Indoor Wireless Coverage Not Improving

[KellyOM]

Indoor wireless call quality experience not improving in line with outdoor call quality progress

Spotwave findings indicate that despite recent increase in call quality performance across US, dropped calls and poor reception still plague subscribers indoors in all regions

Ottawa, Ontario: August 9, 2005 – On the heels of J.D. Power and Associates’ recent report on wireless call quality performance, Spotwave, a leading supplier of carrier approved in-building wireless coverage products, reveals that the majority of website inquiries to the company regarding indoor coverage enhancement come from areas where outdoor wireless coverage is sufficient. Spotwave surveys also indicate that most North American subscribers experience impaired coverage at home or at work.

Spotwave’s findings, which are based on inquiries that the company received from both business and residential customers in the past three months indicate that despite adequate reception outdoors, subscribers are plagued by dropped and missed calls indoors, as well as poor data throughput on their wireless devices. The company also surveyed subscribers on the incidence of poor call quality at home and at work.

“Our statistics and recent surveys reinforce the fact that you can have service from carriers asserting the best network and be surrounded by cell sites, but if your facility is made of cinderblock and steel, or your home office is in the basement for example, you may not have adequate coverage inside,” said Bill Carlin, CEO of Spotwave. “Poor indoor coverage quality is the single biggest barrier in the trend of landline displacement or ‘cord cutting’ and will definitely impact the deployment of high speed wireless data services if the issue is not addressed.”

Based regionally on where indoor coverage complaints and inquiries come from, the results show:

· The highest number of indoor wireless complaints comes from the West region at 25 percent of all coverage inquiries nationwide. Within this region California lead in complaints with over 50 percent of regional inquiries.

· The southeast ranks second regionally with 21 percent of nationwide coverage inquiries, where 33 percent of regional inquiries came from Florida.

· 17 percent of inquiries come from the Northeast, where New York State stands out with the highest in the region at 36 percent.

· The mid-Atlantic region is the source of 14 percent of indoor coverage inquiries for Spotwave, with Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania rounding out the highest average for the region.

· While the southwest appears to have relatively smaller number of inquiries nationwide, at 13 percent, Texas stands out as the single biggest source of complaints on coverage for the region at over 74 percent.

· A similar pattern in seen in the North Central region which was the source of only 11 percent of inquiries from the country as a whole, but where Illinois originated the majority for the region at 67 percent.

Spotwave’s findings above are based on statistics compiled from over 7,000 inquiries to the Spotwave website and toll-free number over a period of 3 months starting May 15, 2005.

Based on a web survey related to the incidence of indoor coverage problems at home and at work, the findings indicate that:

· At home - Almost 10 percent of respondents indicate that their mobile devices do not work at all indoors at home while 35 percent assert that is doesn’t work in various spots in the home

· At work – 6 percent of respondents claim their wireless devices do not function at all at work, while a surprising 55 percent state that there are dead zones at work where they cannot use their devices

· The results of the indoor wireless coverage survey indicate that subscribers are either coverage impaired or coverage challenged for 50 percent of the day

About Spotwave Wireless

Spotwave Wireless provides carrier-approved, adaptive indoor coverage solutions that seamlessly bring the outdoor signal inside – ensuring that cell phones and wireless devices work reliably indoors where they are being used more often. Changing the economics of in-building wireless coverage, Spotwave’s solutions are cost-effective, quick and easy to install, and require no maintenance. Spotwave solutions are also backed by a range of comprehensive installation services and support and are now the preferred coverage solution in networks operated by the top North American cellular and PCS carriers. The company website is www.spotwave.com.

# # #





Spotwave, Spotwave Wireless and SpotCell are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Spotwave Wireless Inc.

[silvabullit]

gee imagine that!!!! a company that sells ways to improve an indoor signal did a study and found that indoor reception isnt improving...so buy our product...

[agentHibby]

Wonder if this is due to people moving to into new suburb developments and the network is weak due to the providers not having the network ready in that areas. Wonder if most of the providers are still working on inner city and the main parts of the suburbs robust.

[bobolito]

Originally Posted by KellyOM

The results of the indoor wireless coverage survey indicate that subscribers are either coverage impaired or coverage challenged for 50 percent of the day

That's exactly how I was when Cingular used T-Mobile's network in NJ.

