Sprint Airave signal booster goes on sale today -- in Denver and Indy

Remember that cool Ubicell in-home booster we played with back at CTIA? Sprint's finally starting to roll out the device this week as the "Airave" in "select areas" of Denver and Indianapolis this week. Overall, the concept is very similar to T-Mobile's @Home service -- it connects through your ISP, racks up a monthly fee ($15 in this case, $30 for families), boosts your signal and doesn't deduct plan minutes -- but with the Airave, CDMA signals are served up instead of @Home's WiFi, which means any Sprint handset should work like a champ. The box itself runs $49.99, not a bad entry fee considering the healthy list of benefits it affords. Look for it in the rest of Denver and Indy along with Nashville later this year followed by a nationwide rollout in 2008.

[cole @ Sep 17th 2007 10:43AM]

So if it uses CDMA, how do you keep your neighbor from leeching your cell phone signal?

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:22AM]

From reading the site it looks like you can register up to 50 numbers that are allowed to use your device.

[Joe @ Sep 17th 2007 12:14PM]

Range?

[Joel @ Sep 17th 2007 10:48AM]

Voice over CDMA over IP? Interesting ... hopefully Verizon jumps on this bandwagon too. Seems WAY more compatible than needing a WiFi phone.

To the previous poster, they likely just use IMEIs to tie the phone to the router ... much like MAC address filtering in a standard internet router.

[Snay @ Sep 17th 2007 10:54AM]

I get 5 bars at home, but would love to get rid of my landline, and use this device to get free minutes at home. But, how will I know I'm connect to the device and not to the cell tower.

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:25AM]

I was able to read the manual, and it looks like they will use a short tone before the ringback tone to let you know when you are using your unlimited minutes (AIRAVE) vs regular minutes (regular tower). Same for when you receive a call, you will hear a short tone to let you know you are using AIRAVE.

[yoinkers @ Sep 17th 2007 12:46PM]

They are not "free minutes" because the service is $15/month.

[Snay @ Sep 17th 2007 1:07PM]

My land line cost more than that even if I don't make a single call, so it's worth it to me.

[abatis @ Oct 28th 2007 12:55PM]

I have been testing the AIRAVE under the Sprint Ambassador program for www.mobilegadgetnews.com. Nice service and to tell if you are on the AIRAVE you just dial *99 from your phone and it will tell you are on or off the AIRAVE. A voice will say "you are now within AIRAVE coverage". It also makes a different dial beep before you call out. You can have Sprint limit the phone numbers that use AIRAVE so no neighbors borrowing your bandwidth. You have to call Sprint and give them the phone numbers to register and the AIRAVE MAC id. Pretty slick.

[derF @ Sep 17th 2007 10:55AM]

So, if you're a Sprint customer and are paying on a monthly plan, you buy this device AND pay another monthly charge just to try to get a better signal? These things should be free. What am I missing?

[BestSnowman @ Sep 17th 2007 10:58AM]

You don't use any of your plan's minutes while connected to this device.

[Bob @ Sep 17th 2007 10:57AM]

I guess the $15 fee provides exclusive rights to the box

[dm @ Sep 17th 2007 11:03AM]

This fact hasn't gotten much coverage, but there is actually no monthly charge for TMobile's @Home service. The $15/mo gets you unlimited minutes when you're connected to wifi. But for $0/mo you can still connect to wifi and have those calls go against your plan as domestic minutes-- possibly a good deal for people who have no GSM coverage at home, or who want to use a wifi hotspot overseas and have it count as domestic minutes instead of international roaming.

[Enzo @ Sep 17th 2007 12:17PM]

It is a shame T-mobile's initial selection of UMA enabled phones were complete garbage. I used the Nokia 6086 for all of a month and was not impressed with the hardware. I know, just wait 7 more days, and T-mobile supposedly is going to finally make public their UMA enabled Blackberry. Too little, too late if you ask me.

