

 

[bigddybn]

I continue to get only 2-3 bars at my home with ATT on Iphone 3gs/16gb. Has anyone used one of these Signal Boosters (cost from $200-300) and do they work? Or if I upgrade to an IPhone4 with more memory, will it make a difference?

I looked into the Microcell but this is not a solution as you need an internet connection to use it.

Yes a properly designed and installed BDA can help. You will likely not get that for 300 dollars.

2-3 bars should be more than enough though.

 

[Sedrick]

I'm looking for a similar solution, but for the office. Where I sit for 9 hours a day, I get about 1/4 of one bar on AT&T. Frequently, it will say 'no service'. Can't get a much deader zone than that.

 

[Orion126]

A signal repeater is much cheaper...I've seen some go for about $120.

 

[Rockymthi]

A signal repeater is much cheaper...I've seen some go for about $120.

Any names of ones for $120, as I can't find any on the web/Amazon/BestBuy?

 

[Orion126]

Sorry but it looks like prices have gone up.

Not sure how strong the AT&T Microcell signal is but maybe you can set it up with a neighbor who does have AT&T and pay him or add him to the list of authorized users?

 

[Jordan921]

I continue to get only 2-3 bars at my home with ATT on Iphone 3gs/16gb. Has anyone used one of these Signal Boosters (cost from $200-300) and do they work? Or if I upgrade to an IPhone4 with more memory, will it make a difference?

I looked into the Microcell but this is not a solution as you need an internet connection to use it.

Lol how would upgrading to iPhone 4 with more memory help?

 

[mgamber]

FYI, I bought a microcell from AT&T and they refused to enable it because of some problem with the 911 service in my area so I bought a zBoost YX545 and it worked very well. For two years I wasn't able to hold a call with the iPhone in my house for more than 5 minutes and usually kept the sim card in my old Fuze because it actually worked. I got the YX545, stuck the antenna in the attic, put the unit on the 2nd floor of the house and had 4 or 5 bars throughout the house and outside for quite a distance. Data speed improved, I was able to make and hold calls and when you ditch AT&T, it works with a bunch of other carriers. I finally sold it when AT&T decided to enable the microcell which, truth be told, does work better. The zBoost was a tad pricey but, like most other things, you get what you pay for.

 

[stisdal]

Has anyone had any experience with the signal boosters available to install in your car? (I travel a lot)

 

[Rockymthi]

Thanks for your experience. The challenge I have with Microcel, it that it requires an internet connection which I cannot get as I am in a dial-up area only- no cable, no DSL.- Thus the reason for a functioning IPhone for calls and internet.


QUOTE=mgamber;11933758]FYI, I bought a microcell from AT&T and they refused to enable it because of some problem with the 911 service in my area so I bought a zBoost YX545 and it worked very well. For two years I wasn't able to hold a call with the iPhone in my house for more than 5 minutes and usually kept the sim card in my old Fuze because it actually worked. I got the YX545, stuck the antenna in the attic, put the unit on the 2nd floor of the house and had 4 or 5 bars throughout the house and outside for quite a distance. Data speed improved, I was able to make and hold calls and when you ditch AT&T, it works with a bunch of other carriers. I finally sold it when AT&T decided to enable the microcell which, truth be told, does work better. The zBoost was a tad pricey but, like most other things, you get what you pay for.[/QUOTE]

 

[Orion126]

Have you thought about Verizon iPhone? If you complain to ATT enough you may be able to get out of your contract for free.

 

[Rockymthi]

Have you thought about Verizon iPhone? If you complain to ATT enough you may be able to get out of your contract for free.

Yes, I thought about Verizon but it doesn't seem to make sense to committ to another 2 year contract on a Iphone4/3g when it will be outdated in 5 months or so. But if I can't boost the signal with ATT, then July I will be with Verizon and IPhone 5 (which should be a dual 3g/4g phone and with GSM and CDMA??