We have all done it; wandering around the mall trying to get a clear cell phone signal. If you have not done this, then you have not traveled outside your coverage area too much. The only thing worse than being out of town trying to get a signal inside a building you are not familiar with is have to go outside your own home to get a clear connection. This problem becomes less prevalent as time goes on, especially for carriers like AT&T and Verizon who spend billions expanding their infrastructure.
According to WhistleOut, of the big four providers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint), Sprint wins the "Least Reliable Carrier" award. It sports an overall coverage reliability of 93.42 percent compared to Verizon's number one ranking of 97.7 percent, according to independent testing.
Sprint is attempting to mitigate this deficiency by introducing the "Magic Box." The Magic Box is a cell phone signal booster that can increase cell strength up to 200 percent. The device is designed to be placed in a window and can extend a cell phone signal for as much as an additional 30,000 square feet indoors. As a byproduct, it can also boost the range outside up to 100 meters. So potentially, surrounding areas and buildings can benefit from the installation of one of the devices nearby.
According to CNET, Sprint's Masayoshi Son promises "Sprint will become No. 1 or No. 2 in terms of network quality by the end of next year."
This enhancement will not solely be because of the Magic Box. Son claims that the company is working on "other network improvements" to help increase reliability.
Arguably the best part is that Sprint will offer the device for free to qualifying customers. It is first giving the device to business clients, but in time the company will expand the offer to individuals who would like it in their home. Sprint was not forthcoming with what "qualifying" means, but it has a web page set up to check to see if you are qualified.