How's the signal round your end? Vodafone has crafted a new version of its Sure Signal 3G booster, granting its customers who live in mobile black spots the chance to natter away on the phone or download the odd app without dodgy signal spoiling their fun.
As you can see in the snap above, the new model is considerably smaller than the old version, which resembled a broadband router. This newer gadget reclaims precious square centimetres of space by plugging directly into the wall, which also reduces the number of wires in your house, office or volcano lair.
There's a plug socket stamped on the back of the new Sure Signal too, which means it won't reduce the total number of outlets in the room. Plug something else into the back of it and both gadgets should draw power from the wall. To trigger its signal-boosting properties, you'll need to run an Ethernet cable from your router to a socket at the bottom.
Vodafone's taken the opportunity to beef up the stuff inside the Sure Signal, meaning up to eight people can use the device to make calls at the same time. You can register a total of 32 numbers to the new device, which should cater to you if you run a small business or have an especially large family.
Boosting your signal juice using this device will cost you though -- £100 to be exact. That's quite a lot to pay, but if you've got rubbish signal in your home or office, you may not have much of a choice.
Vodafone claims its new toy can boost 3G in buildings with thick walls or basement flats, or if you live out in the countryside. A list of compatible phones can be found here -- most popular smart phones like the iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy S3 are represented, but there's no mention of the elderly iPhone 3GS.
If you have a phone that's not listed as compatible, I'd recommend calling Vodafone to see whether it'll work or not. Oh, and you may have guessed, but this wall-mounted marvel will only work with Vodafone 3G-enabled mobiles.
Do you suffer from shonky signal? Say so in the comments or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 9
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anonymous 14 December, 2012 12:35
Cheers, Luke. This is some of your finest work. Take the rest of the day off.
anonymous 14 December, 2012 15:06
Don't think that Vodafone customers should have to pay extra out for poor signal. Vodafone should be giving this away for free to customers that have poor signal.
anonymous 14 December, 2012 16:55
If this works as well as the last one it will now leave 8 very pizzed of customers waiting to talk!
I named mine the Unsure Signal but the forums kept changing it back, utterly useless.
Andrew Brocklesby 15 December, 2012 00:53
I don't really get the point of this device.
Most people will have enough coverage to at least make a phone call. And so this is obviously aimed at mobile broadband.
To use this device you will need to use your home/ work broadband (I believe it connects to your router to provide the signal). Most people that can afford £100 for this will most likely have a device/ mobile which already has wifi built in. If so... why would you pay £100 for this AND also use your monthly data allowance at your home/ workplace? Why not just connect to the net using Wifi via your home/ work network?
As I say... I don't really get the point.
anonymous 16 December, 2012 13:30
You've obviously never lived rurally Andrew Brocklesby, we only have a signal to make a call if we stand next to the front door and even that drops out - we have to go outside to get a true signal. Vodafone is the only provider that gives us that much signal - so a signal booster would be handy for even basic calls. We are not alone in this as you will find if you look at Vodafone forums.
The previous version was only £50 but Vodafone no longer have any of these in stock - I know this version has more functionality but I think Vodafone are not being customer friendly by offering something to improve their poor service that is now double that figure.
anonymous 11 January, 2013 12:01
I have just taken delivery of one of these 9paid for by my emploter) as I was having drop out problems with the old model. First impression is that the new model does not have such a range as the old but does seem better at holding the call when you are close to the device. Note to others that Three provided my son with a free equivalent box to when he complained about lack of signal and threatened to leave. It gives a much more reliable signal than the suresignal over the same broadband link.
anonymous 13 March, 2013 16:57
My signal is rubbish and I think its outrageous that you have to pay for Voda's bad signal!!!!!!!!!
anonymous 15 March, 2013 12:22
I live in a city, my house is 9 years old, standard build and I don't live underground. All I want is a decent signal to speak to my colleagues on my Vodafone work phone!
I don't want 3G at home because that is what my broadband is for!
Vodafone are somewhat off the mark with this product... £100 for a product that will loop into the router and provide a duplicate service to what I already have!
They need to get the basics right first!
anonymous 25 March, 2013 09:09
@ anon 12:22
I don't think you understand how the SS works. Its PRIMARY objective is to provide you with a full voice signal...which is provided via crystal clear 3G over your broadband connection - 3G isn't only for internet you know. Of course you could use the same 3G signal for internet but that would be pointless as you already have broadband. Here in the Scottish Highlands, the SS is a godsend. I get superb broadband speeds (~18 meg) but zero Vodafone (or any other network) signal. With the SS i now can make crystal clear calls :)