Nextivity Mobile Booster | Any takers?

yuloni

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cowboy1981

Condi wrote: »

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Having a good signal on the Coverage Unit just means that the Wi-Fi signal within your house is good, because you are not too far from the Window Unit. This is just an internal network within your house, using Wi-Fi between the two units. If the 3 signal in your area is very poor or overloaded, then the Nextivity unit is useless.

You need to keep complaining that it is not working, and insist that 3 provide you with the Satellite alternative. This doesn't use 3's network and is provided by a 3rd party Satellite provider. It is a better solution. Also make sure to copy your complaints to the Minister for Communications Eamonn Ryan, as his Department have deluded themselves that the National Broadband Scam is actually working and are paying out €80M of tax-payers/EU money to 3.

yuloni

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nextivity

Condi,

If you are getting bars at the Window Unit, then chances are 99.9% that the CelFi will work in your home. The signal received from the base station is validated before the bars are displayed.

There are two ways we can think of to solve your problem. First one is to make sure that you have a couple of meters between the Coverage Unit and your 3G dongle. Sometimes this actually helps to get the network signalling working better.

Second option is to look at the configuration of your dongle. If you have ever tried to use any other USB dongle before it can create conflicts with the drivers. Try using the remove software option to completely delete any existing drivers and then reinstall the drivers that came with your Three dongle.

If neither of these work, let me know, and I can contact you directly to resolve your problem.

Best regards,

Nextivity Support

yuloni

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FusionNet

Im a little confused as to what your trying to achieve or have in fact achieved!!! Sorry Ive been working 8 days straight and am not at my best at this hour!!!

I use this:

http://www.st.co.kr/en/product/MC_6.html

This unit takes my good coverage at the window, then boosts it in that room and then I gave one of these:

http://www.edimax.com/en/produce_detail.php?pd_id=279&pl1_id=3&pl2_id=18

to distribute the 3g into Wifi. I find this unit very relaible and the coverage never drops.

nextivity

Condi,

Let’s rule out some possibilities here. As a test, with the Nextivity switched off, have you tried to relocate your laptop and mobile to the location where you have your Window Unit installed? In this location does the laptop ‘connect’ and provide internet connectivity? Does the mobile register and place 3G calls as well? The answers here would serve as an important data point as it would reveal if the incoming signal into your house and received by the Window Unit is usable.

You can send your contact details to info@nextivityinc.com and we'll be able to contact you directly.

Best regards,

Nextivity Support

mattgmit

Please be gentle with me - I'm new and not the brightest.
By hook or by crook I have a Nextivity system with the '3' logo upon it.
I have contract with 02 for which I have a E1752 dongle. I live in country side and have to put my dongle in a tupperware box and hang it off of my gutter via a Wallace and Gromit style pulley system (strictly high tech around here).
Will nextivity system boost 02 3G signal?
The Window Unit has 5 bars. The Coverage Unit searches for connection to Window Unit finds it displays number as per instruction manual and then BAM the red light comes on the display, random figures come up and it starts searching again. I rang Nextivity in UK and fair play they did not or more precise could not answer my queries or help to repair unit.
I have contacted Solid Technolgies re purchasing above mentioned ANTENNA EMBEDDED HOME REPEATER: HR
Any help or advice appreciated.

yuloni

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cowboy1981

Condi wrote: »

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This is a very interesting thread you have started Condi. It is absolutely disgraceful that 3 are squandering taxpayers money providing multiple installs at customers premises, and leaving government subsidised kit lying around, simply because their network doesn't work. I suspect that those Nextivity units probably cost us taxpayers several hundred Euro each.

It is a nice touch that we are now getting direct technical support from Nextivity. My impression is that these units probably do what they say on the can, but it is a case of garbage in garbage out. If there is no 3 coverage or if 3 are overloaded in an area, a perfectly functional Nextivity unit will do nothing other than increase your electricity bill. As to why the Nextivity is suggesting 3 bars coverage at the Window Unit - let's see if the Nextivity guy can explain this?

