AT&T 3G MicroCell Site Goes Live, Monthly Fees to Be Up to $19.99?

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/21/atandt-3g-microcell-site-goes-live-monthly-fees-to-be-up-to-19-99/)

Engadget Mobile reports (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/09/21/atandts-3g-microcell-site-goes-live/) that AT&T's 3G MicroCell site (http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/) has gone live as the company is apparently preparing to launch its service that will allow wireless subscribers to utilize their home Internet connection for enhanced voice and data coverage. The news comes on the heels of an anonymous report (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/09/20/atandts-3g-microcell-does-unlimited-calling-but-it-aint-cheap/) that service for the new device will cost up to $19.99 per month, although users with either AT&T home phone or Internet service will be charged $9.99 per month and those with both home phone and Internet service from AT&T will be able to utilize the 3G MicroCell service for free.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/09/21/095224-3g_microcell_pricing.jpg


Signs of iPhone compatibility with the 3G MicroCell service surfaced (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/02/09/apple-issues-update-signaling-iphone-compatibility-with-atandts-microcell/) in an AT&T carrier settings update issued in early February, and AT&T reportedly confirmed (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2009/06/25/atandt-on-track-for-femtocell-deployment-by-end-of-2009/) in June a launch of the service by the end of 2009.

Article Link: AT&T 3G MicroCell Site Goes Live, Monthly Fees to Be Up to $19.99? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/21/atandt-3g-microcell-site-goes-live-monthly-fees-to-be-up-to-19-99/)

[Kilamite]

So you'd be making your home network a 3G point..? Am I understanding this. We pay money to extend AT&T's 3G network range instead of them paying us to extend their service..?

[hunterjoules]

So let me get this straight, you pay an extra $10-$20 a month to get a service you've already paid for to work using another service you've already paid for?

I mean, seriously?

[jav6454]

However, I am left asking, How much does it cost upfront? What are the 3G speeds? Are the speeds of the call capped at whatever your DSL or Cable line is?

[Cynicalone]

I wouldn't mind paying for the device and then being able to use it for free. But tacking another 20 dollars onto my 270 dollar monthly bill from AT&T is a bit ridiculous imo.

[yetanotherdave]

Does this mean anyone in range benefits? People on the street etc?
Wow, ATT really know how to bleed their customers dry! You pay EXTRA if you get crappy service to boost your service to not crappy only in your home.

[dmelgar]

Can someone explain this to me.

Why on earth would I want to pay to fix AT&T's coverage problem by allowing AT&T to use my internet connection that I also pay for?

AT&T should be paying me to fix their problem. That way they don't have to actually spend money and put in a cell tower closer to me.

No thanks. I'd rather go with a company that actually has coverage.

[MikeyMikeMike]

Despite living in Chicago--a pretty big market i would think--I have been combating AT&T's terrible coverage, getting almost no reception in my home. This device should be offered at no cost and with an apology.

[chrup]

I take their $20 and I raise them $20 for them using my Internet connection.
:mad:

[mags631]

This could be awesome for businesses with poor / spotty AT&T coverage. Any reason why one couldn't (or wouldn't want to) install a couple of these guys on a floor to improve cell coverage?

[BryanLyle]

Sign me up. I live on the fringe of AT&T coverage. I'd pay to be able to use my iPhone at home.

[Stiney]

WOW....So you have to pay for the device and then pay a monthly fee to help AT&T out? This is really lame and it just proves once again that AT&T just doesn't get it.

I was excited when I first heard about this, but now I know I will pass.

[moneyman118]

Despite living in Chicago--a pretty big market i would think--I have been combating AT&T's terrible coverage, getting almost no reception in my home. This device should be offered at no cost and with an apology.

I second that claim. I live in Chicago as well and I have dropped calls all the time. I think if you have ATT Home phone and ATT internet you get to use this for free.

[TimmyDee]

Welcome back, Ma Bell.

[d21mike]

Does this mean anyone in range benefits? People on the street etc?
Wow, ATT really know how to bleed their customers dry! You pay EXTRA if you get crappy service to boost your service to not crappy only in your home.

No. Just for your household use.

[MalibuMatt98]

Totally not worth it to pay money to extend the network, thankfully where I live I have great service in my home. I would only pay for it if it came bundled with something like free calls to anywhere in the world at any time. Since that is not the case, it should be free to all AT&T customers.

[yetanotherdave]

No. Just for your household use.

