ATT Cell Booster - not working

@OttoPylot  

Thank you for this response. I can try this (can do it later today) but there is no router anywhere else but the utility box. Should I try this anyway just to see what the unit does?

That said, I believe there are several data ports in the house - one data outlet behind my TV and would allow a wall mount. This is in the main family room and between two windows behind the TV. There may be another port behind my bed, further from a window, but not in the utility box.

Both of these ports have the option (I believe) to connect the Ethernet cable to the router IN the utility box, and then that line can be accessed via the port I choose. Would behind the TV work? Overall, could this work? 

If this won't work, I have to return it - there would be no other way to get the router near a window. 

Thanks again! 

@cgallant  The proper way to setup the Cell Booster is detailed in my Tech Guide. Basically, the CB transmits an LTE signal and if you've got it in a utility box surrounded by "hot" cables, a router and other electronic devices it's not going to work. And the GPS antenna needs to be pointed to the open sky to maintain GPS lock.

Your other locations are options but you need to keep the unit in the clear, and as high up as is reasonable. It's an antenna that needs to be obstruction-free. It's not like a router. The ethernet ports in the wall may work depending on how they were installed and routed. There are extension antennas that you can purchase that are longer than the one included so you do have that option to install it further away from a window.

I would recommend WiFi-C (WiFi Calling) for your situation. It's free and is what most folks use to improve poor in-home coverage. I've been using it for years and it's worked perfectly. However, how robust it is depends on your WiFi connection and your phone.

If you do return the CB, play close attention to the return policy window.

Thank you! I appreciate your advice. I’ll try moving it but suspect returning it may be necessary. Thanks again, you were extremely helpful.

WiFi-C is really the better option depending on your phone and WiFi.

Thanks. We’re using wifi calling but it’s not working well. The whole community has issues - we’re told our new house has some sort of insulation on the roof that blocks the signal and a shortage of cell towers for the city/demand. People in the community have installed a Booster and it apparently works well. But thru TMobile, not ATT. I’ll see if I can take your recommendation and get it going. I have about 8 days left to return if needed. 

If you use AT&T hardware (gateway) you might have to purchase a mesh WiFi system and let it handle all of the routing and WiFi and just place the gateway in pass through mode. If WiFi-C doesn't work well for you it's either your home WiFi or your phone.

T-Mobile offers a femtocell, called the CellSpot (4G/LTE only) and works pretty much the same way as AT&T's Cell Booster. It looks exactly the same as the Cell Booster (at least it used to) so it may be mfr'd by Nokia as well.  It is an open system just like the Cell Booster which means that any T-Mo customer within range can use the CellSpot.

There are cellular boosters (see my Cellular Booster Guide in my sig line. Don't confuse it with the AT&T Cell Booster Guide) that can be installed on your roof with a cable running inside to another antenna to transmit/receive the cellular signal. You basically need at least one and preferably two bars of outside signal strength for the cellular booster to work adequately.

I would say to get that box out of the interior walls and metal utility closet. (I think it is). It's GPS antenna needs to be right up or against a window/window sill to get GPS lock for operation. I know this is an old post, but bear with me, as I haven't seen a "Resolved" note.

As for roofs interfering? Only one I could foresee being an issue is if you had a metallic roof. Either way, heavy tar, concrete & industrial materials also degrade the ability of your system to lock onto a GPS signal. Once locked, and left in relative, wall and obstructive free areas, it will cover up to 3k SQ feet. On a personal home plan, AT&T will allow up to 3 "Cell Booster" devices to be activated for up to 9k  SQ feet on the home/private business based locales. So you can order and plug in at the extreme corners of your home or office in additional to this one to get bombastic coverage.

EDIT: After reviewing your post, it would also appear (at a quick glance) that your network configuration may not directly support the Cell Booster's needs. I had to DMZ a "sticky" DHCP  IP address assigned to my Booster's MAC address and also set the router to not support SIP/ALG forwarding. Please consult your ISP's or router/firewall  manufacturer's manual to get it kagiggered together. Also deep-double check Ottopilot's online guide. It's tall reading, but worth it as it explains so much.