I was talking to a friend tonight who didn’t know about this. I’ve had mine for years.
For some reason, I get perfect signal everywhere with 3 except in my house. To cure the problem Three gave me one of these boxes, which connects to your broadband. No special apps or tricks needed, the phone just thinks it’s got full signal. You can receive calls as normal too. It just works.
Best of all it is free if you have a 3 contract
i have unlimited fibre broadband and don’t notice any drops in speed with this connected. Hope it helps someone
Latest comments (70)
doveman007
4 Oct 17#70
Re. WiFi calling, I'd have to leave the phone's WiFi constantly enabled to be able to make or receive calls at home, which would drain the battery, so that doesn't seem like a viable option.
shakeelgoulthorp
4 Oct 17#69
I got one two weeks ago. They still have them. Not everyone has home wifi and smartphones. My dad uses an old Nokia 6288 and has signal problems with Three so will ask them for a home signal box for him.
daveandvera
25 Sep 17#24
Tried ringing 333 and option 3 no good,actually “ how” do you get the box???
shakeelgoulthorp to daveandvera
3 Oct 17#66
I contacted Three webchat support two weeks ago, asked for a home signal box as poor signal at home. Told them to send me one otherwise I would cancel. Seems to have done the trick.
For some reason this deal is expired. Good to see people can still get these
shakeelgoulthorp
3 Oct 17#67
If you're on three sim only, tell them your phone does not support three in touch.
James.Howlett
25 Sep 17#56
Does this device just enable somebody with no cellular signal to make VOIP calls via a home WiFi connection ? Or Does this device amplify the weak cellular signal in your area ? And if so, does it amplify the 4G signals too ?
alexjameshaines to James.Howlett
25 Sep 17#57
As previously asked this is not a repeater or amplifier and such devices on the regulated mobile spectrum are illegel to operate without license.
This is effectively a mini cell tower (FEM2CELL) for your use that generates an entirely new signal through a tunnel on your broadband connection.
James.Howlett to alexjameshaines
26 Sep 17#64
So basically, you need an internet connection to use it. A bit like VOIP
alexjameshaines to James.Howlett
26 Sep 17#65
Yes an internet connection is required, but no I wouldn't liken it to VoIP. That in my mind is over simplifying what a FEM2CELL is even if the end result is similar.
m1chaels
24 Sep 17#10
I had a carp sugnal with a new three comtract. Having had the same issue and solution with ee in the past I rang three and asked for one of these. They told mento use their wifi app which was carp as our house is covered my multiple routers and the call would not pass from one to another so I asked for one again and was told they no longer offer them because they have been superceeded by the wifi app. I was pretty insistent and in the end they let me have free cancellation as they said even if I bought a second hand one of these from ebay I would not be alllowed to set ti up to work with my number.
justanothercid to m1chaels
24 Sep 17#11
Yeah I bought one from eBay and they wouldn’t fix it to work for me. I alway quote the make it right campaign they run and ask how they will make it right..
tohslaed to m1chaels
25 Sep 17#25
I had exactly the same experience. They told me that they don't supply these now as they have been replaced by the WiFi app. I spotted these being sold on eBay, but I was told if I bought one, they would not set it up to work for my numbers. I eventually got a £20 credit on my account as I said I was going to look to buy a signal booster (the type that have an external antenna and an amplifier). Reading the other comments on here it looks highly unlikely anybody will be able to get one of these now.
alexjameshaines to tohslaed
25 Sep 17#28
Virtually none of those type of repeaters are legal to use so don't buy. You can land yourself in serious trouble!
jrw to alexjameshaines
25 Sep 17#31
Seriously, who is going to know or even check?
We have to have these at some of our offices as no network works. Networks turn a blind eye to it as all they do is improve their coverage.
I would highly suggest that your business decision maker checks the legality of what they are using as ofcom does enforce it and so do the networks. It's one of the same reasons these FEM2CELL have to be registered before use.
They don't just amplify the good signal but also the noise - this is one of the bad reasons for them. Can also cause further problems to digital TV signals.