How do they lock that down? If it transmits/receives a 3g signal then surely any capable phone would be able to use it?

[moracity]

My house in a GSM/3G deadzone (neighborhood is in a topographical depression). Neither T-mobile nor at&t have a usable signal when I'm at home. I'd love something like this, but I'm not paying 20 bucks a month for it...unless it could eliminate the need for my Vonage service. I despise having home phone service when my wife and I each have wireless phones.

[dmelgar]

LOL, checkout AT&T flash pitch trying to convince you to buy this.

They actually show someone having to open a window and hang outside to try and make a call on AT&T's lousy network!!!

And their solution is to charge more to use your own internet connection rather than fix coverage!!! Just get Verizon instead and save $20/mo.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

[dmelgar]

No. Just for your household use.

YES. Anyone in range benefits. It is NOT just your household use. You've created an AT&T micro-cell tower using up your internet bandwidth and paying AT&T for the privilege.

Convince your neighbor to get it instead. Problem solved. Zero cost.

[BryanLyle]

How do they lock that down? If it transmits/receives a 3g signal then surely any capable phone would be able to use it?

You enter the phone #s that are eligible to use the unit. If your neighbors live close enough to you, they could use it (as long as you set them up)

[hiimamac]

Welcome back, Ma Bell.

Manbell PAC bell vs cable = why we pay high prices thanks to telco and dsl providers fighting with no govt regulation. What are the speeds. I get 1.2 MB per sec, hardly doubt it's close to that.

Like unsaid in the google says Apple denied, jailbreak and I have free 3g but honesty, while faster than wires moms dsl, it's too slow for me. When AT&T gets good competition prices will fall and speeds will go up. Need at least 1MB per sec too but by thn cabe will be at 3-6MB, this is what wil save them from sinking. Copper just too fast. If AT&T reaches 1MB and becomes cheaper then cable, then maybe, but I dint see that happening I see cabelowering prices and offering fast speeds. What we teLly need Ardmore iPhones with other non AT&T providers to drive down data and voice plans.


Peace.

[kamcma]

People, calm down. There is only a monthly fee if you want UNLIMITED minutes on the MicroCell. If you want it to count for your minutes as normal, there is no monthly fee. The FAQ on the website states this.

Which I am fine with, because I couldn't use up my minutes if I tried. :) Just don't talk on the phone enough.

Some commenter on Engadget Mobile, however, is reporting that the device will be $150. Don't know how much validity to give that; just throwing it out there.

[BryanLyle]

LOL, checkout AT&T flash pitch trying to convince you to buy this.

They actually show someone having to open a window and hang outside to try and make a call on AT&T's lousy network!!!

And their solution is to charge more to use your own internet connection rather than fix coverage!!! Just get Verizon instead and save $20/mo.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

Now THAT is funny.

[dmelgar]

People, calm down. There is only a monthly fee if you want UNLIMITED minutes on the MicroCell. If you want it to count for your minutes as normal, there is no monthly fee. The FAQ on the website states this.

Which I am fine with, because I couldn't use up my minutes if I tried. :) Just don't talk on the phone enough.

Some commenter on Engadget Mobile, however, is reporting that the device will be $150. Don't know how much validity to give that; just throwing it out there.

Where did you get that? The story on Engadget says its $20/mo period unless you've bought tons of other AT&T services.

Edit: Ok, I see something that implies that in their FAQ. I hadn't seen the FAQ before. The closest answer I get is...

Question:
Do I need to subscribe to an AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling feature?
Answer:
While highly recommended for maximum benefit, a subscription to AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling is not required. Your normal wireless from AT&T minute plan rates will apply.

[BryanLyle]

I do find it interesting that you can start a call on the Microcell and then leave and the call will transfer to an AT&T tower, but the opposite is not true.

[convergent]

I am so torn about this device. I live in the Raleigh area and we have TERRIBLE coverage in our whole house. The rest of the neighborhood, is bad, but our house is worse... 1 bar is the best we get, and it goes in and out constantly. So now to fix the problem of terrible coverage, I have to pay AT&T an extra $20/month, on top of the $200 plus per month I'm already paying them for my wireless bill. But I'm torn, because the device would probably fix my coverage problems. So it would seem that AT&T would have an incentive to create coverage problems so that you'd pay them more.

