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[Weaver]

I’ve heard about femtocells but I was wondering about microcells, mobile network repeaters that are good for say 1km hopefully, preferably  2km radius. Does anyone know about availability of such things ? And I don’t mean just for boosting signal inside a house, although that would be a very useful separate thing, but in this case rather enabling reception in a whole village.

Mobile network reception is non-existent in the lower level parts of Heasta I think; it certainly used to be. I wonder if such a repeater could be mounted at the top of the village to fill in the hole? Would need mains, line of sight to the basestation and line of sight to lower properties.

[sevenlayermuddle]

My understanding is that femtocells generally depend upon a.n.other technology to connect to the internet, then the cell’s traffic is routed over that technology.   Often, that might be a DSL connection, more likely optical fibre such as FTTC/P.

Since the location in question is reputed to have neither fibre, nor good DSL, I am not sure femtocell technology would hold much promise.

Repeat, that is just my understanding,   always happy to be educated to the contrary.

[Weaver]

I found a link about microcells which have a longer range. I forget now whether or not the model mentioned needs a link to the internet, ethernet or wire or whatever. I was thinking about something which took in mobile signal direct from the normal basestation so it would extend the whole cell, repeat phone calls and everything into the not-spot, not just internet.

[Alex Atkin UK]

Such a device would have to be installed and licensed by the telco.

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2017/10/ofcom-uk-approve-indoor-car-mobile-signal-booster-devices.html

[Weaver]

Damn, I should have thought about that. So femtocells within houses are ok under licensing regulations? But longer range repeater devices are restricted ?

I was reading https://mullinsfarms.com/misc/how-to-install-a-cell-phone-repeater/ which talks about kit made by someone called "Wilson" but they are American.