Un-Simplifying Cellular Telephone Service

Posted byJohn White Leave a comment on Un-Simplifying Cellular Telephone Service

Poor cell phone service during a recent visit to a doctor whose office is in a high-rise building is the genesis of this posting.

The doctor purchased a cell-phone signal booster which, at this moment in time, rests on the window sill of his personal office. That booster did nothing to improve cell phone service within his office.

My own 4G LTE iPhone 5

My own cell phone experience dates back to the first-generation analog systems. (Around 1987, 1988?) AT&T made me an offer I could not resist. That first cell phone featured a black box behind the seat of my company pickup truck, a handset mounted on the hump of the floorboard, a tiny microphone concealed above the driver side of the windshield, and an antenna mounted on the front windshield. (The antenna had to be there because my small camper left no place for an antenna on the backside of the cabin.)

Subsequent to that first mobile phone, there were upgrades including a bag phone, hand-held phones with enormous batteries, to the present 4G LTE service AT&T provides today.

Back to the point of this posting: Boosting Cell Phone Service.

If you shop for a booster, keep two things in mind. First of all, ignore prices. Second, shop for a booster that will actually work with your cell phone service provider. A quick glance down the chart below will make clear why I use only AT&T.

The following chart is not there to intimidate you but to inform you of the complexity of services.

CELLULAR FREQUENCIES OF CARRIERS IN USA & CANADA (Source: SignalBooster.com)

Carrier’s Name3G Frequencies / Wavelengths4G frequencies / Wavelengths
Appalachian Wireless3G : 800 MHz, Band 0 (CDMA).4G : 700 MHz Block C, Band 13 (LTE).
AT & T 3G : 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE). 1900 MHz PCS , Band 2 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE). 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (UMTS/ HSPA+ up to 21 Mbit/s). 1900 MHz PCS , Band 2 (UMTS/ HSPA+ up to 21 Mbit/s). 4G : 700 MHz Lower B/C, Band 12/17 (LTE). 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE). 2300 MHz WCS, Band 30 (LTE).
Bluegrass Cellular3G : 850 MHz, Band 0 (CDMA). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (CDMA).4G : 700 MHz Upper Block C, Band 13 (LTE). 700 MHz Block A, Band 12 (LTE).
Boost Mobile3G : 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (CDMA2000). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD). 4G : 700 MHz Block C, Band 13 (LTE).
C Spire3G : 800 MHz, Band 10 (CDMA). 700 MHz AWS Lower Block A/C, Band 12/13 (CDMA). 1900 MHz, Band 1 (CDMA).4G: 1700 MHz AWS, Band 4 (LTE). 1900 MHz, Band 2 (LTE). 1.9 GHz (LTE).
Carolina West 3G : 800 MHz, Band 0 (CDMA).4G : 700 MHz Block C, Band 13 (LTE).
Cellcom 3G : 700 MHz AWS 1 (CDMA2000). 800/ 1900 PCS MHz (CDMA2000).4G : 1800 AWS MHz, Band 3 (LTE).
Cellular One3G : 850 MHz/ 1900 MHz (GSM).4G : 700 MHz Block C, Band 13 (LTE).
Consumer Cellular3G : 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE).4G : 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (LTE).
Cricket Wireless3G : 850 MHz (GSM/ GPRS, 2.5 G). 1900 MHz PCS (GSM/ EDGE, 2.5 G). 850 MHz, Band 5 (UMTS/ HSDPA/ HSUPA/ HSPA+). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (UMTS/ HSDPA/ HSUPA/ HSPA+).4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS 1, Band 4 (LTE). 700 MHz, Lower B/C, Band 17 (LTE). 2300 MHz WCS, Band 30 (LTE).
FreedomPop3G : 800 MHz Secondary, BC10 (CDMA-CDMA2000 1xRTT/ CDMA2000 1xEV-DORel.0 /CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A/CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev B). 1900 MHz PCS, BC1 (CDMA-CDMA2000 1xRTT/ CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0/CDMA2000. 1xEV-DO Rev A/CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev B).4G : 1900+ MHz, Band 25 (LTE). 850+ MHz, Band 26 (LTE). 2500 MHz TD, Band 41 (LTE).
GCI Wireless3G : 1900 MHz (GSM/ HSPA). 1900/ 850 MHz (CDMA).4G : 2100/ 1700 MHz (LTE).
Google Fi3G : 1900 MHz PCS (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE)
, 1900 MHz PCS, BC1 (CDMA-CDMAONE, CDMA2000 1xRTT, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A).
 Secondary 800 MHz, BC10 (CDMA-CDMAONE, CDMA2000 1xRTT, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rel. 0, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Rev A).
 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (UMTS-UMTS/ HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+).
 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS1, Band 4 (UMTS-UMTS/ HSDPA, HSUPA, HSPA+).
4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE).
 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS1, Band 4 (LTE).
 700 MHz AC, Band 12 (LTE).
 1900 + MHz, Band 25 (LTE). 850 + MHz, Band 26 (LTE).
 TD 2500 MHz, Band 41 (LTE).
H2O Wireless3G : 850 MHz (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE).
 900 MHz PCS (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE).
 850 MHz, Band 5 (UMTS-UMTS/ HSDPA/ HSUPA/ HSPA+).
 1900 PCS, Band 2 (UMTS-UMTS/ HSDPA/ HSUPA/ HSPA+).4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE).
 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS 1, Band 4 (LTE).
 700 MHz, Band 17 B/C (LTE).
 2300 MHz WCS, Band 30 (LTE).