Just so you are aware installing and/or using these is illegal that does not mean I would not do it but three should have told you this.
muckspreader1 to m1chaels
26 Sep 17#63
Good luck with any kind of customer service from 3.
muckspreader1
26 Sep 17#62
Or go on ee with WiFi calling job done.
aaqeel
24 Sep 17#1
Install Three inTouch, it lets you to make/receive calls and text on Wifi where signals are poor.
thearbiter65 to aaqeel
24 Sep 17#4
You're right, but this does away with any app. You just use the phone in a normal way. I prefer it to having yet another messaging app to check.
justanothercid to thearbiter65
24 Sep 17#7
If you have iPhone or some android models you can also set WiFi calling so no app needed either... that said I also have signal boost at home too
WBRacing to thearbiter65
26 Sep 17#61
The app is utter crap. SMS messages don't sync between it and the default android device so if you close down the app you don't get to see your messages and whether they got successfully sent. It by far is the worst thing about Three from my point of view. They certainly didn't make that app right.
doogan9 to aaqeel
24 Sep 17#5
Didn't work for me.
thearbiter65
26 Sep 17#60
Same for me. I find the box simple to use. I walk in the house and have full signal!
Nathey_Shaw
25 Sep 17#27
If you use an iphone, you don't actually need these boxes anymore (I used to have one too). Network settings for Three were updated last year to allow wifi calling directly through the iphone 'phone' app, just like making any other call (without the need for the threeintouch app). So if your mobile signal is too low (or non-existent like mine) it'll show 'three wifi' as the network on your phone and route calls/texts over your broadband - the home signal box did the same thing, you just don't need it anymore as apple finally brought wifi calling into iOS. I'm pretty sure android has the same feature too.
alexjameshaines to Nathey_Shaw
25 Sep 17#29
Android has had it baked into the core OS for years but carriers need to support it and are only just doing so in some cases.
Nathey_Shaw to alexjameshaines
25 Sep 17#30
Thread is for Three, support was rolled out by Three last October. It isn't a 'repeater'.
alexjameshaines to Nathey_Shaw
25 Sep 17#54
I never stated that this FEM2CELL was a repeater, for clarity it's not, it's a mini cell tower. What I did state was that you shouldn't use repeaters, they are illegal in response to another user. Please re-read :smile:
Nathey_Shaw to alexjameshaines
26 Sep 17#59
I'll try not to combine multiple responses in one post - Thanks for 'repeating' :relaxed:
Buyer1024GB
25 Sep 17#58
I've been with 3 maybe about 10 years and have had one of the home signal box from when they came out and we're still using it now works well for us I've also used the app for when I've been out and about dear me the app is horrendous and I uninstall it when I don't have to us it
Daverobeo
25 Sep 17#47
I know the post was to help people, so thank you for taking the time. However if you phone three or online chat with them you will quickly find that they do not issue these anymore. This is not a deal.
kharma45 to Daverobeo
25 Sep 17#51
They did 2 months ago, gf managed to get one. Wasn't brand new tho.
thearbiter65 to Daverobeo
25 Sep 17#55
Thanks for the comment. I’m surprised they still mention on their website, if this is indeed the case. Shame as mine works great
Jameseh
25 Sep 17#52
Several comments saying they're redundant because of WiFi calling, what about texts? Plenty of people don't use Whatsapp or Messenger or whatever.
alexjameshaines to Jameseh
25 Sep 17#53
WiFi calling routes all normal phone functions through this tunnel e.g. calls and texts.
gordo1964
25 Sep 17#50
Use 3 in touch app. Your mobile uses wifi to make calls.
19DembaBa19
25 Sep 17#17
I don’t have a Three contract nor I’m planning to get one anytime soon can I get one just to store in my cupboard with BT, Talk Talk and Sky boosters
mjunaid106 to 19DembaBa19
25 Sep 17#19
Of course with that statement, Three are going to give it to you for free.
