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The Signal Booster DUO (Band 12) is made of UNOBTANIUM

D
Userlevel 1

I contacted T-Force who did some research and discovered that the Booster Duo that covers Band 12 and announced in a massive press release has been 'out-of-stock" since late December with no restocking date.  Looks like this unit is made of UNOBTANIUM.  I don't understand how T-Mobile can still post a web page with the details of this unit if they have no intention of making them available.  I REPEAT, PER THE PERSON I SPOKE TO AT T-FORCE, THERE HAS BEEN NO UNIT THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY IN STOCK SINCE DECEMBER.  Anyone have an idea of a way to contact the right person at T-Mobile who would honestly explain T-Mobile's future strategy on whether they will actually make these units available.  Going through the normal customer service channels just winds up with an out-of-stock answer - no explanation of why a newly announced offering last November stocked very few units in December and hasn't restocked any in the past FOUR months.

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Best answer by tmo_amanda 18 April 2018, 01:14

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D
Userlevel 1

Here's an update to my adventure.

After getting nowhere through this Forum, tech support or the Facebook Force, I sent off an Facebook email to the T-Mobile CEO and a TWEET to the Senior VP for tech Support.  Within a few hours I was contacted by the Executive Support group and the next day I was told that they had located two Band 12 Booster units for me (for my primary and vacation residences, both of which have poor coverage provided by Band 12.  Twenty-four hours later I had my two units.

Unfortunately, getting the units to boost my received LTE signal was tricky since (as I found out later) there is a strong 3G Verizon tower nearby that was capturing the booster unit.  T-Mobile provides minimal documentation with the unit so I couldn't get the Duo combo to boost the T-Mobile LTE signal.  My calls to tech support broght no joy.  As a last resort I went to the Cel-Fi website (they make the booster unit) and found out that they had an app that provides quantitative information of what the booster devices are seeing and how they are operating.  With this I was able to find an area that was somewhat shielded from the Verizon tower and gave me a 1-2 bar LTE signal (-110 dbm).  I have been able to get signals boosted to -80 to -90 in most of my house.  Tomorrow I will call into the Cel-Fi tech support to see if I can do better.

So my friends, I learned a few lessons.

1) The T-Mobile Executive team is very concerned with customer support and can get things done that the ordinary customer facing support team cannot do

2) The T-Mobile inventory system is chaos.  I kept on getting the old Duo unit being sent to me instead of the Duo+ (for Band 12) even though I explicitly asked for the Band 12 unit.  Even after I had returned two Booster units and two mini tower units using prepaid labels provided by T-Mobile, and signed off as having been received by T-mobile, I still get 1-2 letters a week threatening me with having to pay for the units if they weren't weren't returned by March 22.  It took 1 phone call for me to realize that the Level 1 CSR has no tools that will tell them the status of the returned gear.Even though I have an official letter that states that all of my boosters and towers have been returned, I still get a letter every Tuesdaty threatening me with a bill for $138 if the unit isn't returned by by March 22.

3) The Tech Support team (even the enhanced level support personnel are no help if you have a problem figuring out where to place the units.  They appear to be unaware of the WAVE software app from Cel-Fi that quantitatively shows the network environment and the operation of the booster units as you change locations.

On the positive side - I REALLY like my new iPhone 8 and the T-Mobile service.  In virtually everywhere I go in Orange County I get 3-4 bars of signal.  Unfortunately my house in Newport Beach is just in a low signal area.  About 1/4 mile away there are 3-4 bars of LTE.  There is a new tower scheduled to be installed nearby later in the year so coverage should improve.  Having unlimited calls and data removes second thought of picking up a Face Time call from my grand children when I am out of the house.  The Tuesday feeebies are neat and I picked up a subscription to MLB-TV and save $125.

I hope others can use this info to improve their service.  Unless you are in a barren area the combination of Signal Boosters and Wi-Fi calling should provide acceptable service.  If anybody needs some help navigating the Booster DUO+ arena, just drop me a message.

Marty

R

John

Your experience is very similar to mine.   Using Field Test on my phone *3001#12345#* I found that I had LTE coverage in my house is between -110 and -120 that changes between Band 2, 4 and 12 depending on the time of day.  4G coverage is usually pretty good.  The Cel-Fi usually locks to a strong Band 2 signal that is listed by the Cel-Fi app as T-mobile 3G CDMA and is always boosted.  Sometimes the booster will lock to a Band 4 LTE signal if that is the strongest one near the Window unit - otherwise it will stay lock to the 3G/4G signal and not boost LTE.  The Band 2 3G/4G signal is always boosted.

