Just had to buy a FEMTO cell (wireless extender) for my own home...

[UltraSPARC]

This is just a vent...

I'm a fresh transplant from ATT wireless. ATT sucked in the DC area, constant dropped calls on all of my phones. The weird thing? It worked great in my house (go figure). I switched to VZW, I've experienced ZERO dropped calls out and about - but wait for it - I get one bar in my house with constant dropped calls! I called up and inquired about a FEMTO cell (which they were utterly confused about). After explaining my situation I needed a "wireless extender" for a cool price of $250. I explained why I switched, and they were able to drop it down by a $100 - which I guess is better than nothing. I live inside the DC beltway, why am I getting only one bar in my home? Why do I have to pay for a device when I look on the coverage map I'm obviously covered! Again just a vent... Hoping someone from VZW sees this and fixes the service in my area. I don't even get LTE on my block - yet the coverage map says I do (or should).

[rivers56]

Hello Ultra,

I have recently vented directly to Verizon about this issue as well. I live in a rural part of western North Carolina. Generally, throughout the county I get very good coverage; however, I get only one bar at our house and nearly every call dropped or poor quality. Yet there is a Verizon tower only one mile from the house, and the Verizon map shows us covered too. Our problem is that as we drive toward the house the topography of the land drops, so apparently the house is in kind of a weak spot. Walk up to the end of the driveway and we have no dropped calls!   When I discussed this with Verizon they informed me of the Network Extender and offered the same price drop. But my response to that was: "Hey I'm already paying over $140 a month for two lines for two smart phones. If you won't come put more towers up to serve our area, then you should  give me a Network Extender-- GRATIS!" That's fair, and that's the right thing for them to do IMHO.

[Ann154]

The construction materials of your building and the surrounding building can weaken a signal.  Do you have a stronger signal when you are standing outside of your home?

[rivers56]

Thanks for your reply. I get one bar indoors...maybe two when I step onto

the porch...I get three at the top of the driveway which is at a higher

elevation.

[UltraSPARC]

I get three bars outside... but 3G only. It isn't until I literally go maybe 200 feet outside of my condo complex to get LTE. Nothing is blocking any signal. I have a feeling it's just a bad transmitter somewhere. I'm surrounded by condo buildings with cell antennae on them. I also live in a major metro area and inside the beltway at that. I get FULL bars everywhere else. Again I'm really pleased with the reception everywhere else. I don't drop calls driving past the pentagon or CIA anymore or the parkway, just where I live. Other VZW users in my complex with LTE have the same issues.

[vzw_customer_support]

UltraSPARC, mobile service is important inside and outside, especially with the way we all use our phones these days. If we have recommended a network extender, we probably reviewed and researched the signal in the area and can confirm it may be marginal. If we haven't reviewed the area in detail, this would be a good chance for us to file a trouble-ticket and find out what may causing the fluctuating signal in and around your home. It could be an issue with the towers or an issue with your phone. A great way to start is to provide a zip-code for us to review. Once we see that your area is covered but you still have signal issues we can proceed with trouble-shooting your phone and possibly a trouble-ticket. If you have gone through these steps and it is understand the area is marginal, know that we are doing our best to update towers and increase coverage in all areas for our customers. You may also call us from alternate phone to start the trouble-shooting process. Please continue to monitor our 4g/LTE site for coverage updates and information http://bit.ly/xVecuo . Also, I am happy that you are pleased with your service despite the minor issues you are experiencing. KinquanaH_VZW

[SickFreak]

I wonder when Verizon is going to come out with a 4G femtocell....

(and please don't tell me that a 4G phone is backwards compatible.....  VZW's femtocells are old and they need to come out with ones that handle the current phone capabilities.)