The Squid M2M 3G cell tower tester has been introduced by Berkeley Varitronics Systems (BVS), a provider of wireless and security products to the domestic and international wireless telecoms industry.
The handheld receiver is aimed at the M2M installation market. The Squid provides installers with a real-time display of local 3G carriers’ base stations and their respective signal strength or RSSI (received signal strength indicator).
Squid identifies RSSI, carrier network and type of 3G band (CDMA, GSM and so on) providing installers with enough information to make key installation site decisions as well as optimal antenna placement all in an effort to choose the best mobile carrier for their particular site. This prevents installers and electricians from relying on consumer grade mobile phones for important install decisions.
Since Squid contains multiple radios and multi-band antennas for several US network carriers, no SIM activation or monthly contracts are required. Instead of installers juggling between several mobile phones to guess or estimate the best coverage for their M2M site, a single Squid can provide all the data needed for UMTS, CDMA, GSM and GPRS networks.
In addition, Squid has a crisp OLED display, USB port and integrated GPS receiver for time-stamped and geo-located measurements for further analysis.
The Squid is for contractors installing ATMs, electric vehicle charging stations, vending machines and kiosks of all types.
The device’s simple operation and precision signal strength measurements allow anyone to pick the best carrier at a given location.