Do you have a weak Verizon Signal? Verizon and Skype

There's been an ongoing problem in our communities.  Because the developer company uses Verizon, Verizon has worked with the developer to make its signal strong and available throughout all the communities.  As a general statement, the Verizon signal is better than any other provider.  However, our mountainous terrain does mean some locations don't get the signal.  Verizon offers, sometimes at a cost of around $250 and sometimes free ?, a signal extender.  That's the background for this blog entry.

Some technical and political background:

- As far as I know, any Verizon extender uses bluetooth to communicate to your phone.  (The extender then passes your signal through the internet to a Verizon "server." 

Because the phone uses bluetooth, you have to be close to the extender to start a call- within 15 ft or so- then you can go further away.   Depending on obstructions and electrical "noise" you might get 30 ft away, more or less. 

- I've found the 3G signal seems to work OK no matter where you are in the Valley.  Has anybody had any other experience?  That would suggest a 3G solution.

- Of course, the new smart phones also have wifi capability.  That would suggest a Wifi solution. 

The latter two suggest Skype as an alternative for calling.  Skype uses the internet to make calls.  If you call others that have Skype, the call is free.  Skype has other pay plans, but they are inexpensive. 

So, you would think you could go to the Droid market (or Iphone equivalent) and download the Skype widget.  In fact, all the Skype hype in recent days says just that.  Guess what?  When you try to make a call with the Skype widget, you get a message that says you can't use skype in the US to make calls from a Verizon phone.  You will be switched over to the Verizon network to make the call.  You will be charged Verizon minutes!   You're back to the old non existent or weak signal.

So, I'm leaning on Skype.  First, they have to change the extensive add campaign they've started to say that Verizon customers do not have the capability to use Skype.  But, it would be in both company's best interests to allow Skype use for those in weak signal areas.  Folks, that would be a quick and more than adequate solution to our problem.  I'm going to work on Verizon to change their policy on an "as needed" basis. 

What do you think?  Would you support me by lobbying Verizon?