They are kind enough to lower the price if you use AT&T for your broadband connection. Great... they don't offer the service in my area! But that makes even less sense. They are funneling their traffic through the infrastructure of your broadband provider, so they should actually give you a discount for not having to use their own infrastructure! I can see where this is going too... you pay AT&T $20/month to add this device. Then in a few months Time Warner decides I'm using too much bandwidth and tacks on additional fees to cover AT&T mooching off of their pipes.

As much as I HATE government intervention, with the grueling 2 year contracts the carriers have, the consumer really doesn't have a way to fight this effectively. I either continue to put up with crappy service, or I pay them extra to fix it. Any "voting with your wallet" type of thing here would take 2 years to implement and I'd likely find myself in a similar boat with the next carrier. Never mind the fact that I can't use my device with the other carriers because of another monopolistic policy. This whole wireless market is getting more and more wacky in the US and it is not consumer oriented at all at this point.

[sishaw]

LOL, checkout AT&T flash pitch trying to convince you to buy this.

They actually show someone having to open a window and hang outside to try and make a call on AT&T's lousy network!!!

And their solution is to charge more to use your own internet connection rather than fix coverage!!! Just get Verizon instead and save $20/mo.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but there is another perspective. Putting cell towers everywhere isn't necessarily attractive, and if you live in a nice area, you may prefer this in-home solution. I remember a couple of years ago in Washington, DC, where I lived, people raised a fuss about cell towers in a park. Well, you can have a nice park, and there's value in that, or cell coverage, but then you need a new tower, and your park isn't so nice anymore. People living in that sort of location may prefer this kind of solution.

Of course, if you're going to pay $20, you need to get some kind of added value, such as unlimited talk time and data, for example. Otherwise it really is a case of AT&T socializing their expense and privatizing their profits. Indeed, it should be free for existing cellular customers as part of the overall package, and only cost more to the extent it adds new features.

[JeffTL]

For those of you having issues with AT&T in Chicago, what parts of town are you in? I may be moving up there next year and want to know if I'll be needing a Blackberry.

[axual]

ATT just does not get it.

They ask people to pay $20 a month to improve their poor cell phone reception.

So I think I will ask them to pay me $20 a month for utilizing my broadband connection to help improve their poor cell phone reception.

I already pay them $100 a month now, $30 of which is for 3G on my iPhone. Oh wait, that's right, they still don't have 3G here even though they've told me for 2 years it will be six more months.

This on top of paying for broadband.

As for charging customers nearly $250 a year for bad cell service improvements, I hope they read these forums ... and hope they here me when I say they will lose me as a a customer if they don't start acting like they sincerely care about their customers.

Actually, a better question ... what planet does ATT live on?

[convergent]

People, calm down. There is only a monthly fee if you want UNLIMITED minutes on the MicroCell. If you want it to count for your minutes as normal, there is no monthly fee. The FAQ on the website states this.


You do realize how ridiculous this is even if what you say is true. Your unlimited minutes are not using their bandwidth! They are going through your broadband carrier's bandwidth. So you are taking less AT&T resources by using the femtocell, and they want to charge you more for it.

[gibbz]

9-to-5 Mac (http://9to5mac.com/microcell-at-t) sums it up quite nicely

Subsidization really makes sense because the carrier is using the customer's bandwidth to provide 3G access (sometimes to other users). Charging a monthly fee, in this case $20/month, for the customer to use their own bandwidth to AT&T's customers seems like just a bit of a dick move.

[Xenu007]

I'm squarely inside an AT&T 3G coverage map. Yet I can only get Enterprise connections. If AT&T actually delivered what it claims to (I believe what they are doing is called fraud), they wouldn't need to offer micro cell service-- and charge users more extra for something they already paid for under the original service contract. :mad:

[elhungarian]

Oh if you don't get 3g service at your house we can SELL YOU THIS! For a low monthly fee you fill receive service as YOU expect it. Otherwise we can't guarantee that your phone will work well.. at all.. :D

Can Verizon finally get the Iphone.. Seriously.

[NightStorm]

Where did you get that? The story on Engadget says its $20/mo period unless you've bought tons of other AT&T services.

From the FAQ on the website:


Question:
Do I need to subscribe to an AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling feature?
Answer:
While highly recommended for maximum benefit, a subscription to AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling is not required. Your normal wireless from AT&T minute plan rates will apply.

I'll gladly pick one of these up and continue to use my normal minute plan rates, as long as it is reasonably priced.

[DotCom2]

WOW....So you have to pay for the device and then pay a monthly fee to help AT&T out? This is really lame and it just proves once again that AT&T just doesn't get it.