[dm @ Sep 17th 2007 12:28PM]

Personally I like the 6086 pretty well (for everyone who complains "why can't I get a phone that's just a phone".. here's one that just makes phone calls in all possible ways). My problem is the UMA just doesn't work that well. When you're on wifi it drops calls relatively often, like using a cellphone 8 years ago or something. Still with no GSM coverage at home and no monthly fee, it's kind of better than nothing.

[David Hackett @ Sep 17th 2007 11:08AM]

So...does this mean that you could take this and your sprint phone with you, and use it around the world?

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:28AM]

No, it has a built in GPS to limit the device to areas where sprint has licensed spectrum. So it probably won't let you use it outside the US.

[Jamar @ Sep 17th 2007 11:32AM]

well... crap. Is there some way to bypass that? I know that where I live in China, I can't get a GPS fix at all; will it assume that it's in the US or assume that it's not? If it assumes that it's not in the US, then people with signal-unfriendly homes will end up being pissed off.

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:52AM]

Jamar, if it doesnt get a GPS signal it won't work at all, this is why they also ship a GPS antenna with the unit to help those with poor reception.

[Frankenstein Black @ Sep 17th 2007 11:13AM]

Now this little number should cause quite a stir should it take off. Why? Well:
1. Instead of building cell sites, Sprint supplements its lack of coverage with it.
2. Some small RSA might complain that this device violates their FCC licensed 1900MHz frequency in their area (after all, it is a cell site no matter how small).
3. Verizon, AT&T may have some beef since Sprint (a direct mobile competitor) is using their ISP/DSL backbone/pipes to back-haul their (Sprint’s) mobile voice traffic.
Will be interesting to see how it plays out...

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:33AM]

Regarding point #2, they will probably use the device's built in GPS to limit where it works so they don't get in trouble with these small regional service providers.

[Scott @ Sep 17th 2007 11:15AM]

Can't I just buy it and use it as a CDMA signal booster/repeater without the subscription fee? I really don't give a flip about using my cell carrier as my ISP, but I would love to get better cell reception at the house so I could get rid of my land line.

[Goobes @ Sep 17th 2007 11:54AM]

No, this routes your call through the internet. It is not a repeater.

[rizzo @ Nov 8th 2007 10:20PM]

There will be an option $5 a month to use only as a signal booster. All calls during daytime hrs will come out of your anytime mins. The $5 charge per month is to offset the cost of the equipment which they are only charging $50.

[Ian @ Sep 17th 2007 11:35AM]

The link on the Sprint page for more dteails doesn't work.
Souinds a nice idea though a tad expensive considering most people are "at home" during the "unlimited" minutes feature of their phone service.
I guess there must be a way to "recognise" the specific phone or a "family" plan wouldn't work better than a single phone plan. Also I wonder if one can carry this around while travelling and use say the broadband service from a hotel room etc?

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:58AM]

Someone at sprintusers posted the following URL that seems to work: http://airave.sprint.com/

[Ian @ Sep 17th 2007 12:23PM]

Thanks jalapeno a lot of good info there.

I am wondering why the unit has GPS antenna and needs to lock on? Is this to ensure you keep it in one specific area and it would lock you out if you travel. Like if you flew to Sydney, Aussie and plugged it in would the GPS after discovering you have moved a vast distance refuse to log you on? i.e. no receiving or sending out free international calls when you go on vacation?

Also the spec says you can authorize up to 50 phones (max 3 can be operative at any one time). This appears strange as Sprint charge $15.00 for a single phone or $30 pm for a "family" plan. Or is the single phone plan really Ok for any of 50 phones one dominates but only one at a time?

[WIS-key @ Sep 17th 2007 12:39PM]

It's basically a mini-CDMA cell site, so it requires a GPS for timing purposes:

Clicky: http://www.endruntechnologies.com/cdma.htm

-Rob

[dman2008 @ Sep 17th 2007 11:43AM]

Derf I am with you. I dont get it - pay a month fee for service, the service doesnt work well, so pay for a device and pay another monthly fee for it to work like it should in the first place. Someone shoot me.

