what is different between the 4G LTE Network Extender 2 and the newer LTE Network Extender?
I’ve been on the phone with Verizon since Friday trying to find out the differences, why they are informing customers that it's not compatible with the iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone Pro Max and why there is a single hint of an option to close it (so others cannot use it without permission... of course there will always be a dedicated channel open for emergencies) in the
user manual (page 18) and two more in the web interface yet there is no way to actually do that within its settings.
The whitelist (set priority) and or close functionality are really important features for me, especially when at a hotel. I've actually made quite a bit of money with them over the years... Vegas in January!
All I learned was Verizon currently don't have an option to whitelist or close any of the Network Extenders (including the enterprise model) they offer. Not a single Verizon representative could tell me what's different or new.
The
LTE Network Extender 2 has a device limit of 14 The
LTE Network Extender has a device limit of 16. It is possible to use it with the iPhone 12 if you turn airplane mode on/off once when the Network Extender is operational. Verizon will continue to inform customers otherwise.
Rory told me he recently had a lengthy talk with Technical Support and Engineering Department representatives because there are people repeatedly trespassing on his property to use the signal provided by the Network Extenders. He's had to call out the police multiple times to have people removed. Apparently the police spoke to the Verizon representatives as well... So, Engineering is now looking into a way to bring back that functionality!
You'd think if multiple people will get arrested just to have a little Verizon service in the area, Verizon would look into adding a tower to the affected area, no?
Madness!
Update: I received a rather rude message from the Engineering Department about the Network Extenders.
I called Verizon again and was transferred to a lovely young woman that quickly read up on the situation and informed me that Verizon has just updated their
LTE Network Extender FAQs to include the forthcoming management features and rather confusingly said that the
4G LTE Network Extender for Enterprise FAQs now states "The 4G LTE Network Extender for Enterprise only supports open mode." and "both versions of the 4G LTE Network Extender for Enterprise support the Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) feature to limit access or give priority access to specific groups of users.
In Closed Mode - You can create lists to limit who has access to the Network Extender.
In Hybrid Mode - You can create lists of subscribers who have priority access over non-members. Any non-member user will have access when resources aren't being used by members. Non-members can be pre-empted in favor of CSG list members.
Note: Even in Closed Mode or Hybrid Mode, a channel will be left open for 911 calls for any user within range of the Network Extender, whether or not the user is a CSG member."