 

I sent the log into Cef-fi and started exchanging emails and yesterday spent over a hour with tech support (Evelin) on the phone (858-485-9442, Option 1). I discovered a few things.  She claimed that the strong Band 2 signal that was being boosted that is labeled as 3G CDMA could actually be a 4G T-Mobile signal.  Also - even though the new unit can boost Band 12, T-Mobile has decided to set the software to not boost B12 signals if there is any B2 or B4 signal available.  So even if B12 is the strongest signal received, the unit is set up to not boost it if a weak B2 or B4 signal is present.  However, the weak B2 or B4 signal may be too weak to be locked on by the booster and will not be boosted so the net result is that no LTE signal is boosted.  Evelin told me that Cel-Fi can send a signal to the Booster to allow the B12 LTE to be boosted but that should be the last resort if you are not getting any other band coverage,  I am fiddling on disabling LTE on my phone at home to get it to lock to 4G and see how that works first or to use Wi-Fi calling as a backup before asking for the software change.  I would suggest that you do the Field Test check to see what Bands are in your home and then give Evelin a call.  She is very patient and helpful.  Looks like you have a similar situation as I have.  Let me know how it works out.

 

Marty Melnick


Yeah so T-mobile doesn't actually have 4G. It's just a rebranded fancy 3G that they call ‘4G LTE', meaning Long term evolution. The 3G CDMA was most likely either verizon or sprint.

A

Well, there was that little kerfuffle on Pandora. 😀

tmo_nic
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Badge +1

Hi Duhmel,

I'm sorry you were provided some misinformation. The device hasn't been out of stock since December. It has been on again - off again. We run out of inventory quickly and can't seem to keep it in stock. I just checked our inventory levels and we have that model in stock right now, and have had it in stock since at least last week.

I'd recommend calling Care to walk through the order.

D
Userlevel 1

Is the one in stock Model D32-21266 or D33-24? If it’s the first one how can I get it sent to me. Tech support keeps sending me the second unit which doesn’t cover Band 12

tmo_amanda
Rank
Userlevel 3

@duhmel​, I'm checkin' on that for you now. I may not hear anything back until Monday but I'll keep you in the loop.

D
Userlevel 1

" Tech doesn't have the option of which option of booster to send. It

automatically defaults to whichever is in stock when your order is placed"

THIS IS THE STUPIDEST EXCUSE I HAVE HEARD IN THE TWO MONTHS THAT I HAVE

BEEN TRYING. FANFARE LAST NOVEMBER - WE HAVE A NEW UNIT THAT COVERS BAND

12. NOW I AM EXPECTED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO SPECIFICALLY

ORDER SUCH A UNIT. NO COMPANY CAN BE THAT STUPID, ONLY PEOPLE WORKING AT

SUCH A COMPANY WOULD BE THAT STUPID, I HAVE EMAIL YOUR CEO LETTING HIM

KNOW ABOUT THE RUNAROUND I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH AND HAVE LET HIM KNOW

THAT YOU AND NIC HAVE GIVEN ME THIS ABSURD REASON.

M

Marty...

You are the only one to get the bottom of this issue that I know of; so glad I found your thread. You are correct, all my issues are the same pretty much. When I first saw your message I did contact Cel-Fi, and it was actually Evelin that contacted me. I had sent her a log from the Cel-Fi app and it did show I was getting Band 12 (but not boosted) but also a week band 4 signal but so week it couldn't be boosted. Long story short, Evelin told me that the band 12 wasn't repeating so she had her tech person send me the software change info to only allow the coverage unit to use band 12 only. Once I use that information and hooked up my laptop up to the Cel-Fi coverage unit, I reset the software to only use band 12. That's all it took and it worked great, got full coverage in house now. I wish the T-mobile tech personal were aware of this w/out all of us going through all this trouble. Did you get your issue resolve? If you need the info she sent me regarding setting the unit to use band 12 only, just let me know, or you can probably ask her and she will do it (if you haven't already). Thanks again for getting back with me in this thread. Let me know you if it works out for you as well.

M

Its crazy that there are so many folks having the exact same issue getting these magical devices... T-mobile!!! Don't advertise something you can't deliver on! I have been through 4 or 5 of the old devices sending them back as soon as I open the box... PLEASE! Get your system updated, or stop lying with your coverage maps...

M

Hi Amanda - I am having the exact same experience where I need to get a band 12 Duo+ per the manufacturer given the location of my home, but no one at T-Mobile support knows what I am talking about or how to put in an order for that specific band 12 Duo+ device. Can you please help me?

D

T-Mobile has by far the worst customer service I’ve been on the phone with them for 2 hours it’s this is ridiculous. 