I wish they would've analyzed the data based on whether subscribers used 1900 or 850 service. I bet the results would not be surprising.

Interesting study nontheless. Seems accurate to me.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by silvabullit

gee imagine that!!!! a company that sells ways to improve an indoor signal did a study and found that indoor reception isnt improving...so buy our product...

They may sell the products to help improve indoor reception, but they are right about people not having the coverage indoors, I know people that are fustrated with no indoor coverage & it doesn't matter which carrier they have.
I know I can use my cell in most of my house, but there are times it drops calls or I get a lousy connection & some area's are dead zones and it would be nice to have coverage in my home without worrying about the calls dropping & such, as well as going into stores with the same problems or concerns.
So why not try to benefit from this and maybe make some sales at the same time, to make customers happy.

I wish they would've analyzed the data based on whether subscribers used 1900 or 850 service. I bet the results would not be surprising

I am sure it would be a massive difference between the 2 area's of coverage, I know when they turned on 850 in my area it was the chance to start using my cell in my house, now if a tower was placed in the right location, I would have full coverage in the house & the stores down the street from me, that have no coverage indoors or 1 bar.

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by silvabullit

gee imagine that!!!! a company that sells ways to improve an indoor signal did a study and found that indoor reception isnt improving...so buy our product...

That's true but coverage indoors has always been a problem almost everywhere. I have 0 bars with Verizon(1900 Mhz), 2/4 bars with USCC (850), 1/4 with T-Mobile, and 5/7 with Cingular (850).

Whereas outdoors I get full coverage with Cingular and USCC and 2/4 bars with Verizon and T-Mobile.

If their product truly does improve indoor reception then there is nothing wrong with their doing a study, and using the results to sell their product.

Ofcourse if this was just an advertising gimmick then its different.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Unless your carrier puts a repeater in your house or a tower in your backyard you probably can't be guaranteed service in your house. My house has metal studs that just totally screw up reception. Outside I have 3 - 4 bars of signal though. That is why cell carriers do not focus on in building coverage unless it is in a large mall or Gov't building. Simply put if you want service in your house you'll probably have to buy a repeater yourself as there are too many NIMBY's around to even try to provide in building coverage for people's homes.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Jay2TheRescue

Unless your carrier puts a repeater in your house or a tower in your backyard you probably can't be guaranteed service in your house. My house has metal studs that just totally screw up reception. Outside I have 3 - 4 bars of signal though. That is why cell carriers do not focus on in building coverage unless it is in a large mall or Gov't building. Simply put if you want service in your house you'll probably have to buy a repeater yourself as there are too many NIMBY's around to even try to provide in building coverage for people's homes.

True as long as they don't put the tower too close to the house, then reception might be worst. I do remember Cingular saying 1 of there goals is to have indoor building & home reception for there customers & as time goes on I am sure these repeaters will start getting cheaper so people will buy them & install them in there homes where they need it, I have considered it but am waiting for the prices to come down but hopefully by then Cingular will put a tower close enough to give me the coverage I need.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

That's true but coverage indoors has always been a problem almost everywhere. I have 0 bars with Verizon(1900 Mhz), 2/4 bars with USCC (850), 1/4 with T-Mobile, and 5/7 with Cingular (850).

Whereas outdoors I get full coverage with Cingular and USCC and 2/4 bars with Verizon and T-Mobile.

If their product truly does improve indoor reception then there is nothing wrong with their doing a study, and using the results to sell their product.

Ofcourse if this was just an advertising gimmick then its different.

Very good point about a possible advertising gimmick, but if they did it for that then it might bite them back. And by the sounds of it, you could use a repeater to see if your reception improves.
I would be willing to test 1 of there home repeaters for them & even will install it, if they send it for free, maybe you, me and some others here write them a letter & tell them we would be willing to test their products for them.

It's a different setup then other indoor repeaters, they say they are Carrier specific for your area, when I went thru the order process it asked for my carrier, zip code, county then a unit was choosen, for only $995.00 but they offer 4 easy installment plans.

There is alot of information on there site, 1 link I found a good article on it is here. http://www.outlook4mobility.com/comm.../april1503.htm
This guy is the same one that had the white paper for goverment agencies to show the need for towers or more towers.

