Are 4G users eligible for 3g Network Extenders?

[steve_h]

I've been getting very bad coverage, dropped calls, missed calls, etc around my house ever since I started with Verizon earlier this month.

I just got off the phone with a Verizon tech support representative who told me the following things:

1. If I am getting insufficient voice coverage in my home, I can be let out of contract without an ETF.  I had her note this in my account.

2. If they are getting insufficient voice coverage in my home (as determined by an engineer), customers with 3g devices are eligible for free or discounted network extender devices.

3. Customers with 4G devices are not considered eligible for network extender devices - not only would they not give me one, even if they find that signal is lacking, but they would not provide support for one that I bought on my own.  I asked for clarification, and this was again stated to me as the case.

4. That means that if I am getting bad coverage to my home, the only option that Verizon offers me as a 4G device owning customer is to cancel service, but 3G customers are offered the network extender.

I find this to be a very strange/insane policy, can a Verizon rep on here confirm this?

[John_Getzke]

Verizon simply does not have a network extender that supports 4G.  No other service provider has a compatible device to my knowledge.  Its a technology constraint at the moment.  I'm sure VZW will offer one eventually.

However, the industry is catching up.  Newer boosters and antennas are coming out all the time which support the 4G LTE signal.  3Gstore.com has a few of them if you want to take a look.  You can contact the 3G store with questions before you buy.

http://3gstore.com/category/443_412_3g_4g_antenna_booster.html

http://3gstore.com/product/2951_surecall-cm700v-lte-amplifierhtml.html

[steve_h]

I'm not asking if I can get 4g coverage with a network extender.  I'm asking why (per what I was told by a Verizon technical support rep) having a 4g device (that can also operate on a 3g network) with terrible voice coverage outright disqualifies me from getting a network extender to get better voice coverage in my house.  I almost always have 4g turned off on my device anyway, so I don't care all that much about 4g coverage - I care about not dropping calls constantly.

[John_Getzke · Accepted solution]

Ah, I think I misread your original post.

It does sound unusual that they would not provide you with a network extender BECAUSE you have a 4G device.  The only explanation I can think of would be that the Network Extenders do not communicate with SIM card devices.  All 4G LTE devices from VZW use SIM cards and the technologies may be incompatible with the old GSM style extenders.  I have no proof for this theory though.

You might want to try a different rep to see if you can get a better response.  Make sure that your emphasis is on Voice calls and not Data so they do not interperet your request as one to support 4G LTE.

[steve_h]

That seems like the best course of action, thanks!

[Bradm0]

Just to throw in my two cents worth, I recently upgrade my HTC Incredible to a Droid Razr.  I have a 3G Network Extender.  When I first got the Razr it worked fine with the NE.  Now however, I'll show 4-5 bars of 3G services but the #48 to check for network extender coverage says you're not under the network extender and if I make or receive calls the signal drops to 1-2 bars and the call doesn't go through the extender.  I just finished a long painful experience with VZW support and one of the network guys finally fessed up that it's just an artifact of having the mixed CDMA and LTE networks.  Sometimes it'll work and other times it won't.  I even tried leaving the phone in 3G only mode and that still didn't work.  So I think my next move is to try something from Wilson or zBoost.

[Bradm0]

As an update to this.  I tried the zBoost but it didn't work any better so I ended up paying full price to buy a 3G LG that they were giving a way for free when calls to support and visits to the store yielded no help.  At least it works with the extender so I can make and receive calls.  I'm under contract for about another 18 months and will give them time to hopefully come out with a reliable solution.  If they don't, I'm thinking that T-Mobile's wi-fi calling feature on some of their phone might be my best bet if VZW doesn't want to help me. 

[dswartz44]

I have a the HTC Thunderbolt (very first LTE device) and recently changed residences within same town and needed better 4G LTE signal strength.I bought the Wilson Electronics "Sleek" wich is a portable cradle type signal booster for LTE and I couldn't be happier. OMG anywhere I go or just stay at home, as soon as I put the device in the cradle it jumps immediatey to full bars and is super fast with data.It's not a perfect setup as it won't work unless your phone or device is sitting in the cradle, so for phone calls you've got to hold all of this contraption with dangling wires up to your ear, or use speaker phone. But I got it for data, so that's o.k. When I go on long trips I take it in the car, put the magnetic antenna on the roof and have 4G LTE internet for everyone in the car--it's amazing how you can go from barely a signal or going back and forth between 3G and 4G, and then use the Sleek booster and WHAM! you've got great 4G LTE. I routinely run around 4 to 6 mbps (as clocked by speedtest.net). I even run my home Direct T.V. Internet link off my phone as it's actually way faster than my AT&T DSL which limps along at about 1.5 to 2 mbps, no faster. The dsl tends to be more consistent in signal packet delivery whereas the LTE w/booster can fluctuate now and then and drop packets. But for the most part, rarely have any issues with this booster and highly recommend it. Check out at www.wilsonelectronics.com

[nybadboy11]

I have a galaxy nexus and im using a extender and all i good but its only in 3g thats the only set back

[dackris]

I was just thinking to buy a network extender, i have LG revolution 4G and 3G iphone4S, the LG has a terrible indoor signal in my place, calls gets disconnected but my 3G phone when even has one bar or two still has a good call quality inside. Since i been reading these posts, i figured that 4G are terrible for indoor usage for now until Verizon 4G signals gets better next few years perhaps. Dont get me wrong, my LG 4G speeds is great in outdoors and call quality as well. For now i cant continue having terrible voice quality inside my home and i might change the phone for 3G type.

[LangMurf]

I've had a network extender for a couple of years. Upgraded to a 4G Droid RAZR a few months ago while my wife and son continue to use 3G phones. The NE is in my office. I cannot use my Droid in close proximity to the NE or it drops calls all the time. If I go downstairs and into the dining room, I'm fine, but anywhere in close proximity to the NE, like the family room or the garage, and the call drops.

