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First generation 4g enterprise extender support ending

We have a first generation enterprise 4g network extender in service. We own it, it was purchased at full retail, and has worked fantastically.

I recently received a letter telling us the 4g network extender will no longer be supported in a couple of months, and to replace it with a 4g network extender. I would like an explanation on why they will no longer be supported. The letter seems ambiguous to me, similar to Microsoft saying Windows 7 will no longer be supported, we don't know if the device will quit working or if it just means your tech support will no longer be equipped to tell me to reboot it when it doesn't work.

These are three thousand dollar pieces of equipment, and simply being told to replace it with another 4g extender the we're expected to pay for isn't an acceptable answer. When I asked the live chat why, their answer was: "That is a great question! The current one will no longer be supported with the network so in order to keep using a network extender, it is best to upgrade the device." Please give me a better explanation.

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jav6

@outrider02
wrote:
We have a first generation enterprise 4g network extender in service. We own it, it was purchased at full retail, and has worked fantastically.
I recently received a letter telling us the 4g network extender will no longer be supported in a couple of months, and to replace it with a 4g network extender. I would like an explanation on why they will no longer be supported. The letter seems ambiguous to me, similar to Microsoft saying Windows 7 will no longer be supported, we don't know if the device will quit working or if it just means your tech support will no longer be equipped to tell me to reboot it when it doesn't work.
These are three thousand dollar pieces of equipment, and simply being told to replace it with another 4g extender the we're expected to pay for isn't an acceptable answer. When I asked the live chat why, their answer was: "That is a great question! The current one will no longer be supported with the network so in order to keep using a network extender, it is best to upgrade the device." Please give me a better explanation.

Not sure if the enterprise extender was 'three thousand dollar pieces of equipment' but mine for home use was around $249. Verizon is moving from the Samsung platform to Askey and probably the Samsung software won't be maintained/upgraded to communicate with the Verizon network servers as their software evolves.

outrider02

Thanks Jav,

They were definitely 3 grand, and the new one appears to be 4500-5000 depending on where you get it from (https://www.waveform.com/products/verizon-network-extender-for-enterprise-3). We used the residential extenders in the past, but they only support a limited number of connected devices. We'd have issues at break time when all of the available slots would fill up, and inevitably it would be some managers phone that wouldn't be able to connect. Switching to the enterprise extenders solved that as they support a lot more devices.

I suspected it might be a move away from Samsung, since the new extender is made by Casa Systems. I wouldn't care if they simply decided to stop providing tech support and we could choose continue running it or upgrade when ready. I still can't seem to get a straight answer if that's the case, or if the device will be disconnected or no longer compatible.

With the nightmare I'm going through trying to get billing on our fiber circuits sorted out, and spending the last 6 months trying to get SIP phone service turned up, I'm starting to get a sour taste for Verizon anyways. It seems like every day is a new surprise from them. But thank you for replying, I really do appreciate someone trying to help.

stevet18

For those who are wondering...I confirmed with business support that the Samsung enterprise network extenders, both V1 and V2, will continue to work on Verizon's network past the end-of-support date.

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