19DembaBa19 to mjunaid106
25 Sep 17#49
It’s called being honest
gtd65
25 Sep 17#46
We had this in our house. It sits on the cupboard not being used but have the three in touch app instead, which is also flawed. Or phones would connect to the home signal box but unknown to us, there wouldn't always be a working service. Only later when out and about voicemail messages would appear! The three in touch app has to authenticate via a working three mobile signal... Let's just think about that for a second...
saintscouple to gtd65
25 Sep 17#48
lmao... yeah..... I had to take the missus handset for a drive and once the signal bar was full find somewhere to park up and register the app! We made an outing of it though, had a picnic, etc... was quite nice :wink:
SAM_Londn
25 Sep 17#12
it only work for 3g Signals not 4g. Same Box available from EE as well free of cost. I am using Both for separate Contracts. Yes other users in the vicinity also get signals and box works for them as well.
kford1984 to SAM_Londn
25 Sep 17#16
What's the link as I can't find anything for EE?
thermomonkey to kford1984
25 Sep 17#18
Same. I even asked if such a device existed when Ii renewed my contract and they said no!
SAM_Londn to kford1984
25 Sep 17#45
Hi
Well i shifted my other contract from 3 to EE (Once One Plan Finished) . I informed the EE that i am unable to get there signals properly in my area. Before contacting them i used EE Sim in Iphone 4S and made the complaint for EE signals in the area . They insisted me to upgrade the phone to 5S atleast which i refused as its there responsibility to make sure that signals are there in the area whichever phone i am using. or i offered them to send me 5S free which i will not mind :smile: .
I informed them that 3 already offered me the Signal Box without any hesitation. at the end of 20 min conversation over the phone they agreed that they are going to send the BOX free of cost. That i am using from last 2 years.
For Wifi calling you must need at least 5S or above (if using Apple phone). Initially at the time of BOX offer they asked me to pay around 100£ for the Box which i refused as Signal provision is there responsibility.So they agreed to send me the Box for my (13*12=156£) 16GB EE contract.
It was over the phone by there Network Department so no idea about any EE link for the box Online.
Only Issue with both of the Boxes (3 as well as EE) that they support 3G signals not the 4G.
Note : One has to return these Boxes while leaving the contract with the operator and per there T&C.
Hope this long story help others.
mission701
25 Sep 17#44
To share from my recent experience:
1. These are no longer supplied by 3. They tell you to use Wifi calling from the phone's menu. 2. Wifi calling is not as good as the home signal box if you have very bad, but not non-existent signal. This is because your phone will try to use traditional mobile signal where possible and only flip to Wifi calling when the mobile signal drops off. In areas of very poor signal this results in the phone constantly checking which to use and switching between the two. Result = not great for battery and calls often still trip to voicemail because they come in when the phone has no signl but hasn't yet tripped to wifi. 3. If you explain this to 3 they will very likely let you out of your contract early. If out of contract they may offer a statement credit (I was given £5) as a 'sorry we're so useless'.
I'd recommend trying different provider's free / cheap PAYG sims to check coverage before ditching & switching to make sure you avoid the issue again.
Hope this helps.
matdey
25 Sep 17#23
hmm, I've filled in the form and submitted it but all i get after that is
"Adding users to your Home Signal service. Thanks for submitting your details. Users will be added to your Home Signal service within 24 hours and we'll text you to confirm when it's done."
Oh well, will see what happens. Thanks OP
adnan1002 to matdey
25 Sep 17#26
Can you please share the link so that I can also submit the form thanks
matdey to adnan1002
25 Sep 17#43
I clicked the link on this deal and filled in the details as it asked
No need for these anymore. Majority of mainstream flagships now support native wifi calling anf if thats not supported by your phone then you can use the Three in touch app. These have now been made redundant and 3 have stopped giving them away.
Magnets
25 Sep 17#41
These are called femtocells and you can generally only get them if you're on contract
saintscouple
25 Sep 17#40
Three only support wifi calling on handsets sold directly from them. My wife has the S7 Edge, purchased elsewhere, and it has no wifi calling option in the settings, and the software is up to date. She has no signal indoors, thus has to run the 3 intouch app, which uses the wireless connection from our router, this isn't ideal as by using the app you lose features such as call blocking. It also means she can't access the Wuntu app as that doesn't work with a wifi connection.
