Update: Verizon Wireless Selling Cell Phone Extender

Over a year ago, I announced Verizon Wireless would start selling a personal cell phone extender, also called a FemToCell. Recently I moved to an area that Verizon calls a good signal area, but there is no signal inside any of the homes. I did what everyone in my position should do, call and complain. I didn't realize exactly how bad it was (other than 1-way conversations and garbled audio) until someone made a call from our place and said "I didn't even recognize her voice on the other end (of the phone call)."

I tried to get Verizon Wireless to budge on the price of the Network Extender, as Verizon Calls the femtocell, during my complaint call but there was no movement on their part. Soon after that, my wife's employer announced their current Sprint blackberries would be replaced with Verizon blackberries. I immediately check out the Network Extender and found it was listed at $199 and it now has a $100 Mail in Rebate. That means you can get the extender for $99 after MIR. That is not a bad price, provided it is just to make the phone that already should work, work in your house.

I have been using the Network Extender for almost a month. It has made a world of difference in our calls. We can actually use our phones inside the house. We caught ourselves walking outside when the phone rang, not remembering that it now works in the house. It works so well, that our backyard neighbor says his phone is now working better. He also noted that he hears these weird tones when he first makes a phone call. I told him those tones let you know that you are using the network extender instead of the VZW network.

Why has Verizon Wireless made the network extender more affordable?
I have two Theories.
Theory 1: Lower prices help people who need signal, even when there are no other reported issues in the customer's area. It can also immediately solve a signal issue where no upgrades are yet planned.
Theory 2: Verizon unveiled an improved network extender at CES in January of 2010. The new network extender supports 8 callers (currently supports 3 + 1 911 call) and EVDO (currently supports 1X). At CES, this new extender was scheduled for release in Q2 2010 (by July 2010). With these new network extenders on the way, Verizon needs to sell their existing stock network extenders.

Would I recommend the Verizon Wireless Network Extender?
Yes, if have consistent signal and call issues in your home or business. It does require a high speed Internet connection.

Can the Network Extender be restricted to keep my neighbors from using it?
Sort of, but NO. Using your VZW online account, you can prioritize a list of cell phones (by phone number), to allow them to always use the extender. Other VZW phones can use the extender when it is not in use by the priority phones.