[elektron @ Sep 17th 2007 11:45AM]

You could always reduce your non-home minutes/plan accordingly, no?

[Griff @ Sep 17th 2007 11:55AM]

Yes there's a fee, but for that fee you get added benefits obviously it's just not a signal booster...

http://www2.sprint.com/mr/news_dtl.do?id=18000

[Goobes @ Sep 17th 2007 12:03PM]

Sit down with a calculator and some logical thinking and it might make sense.

[xman @ Sep 17th 2007 12:06PM]

I agree as well. The signal should already work fine, otherwise get another carrier. Sprint nights and weekends start at 7pm. I get home at the earliest 6:30 everyday. So, there is only a half hour gap between the free minutes. This plan would make little sense for me except for a stronger signal, but my signal is fine already. Sounds like just another "cancer" causing signal running thru the house. lol

[Dan @ Sep 17th 2007 11:46AM]

WOW. This is awesome. I have Verizon now and have a dead spot RIGHT where my house is. I have to have a land-line and I call-forward my cell phone to my landline every time I go home at night.

So, yes, even at $15 per month, this would save me TONS of money and aggrivation! PLEASE Verizon, bring this out!

[Gravy @ Sep 17th 2007 11:51AM]

So what's the deal - you have to set it up near a window with a good view of the sky? GPS signals don't penetrate buildings very well.

[jalapeno @ Sep 17th 2007 11:54AM]

It comes with an external GPS antenna to help you get a GPS fix.

[JediFonger @ Sep 17th 2007 12:01PM]

verizon will never bring this out because it will eliminate a good chunk of its copper@home tel# business unless people have no internet (since paying for BOTH internet+copper line is more expensive than keeping it as is). it'd be stupid if they brought this out.

i'd love to see cingular bring this out. i have NO reception@home, this is a perfect replacement for our home copper line! we're on broadband anyways.

[jmattick @ Sep 17th 2007 1:17PM]

Not really. Verizon doesn't have home telephone service in quite a few markets. For instance, and just saying for the sake of the article, the only market where Verizon DOES have home telephone service is the Fort Wayne market in the state of Indiana. Therefore, it could be used in the outlying areas of Indianapolis and such because the home telephone market, at least for now, is regulated to AT&T.

[TIMMAH! @ Sep 17th 2007 12:23PM]

It's be nice if they had a $0 plan just to boost cell coverage. I like their phone selection, but I can't use Sprint at home because it's in a PCS hole.

[Kris @ Sep 17th 2007 12:37PM]

There are many good cell repeaters out there. Search
"cellular repeater" for more information and where to purchase. Most are around $400-600 and cover both cellular bands (all services except Nextel). You can get a Nextel repeater if you need one.

[Jon @ Sep 17th 2007 12:44PM]

Does anyone know if there is an AT&T equivalent for this?

[jasarius @ Sep 17th 2007 12:50PM]

SUPPORT:
*For the market they are targeting, this is a very competitve and argueably (sp?) great add-on product/service.

*For families that are in and out of the house and have a landline, but are attached to the hip with their mobile will benefit from having to watch their minutes. The individual that might telecommute, is self-employed or just talks a lot during the day at the house could benefit as well.

AGAINST:
*The price point seems a bit high. Maybe $9.99 and $19.99 would lure more customers and even get those that don't necessarily need the service since they don't talk a lot or have a landline.

*Nice way to off-load the 'chatty-Cathys' onto their ISP, free up some network space for more calls/customers. I know calls don't take up much space, but how much space do they take up? With all the news about customers having to watch their 'hidden' unlimited caps, was this fact taken into consideration? Take that with a grain of salt though, I don't think voice takes up a lot of bandwidth.

*There is no automatic hand-off. You can automatically go to Sprint coverage, but you have to call again to get Airave coverage; some might forget that little bit and go over on their minutes if they neglect to realize that the call to Aunt Jackie this morning from the house to the Little Timmy's play an hour away is gonna eat up some minutes.