Pull the plug on the NE and no calls are dropped on my 4G Droid.

[commonsense101]

Pretty sure you can set your phone to cdma only and it would work, i would call vzw to confirm though

$250 is a pretty big investment for something that might not work

[#13]

Okay, I have the Network Extender and The Samsung Galaxy SIII. For the longest time the NE worked great, but it would also be in 3G.  Now something very strange happened today.  Phone setting, not used, checked phone for calls and took notice it showed 4G and only 2 bars.  So, NE all blue lights, no problem there.  dialed #48 and it said You are under Network Extender coverage?!  okay, if the NE is not compatible with 4G, how the heck am I showing 4G and still be under network extender coverage?  Called Verizon and they are totally stumped.  I did make several calls and no problems.   Now here's what I am wondering, if 4G is picking up a closer signal then the gps extender, will it drop the extender and connect to 4G?  BUT next situation, I am NOT suppose to have 4G in my area?!    confusing.....

[vzw_customer_support]

Hey community!

I hope I can shed some light on our network extenders. I personally use one of the older models that only broadcasts the voice network, so I am very familiar with them. They are a great resource when you do have dimishied indoor coverage!

Currently the Network Extender that we have avaialble is compatible with our voice and 3G networks, not 4G. It has the avaialbility for up to seven channels, however, they are split between voice and 3G. You can have up to four 3G channels (i.e. four devices connected and using the 3G network from the Network Extender) or six voice channels (i.e. six devices using the Network Extender for voice calls). The last channel is used for 911 calls only. If you already have a two devices using 3G on the Network Extender and 2 others making calls, the fifth device must either connect to a nearby tower or the call may not connect.

You can have a Network Extender work with a 4G device, however, since it is not compatible with the 4G network, it will only boost the signal for a 3G network. Since you are able to use the 4G network and the voice network at the same time (just like calls and internet at the same time on a 4G device in a 4G area), you can have 4G signal and be connected to one of the voice channels on the Network Extender at the same time. This is how it is possible to show 4G and be under network extender coverage as well.

In regards to the 4G coverage in your area, psf1957, it may be that we expanded faster than we thought. You also might be in a fringe area that can get 4G depending on different variables. So I would be exstatic that you have a great new phone running on a super fast network!

We offer the Network Extender to anyone that needs it and meets all the qualifications to have the device (having high-speed internet ect.). On occasion we may not recommend it as a solution for your situation. Each situation is different and there may have been different factors as to why the Network Extender was or was not offered. We can recommend that if you have a 4G device, in a 4G area, and you do need additional coverage in your home to go with a Network Extender, however, it will not give you the coverage that you are used to. We want you to have the best coverage available. I would keep up to date on Verizon Wireless News for more ifnormation on any other Network Extenders avaialble.

There are of course, third party boosters that you may purchase, however, we cannot support these products. We do not have training on them thus we cannot support and troubleshoot them. Of course, if there are network issues in the area, we are absolutely able to handle those for you as soon as possible!

I hope this has helped answer some of the questions in this forum here. Thanks all the great posts!

MichelleG_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport

[#15]

MichelleG_VZW: That is what is happening here.  The NE is working great for voice calls. But also, can use 4G for data. Love it.  thank you for the explanation.  And the 4G is great!!! 

Pam, a Very happy Verizon customer.

[Jay968]

>>>You can have a Network Extender work with a 4G device, however, since it is not compatible with the 4G network, it will only boost the signal for a 3G network. Since you are able to use the 4G network and the voice network at the same time (just like calls and internet at the same time on a 4G device in a 4G area), you can have 4G signal and be connected to one of the voice channels on the Network Extender at the same time. This is how it is possible to show 4G and be under network extender coverage as well.<<<

HUH??

[#17]

Bluntly:  you can use network extender in 4G area. But it will only be used for voice and texts.  Data will continue on 4G.

Mine has been working great.  Have 4G data, but making calls it will pick up the 3G same for texts, ALTHOUGH it will show 4G on phone.  No dropped calls, etc. Great connections.

[speedytweety]

I have a Motorola Droid Razr, my husband has an iPhone... I have multiple issues with service on my phone, I've had several trouble tickets issued with no resolution, repeated dropped calls, text messages won't go through (message not sent error), phone never rings, but all of a sudden I have a voicemail, I get that red circle with a line through it for minutes at a time showing absolutely no service!  My phone has already been replaced once.... that didn't solve my issues.  My husband RARELY has a dropped call or issues.

After all of that Customer Service told me they don't guarantee a signal inside of a structure. I don't care about 4G, I usually switch to wifi in the house anyway. BUT I need my phone to work as I rely on it heavily. I wasn't offered any discount or rebate for purchasing the network extender at $250! I DO NOT want to have to buy yet another phone or a device to make my phone work, where other phones have no problem working.

[commonsense101]

It doesn't work in YOUR house, YOU will have to find a solution to YOUR problem.

trade the phone, sell the phone, buy another one on ebay for cheap.. but a NE.. buy a landline if you need service in your house that bad.

[Jay968]

Hey cowboy thanks for the intelligent response. Unfortunately, attitudes such as yours are precisely what is wrong with the cell phone industry these days!

[vzw_customer_support]

Hi there Speedytweety!

I don't want your husband to show off his service when you need it just as much! I appreciate all of the troubleshooting you've already completed as every step is extremely important.

My question for you based on your troubleshooting is if we've replaced your sim card yet?

The sim card holds all of your services and could possibly be faulty! They're free at direct Verizon Wireless stores or we can ship one out to you!

Please let me know!

Thanks,

MelissaM_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @vzwsupport