Think she'll be glad when her contract ends so she can jump ship to O2 as that and Vodafone seem to be the only networks that give a true indoor signal..... oh, and we moved house, so the network came with her.
ASH2205
25 Sep 17#39
They have stopped issuing these. I do not get any signal at all in my house. I have to use Three wifi calling for calling or receiving calls. I also got Three to reduce the cost of my monthly payment due to not receiving the service that I was paying for.
unhappybunny
25 Sep 17#37
My three signal at home is rubbish. How do I get this ?
TomBoyNI
25 Sep 17#35
With WiFi calling surely this is useless? iOS and android has it and 3 supports it.
No need for an app not a box.
thearbiter65
25 Sep 17#34
They still advertise home signal on their website, so I imagine it is still live.
Phone 333 and discuss with them. Personally, I had no problem getting one, but that was a time ago.
pengwyn
25 Sep 17#33
Years ago three turned off the 2g. A commercial decision they will come to regret. That's why it can be crap in buildings That and the fact you can't haggle with their Indian staff it depends on if the computer says you can have unlimited data for 16.
roflll
25 Sep 17#32
I used Three for a few years and thought that the signal was good because I got 3G just about everywhere, but calls and texts were terrible. I eventually teased a box from them which they reluctantly sent me and it kept resetting itself. I was supposed to send it back to them but binned the thing instead and switched networks.
slipd
25 Sep 17#21
They actually said I'd have to have this when joining them a few years back because I live in a poor signal area. It works a treat! I must have a mk1 because mine looks nothing like the one in the picture.
As others have said, you have to register all the numbers you want on it which is no big deal, new numbers work pretty much instantly.
One word of caution; when you leave or even threaten it, you'll be told that you have to send it back and that it needs to be in "as new condition." Or its £75 from memory :persevere:
Definitely available on 12 month, sim only.
adnan1002 to slipd
25 Sep 17#22
Thanks for that info really appreciated
dwl99
25 Sep 17#20
I've found Three's signal to be almost non-existent indoors and binned them in favour of EE. Their wifi calling app is rubbish.
Darzen
25 Sep 17#15
riggercom
25 Sep 17#14
If you are using multiple APs and a proper phone ie Android then use "Wi-fi Roaming Fix" app to to auto switch to strongest wi-fi signal in your house. I have used Three femtocell in the past which was ok but only for numbers registered against it and only 3g. Three wifi app hit and miss as messages ended up in different storage to usual messages for example. Wi-fi calling works well. I find android phones (Honor 6x currently - bargain!!) wi-fi performance/range is far better than 5s,6 and iphone7 in this house and out in public.
I think they may have stopped doing these. I called them last month for one but she didnt know what i was talking about and suggested i switched on wifi calling.
escortboy
24 Sep 17#8
So i ring them to ask for this? Does it work with 12 month SIMO contracts?
pill
24 Sep 17#6
Is this for monthly contracts only or available for PAYG? And how do you get one?
thearbiter65
24 Sep 17#3
No, you have to register the numbers you want to use the box. From memory think you can register 11 different numbers. Only have my wife and I on it though.
BungalowBill
24 Sep 17#2
Does it just create a local cell that your mobile sees? Would it let other Three users in the vicinity get better signal at the expense of your broadband (and potentially your data allowance?)
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Opening post
For some reason, I get perfect signal everywhere with 3 except in my house. To cure the problem Three gave me one of these boxes, which connects to your broadband. No special apps or tricks needed, the phone just thinks it’s got full signal. You can receive calls as normal too. It just works.
Best of all it is free if you have a 3 contract
i have unlimited fibre broadband and don’t notice any drops in speed with this connected. Hope it helps someone
Latest comments (70)
Three.co.uk/sup…hat
Or
Does this device amplify the weak cellular signal in your area ?
And if so, does it amplify the 4G signals too ?
This is effectively a mini cell tower (FEM2CELL) for your use that generates an entirely new signal through a tunnel on your broadband connection.
