Messenger updates
Sam_3161
Newbie

How does phone get messenger updates!

From tower or from my router?

Store employee said signal too weak in Hedgesville West Virginia.

Suggested using Hangouts????

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John_Getzke
Champion - Level 1

> How does phone get messenger updates!

Updates come from data connections.  Data connections can come from either the Verizon network via 3G/4G LTE or over a local WiFi connection.  Sometimes when tethering is enabled a mobile broadband device like a Jetpack or a USB modem can be used to provide a data connection via USB too, but the actual data still comes from the VZW network or another wireless provider.

> From tower or from my router?

Depends on how you are setup.  If your phone has a WiFi connection to your home router then it will generally use WiFi data instead of the VZW network by default.  It doesn't hurt to confirm by looking through your settings to confirm though.  Otherwise if no WiFi is available then all data will come from the VZW network (towers).

> Store employee said signal too weak in Hedgesville West Virginia.

Yeah, that can happen in certain areas.  It all depends on the towers and interference in that area.  Sometimes whatever VZW can arrange is not always the best choice.  Boosters, antennas and amplifiers can often be used to improve performance in these locations, but there has to be a certain amount of signal to grab onto for them to be effective (cant boost a signal that doesn't exist or is getting blocked/jammed).

> Suggested using Hangouts????

No comment.

> Is there a setting we might have wrong preventing it from using router instead of tower?

User guide for your phone should confirm settings like this.  On my phone I have a data usage area that lets me manually turn on and off my Wireless ISP connection when I'm in doubt.  There is also a connection optimizer feature that automatically selects WiFi or wireless ISP based on history and performance that manages this for me.

> Any opinion on getting ZBOOST to get signal from tower to say 3g or maybe 4g?

I don't have any experience with zboost in particular.  They seem like any other amplifier kit vendor.

The only way to know if a booster kit will work is if you perform what is called a site survey and evaluate the existing signals in certain locations around you.  For example inside the home away from tower, inside close to tower, outside away from tower, outside facing tower, etc.  Compare the results and determine which options are the most viable for you based on your discoveries.

An excellent link to assist you on site surveys and analyzing the results is here:

http://3gstore.com/page/13_will_an_antenna_help_me.html

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Snn5
Legend

Verizon Messages can use WiFi when Mobile data is too weak or non-existent.  Hangouts can send messages over wifi as well. Hangouts will use your data plan on mobile data though.  WiFi either way will use your router, Mobile Data will use the tower.

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Sam_3161
Newbie

Is there a setting we might have wrong preventing it from using router

instead of tower?

Any opinion on getting ZBOOST to get signal from tower to say 3g or maybe

4g?

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Snn5
Legend

John Getzke

7e18n1

Seems like something you two might know more about.

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7e18n1
Specialist - Level 3

John can probably help with cell phone signal boosters. 

vzw_customer_support
Customer Service Rep

You came to the right place for assistance Sam.3161. Of course we can assist with your questions about Messenger updates. As Snn5 stated, the app may use both, depending on which has the stronger signal between wifi and your cellular data. To ensure that your data allowance isn't being used, it's recommended to turn off cellular data so the handoff will not occur when wifi is weaker. What other questions do you have about the data usage of Verizon Messages?


ArnettH_VZW
Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport


If my response answered your question please click the �Correct Answer� button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

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Snn5
Legend

This thread is geared towards messaging working with the OP's current booster and router.  It is not the Samsung Network Extender.

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John_Getzke
Champion - Level 1

> How does phone get messenger updates!

Updates come from data connections.  Data connections can come from either the Verizon network via 3G/4G LTE or over a local WiFi connection.  Sometimes when tethering is enabled a mobile broadband device like a Jetpack or a USB modem can be used to provide a data connection via USB too, but the actual data still comes from the VZW network or another wireless provider.

> From tower or from my router?

Depends on how you are setup.  If your phone has a WiFi connection to your home router then it will generally use WiFi data instead of the VZW network by default.  It doesn't hurt to confirm by looking through your settings to confirm though.  Otherwise if no WiFi is available then all data will come from the VZW network (towers).

> Store employee said signal too weak in Hedgesville West Virginia.

Yeah, that can happen in certain areas.  It all depends on the towers and interference in that area.  Sometimes whatever VZW can arrange is not always the best choice.  Boosters, antennas and amplifiers can often be used to improve performance in these locations, but there has to be a certain amount of signal to grab onto for them to be effective (cant boost a signal that doesn't exist or is getting blocked/jammed).

> Suggested using Hangouts????

No comment.

> Is there a setting we might have wrong preventing it from using router instead of tower?

User guide for your phone should confirm settings like this.  On my phone I have a data usage area that lets me manually turn on and off my Wireless ISP connection when I'm in doubt.  There is also a connection optimizer feature that automatically selects WiFi or wireless ISP based on history and performance that manages this for me.

> Any opinion on getting ZBOOST to get signal from tower to say 3g or maybe 4g?

I don't have any experience with zboost in particular.  They seem like any other amplifier kit vendor.

The only way to know if a booster kit will work is if you perform what is called a site survey and evaluate the existing signals in certain locations around you.  For example inside the home away from tower, inside close to tower, outside away from tower, outside facing tower, etc.  Compare the results and determine which options are the most viable for you based on your discoveries.

An excellent link to assist you on site surveys and analyzing the results is here:

http://3gstore.com/page/13_will_an_antenna_help_me.html

John_Getzke
Champion - Level 1

> Any opinion on getting ZBOOST to get signal from tower to say 3g or maybe 4g?

Upon further review it seems that many of the zboost products are 3g only boosters.  Not sure what your budget is but you would likely need to consider a larger investment if you wanted to boost 4G LTE service in your area.

This is where VZW can offer a service called LTE Internet Installed.  Its essentially a roof mounted antenna and amplifier kit that VZW supports.  Installation is always contracted out to local vendors so depending on what VZW has arranged it may not be available in your area.

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Snn5
Legend

This is of no use now, but I should note for future reference, that Verizon "supposedly" has a 4G extender due in December 2015. 

John_Getzke
Champion - Level 1

Ohhh I didn't know there was a tentative release date.  I haven't seen any formal announcements about that one yet but an official 4G LTE extender would be very nice to have, especially where I work since its a basement.

Snn5
Legend

I came up with that info from a page regarding an FCC document.  IDK the officialness of it, but the owners manual on the patent grid stated Dec 2015 as the print date.

7e18n1
Specialist - Level 3

If it's pending FCC approval, you might be able to find it on the FCC's website

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Snn5
Legend

That's where I found it.

John_Getzke
Champion - Level 1

I wouldn't expect VZW to move so quickly after getting approved by the FCC.  Might still be another few months for them to conduct user trials and whatnot before they can bring the product to market.  Maybe it doesn't work that way and they are ready to rollout for the Christmas market.

Snn5
Legend

A 4G extender with a 4G phone would be nice compared to using a 4G phone on a 3G extender and the issues associated.

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