One needs to be careful using a 3 mobile phone and assuming that just because it works that you have 3 coverage. 3 use Vodafone for 2G roaming in rural areas, which hides their own poor coverage on 3G. This is no use for Broadband, and I doubt that the Nextivity would work on the roaming agreement, as it would mean broadcasting on Vodafone spectrum. I'm not suggesting that you made this mistake Condi, as you have been extremely clear in your email that there is absolutely nothing working on 3 in your house - but others might fall into the trap.

cowboy1981

mattgmit wrote: »

Please be gentle with me - I'm new and not the brightest.
By hook or by crook I have a Nextivity system with the '3' logo upon it.
I have contract with 02 for which I have a E1752 dongle. I live in country side and have to put my dongle in a tupperware box and hang it off of my gutter via a Wallace and Gromit style pulley system (strictly high tech around here).
Will nextivity system boost 02 3G signal?
The Window Unit has 5 bars. The Coverage Unit searches for connection to Window Unit finds it displays number as per instruction manual and then BAM the red light comes on the display, random figures come up and it starts searching again. I rang Nextivity in UK and fair play they did not or more precise could not answer my queries or help to repair unit.
I have contacted Solid Technolgies re purchasing above mentioned ANTENNA EMBEDDED HOME REPEATER: HR
Any help or advice appreciated.

Condi is right - the Nextivity unit won't work with O2 - it can only broadcast on 3's licenced spectrum.

That Solid Technologies repeater you reference looks completely illegal for use in Ireland or any other country with UMTS licenced spectrum. I wouldn't recommend that you buy it. It will illegally transmit on the frequencies licensed to the mobile operators. If they detect you doing this, you will be liable to prosecution - and rightly so.

nextivity

mattgmit wrote: »

Please be gentle with me - I'm new and not the brightest.
By hook or by crook I have a Nextivity system with the '3' logo upon it.
I have contract with 02 for which I have a E1752 dongle. I live in country side and have to put my dongle in a tupperware box and hang it off of my gutter via a Wallace and Gromit style pulley system (strictly high tech around here).
Will nextivity system boost 02 3G signal?
The Window Unit has 5 bars. The Coverage Unit searches for connection to Window Unit finds it displays number as per instruction manual and then BAM the red light comes on the display, random figures come up and it starts searching again. I rang Nextivity in UK and fair play they did not or more precise could not answer my queries or help to repair unit.
I have contacted Solid Technolgies re purchasing above mentioned ANTENNA EMBEDDED HOME REPEATER: HR
Any help or advice appreciated.

Dear mattgmit,

Thanks for your question. While Nextivity Cel-Fi Smart Repeater is capable of working with any network, the kit is provisioned to work only on the operator who provided it, in your case Hutchison 3G Ireland; as such and you won't be able to use it to enjoy stronger signals on any 3G network besides Three Ireland.

Regarding the red 'too far' LED on your Coverage Unit which you are reporting, this is an indicator on the user interface that is informing the user that the Coverage Unit is just outside of range from the Window Unit. Try moving the Coverage Unit closer to the Window Unit.

Best Regards,

Nextivity Support

yuloni

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-Corkie-

Condi thanks for starting a great thread. I only stumbled on it by accident. I wonder would it be a good idea to move it to the midband forum as a lot of three customers post there. Maybe mods might look at this.

I have a question for nextivity, what is the usb port on the coverage unit for. Great tech support by the way nextivity, nice to see that..:)

yuloni

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-Corkie-

I find them ok. My signal is boosted well by it. I am getting good speeds all the time.

The only thing that worries me is both units get hot including the plugs so i always plug them out when i am finished.

Sometimes the modem gets confused and youll get no servive or no network is which case i close down the three screen, plug out both units and start the 3 broadband again and then turn the window unit on then the coverage box which normally fixes it.

rmacm

Moved from Nets & Comms.

yuloni

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-Corkie-

That sounds like a software clash condi more than coverage. can you start up the modem with the booster off

yuloni

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nextivity

malcox wrote: »

Condi thanks for starting a great thread. I only stumbled on it by accident. I wonder would it be a good idea to move it to the midband forum as a lot of three customers post there. Maybe mods might look at this.

I have a question for nextivity, what is the usb port on the coverage unit for. Great tech support by the way nextivity, nice to see that..:)

Dear malcox,

Thanks for your enquiry. Presently the USB slot on the rear of the Coverage Unit is strictly used for factory maintenance.

Best regards,

Nextivity Support

yuloni

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nextivity

Nextivity has bases in the US (California) and in the UK (Swindon).

