{"id":5131,"date":"2013-08-26T19:14:12","date_gmt":"2013-08-26T17:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michael-hoepfl.com\/digital-world\/product-review-the-o2-signal-box-s-3g-reception-without-an-existing-3g-network\/08-2013\/"},"modified":"2026-08-11T21:02:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T19:02:14","slug":"product-review-the-o2-signal-box-s-3g-reception-without-an-existing-3g-network","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michael-hoepfl.com\/en\/life-hacks\/product-review-the-o2-signal-box-s-3g-reception-without-an-existing-3g-network\/08-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Product Review: The o2 Signal Box S \u2013 3G Reception Without an Existing 3G Network"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Who hasn\u2019t experienced it: no or poor mobile reception in an important place, such as at home or in the office. Often you have to go outside to make a call or stand with the phone pressed to your ear against a window. Incoming calls are also difficult to receive unless the phone is constantly kept in a spot with at least some reception.<\/p>\n\n

So-called femtocells promise a solution in situations like these. These devices are similar to Wi-Fi routers, but instead of transmitting a Wi-Fi signal they provide a mobile network signal. For several months, Vodafone and Telef\u00f3nica (o2) have offered such femtocells. Customers who have problems with network availability at specific locations can use them to improve coverage. Telef\u00f3nica calls its product the Signal Box; the S and M versions are currently available only to business customers. Here are the differences between the two models:<\/p>\n

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\"Differences
Differences between the Signal Box S and M<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Package Contents<\/h3>\n\n

Telef\u00f3nica\u2019s femtocell is supplied in packaging from the actual manufacturer, Alcatel-Lucent, as shown in the article image above. In addition to the femtocell, the box contains the power supply, a network cable, wall plugs and screws, plus a bracket that can be used either as a wall mount or a desktop stand.<\/p>\n

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\"Package
Package contents of the o2 Signal Box S<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

The Test Environment<\/h3>\n\n

In my case, the Signal Box S is not connected to a conventional DSL line, but to a Deutsche Telekom LTE connection. The LTE connection delivers 16 Mbit\/s downstream and 1.5 Mbit\/s upstream. A FritzBox 6810 LTE is used as the router, with another FritzBox 7270 between the router and the Signal Box. Regarding the o2 network at this location: the area is generally covered by 2G technology in the 900 MHz band. However, signal strength fluctuates repeatedly and a stable connection is usually only available outdoors.<\/p>\n\n

\"Signal
Signal Box S test environment with FritzBox 6810 LTE and 7270<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Installation<\/h3>\n\n

Before it can be used, Telef\u00f3nica\u2019s femtocell must first be registered for the location where it will operate. The address is entered on a special o2 website, after which the femtocell is registered on the o2 network. It can take up to four weeks before you receive confirmation that registration has been completed and the Signal Box can be put into operation. There is nothing to configure on the Signal Box itself; unlike a Wi-Fi router, it has no backend for settings. The router connected to the Signal Box does, however, need to be configured by opening the following ports and forwarding them to the Signal Box IP address:<\/p>\n\n