[Michlib-l] Fwd: [MeLCat] Question about cellular signal boosters

[Stephanie Mallak Olson]

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: 	[MeLCat] Question about cellular signal boosters
Date: 	Wed, 26 Feb 2020 12:34:46 -0500
From: 	John A. Cargo via MeLCatlist <melcatlist at mcls.org>
Reply-To: 	John A. Cargo <j.cargo at vlc.lib.mi.us>
Organization: 	Iosco-Arenac District Library
To: 	melcatlist at mcls.org <melcatlist at mcls.org>



Hi,

This is an issue that everybody has had over the years.  Inside some of 
our buildings, especially in rural areas, we've had spotty or even 
non-existent cellular signals.

Recently, one of our branches had voices concerns about being unable to 
make an emergency call from inside a library building on their cell 
phone.  Or even just getting and making calls.

One of the proposed solutions from the township's city manager was 
installing an extender--basically a micro cell tower--inside the building.

The problems with that are:
1.  The extender only supports one specific carrier.
2.  It uses the library's Internet connection.
3.  Other users with devices from the same carrier could use the extender.

Another possibility is using a signal booster, such as one from 
WeBoost.  The ones they sell are carrier agnostic, plug-and-play and 
will work with multiple carriers at the same time, but:
1.  Depending on how the external antenna is aimed, it will prioritize 
the strongest cell tower signal first.  So there's no guarantee that it 
would work with everything consistently.
2.  You have to register the booster with the carrier (though it's 
stated that most carriers approve of them anyway).
3.  A bit more expensive than an extender.

I personally have no experience with signal boosters or cellular in 
general.  My question is:  Has anyone used a signal booster or have some 
similar solution to improve cellular signals inside a building?

Thanks.

-- 
John A. Cargo
Technology Coordinator
Iosco-Arenac District Library
120 W. Westover St.
East Tawas, MI 48730
Phone: 989-362-2651 x3985
Direct:  989-305-3985
Mobile: 615-618-6754
Fax: 989-362-6056


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