Our location and contact information can be found on our website at:

http://www.nextivityinc.com/contact-us.php


Best Regards

captainpugwash

Got the booster 1wk ago,finally got it to work today! Dongle would connect on its own ok (dial up speeds).Switch on booster,4/5 bar signal but no connection ( no service etc). Drove me insane it did -switched units on/off -uninstalled/reinstalled software-dumped half the contents of my pc-searched for every possible driver conflict known to man. Finaly gave up and as a last resort phoned tech: support ( somewhere in India I think). Got the following answer-
Dongle connecting to nearest mast,working but congested.
Booster to more distant mast, strong signal but unuseable-under repair.
Booster once locked on can't be shifted.

If this is true then "sods law" dictates that the booster will lock onto unuseable signals-strong signal = no traffic =under repair.Perhaps the Nextivity chap will comment?

cowboy.1981

captainpugwash wrote: »

Got the booster 1wk ago,finally got it to work today! Dongle would connect on its own ok (dial up speeds).Switch on booster,4/5 bar signal but no connection ( no service etc). Drove me insane it did -switched units on/off -uninstalled/reinstalled software-dumped half the contents of my pc-searched for every possible driver conflict known to man. Finaly gave up and as a last resort phoned tech: support ( somewhere in India I think). Got the following answer-
Dongle connecting to nearest mast,working but congested.
Booster to more distant mast, strong signal but unuseable-under repair.
Booster once locked on can't be shifted.

Look on the bright side - you now automatically qualify for the subsidised satellite solution. If the repeater had worked, it would probably only have lasted a few weeks, until some of your neighbours signed up. You will need to put pressure on 3 to make sure you get the satellite solution. They don't like giving them out, but they are obliged to under the scheme. Escalate to the following, and make sure that they are aware of your experience. It is vital that our public representatives are made aware of this scandalous waste of taxpayers money.

• Minister Eamon Ryan, <eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie>
• ComReg (you will need a complaint ref number from 3, if they ever respond to you) http://www.askcomreg.ie/tell_us/comp...ries.51.LE.asp

• Patrick Kidney in Analysy Mason, the Consultants who are responsible for monitoring the performance of 3 under the NBS contract, <patrick.kidney@analysysmason.com>
• Robert Finnegan, CEO 3 Ireland, 3rd Floor, 6-10 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
• The Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General, who is responsible for ensuring that public funds are not misappropriated <samantha_lee@audgen.irlgov.ie>
• Your local Public Representatives (Ministers, Councillors)
• Your local media (radio, newspapers)

-Corkie-

Nextivity booster seems to be ****ed now as well. The green light on both coverage unit and window yoke are flashing all the time. The window unit upstairs keeps tripping the switches in the fusebox. You could make your dinner on both they get so hot.

cowboy.1981

malcox wrote: »

Nextivity booster seems to be ****ed now as well. The green light on both coverage unit and window yoke are flashing all the time. The window unit upstairs keeps tripping the switches in the fusebox. You could make your dinner on both they get so hot.

That's pretty scary. It's one thing to have bad broadband, but it would be an altogether more serious matter if someone's house was burnt down by one of these, with possible loss of life.

Is it the Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker (ELCB) or a regular circuit breaker that is tripping?

Is it possible these units were designed for US 110V, and not properly re-engineered for European 230V? If the ELCB is tripping, the unit may not have sufficient insulation for the higher European voltage.

captainpugwash

cowboy.1981 wrote: »

Look on the bright side - you now automatically qualify for the subsidised satellite solution. If the repeater had worked, it would probably only have lasted a few weeks, until some of your neighbours signed up. You will need to put pressure on 3 to make sure you get the satellite solution. They don't like giving them out, but they are obliged to under the scheme. Escalate to the following, and make sure that they are aware of your experience. It is vital that our public representatives are made aware of this scandalous waste of taxpayers money.

• Minister Eamon Ryan, <eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie>
• ComReg (you will need a complaint ref number from 3, if they ever respond to you) http://www.askcomreg.ie/tell_us/comp...ries.51.LE.asp

• Patrick Kidney in Analysy Mason, the Consultants who are responsible for monitoring the performance of 3 under the NBS contract, <patrick.kidney@analysysmason.com>
• Robert Finnegan, CEO 3 Ireland, 3rd Floor, 6-10 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2
• The Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General, who is responsible for ensuring that public funds are not misappropriated <samantha_lee@audgen.irlgov.ie>
• Your local Public Representatives (Ministers, Councillors)
• Your local media (radio, newspapers)

grand, but what happens if the satellite systems congested for this very same reason? You are still paying for the year.