*No options for those that are not Airave subscribers. What about if I don't subscribe, but I find out the guy in 207 does. I'm not on his account, but he doesn't care if I use it...what then? I have to pay $15/mo. How about charging $1/day for casual usage. You have a little applet/widget that you read, agree to and click yes and BAM you have access all day for unlimited calling. Now for the person that travels, this would be great and cheaper than the business paying overages. Granted, they might want to allow more than 3 per unit simultaneously.

*The fact that you have to call CS to add/remove numbers...if you've ever had Sprint, you know how great their CS is. One day you might get the well-informed rep the next day they accidentally remove your plan and charge you for a phone...worst case, you called too much and they send you a 'Dear John' letter.

[Macinjosh @ Sep 17th 2007 2:40PM]

This is better than having nothing at all, but the ONLY advantage this has to T-Mobile's Hotspot@Home service is that it works with any Sprint phone. Who wants to lug around a Ubicell booster everywhere they go that may have spotty service?? So, its really only good for calling from home & is part of a closed system.

You just cant beat calling from any WiFi hotspot.

[Troy @ Sep 17th 2007 3:04PM]

anyone live in these areas that are willing to purchase one and send it to me in Nebraska?

email me.

thanks!

[chris weis @ Sep 17th 2007 7:40PM]

troy, i live in denver, but it sounds like they are rolling this out in these areas, because the network here supports it, not sure if it would work in NE

[Troy @ Sep 18th 2007 2:40PM]

you're right, think you have to be in the city they are sold in :(

[Jeff @ Sep 18th 2007 10:00PM]

OK, so I just picked one up from a Sprint store here in Denver. IT'S FREE. Yep. $49.99 with an instant $49.99 discount (not a mail-in rebate, but a discount).

Plugged it in 10 mins. ago, so can't give you a performance spec on it yet, but I can say that:

1. I work from home 75% of the time and my signal sucks.

2. $15.00/mo. for UNLIMITED minutes is very cool, since I could reduce my regular out-of-contract plan by at least $15.00 if I really wanted.

3. It boosts anyone's Sprint signal who is nearby, but unless they pay the $15.00/mo. on their account, they just use their regular minutes and don't get unlimited minutes.

4. I can limit who uses the Airave. Plus, I don't want random Sprint phone calls using any of my DSL bandwidth!

Conclusion: Free base station plus $15.00/mo. to improve my call quality/quantity? Let me think that over for a couple minutes... ;)

[Jeff @ Sep 19th 2007 1:28AM]

OK, Airave is setup.

Signal before: no bars to 2 bars. Using Treo 700wx voice recognition, I ask "What's my signal strength?" It replies, "Your signal strength is 30%". Yeah, right. Calls go straight to VM, or they drop before I tell the caller, "Let me call you back from another phone!"

Signal after Airave working: 4 bars. I ask the Treo, "What's my signal strength?". It replies, "Your signal strength is 90%."

So far, so good!

[KU6P @ Oct 24th 2007 7:22PM]

Small coverage area??? Boy, the marketing folks at Sprint need a little polish on their math... or they are VERY good at leading you to think it has a large footprint. According to their webpage/specs, it says, "The coverage radius is up to 5,000 square feet." Coverage radius? Huh? Coverage AREA, maybe? If it provides an AREA of 5,000 square feet, then my math tells me it has a RADIUS of about 40 feet. C'mon, shake the old cobwebs loose... pi times radius squared equals area of a circle... so 3.14 (roughly) times 1600 (which is 40 squared) equals 5,024 square feet, right? 40 feet ain't much if your router is in your back office and your kitchen is more than 40 feet away at the other end of the house. I guess one could use a wireless bridge from the center of the house (or run CAT-5 to the middle of the house)and place the AIRAVE in a more centrally located position. Am I missing something, or is the footprint of this device really, really small? (I guess femto-cell is a true name?)