Psst! Ya Wanna Buy a Signal Booster- Cheap?

Psst! Ya Wanna Buy a Signal Booster- Cheap?

You’ll find this hard to believe, but Amazon has been naughty. The online retailer has been caught selling illegal signal booster devices, and even promoting them with the label: ‘Amazon’s Choice’.

You may be asking, “What’s the fuss? What’s a signal booster, and why is anyone worried about this?”

What is a signal booster?

We will begin by explaining the signal booster’s function. In areas with weak cellular signal reception, the booster can amplify the signal, so one bar on your reception meter becomes five. In some areas, the booster can be the difference between reliable wireless internet or phone service, and no service at all. The devices often save lives, providing access to emergency services and communication networks that would otherwise be unreachable.

The market, though, has a sinister side. If sloppily manufactured or configured, boosters can disrupt nearby networks, knocking out service for hundreds of households. For this reason, the FCC imposes rigid technical specifications for the devices.

Why could a cheap booster bring trouble?

You might think, then, “I’ll just buy a certified booster. It won’t be a problem.” Certified signal boosters, though, are expensive. They can sell for a minimum of $300.00, and can cost as much as several thousand dollars.

This is where Amazon’s cutting of ethical corners comes in. Amazon offers unlicensed boosters for much lower prices, sometimes less than $200.00, without revealing that they’re unlicensed.

Use of an unlicensed signal booster, though, is illegal. If you activate one, you could receive a visit from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, and the carrier will demand that you take it offline. If you persist in using an unlicensed booster, you could face fines or even imprisonment.

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