DSL wifi modem signal booster advice

[rfuerst911sc]

We live in the sticks , only internet available is via DSL . So we wifi our cellphones and TV streaming . We just purchased new cellphones and call quality is not great . I think we need a signal booster . What over the counter boosters have you guys used with success ? Moving is not an option

[GH85Carrera]

I used to work in an metal building. There was virtually no cell reception inside the metal box of a building. We had several employees there that all used AT&T and we all whined and threatened to change carriers even though even customers on other carries had the same issue.

Finally AT&T relented and sent us a cell phone booster that used our internet connection that we had to sync our phones to. It worked great.

You might see if your carrier has any recommendations.

[rfuerst911sc]

Thoughts on this one ? Reviews very positive .

https://extendtecdirect.com/?sub2=wovs1ajt3lievr3oisac5dh0&t=1681845880248

[MBAtarga]

AT&T sent me a booster for free. I've got 5 phones on my plan and had lousy service when we moved here 11 years ago. The booster was upgraded once for free when they dropped 3G service as the hardware didn't support the speed.

[MBAtarga]

Just realized you are talking wifi - but also DSL.
That extender won't speed up anything as your speed is limited to the DSL connection.
It might make the wifi signal from your router stronger - but it won't technically increase the speed.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by MBAtarga

Just realized you are talking wifi - but also DSL.
That extender won't speed up anything as your speed is limited to the DSL connection.
It might make the wifi signal from your router stronger - but it won't technically increase the speed.

Yeah.

Even a have crappy WIFI connection between the devices and router is still likely more bandwidth than the DSL is capable of providing.

[rfuerst911sc]

Yeah I am mainly trying to get stronger signal vs more speed . But just like hp more speed is better

[stealthn]

Here you go

https://www.pcmag.com/picks/best-cell-phone-signal-boosters

[rfuerst911sc]

I did a speed test this morning . Had 17.69 Mbps download and 1.72 upload . Then went to the carriers office and was told that is within the acceptable range of the 25 Mbps plan we are paying for .

Again we are rural and I don't think that speed is the issue . I think signal strength is the issue . But I am only guessing . Next stop is calling the providers repair/tech support . Will update if we make progress .

[rfuerst911sc]

Well after 42 minutes on the phone with India tech support we determined a tech needs to come to the house . Supposedly will show up tomorrow . We shall see

[fastfredracing]

I also live in a cell dead zone A few calls to verizon tech support, and they sent us out a satellite range extender at no charge . We get perfect cell reception now.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

I also live in a cell dead zone A few calls to verizon tech support, and they sent us out a satellite range extender at no charge . We get perfect cell reception now.

Hmm that is interesting . I have Visible as my cellphone carrier . They are owned by Verizon and use their network . Our rural downtown is about 5 miles from my house . When downtown I get very fast 4G signal . I may have to do some research . Thanks for the tip 👍

[rfuerst911sc]

Ugh . Received a call from the technician that he found two issues at the switching station . One was a switch that had a short so he fixed that .

The other issue is we are 10000 feet from the switching station . He said after 6000 the signal starts to become unstable . So he throttled back our 25 Mbps to 15 to stabilize the signal .

So we head to the Windstream office to see if we get a price break going from 25 to 15 . That's a no . But for the few hours since he did his magic we haven't had any dropped calls .

Fiber optic coming in 2024 we are looking forward to that . We will go from two Dixie cups and string to the modern era .

[Jeff Hail]

DSL ? Thats like America Online right?

[Bill Douglas]

It sounds like the tech was really good. No false promises etc.

I remember a sales guy saying boosters, just boost a bad signal, they don't make it better.

[rfuerst911sc]

DSL is definitely old technology but in our rural setting it's the only option other than satellite . And I am not interested in satellite with fiber optic coming to our area next year .

I did an experiment last night that I was shocked by the results . Our main issue is dropped calls on our new cellphones using wifi calling . Our Visible phone service has 1 to 2 bars of signal in the house .

My wife and I both turned off wifi calling . She called her mom that lives near us . She called her sister in NC . I called my brother in NY . Calls were rock solid and clear !!! Was very surprised by the results .

So for now I am going to try and find a signal booster that will work with Visible/Verizon network . If we can get a reliable 3-4 bars of signal I would be very happy .

[rfuerst911sc]

DSL is definitely old technology but in our rural setting it's the only option other than satellite . And I am not interested in satellite with fiber optic coming to our area next year .

I did an experiment last night that I was shocked by the results . Our main issue is dropped calls on our new cellphones using wifi calling . Our Visible phone service has 1 to 2 bars of signal in the house .

My wife and I both turned off wifi calling . She called her mom that lives near us . She called her sister in NC . I called my brother in NY . Calls were rock solid and clear !!! Was very surprised by the results .

So for now I am going to try and find a signal booster that will work with Visible/Verizon network . If we can get a reliable 3-4 bars of signal I would be very happy .

[john70t]

I'd run CAT5 to get the router closer and hard-wire the computer.

Your DSL speed is about 3x mine and I live in town with solid coverage area. Could be worse.

[rfuerst911sc]

Computer isn't an issue , it's our cellphones