[Qualcommie]

Does anyone make a product that would act like a cell site, but at my home or business?
The idea being that I would have a box that would plug into my home landline, and when I am within range of my home, my cell would see it as a different system, and 'roam' to it. That way I can place and receive calls fromt he landline, and not use up airtime.
I know there will be a crowd saying just ditch the landline all together, but I have to have it for fax/tivo/security among other reasons, so I may as well use it when I can.
Thanks

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› See More: Home based cell

[burdick0608]

I agree. We need a way to leverage radio to utilize VoIP or just our own PSTN line. With all that older equipment laying around or a regular portable phone souped up with an antenna and amplifier, there must be a way to get decent range in unlicenced radio spectrum.

Here's an approximate listing of porable phone ranges I found:
46-49 MHz - 40 to 250 feet
900 MHz - 75 to 400 feet
900 MHz w/spread spectrum - 200 to 1500 feet
2.4 GHz w/spread spectrum - 300 to 2000 feet
5.8 GHz w/spread spectrum - 300 to 2000 feet

[EyCE]

I don't really understand why you want this other than a cell phone is smaller than a home phone. What's the difference if you use a cell phone or a cordless phone if you're still going to use a landline?

[burdick0608]

If I can leverage my USA "landline" (which may be a telco or VoIP line via an ATA), I have unlimited minutes. For instance Vonage or another ITSP will give me unlimited long distance for $25/month. If I use 2000 - 5000 minutes on a cell phone it will cost me about $200/month.
It looks like a new cell phone from Motorola that will handle four-band GSM as well as 802.11/VoIP is the way to go. If I'm in range, I'll leverage my unlimited account, but I'll be able to subscribe to a GSM carrier for coverage pretty much everywhere else. I'm sure it will cost a pretty penny though.