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A Private GSM Cell?

Posted by Cliff on from the you-are-your-own-provider dept.

mr number two asks: "I live in the mountains and have poor GSM reception. I can buy an active repeater to boost signal strength in my home to good levels, but what I'd really like to do is have a private GSM picocell, such that at home I would be connected to my own PBX. Calls to my home phone number would ring through to my cell phone. I wouldn't have to worry about a home cordless phone (and 802.11 interference) and I'd have all my speed dialing / contacts info right there. There are many other benefits. Ignoring FCC licensing issues, is there a base station I can purchase which has a signalling interface that will interface to a small PBX?"

4 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. do you have broadband? by squarefish · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I use vonage and have the simulring feature turned on to ring my cell at the same time- then I have my cell set to forward after a set time back to the main number- this is awesome because all my numbers now ring to all my phones and since vonage has free incoming calls and the cell doesn't, I can manage my time with both plans more easily. All calls also end up in the same voicemail box with the vonage account and then that emails the message to me so I never have to check it manually.
    This system has worked amazingly well for me for the last couple months and it's eliminated all the issues I used to have with other landlines.
    good luck!!!

    --
    Creationists are a lot like zombies. Slow, but powerful and numerous. And they all want to eat our brains.
  2. Cordless Phone interference ? by MerlynEmrys67 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Why in the H*** would a computer geek even consider buying a cordless phone in the 802.11 frequency range.

    There are two options, either of which avoids the problem, either 900Mhz or 5Ghz (you weren't planning on deploying 802.11a were you ?)

    Please tell me you didn't go out and buy the coolest phone a few years back in the 2.4Ghz range, and now aren't willing to "upgrade" to a 5Ghz phone.

    --
    I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them
    1. Re:Cordless Phone interference ? by Kymermosst · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Why in the H*** would a computer geek even consider buying a cordless phone in the 802.11 frequency range.

      There are two options, either of which avoids the problem, either 900Mhz or 5Ghz (you weren't planning on deploying 802.11a were you ?)

      Please tell me you didn't go out and buy the coolest phone a few years back in the 2.4Ghz range, and now aren't willing to "upgrade" to a 5Ghz phone.

      Make sure you take a look at your 5 GHz phone's spec sheet before purchasing.

      Many "5.8 GHz" phones I have seen transmit from the phone to the base station on 5 GHz, and the base station to the phone at 2.4 GHz. (It might be the other way around, but you get the idea). If WiFi interference is your concern, many supposed 5 GHz phones are no comfort.

      Panasonic FHSS "GigaRange" phones seem to be one of the ones that go 5.8 both ways, but they are not inexpensive.

      I just stick with a 900 MHz phone. It even has dual handsets and was... $25 at Sears.

      --
      "Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives" should be a convenience store, not a government agency.
  3. Easy by Richard_at_work · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Speak to a GSM network providor, like Vodaphone, Orange, O2 or something (to give UK examples). All of these providors will sell you a local cell unit, its a service they provide to companies with large sites or campuses, to use mobile phones instead of DECT phones across a wide area with automatic roaming off site. Calls within the same cell are free, with a annual rental, and calls off the local cell are charged at the standard airtime rate, and the bonus is that its just a normal mobile cell.