Search
Browse by Manufacturer
Browse Categories
Shopping Cart
Your cart is empty.



Wi-Ex zBoost FAQ

FAQ's

 Product Info: YX510-PCS-CELL
 


Do cellular phone signal boosters really work?
There are a lot of cellular phone signal boosters out there that, quite frankly, do not live up to their promises. Wireless Extenders cellular phone signal boosters do. They are designed to take the same signal you receive outside and bring it inside, amplifying the signal indoors.

Back To Top

Who needs a cellular phone signal booster?
If you are tired of being part of the 35%+ of wireless phone users having trouble maintaining cell phone signal strength inside a home or office, you need a cellular phone signal booster. In order to improve the wireless service, the cell phone signal needs to be amplified. The Wireless Extenders YX500 Series units will boost the cell phone signal inside your home or office. You won't have to go outside or to a window to use your cell phone again.

Back To Top

Will the Wi-Ex YX500-PCS or the YX500-CEL unit work with any wireless service?
The Wi-Ex YX500-PCS unit will work only in the PCS frequency range (1850 - 1990 MHz), and the Wi-Ex YX500-CEL will only work in the Cellular frequency range (824 - 896 MHz).

Cell phones from providers like Cricket, Metro PCS, Suncom, T-Mobile, and Sprint (excludes Nextel) normally work with our YX500-PCS model, and cell phones from providers like Cingular and Verizon will normally work with the YX500-CEL model. Most of the wireless phones in use today are in the PCS or the Cellular frequencies. Some wireless service providers are PCS only while others will operate in the Cellular and PCS frequencies. This varies from city to city. If your service provider shows both 800 and 1900 MHz the YX500-CEL will probably work. If your service provider shows only the 1900MHz, the YX500-PCS booster will work.

At this time our YX500 Series models do not work with the iDEN (Nextel) service. 
To determine what kind of service you have please visit Wireless Advisor's CheckZip enter your zip code and locate your service provider.
 

Back To Top

What benefits can I expect from using a Wi-Ex product?
You can stop suffering from dropped calls when you're indoors.

  • Most cellular networks were built for highways -- to provide the best coverage for people in their cars. When you're indoors, chances are you encounter dead cell zones—areas where your cell phone signal becomes weak, crackly and full of static, or where the cell phone signal drops off completely. Many building materials interfere with, or block, the cell phone signal. With a wireless range extender, you can bring that outside cell phone signal inside - where you need it the most.
     
  • You can extend the battery life of your cell phone. Because the Wireless Extender boosts the signal, the phone will consume less power to capture the cell phone signal, thus conserving the battery of the phone and enabling you to talk longer.
     
  • Many cell phone users see the benefit of replacing their expensive landline phone service because they use their cell phone the most. The problem is that in many cases the wireless coverage isn't good in their home. Wireless Extenders' cellular phone signal booster improves the wireless coverage and will allow you to do away with that expensive landline connection. Imagine being able to cut the cord from your local telephone company!
     
  • In addition, Wi-Ex cellular phone signal boosters enhance the following wireless applications:
    • Sending and receiving text messages
    • Instant messaging
    • Picture mail
    • Internet usage from your cell phone
    • PDA interactive messaging
    • 3G high-speed data
    • Downloading software
    • Security systems backup

Why do I lose cell phone signal strength indoors?
Several factors affect cell phone signal penetration into buildings, including building material (metal, concrete, wood), wall density, number of windows and building height. Cell phone signals work a little like television signals (without cable or satellite). Remember the tall antennas that used to be on every house in the neighborhood? That antenna captured the television signal and brought it into the house to the TV. Fortunately, modern technology lets us capture a cell phone signal in a similar fashion, but with a MUCH smaller antenna.

Back To Top

Can I use a Wi-Ex product in my home?
Yes, Wi-Ex products can be used in both homes and businesses. Many consumers want to use their cell phone to replace an expensive landline phone, and many more need a stronger cell phone signal for their home office. Please note: if you rent your home, you will need to get permission from your landlord before installing an antenna on the property.