M

I called on Friday and was told they would be shipping me the DUO because I am having problems with my current signal booster. It was supposed to be delivered yesterday. I called back today and was told by the tech and his supervisor that T-mobile doesn't have signal boosters that support band 12 yet. After seeing this posting I called again and was told that they do have them but to wait until the 30th and see if the new modernization improves the signal at my house.

tmo_amanda
Rank
Userlevel 3

It's me again and I must say that I got a speedy response back! 😊

The Band 12 coverage device is the first one you listed and only switches over to Band 12 when absolutely zero signal is available (except band 12). If any other signal is available (even if it's a weak connection), the coverage device won't pick up Band 12. Since these version are currently in stock and you're waiting on a shipment, you may have one heading your way. Did you already receive your order? If so, which version did you receive?

B

" Tech doesn't have the option of which option of booster to send. It

automatically defaults to whichever is in stock when your order is placed"

 

THIS IS THE STUPIDEST EXCUSE I HAVE HEARD IN THE TWO MONTHS THAT I HAVE

BEEN TRYING. FANFARE LAST NOVEMBER - WE HAVE A NEW UNIT THAT COVERS BAND

12. NOW I AM EXPECTED TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO SPECIFICALLY

ORDER SUCH A UNIT. NO COMPANY CAN BE THAT STUPID, ONLY PEOPLE WORKING AT

SUCH A COMPANY WOULD BE THAT STUPID, I HAVE EMAIL YOUR CEO LETTING HIM

KNOW ABOUT THE RUNAROUND I HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH AND HAVE LET HIM KNOW

THAT YOU AND NIC HAVE GIVEN ME THIS ABSURD REASON.

Today is 10/22/2022 and the extreme incompetence and ignorance displayed by the corporate decision makers with their policies and dysfunctional methods of training and supplying information to the call center staff and customers, is still alive and well unfortunately. Various reps I have spoken with over the past week have no clue there are 2 Cell Spots, one that is 1 unit and works off Wifi, and another that is 2 units, called the Personal CellSpot 4G LTE Signal Booster, and works off the tower signal by placing the antenna unit in the window and the receiving unit at the other end of the home.

The model # for the 2 unit device from the side of the box is NXT CELFI-D32-21266 with a date of 01/07/19.  I had to dig the box out of a plastic container in the shed so I could research what bands it uses. I had to beg repeatedly for this second unit to use after hurricanes.

I also have the other unit that works off Wifi which I normally use since we are in a rural area. But Hurricane Ian just went through here on 9/28/22 and the cable/landline phone and internet infrastructure was decimated. Centurylink told NBC2 here in FT. Myers Fl that the projected date for complete restoral of the internet and landlines could be the end of February, 4 months from now. So I am researching outdoor antennas so I don’t have the indoor antenna unit of the Personal CellSpot D32 hanging outside{did this 3 days ago} on a PVC pipe/pole, inside a metal base pole, under an umbrella, on top of my 6 foot above grade septic hill, the only place I can get a signal on my 5 acres on a regular basis, pre or post hurricane without the Wifi CellSpot. The Personal CellSpot D32 window antenna unit does not work well inside my metal mobile.

Hopefully the $1000 plus Cel-Fi GO X 100dB booster with the Long Ranger Antenna will provide some decent service since I am not interested in it taking 8 minutes to log into my bank and then have a bunch of empty rectangles where the accounts are suppose to be, never mind all the can’t load the page errors, or having to wait until 1 a.m. through 5 a.m. to be able to have usable internet access with the Personal Cellspot indoor antenna.

I have been using the internet through a hot spot in my Samsung S8+ TMobile Tablet that is no longer fully functional, can’t make calls and texts with tablet through my S22+ phone, and can’t add blue tooth devices because Samsung turned off the features until I signed their new privacy policy they issued the day, 9/2/22, they notified us about their Breach, I finally accepted the policy some days ago after talking to a few lawyers and the features still don’t work. Added this info in case others are having the same Privacy Policy blackmail issues with “calls and texts on other devices”.

The worst part of Hurricane Ian has been dealing with humans.

D
Userlevel 1

I have been trying to get the band 12 unit for 6 weeks. Most of the people

that I talk to in tech support, even level 2 don't understand what I am

talking about. So far I have received two boosters that been useless as

the only signal (weak) in my house is Band 12. On my 5th attempt a few

days ago I was told that the units were out of stock with no in-stock

date. (they have been out of stock for two months). I'm curious whether

you actually saw a stock of Band 12 units or heard about their in-stock

status via hersay? If you are sure that such units exist, how would you

suggest that I connect with someone that knows enough to fulfill my

request. I don't have the energy to educate the tech support personnel

about the different boosters and then get an out-of-stock response.

D
Userlevel 1

Hi Nic

Is there any particular human that you could point me to that would set me up with a unit.  Every time I have called tech support the people don't even know that there are two different booster units. 