Sponge Bob

captainpugwash wrote: »

grand, but what happens if the satellite systems congested for this very same reason? You are still paying for the year.

Only for the rest of the year contract , Nextivity will replace that toasted unit if you contact Swindon or else 3 will swap it for you.

captainpugwash

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Only for the rest of the year contract , Nextivity will replace that toasted unit if you contact Swindon or else 3 will swap it for you.

You seem to be confusing posts Sponge Bob! My Nextivity unit transformers run no more than warm to the touch (normal).They do all that can be expected of really--weak signal in, less weak out.

cowboy.1981

captainpugwash wrote: »

grand, but what happens if the satellite systems congested for this very same reason? You are still paying for the year.

The NBS included minimum specifications for both the mobile and satellite technologies. Theoretically these need to be met, although nobody seems to be bothered to police them.

If you fail to get the specified service on Satellite, you would be entitled to your money back under standard consumer legislation. You could pursue 3 to Small Claims Court if necessary.

However, the Satellite appears to be a far superior solution to their mobile dongles. It is provided by a 3rd party on Eutelsat satellite, so you are not dependent on 3 infrastructure. Of course, they may overload it in due course, particularly as nobody seems to get the NBS spec from their mobile dongles. Only a fraction of NBS victims are likely to persevere to the stage where they get satellite, so you might be lucky. Most will give up in despair after a week struggling with the Mumbai script monkeys.

Sponge Bob

cowboy.1981 wrote: »

Only a fraction of NBS victims are likely to persevere to the stage where they get satellite, so you might be lucky. Most will give up in despair after a week struggling with the Mumbai script monkeys.

In addition to your excellent advice on mailing Analysys Mason who verify the NBS farce and the Comptroller and Auditor who monitor payments for this bloody farce I would refer you to the EU end of this too. You will find contact info here

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/4408E295-8A3A-48D3-B5C3-34D37E14AFC9/0/Reviewreplypart2.pdf

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/4408E295-8A3A-48D3-B5C3-34D37E14AFC9/0/Reviewreplypart1.pdf

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/4408E295-8A3A-48D3-B5C3-34D37E14AFC9/0/Reviewreplypart3.pdf

The satellite should be less congested if Ka Sat gets into orbit later this year and we get our spot beam.

-Corkie-

Sponge Bob wrote: »

Only for the rest of the year contract , Nextivity will replace that toasted unit if you contact Swindon or else 3 will swap it for you.

I rang three and they are sending someone on monday to replace it. I will still be cautious about the heat it gives off though. Its the main circuit breaker thats tripping cowboy. Its the main one for over all the sockets in the house. I told this to three and they said nothing.

captainpugwash

Well pleased I am now after early problems ( network),seems to do all it claims which is very rare these days.Speed v dongle alone shows a huge increase all the time.How long this will last I don't know,depends on how much sales race ahead of network I should think.
Must say I found Nextivity tech support very helpfull also both in the UK and US. Nice to post good news in this thread!

yuloni

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captainpugwash

Condi wrote: »

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Hi no need to phone them --Email them they replied to me quickly and were very helpfull, UK& USA. info@nextivityinc.com.
Network problem dongle would work ok on its own but connect booster "no service" 3 tech services told me the dongle was connecting to the nearest mast--congested but working & the booster to a more distant mast--strong signal but under repair (no service). Booster once locked on can't be shifted.When the mast came back into service I had no further problems and very good speeds. Seems 3 were spot on! Nextivity confirmed this was possible.

joehankin

Our office moved to a business park and we got very little reception at all in the building (maybe 1- 2 bars). Since installing the signal booster from Nextivity it has increased the signal to around 4 - 5 bars so I would really recommend them. They are pretty expensive - we paid £449.99 for ours, but seeing as it is one of the only brands available there is not much give in the price...

<removed>

yuloni

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watty

Anything that is actually some form of GSM or 3G repeater, micro/femto/pico base or in any way is a non-passive signal for a GSM/3G phone (not wiFi or Bluetooth) absolutely must be either locked to a network and provided under their licence and using one of their channels or be licenced by Comreg.

Any other usage, and personal deployment of a Repeater or Femto/Micro/Pico base is a criminal illegal action. All equipment can be siezed and penalties are very high.

