Verizon Wireless is the largest US wireless operator nationwide with over 90 million customers and claims to provide the best coverage. It is jointly owned by Verizon and Vodafone Group. 

Verizon Wireless uses CDMA technology, and is one of the world's largest CDMA networks. It launched a 4G network using the global LTE standard in 2010, which will make it more compatible with GSM networks worldwide.

Being CDMA based, Verizon does not have the option to launch a WiFi dual-mode phone service using UMA, which T-Mobile US provides.

History

Verizon launched their 2G CDMA femtocell on 26th January 2009 using on Samsung's Ubicell, the same product as Sprint had initially used for Airave. Verizon's service is called "Verizon Network Extender" and sells for a one-off price of $249 - there are no ongoing charges and no discounted rates when using it. Effectively, this competes directly with a repeater, available from many retail stores. It does require a broadband connection, but is simple to install.

A 3G CDMA femtocell, also supplied by Samsung, was launched in October 2010. This has additional capacity, handling up to 6 voice calls, and high speed data service using EV-DO technology. Pricing is the same as for the 2G model.

Verizon Network Extender website

Verizon Network Extender FAQ

Reviews

Several end users have commented on their experience with the product.

Blogger Kenneth Finnegan is pretty happy with it, saying:

- Good range, audio quality, easy setup
- Internet broadband usage is less than expected during calls
- GPS signal is required for operation, but an external antenna can be connected via co-ax cable included in the box. (He incorrectly states this is for location finding for emergency calls - partially correct, it's also needed to determine what spectrum is available at that location, whether Verizon is allowed to operate there and to provide timing and synchronisation signals for effective performance and handover to external cellsites).
- Feels that the price is still a little on the high side, but happy that there's no ongoing charges/premium fees.

However, there have been a couple of significant nationwide outages of the system, which caused complaints at the time.

This one - from July 2010 - relates to the original 2G Samsung solution.

Comments (1)

Dan said:

	... Just checked Verizon web site and they are now selling it for $199.99 (7/25/2010)
	report abuse vote down vote up

July 25, 2010
Votes: +0