Illinois Valley Cellular3G : 800 and 1900 MHz (CDMA2000).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (700 LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE 700). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE700/ LTE Advanced).
Inland Cellular3G : 835 – 845 MHz, Block B Band 2 (CDMA2000). 880 – 890 MHz, Block B Band 2 (CDMA2000).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE700). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE700). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE700/ LTE Advanced).
Metro PCS 3G : 1900 PCS MHz (GSM/ UMTS/ HSPA+). 1700/ 2100 AWS MHz (GSM/ UMTS/ HSPA+ ).4G : 700 MHz, Band 17 (LTE). 850 MHz, Band 4 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 AWS MHz, Band 4 (LTE). 1900 PCS MHz, Band 2 (LTE).
Net 103G : 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2(GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE). 1700 MHz AWS, Band 4 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE).4G : 700 MHz Lower B/C, Band 12/17 (LTE). 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (LTE).
nTelos Wireless3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced) . 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS at 2496 to 2690 MHz, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ LTE Advanced).
Pioneer Cellular3G : 700 MHz (CDMA2000).4G: 700 MHz, Band 13 (LTE).
Pine Cellular3G : 850 MHz(GSM/ UMTS/ HSPA+/ EDGE).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE700). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE700) 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ 700LTE Advanced).
Republic Wireless3G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (UMTS).
 1700/2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (UMTS).
 1900 MHz (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE).4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE).
 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (LTE).
 700 MHz Lower Block A/C, Band 12 (LTE).
RingPlus3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD).4G: 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE).
 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE).
 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ LTE Advanced).
Shentel3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ LTE Advanced).
Simple Mobile3G : 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (UMTS/ HSPA+, HSPA). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE).4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE). 700 MHz Lower Block A, Band 12 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (UMTS/ HSPA+/ LTE).
Sprint 3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ LTE Advanced).
Straight Talk3G : 850 MHz (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE/ UMTS/ HSPA/ HSPA+). 900 MHz (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE/ UMTS/ HSPA/ HSPA+). 1800 MHz (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE/ UMTS/ HSPA/ HSPA+). 1900 MHz (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE/ UMTS/ HSPA/ HSPA+/ 1xRTT/ EVDO).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/LTE Advanced).
T-Mobile 3G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE/ UMTS/ HSPA+).4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE). 700 MHz Lower Block A, Band 12 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (UMTS/ HSPA+/ LTE).
Ting3G : 1900 MHz PCS (GSM-GPRS/ EDGE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS 1, Band 4 (UMTS/ UMTS/ HSPA+).4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE). 1700/2100 AWS 1, Band 4 (LTE). 700 MHz, Lower A/C, band 12 (LTE).
Total Wireless3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced).
4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ EV-DO/ eHRPD).
 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE).
TPO Mobile3G : 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (GSM-UMTS/ HSPA+).
4G : 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (GSM-LTE). 1850 – 1990 MHz (CDMA-LTE).
 700 MHz Lower Block A, Band 12 (GSM-LTE).

Tracfone3G : 900/ 1800 MHz (CDMA). 4G : 700 MHz, Band 13 (LTE). 1900 MHz, Band 2 (LTE).
Twigby3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD).

4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE).
 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE).
 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ LTE Advanced).
U.S. Cellular3G : 850 MHz Cellular, Band 5 (1xRTT CDMA). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (CDMA).4G : 700 MHz Lower A/B/C 2/4/5/12 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 1/3 (LTE).
Verizon Wireless3G : 850 MHz, Band 0 (CDMA). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (CDMA).4G : 700 MHz Block C, Band 13 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ EV-DO/ eHRPD). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 2 (LTE). 1700/ 2100 MHz AWS, Band 4 (LTE).
Virgin Mobile USA3G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 10 (CDMA/ 1xAdvanced). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 1 (1xRTT/ 1xAdvanced/ EVDO/ eHRPD). 2500 MHz (WiMax).4G : 800 MHz ESMR, Band 26 (LTE). 1900 MHz PCS, Band 25 (LTE). 2.5 GHz BRS/ EBS, Band 41 (TD-LTE/ LTE Advanced).

After wading through the above ‘cell phone swamp’, you discover the next-generation service is open for business: 5G cellular service.

No doubt, you were expecting a simplification of cellular technologies. If you wish to enjoy a successful cellular service within a building, come to grips with the fact it is complicated, it is rocket science. If your inner geek tingles for more information on how cell phones work, click on this link.

If you are ready to count the cost of a cell-phone booster for your home or office, click on the link below.

HOME, OFFICE, APARTMENT CELL PHONE SIGNAL BOOSTERS

  • Price is not the starting point.
  • Does a booster support the service of your cellular provider?
  • Has the booster you chose have sufficient power to cover the desired indoor service area?
  • Will it work with 5G?
  • Do not confuse WiFi boosters with cell phone boosters!

There is a veritable cornucopia of cell phone booster providers. If you need one for your home, simply Google HOME CELL PHONE SIGNAL BOOSTERS . For your office, simply Google OFFICE CELL PHONE SIGNAL BOOSTERS.

Expect to pay a minimum of $300 for a quality product. You do, in fact, get what you pay for. If purchasing a booster for your office, the extra cost of an expert is wise.

My Personal Favorites? (No, I don’t sell them; I prefer them for my own use.)

  • Apple iPhone
  • AT&T cellular service

Back in the day when I was a travelling salesman, there were a number of airplane disasters. My slogan was, “If it ain’t Boeing, I ain’t going.” I feel the same way about AT&T, a company whose history dates back to 1876 when Alexander Graham Bell invented the first telephone.

Published by John White

A lifetime (over 50 years) of experiences with automation and control systems ranging from aerospace navigation, radar, and ordinance delivery systems to the world's first robotic drilling machine for the oil patch, to process-control systems, energy management systems and general problem-solving. At present, my focus is on self-funding HVAC retrofit projects and indoor air quality with a view to preventing infections from airborne pathogens.

Leave a comment