Today, the FCC released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that recognizes the need for consumer signal boosters to fill in the gaps in carriers wireless coverage. The NPRM suggests new rules and standards for signal boosters to ensure they can boost cellular signal for consumers without any adverse effects. The FCC notes that the signal coverage is not complete in rural and other underserved areas and that “signal boosters are part of the solution”.

Well-designed, properly operating, and properly installed signal boosters have the potential to improve consumers’ wireless network coverage without harming commercial, private, and public safety wireless network performance

This is part of the ongoing initiative to promote and improve voice and broadband services in the United States with the FCC also noting that signal boosters can aid public safety first responders, residents, businesses and students get the adequate cellular coverage that they require to function. The key motivations and points in the NPRM are quoted as follows:

“Police departments and emergency medical personell rely on signal boosters to extend land mobile coverage in areas of limited service and to improve communications during disasters and other emergencies.”

“Malfunctioning, improperly installed, or technically deficient signal boosters, may cause harmful interference”

“Our goal in this proceeding is to facilitate the development and deployment of well-designed signal boosters that do not interfere with wireless networks.”

So how exactly would the new regulations work? Well, the FCC is proposing a license-by-rule framework, whereby operation of signal boosters would be permitted by the agencies authority and thus “obviate the need for burdensome individual licensing requirements”. This would involve the establishing of a new Signal Booster Radio Service under Part 95 of the Commission’s Rules. The FCC is also considering an alternative approach whereby signal boosters would be licensed under existing laws for subscriber equipment, much like cellular handsets are today.

In short, the FCC is formalizing what most of us have known all along: cellular coverage is not good enough. In the modern age we are ever more reliant on our phones for important calls and increasingly data services. The FCC recognizes that the task of providing this service cannot fall on the carriers alone and is moving to make cellular signal boosters part of the solution.

The full document can be read here: FCC Signal Booster NPRM

Wilson’s new large building amplifier, the 801280 AG PRO, and associated 801280 AG PRO Ultimate kits are now available and are shipping within 24-48 hours!

Combine the AG PRO with external and internal antennas to create the most powerful custom Wilson kits available. External antenna options would be 1 or 2 of the Wilson 304411 dual band yagi antennas or the Wilson 301124 and 301129 individual yagi antennas, each connected with a combiner to provide signal to the 801280 amplifier.

Internally, you would use a single 301121 Dome antenna or 301135 panel antenna or multiple  antennas with a 2 way, 3 way or 4 way splitter. With the 70db gain on the 800 mHz frequency and 75db gain on the 1900 mHz frequency, the AG PRO will cover up to 30,000 square feet of office or warehouse space.

Being dual band, the AG PRO repeater kits work with all carriers 3G signals except T-Mobile 3G and Nextel. The new AG PRO Dual Band Repeater Kit strengthens weak signals, eliminates dropped calls, and speeds up poor data rates.

Repeaterstore.com will create custom kits to fit your exact needs including multiple floors, separate distinct areas that need coverage and very large open warehouse areas that also have  smaller office coverage needs. Contact us today to discuss the potential of the new Wilson 801280 AG PRO repeater kits!

We have received a few more details of the Wilson 811225 DataPro Direct Connect amplifier. From the product fact sheet we have learned the following:

• The DataPro is very similar to the 811201 Direct Connect Wilson currently offer. It has the same gain, noise, impedance and frequencies. However they have slimmed it down massively – a huge 85% reduction in volume. The 811225 measures a svelte 3.3in x 1.9in x 0.8in. It also has SMA Female connectors, presumably to connect to a different class of devices.
• Low power requirements – 5V DC, 1A.
• The provisional retail price is low – just $139. This is significantly cheaper than similar products offered by Wilson and others.
• The DataPro will be available in the next few weeks.

With the 811225 DataPro Wilson Electronics are targeting the Machine-to-Machine market. This means that you can expect to find the DataPro in a variety of internet connected devices, such as ATMs, kiosks, vending machines, Point-of-sale (POS) terminals etc. Any remote machine which requires a cellular connection can benefit from the 811225 DataPro.

Below is a press release from Wilson Electronics about an exciting new product, the Wilson 811255. More details to follow.

As soon as we have more details we will update the the Wilson 811255 DataPro page, and post to this blog.

Wilson, the world leader in cell phone amplifiers is offering their most powerful amplifier to date: the Wilson 801280 AG Pro 75db Dual-Band Building amplifier!

It is the most powerful, dual-band amplifier of its kind to date. This 75db Dual Band Amplifier, when connected with antennas as a Repeater Kit boosts both the Cellular & PCS signal inside a building or large home.

The new 75db Dual Band Repeater Kit strengthens weak signals, eliminates dropped calls, and speeds up poor data rates. Since the Wilson AG Pro 801280 Wireless Dual-Band Building amplifier is a single amp, it will simplify installation as well by using only one cable from the outside
antenna to the amplifier inside. Once inside the building, multiple internal antennas can be utilized to distribute the amplified signal. The RepeaterStore  will offer custom kits with different cable lengths and numbers of internal antennas .

As part of a kit, which includes an indoor and outdoor antenna and a cable, the Wilson 801280 can amplify a cell phone signal across an area of up to 30,000 square feet. Its extraordinary signal-boosting ability will provide robust coverage for up to 25 phones or data cards simultaneously.

The 801280 75db Dual-Band Repeater Kit is compatible with every major carrier (except Nextel) in the United States. In addition, by boosting the wireless signal, the new Wilson device will extend the battery life of your cell phone by allowing it to talk to an interior antenna at a 40ft distance instead of a cell tower 4 miles away.

For those that are seeking a cell booster kit with unparalleled performance and unrivaled versatility, the Wilson 75db Dual Band Repeater kit for large buildings is
an obvious 1st choice.

We currently are taking pre shipment orders and are looking to start delivery of the 75db Dual Band Repeater in January, 2011!