Back To Top

Can I use a Wi-Ex product in my business?
Absolutely. Most businesses invest a great deal of money in cellular phone service for the benefit of owners, employees and customers. In a business situation, more than anywhere, a cellular phone signal booster is a necessity, not a luxury. Please note: if you do not own your building, you will need to get permission from the property owner before installing an antenna on the property.

Back To Top

How can I tell if it will help extend coverage in my home or office?
You can run a simple test. If you can place a call outside your home or office, the Wi-Ex unit will help you by boosting the signal inside the building. If there is no signal outside, this unit will not give you an improvement in coverage. Remember, we can only help improve your signal strength if you have enough of a signal outside to place a call.

Back To Top

How much will my cell phone coverage be extended with a Wi-Ex product?
The average coverage improvement indoors of the Wi-Ex YX500 basic unit is around 2,500 sq. feet. This is the perfect size for the typical home or office. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2003, the average size of the American home built was 2,137 square feet. (source: http://www.census.gov/const/C25Ann/sftotalmedavgsqft.pdf)

The 2,500 sq. ft. number is an average only and represents open space. Some coverage will be greater, others smaller. Square footage will vary depending on the signal outside, type of building, foliage, installation quality and other factors. If you need additional coverage, we offer an upgraded interior antenna, which provides a stronger directional signal.

Back To Top

What can I expect my cell phone signal range and strength to be inside my home or office?
The closer you are to the base, the stronger the signal. This will vary with different conditions. Some of the conditions that will affect the improved coverage area are signal strength outdoors, the type of walls in the home, the placement of the unit and proximity to cellular towers.

Your expectations should be that your indoor coverage will be improved. You will be able to make calls where you couldn't before. The coverage improvement will depend upon many factors. The intent of the Wi-Ex products are to bring outside coverage inside. If you want an even stronger signal, consider a more powerful signal antenna or an internal directional antenna, available as options in our online shopping cart.

Back To Top

How does a Wi-Ex cellular phone signal booster work?
Once installed, the Wi-Ex cellular phone signal booster captures the stronger cell phone signal from the outside wireless network and amplifies the signal inside, thus improving your wireless coverage. It's that simple.

Back To Top

Can a Wi-Ex product help my signal in my RV?
The Wi-Ex YX500 Series units will work great in a RV. Because many RVs are metal, the wireless signal gets blocked. This unit will help coverage in your RV or boat. The only requirement is AC power and a signal outside strong enough to place a call. This unit can be installed in virtually any location that wireless service needs improvement.

Back To Top

Where should I put my Wi-Ex base unit to get the best coverage?
Where you need coverage the most. The Wi-Ex base unit is the component that amplifies the signal inside. The coverage is improved in a circular manner from the base unit. The farther you are away from the base unit, the weaker the signal. The base could be placed in the family room, the basement, an office, a bedroom, a home office or a central location.

Back To Top

Where is the best place to put my Wi-Ex signal antenna?
The Wi-Ex signal antenna should be placed at the highest point in your house in order to “catch” the signal as it goes by. This could be in the attic or on the roof. We advise against putting the signal antenna too close to the base unit. The signal antenna should have at least 15 feet of separation from the Wi-Ex base unit.

Back To Top

Is a cellular phone signal booster the same as a wireless router; will it help my WIFI signal?
The Wi-Ex unit will not help your WIFI service. This unit is designed to work with wireless PCS and Cellular phones and devices. The WIFI in your home or office uses a different frequency.

Back To Top

Can using a cellular phone signal booster improve the battery life of my wireless phone?
Yes! Because the Wi-Ex YX500 Series unit will boost the signal, the phone will consume less power to capture the cell phone signal, thus conserving the battery of the phone -- enabling you to talk longer.

Back To Top

Can I install a Wi-Ex product myself?
We have designed the Wi-Ex system so that it is easy to install. We have included installation instructions in the unit.

Back To Top

Do the Wi-Ex products have a warranty?
Yes, Wi-Ex products are covered by a one-year warranty covering parts and labor.

Back To Top

   

NOTE: Cingular, Cricket, Metro PCS, NexTel, Sprint, Suncom, T-Mobile, and Verizon are Trademarks of their respective companies. Wi-Ex Inc. only relationship to these companies is that it manufactures accessory items for wireless telephones