- The quality of the any existing signal (strength, speed)
- The data plans associated with the available providers
- The total investment cost and ongoing cost
Greenfield vs Brownfield
- greenfield: no existing signal to evaluate or obviously inadequate signal. In this case, you would be working on a plan to get cell coverage to you. You might get the latest equipment, engineering to enhance the signal strength and speed in your location, etc.
- brownfield: cell technology exists in your area and you are going to work with what you are given for signal.
Make Sure Your Device Is Capable of Full 4G LTE and 4G LTE Extended
Some devices aren't even capable of 4G LTE. For example, some iPhones and pads aren't. (Read iPhone capabilities.) So you can't test your signal first. Perhaps a friend has a 4G LTE device, or you have another device, such as an iPad or other tablet that has real 4G LTE capability?Use speedtest.net app to determine current signal performance
The first thing to do is to determine the speed and signal strength at your location. Download the speedtest.net app to your cellphone and run it. Run it a number of times. There is an icon at the bottom of the main screen that is called "Results." This is a running list of the results of the test. The results include the time, from what phone antenna the signal was measured (wifi, bluetooth, cell), the download speed, upload speed, and ping. You can evaluate the speeds for your needs.Use a Cell Tower Identifier App to Identify the Cell Tower You Are Using
As I've mentioned in previous posts, 4G LTE (and future technologies) can achieve their rated speeds only when the transceiver (eg your cellphone) is locked on a cell tower. There are engineering adjustments that can be made to your transceiver, your cell tower, or moving to a electronically moving to a different tower to improve your signal. The provider has to be contacted to do this and, to save considerable time and frustration, it is important that you know what cell tower your receiver is using. There are a number of apps that provide this information. I've tried several and, so far, Cellmapper seems to work the best. This gives the coordinates of the cell tower as well as the identifying name. There is a mapping function in the app that uses Google maps to show your reception history. Your data can be automatically or manually uploaded to the Cellmapper web site where you can see a lot of data. (The website is somewhat techie and I haven't learned all the bells and whistles.) To me, it is interesting to go to Google Maps yourself and enter in the coordinates of the cell tower. (instructions)Determine need for signal booster
If the signal strength is low and your support call to your provider is fruitless, then you can consider getting a 4G booster. References on 4G boosters:- https://store.weboost.com/collections/boosters-home-office
- https://www.weboost.com/us/news/blog/do-cell-phone-boosters-actually-work/
- https://www.weboost.com/us/news/blog/weboost-ultimate-consumer-guide-to-cell-phone-signal-boosters/
- https://www.repeaterstore.com/pages/iphone-signal-booster-guide
- The structure of the place where you need the signal inside your house or business is interfering with the cell signal. In this case, you may want to install and exterior to interior booster.
- The signal outside is low at the point where you want to use it. In this case, you want to install an exterior to interior booster where the exterior part is located where the signal is strongest.
- The signal transmitted is just low. In this case, you should consider an interior booster.
Cell "Pucks"
Cell pucks is the nickname I give to any of the devices that receive the cellphone signal and convert it to a wireless (or ethernet) signal for internet use. The Verizon name for this device is "Jetpack." These are portable, little black boxes. There are also larger, intended to be stationary, devices that have a standard router footprint. To get an idea of the options, go to Amazon and type "4G modem" in the search bar. For a specific example, see the 4G LTE Broadband Router with Voice option.Cell Data Plans
When you want to obtain your internet from a cell wireless provider, you will want to get a data only plan to associate with either your Jetpack or your modem (or router) (Your cell phone data plan would be separate and used for your cell phone when you are out of range for the puck.)
The following is for US only...
Verizon offers 2 data plans. One would be for a Jetpack implementation, the other for a 4G LTE broadband router with voice implementation.
First, the router plan:
- 10 gig $60/mo
- 20 gig $110/mo
- 30 gig $120/mo
- each additional gig above your plan rate is $10.
