I didn't mean to hijack the thread, thought I was helping.  Yes, I do know the difference, but I pay my cell phone to Verizon Wireless, and there lies the confusion.

Not to hijack the thread some more, but why would those devices listed in your post work, if Verizon itself could not boost their cell phone signal?

My wireless internet signal is strong, I have a wired wirelless transmitter in the shop and also a wireless unit in the house.  I was installing underground wireing when building the shop, and the price of dropping in some cat 5 was not too bad, and I have always been glad I dropped it in the trench, as other stuff works great on the extra wires also.