[Jerro]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

That's true but coverage indoors has always been a problem almost everywhere. I have 0 bars with Verizon(1900 Mhz), 2/4 bars with USCC (850), 1/4 with T-Mobile, and 5/7 with Cingular (850).

Whereas outdoors I get full coverage with Cingular and USCC and 2/4 bars with Verizon and T-Mobile.

If their product truly does improve indoor reception then there is nothing wrong with their doing a study, and using the results to sell their product.

Ofcourse if this was just an advertising gimmick then its different.

Good points: I was in a medical building in Bryn Mawr, a Phila. suburb with good coverage yesterday. And noticed ( again) I had full signal outside and almost full inside. Until I got into an elevator and went one floor down beneath grade and absolutely no signal just as I stepped out of the elevator.

It is a 2 story cement building, no cellular company works in the 'basement' level. I suggested a repeater. This type of construction has been the bane of RF penetration since Marconi tapped his first message.

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by Fire14

Very good point about a possible advertising gimmick, but if they did it for that then it might bite them back. And by the sounds of it, you could use a repeater to see if your reception improves.
I would be willing to test 1 of there home repeaters for them & even will install it, if they send it for free, maybe you, me and some others here write them a letter & tell them we would be willing to test their products for them.

It's a different setup then other indoor repeaters, they say they are Carrier specific for your area, when I went thru the order process it asked for my carrier, zip code, county then a unit was choosen, for only $995.00 but they offer 4 easy installment plans.

There is alot of information on there site, 1 link I found a good article on it is here. http://www.outlook4mobility.com/comm.../april1503.htm
This guy is the same one that had the white paper for goverment agencies to show the need for towers or more towers.

Well looks like I am not going to qualify for testing their product... .This is what I get when I put in my zipcode and provider "Based on the network configuration in your region, we do not have a product to enhance coverage for your home or small business at this time. Please fill in the form below if you wish to be notified about new product developments.". Oh well I always knew I lived 50 miles from nowhere but considering that I sure have decent GSM and CDMA coverage.

[DanPFW]

This is definitely one area I wish was discussed and promoted more. I have been reviewing these BDAs off and on for over a year now, and I keep finding new companies.

I wish there was a forum or thread or some sort of discussion that would 1, list out every manufacturer, and 2 rate their products.

When I punched in VZW for my area, it came up with no products as well. Probably because they use 800 and 1900 here and they don't have a dual band model yet.

I originally looked at Wilson products last year. Then I saw something with Dual band by Inteligain, but it's not even available. I've recently been thinking about getting the Digital Antenna DA4000SBR, but does anyone know if it really works? Now it sounds like Wilson may finally release a dual band model sometime in the future. Then there's the antenna configuration. Is there even such a thing as a dual band yagi?

I was originally thinking about a 1 band 800 system, but now that VZW has 20 Mhz of PCS as well, I don't think it make much sense to get a single banded system. But then again, what about the Nextel PCS G band? When will they build systems to include this range? Then again the new 90 Mhz the FCC just announced. How long before that makes these systems obsolete?

I've tried getting some answers, but of course the dealers are going to push whatever. It would be nice to see some real life stories on these products and which ones really work and what kind of improvements can be expected.

Dan

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Charlyee

Well looks like I am not going to qualify for testing their product... .This is what I get when I put in my zipcode and provider "Based on the network configuration in your region, we do not have a product to enhance coverage for your home or small business at this time. Please fill in the form below if you wish to be notified about new product developments.". Oh well I always knew I lived 50 miles from nowhere but considering that I sure have decent GSM and CDMA coverage.

Wow, that's weird that it comes up as Not available for you, especially for the coverage you posted you have.

This is definitely one area I wish was discussed and promoted more. I have been reviewing these BDAs off and on for over a year now, and I keep finding new companies.

I wish there was a forum or thread or some sort of discussion that would 1, list out every manufacturer, and 2 rate their products.

I agree, it would be nice to have a list of all the companies with a rating of how well they do or don't work.

[Charlyee]

Originally Posted by Fire14

Wow, that's weird that it comes up as Not available for you, especially for the coverage you posted you have.I agree, it would be nice to have a list of all the companies with a rating of how well they do or don't work.

