Personal Cell Phone Signal Booster (NAPSA)—According to a re- VY cent Harris Interactive survey, 69 percent of cell phone owners have experienced service problems such as dropped calls (46 percent), poor signal reception (39 percent) or dead zones (33 percent). In some remote areas, poorcell phone service is to be expected; wireless networks only extend so far. The farther you are from the signal tower, the less reception you're going to get. But for many users, problems also exist at home, at the office and in public buildings. The reason? Most cellular networks were built for highways— to provide the best coverage for people in their cars. When you're indoors, you’re apt to encounter dead cell zones—areas where your cell phone signal becomes weak, crackly andfull of static, or where the cell phone signal drops off completely. That’s because many building materials interfere with, or block, the cell phonesignal. Fortunately, it’s now possible to bring the “outside” signal in—and save your cell phonebattery at the same time—with the help of a signal booster, which captures and amplifies an 800MHz or 1900MHz signal for improved reception. One of the latest examples is zBoost zPersonal (zP) from Wi-Ex. This device—the first personal repeater-amplifier system listing for under $100—creates a “cell zone” for a single user by improving signal strength for better voice and data transmission. Onceinstalled, a cellular phone signal booster captures the stronger cell phone signal from the outside wireless network and amplifies the signal inside, thus improving wireless coverage. A signal booster can help improve cell phone reception for voice and data. In addition, Wi-Ex cellular phone signal boosters enhance such wireless applicationsas: Sending and receiving text messages; * Instant messaging; Picture mail; Internet usage from yourcell phone; PDAinteractive messaging; 3G high-speed data; * Downloadingsoftware; and Security systems backup. The $99 package includes everything consumers need to improve their cell phone signal, including a small window-mount base unit and indoor antenna. The unit is designed to sit or hang in the window, and a simple indoor antenna is cabled up to 20 feet across the room. The device comes in two “flavors”: wired and wireless. The wireless antenna sits on your desk; the wired version must be connected to your phone. For more information, visit www.wi-ex.com.