Not everything that can be purchased and works is legal. Only a passive aerial or pair of connected aerials with NO amplifier can be used without the Operator's licence & permission or a Comreg licence.

yuloni

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watty

The networks do use different frequencies. Anywhere in EU you can only install WiFi etc without direct authorisation.

Each operator has different channels, and only a few. The operator alone can decide which channel it uses.

watty

Actually a modem fitted outdoor in a weatherproof box with Router with WiFi off fed by Power over Ethernet Cat 5, and then an indoor ethernet Router with router turned off (just WiFi and ethernet) is about €100 cheaper and up to 5 times better performance AND gives you wifi, USB network printing, 3 ethernet ports.

Really these Nextivity are for a big office or showroom metal structure, stick one box at window and the other at the phone demo area to demo the phones.

As it's an indoor 3G repeater it's locked to a single operator, useless if you have k-glass and about 6dB to 12dB worse performance than an outdoor modem + ethernet+ wifi with no femto base. It also increases the latency compared with non repeater solution.

The non-repeater concept I outline only needs a SIM or sim plus change to change operator and supports more than one user and sharing on your internal network. Only one modem needed.

The Nextivity is totally inappropriate for NBS.
http://www.wattystuff.net/issues/mobile-and-nbs/threes-fantasy-repeater/

3's MiFi is also a poor product (see http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=65944534&postcount=8 ) compared to a proper indoor router.

Real routers for 3G
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055361790
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055506944
put one of these in weather proof box on wall high up facing mast with WiFi disabled

run speaker cable for the DC supply (extend the DC lead). Or get a pair of Power over Ethernet adaptors
Run cat5 cable to an indoor ordinary ethernet router (not a DSL model) with Router turned off.

3 could easily be supplying such a product, off the shelf versions exist. This is how Czech republic has done it for years, 3 would save money and give a better serivice.

joehankin

Our particular Nextivity signal booster is locked to the t-mobile network, but I believe the Nextivity team are working on getting other networks involved.

This is of course relevant to the UK at the moment, because I am not sure about Ireland and other networks yet. They are actually releasing a UK website very soon so I will be keeping you posted when that goes live.

http://www.nextivity.co.uk

watty

Yes. It can only be supplied locked to a Network and with authorisation of that network. It's supplied by 3 Ireland to "improve" NBS data performance.

I stand by my claim though that this is an absolutely pointless product for ANY data user, only of value for voice call handsets, and as currently designed of marginal value to home users.

It has some value to certain office/shop/warehouse scenarios. For voice calls only. Far far better solutions exist for data.

If the internal "femto base" part is near any window rather than well into interior it may degrade coverage/performance for other users of same network.

My professional opinion is that a 3G site survey using professional test equipment should be done and both halves (3G terminal to mast and 3G femto base) should be fixed in place such that they can't be moved. It should absolutely never be self install. It should only be sold / licensed for mainly voice call regular phone handset use. It's a huge waste of WiFi spectrum, cost, flexibility and 3G spectrum to use this for data.

joehankin

I heard that the Nextivity team are currently undergoing trials with OFCOM and should be able to lock it other networks once they gain approval.

I think Vodafone will probaly not get it though as they have there own signal booster which they are peddling to their customers. However Orange could be a good bet to get it next because they are now linked with T-Mobile through the everything everywhere deal...

yuloni

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ROS123

I believe nextivity is now available on O2 and Vodafone networks as well. Its been a while since someone posted here. What is the latest on these devices guys, have all those who are using them seen improvements.

Sponge Bob

In Ireland Ros ???

watty

True Broadband connected Femto cells help coverage.

Nextivity and other Repeater / Booster solutions should ONLY be used in RF isolated places like Subway/Tube/Metro tunnels, underground carparks and "faraday cage" steel /alloy warehouses/buildings. They are totally unsuitable for regular offices or homes and actually very often degrade the cell, sometimes for all operators!

Sponge Bob

If you need to buy a Nextivity at the usual €400 a pop then you are actually better off paying for DSL if you can get it.

watty

Also a modem with +13dB gain outdoor aerial and Router will always work better than a Nextivity.

The main reason for development of Nextivity type gadgets is *PHONE* coverage... In places with good outdoor signal and NO indoor coverage. Not to extend a 3G Cell or for Data.