I was excited when I first heard about this, but now I know I will pass.


NO!
You DO NOT have to pay an additional $20 a month!
That is ***ONLY*** if you want to get the unlimited calling plan.
You can just buy the unit outright, and use your already established plan minutes just like you do now when you use your cell phone in your home.
The amount of mis-information on this is scaring me.
If you use your 3G cell phone a lot at home, you could actually lower your calling plan and get the $20 unlimited plan and be ahead.
Again, this is only if you want to.
I'm getting this baby!
I need coverage inside my home that I am not getting now.
I don't feel it's AT&T's fault that I live on the skirt of town, with blown in insulation and metal studs in my house.
CAN"T WAIT FOR IT!

[compuguy1088]

People, calm down. There is only a monthly fee if you want UNLIMITED minutes on the MicroCell. If you want it to count for your minutes as normal, there is no monthly fee. The FAQ on the website states this.

Which I am fine with, because I couldn't use up my minutes if I tried. :) Just don't talk on the phone enough.

Some commenter on Engadget Mobile, however, is reporting that the device will be $150. Don't know how much validity to give that; just throwing it out there.

Doesn't matter anyway, based on my zip code, its not available....which does not make any sense. The device is hooked up to the internet, why would it matter where you live (in the continental USA) to use it?

[DotCom2]

YES. Anyone in range benefits. It is NOT just your household use. You've created an AT&T micro-cell tower using up your internet bandwidth and paying AT&T for the privilege.

Convince your neighbor to get it instead. Problem solved. Zero cost.

WRONG!
Do some reseasrch plz.

[Glideslope]

VERIZON HELP US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come on Apple. The jump from the Chinese WCDMA to a Verizon CDMA receiver is not HUGE.

at&t- America's Tethered Titanic. :apple:

[ghostface147]

Glad I live in Houston with my 850 Mhz spectrum and great call quality and no dropped calls. YMMV.

[tivoboy]

YES. Anyone in range benefits. It is NOT just your household use. You've created an AT&T micro-cell tower using up your internet bandwidth and paying AT&T for the privilege.

Convince your neighbor to get it instead. Problem solved. Zero cost.

this is not accurate, a user has to be authenticated on the device. so, passers by cannot simply latch on to this device.

[alent1234]

They really want to charge me an additional $20 a month to use my bandwidth to serve me and their other customers rather than building a cell tower?
http://9to5mac.com/microcell-at-t

Wow, the second exclusivity is over, I am O-U-T

newsflash

everyone has these and AT&T is the last one. it's stupid to build towers to cover every last inch of ground

[vitrector]

Despite living in Chicago--a pretty big market i would think--I have been combating AT&T's terrible coverage, getting almost no reception in my home. This device should be offered at no cost and with an apology.

I totally agree.
If ATT actually asks for money on these, there for once would be a justified class action lawsuit to be brought on by those that live in areas that their coverage maps show good coverage, but there actually are huge holes. Like my house. Like part of my commute.

[DotCom2]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/21/atandt-3g-microcell-site-goes-live-monthly-fees-to-be-up-to-19-99/)

Engadget Mobile reports (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/09/21/atandts-3g-microcell-site-goes-live/) that AT&T's 3G MicroCell site (http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/) has gone live as the company is apparently preparing to launch its service that will allow wireless subscribers to utilize their home Internet connection for enhanced voice and data coverage. The news comes on the heels of an anonymous report (http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/09/20/atandts-3g-microcell-does-unlimited-calling-but-it-aint-cheap/) that service for the new device will cost up to $19.99 per month, although users with either AT&T home phone or Internet service will be charged $9.99 per month and those with both home phone and Internet service from AT&T will be able to utilize the 3G MicroCell service for free.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2009/09/21/095224-3g_microcell_pricing.jpg


Signs of iPhone compatibility with the 3G MicroCell service surfaced (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/02/09/apple-issues-update-signaling-iphone-compatibility-with-atandts-microcell/) in an AT&T carrier settings update issued in early February, and AT&T reportedly confirmed (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2009/06/25/atandt-on-track-for-femtocell-deployment-by-end-of-2009/) in June a launch of the service by the end of 2009.

