Improve AT&T iPhone voice and EDGE data reception with a Repeater
Over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of users switched over to the AT&T network to take advantage of Apple’s iPhone. Unfortunately, AT&T’s network is often spotty, and EDGE data rates are constrained by the quality of the signal. One way of improving AT&T coverage and ensuring fast EDGE rates is installing a cell phone repeater.
Since AT&T and Cingular merged a few years ago, the joint company has owned licenses for both frequency bands in most areas. In order to ensure an improvement on voice and data coverage, we recommend purchasing a dual band repeater for AT&T customers. Once installed, these repeaters will also improve the cell signal on every other network (except for Nextel). Here are our recommendations:
Medium reception: For users with medium signal quality outside their building (3 bars or more), the zBoost YX-510 kit will improve your cell phone signal to full bars for AT&T voice and data services, even if you currently have no AT&T service at all inside. This unit will usually cover up to 2,500 square feet. The kit is very easy to install, and comes with everything needed to set the system up. You can find our product page here: Wireless Extender zBoost YX-510.
Low reception: For users with low quality outside their building (2 bars or less), the YX-510 kit Premium Kit can be used to amplify the AT&T signal. This repeater will usually cover up to 3,000 square feet (or 5,000 square feet if you currently have 3 bars or more of signal outside). You can find our product page here: Wireless Extender zBoost YX-510 (scroll half way down the page).
Large coverage areas: For users with 2 or more bars of signal outside their building, and who wish to cover up to 10,000 square feet, we recommend : Digital Antenna DA4KSBR-50U 60dB Repeater Kit (scroll half way down the page). This more powerful antenna also comes with a high-gain omni-directional antenna, and is perfect for large-building installations.
If you have any questions about repeaters, or want a custom recommendation, feel free to call us at 1-800-761-3041 or e-mail us at support@repeaterstore.com.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
I have the iphone but my AT&T reception is terrible. no bars in my office or the first floor but 3 bars on second floor and 3 or more outside the building. Strangle enough when on the charging base I see 4 bars butey vanish when I take it off the base.
Please make a reomendation as to what I should purchase
thanks
Ted Sas
August 9th, 2007 at 2:18 pm
Hi Ted, give us a call and we can discuss your problem and recommend a good repeater. Our number is 1-800-761-3041.
November 9th, 2007 at 7:24 am
Ted – I have to say that I independently discovered the same phenomenon earlier today and searched the internet for verification. Your post seems to be the only one! I would agree that seating the iphone in the base improves reception greatly – from 0-1 bar up to 4. I have noticed no improvement when simply connected to my mac by the USB cord.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:46 am
I’m using a Wireless Extender product and having great results. I have the YX300 model, the one for small areas like offices or apartments and I’ve loved it. I can only imagine that the YX510 works just as well. I’m very pleased.
February 15th, 2008 at 5:42 am
[...] Use a Repeaters to boost iPhone reception [...]
February 18th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I bought the Wireless Extender zBoost YX-510 and it did indeed boost the number of bars on the phone itself. However, I have not experienced an increase in data throughput speeds when doing up/down load speed tests. any recommendations/insights?
March 8th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Rich, the YX510 has two outdoor antennas, one for the 800MHz band, and one for the 1900Mhz band. If both antennas are not pointing in the right directions, you can experience the problem you’re describing. Voice signals often come from different towers than broadband signals, so the antennas may need to be pointed in different directions.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:02 am
This is not just on AT&T/Cingular. I have been with them for 5yrs & the iPhone is the biggest problem it has the worst rf of any phone I ever owned. Don’t waste money on a repeater, buy a better phone.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:50 am
I purchased the YX500-CEL to boost my ATT Iphone. It works well for all of my coworkers which have verizon but my Iphone still wont work hardly at all.
I tried the same booster at home before I brought it into to work and had the same situation. Im sitting 10 feet from the booster
Looks like im going back to Verizon.
January 22nd, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Hi Bobby,
Are you sure the YX500-CEL is the correct frequency repeater for your application? Perhaps you should try the YX500-PCS (1900MHz) or the Dual Band YX510.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
My iPhone had terrible service when I got it. I called the customer service. And they sent me to tech support and they instaled some firmware for me or something and it helped a lot.
My question is does this help for data plan connection? And distance-wise, how far do these things extend?
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:50 pm
No reception at home. Can you help?
February 23rd, 2010 at 9:51 pm
No reception on new iPhone 3GS. Just bought two of them Sunday 2-21-10
Can you help?
Thanks,
Ed
February 25th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
I currently have AT&T and have full bars outside my building but nothing inside. The building is about 250,000 square feet. Should I just buy a whole bunch of the smaller ones or is there one that could service my building.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:26 am
Hi Ed,
Absolutely. Assuming you are on AT&T, we usually recommend the dual band YX510 for areas of up to 2,500 sq ft. Its a wireless repeater and should boost both your voice signal and your 3G data signal.
If you have a larger area to cover, you should consider one of our larger building kits here.
If you would like more info, do call us on 800. 761-3041 and we will be happy to help.
March 1st, 2010 at 7:28 am
Hi Jason,
For an area of this size we would only really suggest using multiple smaller kits if there are specific areas that really need signal. E.g. if it is a warehouse space that has a small office attached.
If you need signal over the whole area of 250,000 sq ft. we would generally build something more customized. Please do contact us on 800. 761-3041 and we can find out a little more about your situation and see if we can work something out.
March 4th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Is there a way to increase AT&T reception for iPhones & Blackberries on the 43rd Floor of a building with no access to place an external antennae? We have about 7500 sq ft with many large windows.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:25 am
I have only one bar outside this 5,000 Sq ft frame building. Which repeater do I need for my ATT Blackberry Edge?
March 10th, 2010 at 12:39 pm
L Jones – Its important for a repeater that there is a spot to place an external antenna where there is a at least some cell phone signal. It doesn’t necessarily have to be outside, but usually that is where the signal is better. Let us know a little more about your situation and we will be glad to help.
Glenn – With AT&T we usually recommend a dual band booster. 5,000 sq ft. is a reasonably large area to cover, so you should consider one of our larger building kits here.
If you would like more info, do call us on 800. 761-3041 and we will be happy to help.
April 6th, 2010 at 7:17 am
I just want to know how well you stand behind your products. If it doesent work, I want to return it with no hastle and full refund. What are your thoughts on this level of service?
April 29th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I get coverage up to about 1-1.5 miles from my new home, then nothing. What is my best option so I can get coverage?
June 17th, 2010 at 6:10 am
Brock, we offer a full 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on all our products.
June 17th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Hi Tony, we will probably need a few more details in order to answer that question. Please give us a call on 800.761.3041