Verizon 3G Network Extender Review

Even though Verizon’s slogan is “It’s the network” and ‘Rule the air”, sometimes that can be challenging when you live in a rural area and in a house that just doesn’t get good reception from your local cell tower. That’s when the Verizon 3G Network Extender (Samsung SCS-2U01) comes into play, which is an updated version of the original Verizon Network Extender than came out in 2009. The main difference between these two Femtocell units is that the newer 3G version is EVDO Rev A capable, allowing for faster data speeds, while the original model was limited to using the slower 1x for data. The Verizon 3G Network Extender currently sells for $249.99 and there is no extra monthly fee, but it does use your standard wireless plan minutes and data charges (if applicable).

The Verizon 3G Network extender is pretty simple to set-up, as it can connect directly to a router or cable modem with the included Ethernet cable, and has an AC/DC power connecter that plugs into a wall outlet. After it’s connected to your home broadband network, it takes about 10 minutes for it to fully register and become operational, as all four LEDs become solid blue (PWR, SYS, GPS, WAN). The bottom WAN light will slowly flash blue to show that it’s connected to your home internet, and will flash faster during a call or when data is used. Just like the previous model, there is a built-in GPS receiver that limits its use to only the U.S. and also provides your location to E911. The manual recommends placing the 3G Network Extender near a window so that it can lock on the GPS signal, but in those instances where the GPS light stays red and cannot find a signal, there is a 23-foot extension cable that will allow you to remove the GPS module and place it closer to a window. In our testing however, we did not need to use the extension cable, as it was placed only a few feet from a window and was able to lock onto the GPS signal without issue.


The manual states that to initially connect your Verizon phone to the 3G Network Extender, it is recommended to be within 15 feet of the device, though we were able to connect up to 50 feet away. We also like the fact that up to 6 Verizon phones can be connected to the 3G Network Extender at one time (with a 7th channel left open for 911 emergency calls), which is a nice improvement over the earlier model that only allowed 3 phones to be connected at once. There is also the ability to program the 3G Network Extender through your online My Verizon account, which will allow you to enter up to 50 phone numbers to use the device, which is handy to keep your neighbors from inadvertently using it. You can verify that you’re connected the 3G Network Extender by dialing #48 on your phone and listen for the recording, but there is also a double-beep that is heard in the phone’s earpiece when placing calls through the device.


We tested the Verizon 3G Network Extender with our Motorola DROID X and LG Clout VX8370 phones. When powered on, both phones showed solid 4 bars when connected to the 3G Network Extender, as they usually only show 2-3 bars when using the local cell tower. We had no problem staying connected to the 3G Network Extender in our 2-floor house (1500 sq ft) and even outside around the parameter, about 55 ft away. Call quality was excellent and voices sounded clear and natural on both ends, as we could tell there was a slight voice improvement using it instead of the local cell tower. If you place a call while using the 3G Network Extender and then move too far out of its range, the call will automatically transfer to a local tower (if there is one available). However, if you place a call while you’re away and then come back into range of the 3G Network Extender, the call will not transfer to it.

For data usage, we used our Motorola DROID X and performed tests using the www.speedtest.net site. When the DROID X was connected to Verizon’s local cell tower using EVDO Rev A, it got 1.58 Mbps download, 0.53 Mbps upload, and had a ping time of 163 ms. Then we used the 3G Network Extender with the DROID X and got 1.59 Mbps download, which is not much faster than using the local tower, but the upload times were noticeably slower at 0.05 Mbps and ping times were also worse at 264 ms. Because of this, we did a few other tests at different times using the 3G Network Extender, and all averaged between 1-1.8 Mbps download, and uploads between 0.04-0.25 Mbps, while ping times remained about 250 ms. Lastly, we did the same speed tests with the DROID X while connected to our home Wi-Fi connection and were able to get 10.73 Mbps download, 2.66 Mbps upload, and a ping time of 47 ms. Based on these results, it appears that the Verizon 3G Network Extender is averaging the same EVDO Rev A download data speeds as our local cell tower, but uploads and ping times are not as fast. Still, this is an improvement over the previous Network Extender, as it lacked EVDO and was much slower since it only relied on 1x for data. But for smartphone users, it’s still best to use Wi-Fi whenever possible.

The 3G Network Extender claims a 5000 sq ft operating rage, but when factoring in walls and other structures, we found the real world rage to be closer to 3000 sq ft. Also, since the 3G Network Extender is much closer to your phone than a traditional cell tower, the phone uses less power to receive and transmit, thus providing increased battery times. When going into the Service Menu on our LG Clout, it showed a signal of -60 dBmv when connected to the 3G Network Extender, and the Motorola DROID X showed -58 dBmv. But when both phones are using the local cell tower, the signal is not as good; averaging about -89 dBmv (closer to 0 is better).

After using the Verizon 3G Network Extender for over a week with our two phones, we are pleased with the results, as call quality is somewhat improved with voices sounding better on both ends. It also provides EVDO Rev A for data, which is a noticeable improvement of the previous model for download speeds, though the upload speed and ping times still aren’t that great. If you live in an area that has poor cell tower coverage, we would highly recommend the Verizon 3G Network Extender for use in your home or office. But if you live in an area with pretty good coverage, the small improvement you’ll hear in the call quality may not be worth the price.