Vodafone Access Gateway
If you are getting frustrated with 3G reception problems at home when using your 3G mobile phone, cheer up. There are solutions available from your telecoms and networking companies that allow you to overcome weak 3G or cell site signals at home.
One of them is from Vodafone. Vodafone is making it easy for your household to boost 3G signals using the Vodaphone Access Gateway device. If you are on Vodaphone’s broadband subscription, just plug the router-like device to the Vodaphone line receptacle at home. These are very small devices that won’t get in the way nor become unsightly as you’d hardly notice their presence. The device gets plugged to your broadband line and four persons can access 3G with their mobile handsets concurrently. This service from Vodaphone can be enjoyed from as low as £5 a month with select pay monthly offers, please pop into a store for more information.
Get more than just a signal booster
Measuring a petite 190(h) x 150(w) x 37(h) mm and weighing just 414gm the equivalent of two mobile phones, the Vodafone Access Gateway is wedge shaped box looking like a fixed line router. It is basically a 3G signal booster that you plug to an existing broadband connection from Vodafone.
It doesn’t matter how bad the 3G signal is in your area as it works like a mini 3G mobile phone base station right in your home or office. Once connected to your broadband router, you can make all the calls and other 3G-related data services available on your mobile phone. In addition, the device can accommodate up to four 3G calls or data services simultaneously from different handsets. Any 3G certified mobile phone works with the device
The Vodafone Access Gateway is made by Sagem, a French telecoms equipment maker using a “femtocell” which makes a low-powered connection between your mobile handset with the nearest Vodafone network using home’s broadband connection instead of the normal wireless mobile cell station.
Vodafone’s goal: To provide its rural users a much better reception
Just recently, an announcement was made that Vodafone have planned to sell a broadband device that aims to enhance their mobile phone signal strength. This will be done through the use of broadband connection at home to route calls.
Access Gateway is a fresh new product, which costs £160, with a monthly charge of £5 per month. This is planned to be released by the end of June. Ian Shephard, consumer director of Vodafone UK, stated his positive beliefs on the usefulness of this device. This device is ideal for users, who are based in rural areas in the country. There is limited access; and several experts have made criticisms regarding this new signal-enhancing device. Vodafone is one cheap means to increase its network coverage.
"The Vodafone Access Gateway will boost indoor mobile phone coverage for customers who today find they need to move around the rooms in their home to get consistent signal strength." Shephard mentioned.
This size of this new device is the same as that of a broadband router, which connects over a standard broadband line. Also included in its features is its ability to permit users to access the device with the use of any mobile phone, which can connect over a 3G network.
Some experts say that the benefits that were brought by this new device are also proven to be useful for mobile broadband users, who are using a USB modem.
By 2012, the government has an objective to provide universal broadband access at a speed of at least 2Mbps. They will do it with the help of this new device.
However, the objective of this new device to provide the added coverage needed to give broadband users in the more rural areas access is presently considered to be unachievable.
