Dear Jim,
I have some cell phone details to your readers. I used to work in the cell phone business as a repair tech. Phones made before 2003 are not legal for activation in the USA. Some people continue to use old legacy hardware on the network, grandfathered in, but once that phone dies, they have to upgrade, under law, to an Enhanced 911 compliant/compatible device. That’s straight from the FCC, no ifs, ands, ors or buts. That means the Bag Phone, and even the StarTac aren’t legal. This is not to say that you can’t work around this with a modern phone. Several models allow for an analog/digital service and have plugs for an external antenna booster and some even allow for a full on mini-cell site (though the hardware is expensive). I’m not sure its worth it, but people decide the costs and should read reviews of other’s experiences before spending any money. YMMV. Considering that a phone call to the carrier’s signal engineers might just modify the cell coverage to cover your home if you’re a big enough customer, or can represent sufficient customer dollar value, to solve the problem, there’s often a better way. Another option is to setup a phone system locally to dial into a 802.11g/n hub via Vonage or equivalent Internet phone service or even work with wireless broadband for phone service, for little real cost. There’s a lot of options. You don’t have to waste money on a obsolete legacy, illegal and won’t be activated by any carrier, equipment whose analog signal is a party line for anyone with a receiver to pick up the frequency. Please remember that analog cell phones are just traditional radios, after all. Digital is where you get your voice security, through the Multiplexing (GSM, CDMA, TDMA). Smart options are best. Read the review, always. Best, – InyoKern
Letter Re: Digital-Analog Cell Phones for Rural Areas