Marty

D
Userlevel 1

What is care and how do I contact.  When I call the regular number and get patched to tech support nobody knows what I am talking about

tmo_amanda
Rank
Userlevel 3

Hey, @duhmel​!

I chatted with Nic a bit last week and he was able give me the info I passed along to you on Friday.  Tech doesn't have the option of which option of booster to send. It automatically defaults to whichever is in stock when your order is placed. It's a bummer to go through so many coverage devices attempting to get a specific model. Can you share your zip code with me? I'm not 100% sure that the band 12 coverage device will help out in your area but I'd love to check.

D
Userlevel 1

reply from tmo_nicholas_t

<https://support.t-mobile.com/people/tmo_nicholas_t?et=watches.email.thread>

in Network & coverage

"Hi Martin,

I'm sorry you were provided some misinformation. I just checked our

inventory levels and we have that model in stock right now."

HOW COULD YOU CHECK YOUR INVENTORY LEVELS AND FOUND THAT THE UNIT IS IN

STOCK? AMANDA SAID THAT YOU TOLD HERE THAT THE UNITS WERE PART OF THE SAME

INVENTORY. YOU CAN EXPLAIN TO YOUR CEO. I HAVE CONTACTED HIM AND SEND HIM

THE ABSURD RESPONSES THAT I HAVE RECEIVED ABOUT THESE BOOSTERS.

tmo_amanda
Rank
Userlevel 3

@duhmel​, I understand you're frustrated with getting the run around and we want nothing more than to help out. I'm sending you a private message within the next few minutes. You can check your inbox here.

dondeleon

I've had mine since maybe FEB of this year. Works good. All my devices are working just fine, no drop calls, nada. It's all good.

M

Marty,

I have had the same problem since December (my coverage inside the house will not pick up the signal except at a window). After many months I finally received the correct booster duo (after many returns). Your message helped alot and downloaded the app you suggested from Cel Fi, however the booster is not boosting the signal. The app from Cel Fi does show its finding the 700 Mhz frequency, but also a 1900 Mhz (believe it's At&t's signal). Although the app shows it's finding the signal, it said it was not boosting it? Not sure why not, so sent that to Cel Fi but haven't heard anything yet. If you have any suggetions or more I would appreciate. Glad hear you got fix on your end, hope can do the same here. I plug my unit up where I have almost 2 bars on my phone (iphone 7) and the signal on the phone works great at that window spot I have the booster set at. The window booster just flashes green, has been on all night. Thanks for any info.

John

M

Can you check my reply below...I finally believe I got the correct duo booster. I download the Cel Fi app and it shows the 700 mhz being found, but not boosting?

D
Userlevel 1

John

Your experience is very similar to mine.   Using Field Test on my phone *3001#12345#* I found that I had LTE coverage in my house is between -110 and -120 that changes between Band 2, 4 and 12 depending on the time of day.  4G coverage is usually pretty good.  The Cel-Fi usually locks to a strong Band 2 signal that is listed by the Cel-Fi app as T-mobile 3G CDMA and is always boosted.  Sometimes the booster will lock to a Band 4 LTE signal if that is the strongest one near the Window unit - otherwise it will stay lock to the 3G/4G signal and not boost LTE.  The Band 2 3G/4G signal is always boosted.

I sent the log into Cef-fi and started exchanging emails and yesterday spent over a hour with tech support (Evelin) on the phone (858-485-9442, Option 1). I discovered a few things.  She claimed that the strong Band 2 signal that was being boosted that is labeled as 3G CDMA could actually be a 4G T-Mobile signal.  Also - even though the new unit can boost Band 12, T-Mobile has decided to set the software to not boost B12 signals if there is any B2 or B4 signal available.  So even if B12 is the strongest signal received, the unit is set up to not boost it if a weak B2 or B4 signal is present.  However, the weak B2 or B4 signal may be too weak to be locked on by the booster and will not be boosted so the net result is that no LTE signal is boosted.  Evelin told me that Cel-Fi can send a signal to the Booster to allow the B12 LTE to be boosted but that should be the last resort if you are not getting any other band coverage,  I am fiddling on disabling LTE on my phone at home to get it to lock to 4G and see how that works first or to use Wi-Fi calling as a backup before asking for the software change.  I would suggest that you do the Field Test check to see what Bands are in your home and then give Evelin a call.  She is very patient and helpful.  Looks like you have a similar situation as I have.  Let me know how it works out.

Marty Melnick

D

Hi!! I am experiencing the same run around regarding the band 12 Signal Booster duo. They want to send out the rs3 to me. But I am pretty sure that is the old model. Am I correct in understanding this? How did you contact the Senior management. Did you just tweet them and message them telling them all of the problems that you are having with getting the right one? I hope you can help me. Thanks.

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