Mini Cell Site

[Shizam76]

Here at work we have an "ECell site." I did some testing today.....and my Cingular phone (personal line) can't even see it. It just keeps displaying a blank screen under "Avail. Networks" (v400) when I go to areas with no coverage (except for mini site)

Is there a reason my Cingular phone can see a TMobile tower outside, and I can roam on it, but my phone cannot see the mini site?

Is the setup different? According to the techs that installed it, it is the same thing as a tower outside, just at a more reduced power.

[Andy]

Your work must be a big building if they spend the money to install a mini-cellsite.
Can you take some pics for us sometimes maybe??
Sorry, but I have no idea why you are unable to see the inside setup, AZCellphonejunkie has a similar problem I think though.

[Shizam76]

Originally Posted by Andy84094

Your work must be a big building if they spend the money to install a mini-cellsite.
Can you take some pics for us sometimes maybe??
Sorry, but I have no idea why you are unable to see the inside setup, AZCellphonejunkie has a similar problem I think though.

Yep.....we have a huge building. I can't take pictures....well, I can, but there isn't much to see. There are 2 metal boxes. The cone-shaped antennas are mounted above the ceiling tiles. I don't know where the amps are installed.

I think AZ couldn't see a normal street tower? AZ?

[ShoresGuy]

What you guys have in your building is known as either a microcell or even a picocell. These tend to be placed those areas where a normal cell site is unpractical.

Here in Europe, you'll find these in train/subway tunnels, at airports, convention centers and as in your case, high buildings. Microcells are meant to function as repeaters. Picocells are more common to ceiling mountings.

Here are some pic examples:

Picocells:





http://www.geckobeach.com/cellular/cellpixs/cellid.asp
http://www.geckobeach.com/cellular/cellpixs/europe.asp