Sprint boosts indoor cell signals

Sprint Nextel introduced a new product Monday to help improve cell phone coverage indoors.

(Credit: Sprint Nextel)

The new Sprint Airave is a femtocell or compact wireless base station that boosts cellular signals indoors to provide enhanced coverage up to 5,000 square feet. The device, which can handle up to three calls at one time, is available for purchase in Sprint stores in Denver and Indianapolis. It will be available throughout Sprint's network sometime in 2008.

The device works with an existing broadband connection to send calls over the Internet instead of using Sprint's cellular network. When subscribers leave the range of the device, the call switches to Sprint's wireless network.

Sprint is selling the Airave, which is made by Samsung, for $49.99. Subscribers who use the Airave will pay an additional $15 a month for unlimited calls within the Airave home network. Families can access the Airave signal on multiple Sprint phones for $30 a month. Calls that switch over to Sprint's regular cellular network will be charged usual calling plan rates. Currently, the service only works on Sprint handsets. And it's not available for use with any Nextel handsets.

The service is similar to one launched by T-Mobile earlier this year, called HotSpot @Home. The main difference is that T-Mobile's service uses unlicensed Wi-Fi signals of cellular frequencies. And while the Sprint Airave service can be used with any Sprint phone, T-Mobile's service requires users get a special handset.

Still the concept of using IP technology to improve indoor wireless coverage is the same.

The femtocell technology that Sprint is using not only helps users conserve cell phone minutes while they're at home, but it also reduces traffic on the cellular network, which could potentially improve overall quality of the entire network by reducing congestion.

[timber2005]

Is $45 a month worth it?

There are three Sprint cell phones in my house (4 if they get the dual nextal/sprint support). I can't see paying $45 (15 for the service, 30 for multiple phones) just to get the phones working inside. But, if my brother would pay (to shut his complaining up), I'd be happy.<br /><br />Seriously, why waste a good land line for limited cell phone minutes (before 7) and dropped calls?

[emellaich]

I have a different interpretation

I read this article a bit differently than you do, timber2005.<br /><br />First, I think its $15 for a single phone or $30 for the entire family. This would be consistent with the way that many wireless operators are now charging for unlimited texting.<br /><br />Secondly, once you pay the $30 for the entire family, then all calls over the femtocell would be free. No limits, no time of day restrictions (as long as the destination is continental US). Incoming calls free also.<br /><br />And you wouldn't have as much problem with dropped calls either. It should cover your entire house. No dropped calls in the house area. The femto-cell would only work for your family. That means that its capacity would be available for you -- up to three simultaneous calls according to the article.

[close5828]

T-Mobile has the better idea

I can take my T-Mobile phone (WiFi enabled) to any WiFi access point and get unlimited minutes; this Sprint gadget limits me to having to be at home.<br /><br />For $10 extra a month for unlimited WiFi calling, it's the best deal I've found.

[gschoen]

Works with all phone

The difference between the two services is T-Mobile is using Wi-Fi and is limited to select phones. The Sprint service uses CDMA like a mini cell tower. The range is 5000 feet vs. Wi-Fi and works with all Sprint phones.

[AMXP]

Take it with you?

Who's to say you can't just take your airave "router" with you to a friends house, hook it up and then have full service there too? I know you can't take it everyware but some places it might actually work. I can't wait to get mine and try.