- The router does not cost anything with a 2 year contract.
- 10 G $60/mo
- 20 G $110/mo
- 30 G $185/mo
Note that you might be eligible for reduced rates through your current or former employer.
It is important to mention that it appears that a feature and price war re data plans has just started (Feb, 2016); plans are changing on a daily basis. So ask for a discount based on someone else's plan, and, if they don't agree, wait a week.
There is "the small print" on these unlimited plans. For example, Sprint's data plan for internet is "unlimited" in that you get so many Gigs at 4G speed and then, when your limit is reached, the speed is throttled to 2G.
The bottom line on cell plans is- change is underway toward lower prices due to competition and 4G network maturity.
FAQS
I've had a few questions, which I'll answer here:
The costs for the data portion:
- 10 Gbps $60
- 20 Gbps $90
- 30 Gbps $120
Or for the ATT Velocity, go to https://www.att.com/devices/zte/velocity.html#sku=sku7420235.
Or for the ATT Unite Pro, go to https://www.att.com/devices/netgear/unite-pro.html#sku=sku6910270
I connect the Jetpack to my laptop and it creates a hotspot in my house that other devices can connect to via WiFi. The other iPads do not need to be cellular, just be WiFi capable. Is this right?
In general, pucks are wifi. No plugin needed. It is like getting wifi at the library.
Your thought of using Sprint for data would work. Your two data plans would be independent. The signal strength and speed would be independent too. So you would have to measure the Sprint signal at your location.
There is "the small print" on these unlimited plans. For example, Sprint's data plan for internet is "unlimited" in that you get so many Gigs at 4G speed and then, when your limit is reached, the speed is throttled to 2G.
The bottom line on cell plans is- change is underway toward lower prices due to competition and 4G network maturity.
FAQS
I've had a few questions, which I'll answer here:
- What is a sufficient speed so that I don't need a booster?
That depends on why you use the internet. In general, the most demanding use of the internet is for streaming- when you are watching a video from any source through the internet. Streaming is any video source, whether Youtube, an ad, Netflix, ... etc. The difference in data demand depends on resolution (SD, HD) and the size of the image. It all comes down to the number of pixels that have to be displayed. If you want to watch it real time, instead of recording the video or waiting until it buffers, Netflix says 5.0 Mbps. is the speed required for HD, watching it full screen. I think 6 to be safe. Any speeds above that: it depends on your temperment.- If I want to do away with my DSL from ATT and go cellular, I need to get a Jetpack from verizon - correct?
The "pucks" go by different names. Jetpack for Verizon and ATT. For ATT, go to to https://www.att.com/cellphones/att/wireless-home-phone-and-internet.html#sku=sku7130587.The costs for the data portion:
- 10 Gbps $60
- 20 Gbps $90
- 30 Gbps $120
Or for the ATT Velocity, go to https://www.att.com/devices/zte/velocity.html#sku=sku7420235.
Or for the ATT Unite Pro, go to https://www.att.com/devices/netgear/unite-pro.html#sku=sku6910270
I connect the Jetpack to my laptop and it creates a hotspot in my house that other devices can connect to via WiFi. The other iPads do not need to be cellular, just be WiFi capable. Is this right?
In general, pucks are wifi. No plugin needed. It is like getting wifi at the library.
- What do you think about keeping Verizon for my cell phone and getting a separate data plan from Sprint. Will the Sprint signal be just as strong as what you measured?
Some data plans cover both phone and your puck. Of course, if you don't have a puck you have a data plan for your cellular devices. Some plans do not offer a separate plan for the puck; the plan covers all devices. Other carrier plans allow you to split your plans. You'd have to research your options. By the way, I've found that the online information is often incorrect. It is best to call the provider. I've also found that sometimes there is some flexibility in prices and packages.Your thought of using Sprint for data would work. Your two data plans would be independent. The signal strength and speed would be independent too. So you would have to measure the Sprint signal at your location.
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