I just tried it again, it is even more interesting that gives the $995 product for Verizon & Sprint but the no product available message for T-Mobile and Cingular. USCC is not listed.

So they can provide me with better CDMA coverage but not GSM. Fortunately I do have very good indoor coverage with Cingular.

I also agree with you and DanPFW that a listing of such companies would be very helpful.

[hillbilly44]

A repeater is still not a guarantee of in-building coverage. Alot of factors besides signal strength go into how you get coverage including capacity of the cell site serving the repeater, also the bands repeated (Spotwave and others are band specific).

[WirelessBeachBum]

Originally Posted by hillbilly44

A repeater is still not a guarantee of in-building coverage. Alot of factors besides signal strength go into how you get coverage including capacity of the cell site serving the repeater, also the bands repeated (Spotwave and others are band specific).

Spatwave had to be band specific so they could market to carriers because carriers did not want to invest in upgrades for their competitors.

Spotwave is a good solution, however getting carrier support on installation is tough because most carriers will want control of the product, and this is going to cost some legal fees which in most cases will cost more than the equipment.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by hillbilly44

A repeater is still not a guarantee of in-building coverage. Alot of factors besides signal strength go into how you get coverage including capacity of the cell site serving the repeater, also the bands repeated (Spotwave and others are band specific).

I am still looking to see if there product is Band specific, they have it as Carrier specific and go by your Zip code & county and in the T&C's it say's they sell the unit based on the carriers spectrum where you live.

I found the Terms & Conditions very interesting:

Terms and Conditions
You represent that you own or control the premises where the equipment is installed, and general access will be available to Carrier personnel on reasonable notice to you. Should access be required, the Carrier will contact you at the number above. The Carrier or its designated subcontractor may conduct testing as deemed necessary and the Customer will grant access to the locations within the premises as may be required to perform such testing.

You acknowledge that the Carrier owns the license to operate all radio equipment pertaining to the service offered. Furthermore the Customer has an obligation to seek permission from the Carrier to operate the SpotCell Home system and to operate the equipment at the address of installation only.

Since SpotCell Systems are carrier-specific, they ensure enhanced coverage based on your carrier and the spectrum that your carrier operates in your metro area or county. Please note that if you move outside of the county in which you currently reside, there is a chance your SpotCell system will no longer function (since carriers operate different spectrum bands in different counties). When planning a move you agree to notify Spotwave Wireless in advance of moving the equipment to determine if the product will still function properly.

Without limiting the generality of the other terms and conditions set out herein, the Customer shall, immediately upon receipt of notice from the carrier, cease the use and operation of the SpotCell Home System if the Carrier determines that the continued use or operation of the SpotCell Home interferes with any part of the radio spectrum. This may include simply removing the AC power plug from the power outlet temporarily.

You understand that the System may not provide coverage for 100% of the Premises due to the nature and limitations of RF propagation through certain materials.

The Customer shall install, operate and use the SpotCell Home system in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, orders and guidelines, including, without limitation, any regulations, orders, circulars or guidelines issued by Industry Canada or the FCC.

You acknowledge that you do not have, and will not acquire, any proprietary or ownership rights or interest in the Carrier Wireless Services network. You may not resell the service provided by the System or the Carrier Wireless Services network.

The Customer acknowledges and agrees that the Customer has not purchased the SpotCell Home System directly from the Carrier. The Customer further acknowledges and agrees that the Carrier is not the manufacturer, distributor, or installer of the Adaptive coverage system.

THE CARRIER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES, CONDITIONS OR COVENANTS, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, MERCHANTABILITY, DURABILITY, TITLE, COMPATIBILITY WITH Carriers SERVICES, OR IN ANY OTHER WAY RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OR NON-PERFORMANCE OF the ADAPTIVE COVERAGE SYSTEM. NEITHER THE CARRIER NOR ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR CONSULTANTS SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE CUSTOMER FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER BE THEY DIRECT, ECONOMIC, COMMERCIAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, EXEMPLARY OR INDIRECT DAMAGES, EVEN IF THE CARRIER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOSS OF BUSINESS REVENUE OR EARNINGS, LOST DATA, DAMAGES CAUSED BY DELAYS, LOST PROFITS, OR A FAILURE TO REALIZE EXPECTED SAVINGS.