A bit like VOIP
We have to have these at some of our offices as no network works. Networks turn a blind eye to it as all they do is improve their coverage.
I would highly suggest that your business decision maker checks the legality of what they are using as ofcom does enforce it and so do the networks. It's one of the same reasons these FEM2CELL have to be registered before use.
They don't just amplify the good signal but also the noise - this is one of the bad reasons for them. Can also cause further problems to digital TV signals.
Using this or similar would be much better -> ee.co.uk/bus…ns/
Yes other users in the vicinity also get signals and box works for them as well.
Well i shifted my other contract from 3 to EE (Once One Plan Finished) . I informed the EE that i am unable to get there signals properly in my area. Before contacting them i used EE Sim in Iphone 4S and made the complaint for EE signals in the area . They insisted me to upgrade the phone to 5S atleast which i refused as its there responsibility to make sure that signals are there in the area whichever phone i am using. or i offered them to send me 5S free which i will not mind :smile: .
I informed them that 3 already offered me the Signal Box without any hesitation. at the end of 20 min conversation over the phone they agreed that they are going to send the BOX free of cost. That i am using from last 2 years.
For Wifi calling you must need at least 5S or above (if using Apple phone). Initially at the time of BOX offer they asked me to pay around 100£ for the Box which i refused as Signal provision is there responsibility.So they agreed to send me the Box for my (13*12=156£) 16GB EE contract.
It was over the phone by there Network Department so no idea about any EE link for the box Online.
Only Issue with both of the Boxes (3 as well as EE) that they support 3G signals not the 4G.
Note : One has to return these Boxes while leaving the contract with the operator and per there T&C.
Hope this long story help others.
1. These are no longer supplied by 3. They tell you to use Wifi calling from the phone's menu.
2. Wifi calling is not as good as the home signal box if you have very bad, but not non-existent signal. This is because your phone will try to use traditional mobile signal where possible and only flip to Wifi calling when the mobile signal drops off. In areas of very poor signal this results in the phone constantly checking which to use and switching between the two. Result = not great for battery and calls often still trip to voicemail because they come in when the phone has no signl but hasn't yet tripped to wifi.
3. If you explain this to 3 they will very likely let you out of your contract early. If out of contract they may offer a statement credit (I was given £5) as a 'sorry we're so useless'.
I'd recommend trying different provider's free / cheap PAYG sims to check coverage before ditching & switching to make sure you avoid the issue again.
Hope this helps.
"Adding users to your Home Signal service.
Thanks for submitting your details. Users will be added to your Home Signal service within 24 hours and we'll text you to confirm when it's done."
Oh well, will see what happens. Thanks OP
three.co.uk/_st…nal
My wife has the S7 Edge, purchased elsewhere, and it has no wifi calling option in the settings, and the software is up to date.
She has no signal indoors, thus has to run the 3 intouch app, which uses the wireless connection from our router, this isn't ideal as by using the app you lose features such as call blocking.
It also means she can't access the Wuntu app as that doesn't work with a wifi connection.
Think she'll be glad when her contract ends so she can jump ship to O2 as that and Vodafone seem to be the only networks that give a true indoor signal..... oh, and we moved house, so the network came with her.
No need for an app not a box.
Phone 333 and discuss with them. Personally, I had no problem getting one, but that was a time ago.
That's why it can be crap in buildings
That and the fact you can't haggle with their Indian staff it depends on if the computer says you can have unlimited data for 16.
I eventually teased a box from them which they reluctantly sent me and it kept resetting itself.
I was supposed to send it back to them but binned the thing instead and switched networks.
As others have said, you have to register all the numbers you want on it which is no big deal, new numbers work pretty much instantly.
One word of caution; when you leave or even threaten it, you'll be told that you have to send it back and that it needs to be in "as new condition." Or its £75 from memory :persevere:
Definitely available on 12 month, sim only.
I thought all the networks had switched to providing wifi apps due to the cost.
Ah, apparently not shop.vodafone.co.uk/sho…ite