Article Link: AT&T 3G MicroCell Site Goes Live, Monthly Fees to Be Up to $19.99? (http://www.macrumors.com/2009/09/21/atandt-3g-microcell-site-goes-live-monthly-fees-to-be-up-to-19-99/)
PEOPLE!
PLEASE READ THE FAQ's HERE:
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=browseTab&ft=browseTab&opentopic=2700015&topicTreeId=solutionPropertyTree&showcontent=true&lstLanguageResults=&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8

No, you don't not have to pay $20 per month. ONLY if you want to and no, other people cannot latch on to your service.
READ PEOPLE READ!

[rbarthle17]

You do realize how ridiculous this is even if what you say is true. Your unlimited minutes are not using their bandwidth! They are going through your broadband carrier's bandwidth. So you are taking less AT&T resources by using the femtocell, and they want to charge you more for it.

True, and what everyone will soon learn is where this tug of war will end up. I myself am doing a one month trial of the iPhone and deciding if the hardware is worth the potential drop in service from Verizon. I have no problems with service at my home and office, but I do see dead spots, one of which I am at often enough that this is worth considering. I don't like the cost of it, but depending on the range of the unit I may go around to a few neighbors and see if they have AT&T and would be willing to pay a few bucks a month to get access to the unit.

My guess is the $20 price point was a highball offer to see how many will bite. If not many do, I bet they'll drop it to $10/month, and at that point I bet the units will start flying off the shelves depending on the actual unit costs. The difference between $20 and $10 is nothing in reality, but it sounds like a lot.

I have no doubt of two things. First that people across the nation will flock to another carrier when they get it (and I am betting it's VZW in 2011 when they get LTE up) and second that in the meantime, if priced right people WILL pay a nominal amount to get their service upgraded, as unfair as it is.

Of course this could all blow up in everyones faces if the broadband providers fight this usage, either with increased rates or port blocking to combat it.

[oneals2focus]

"those with both home phone and Internet service from AT&T will be able to utilize the 3G MicroCell service for free."

Sounds good to me! ;)

[YoGramMamma]

SO it seems like I'm in the perfect mix for testing this thing out as.. 1) ATT SUCKS in my house which is like <5 miles from the absolute center of town. which in and of itself is ridiculous, but whatever. 2) I live in Charlotte, NC where they're testing this out. and 3) i don't care for unlimited minutes so I aint payin them no more per month.

I'm going by ATT store later today and seeing if i cant get one of these babies.. that is.. after I read the return policy.

I'll post my experiences with it if I do end up getting on today.

[alent1234]

You do realize how ridiculous this is even if what you say is true. Your unlimited minutes are not using their bandwidth! They are going through your broadband carrier's bandwidth. So you are taking less AT&T resources by using the femtocell, and they want to charge you more for it.

all your calls are still routed to AT&T's network to be routed to whoever you are calling. you are just saving AT&T the expense of building redundant towers

[Rocketman]

Convince your neighbor to get it instead. Problem solved. Zero cost.

+1

:D

[IBradMac]

Wow! What a release, considering we are on the brink of 4G. :rolleyes:

[DipDog3]

Of course Verizon & T-Mobile & Sprint already have these and they are cheaper!

[tmoore44]

For those of you having issues with AT&T in Chicago, what parts of town are you in? I may be moving up there next year and want to know if I'll be needing a Blackberry.

I live in west loop, 3 blocks west of Sears tower and ATT 3G is weak. Also it's not device specific so BB is not gonna help you. I have two towers nearby and my download speed is around 500kbs down, 50k up on a good day. Sometimes only Edge is available. Service in downtown area is all over the place in terms of quality.

[clayj]

I live in Charlotte, so I'm definitely a candidate for one of these. In my case, I live downtown and already get excellent reception in my home, so it's not like I need it to improve my signal quality -- if I got one, it would be expressly to add the Unlimited plan, which is cheaper via MicroCell ($19.95/mo) than it would be without MicroCell ($60 more/mo).

A lot of you are scoffing at this, but for the person who just wants to make and receive a ton of calls from home or from the office, the MicroCell is a really good idea and at $19.95 per month for multiple phones, it's cheaper than the usual Unlimited plan at $99/mo per phone.

[Chimpy]

6 positives and 67 negatives...BWAHAHAHAHAHA.

WORST. RATIO. EVER.

[jrm27]

I don't really have a dog in this fight, but there is another perspective. Putting cell towers everywhere isn't necessarily attractive, and if you live in a nice area, you may prefer this in-home solution. I remember a couple of years ago in Washington, DC, where I lived, people raised a fuss about cell towers in a park. Well, you can have a nice park, and there's value in that, or cell coverage, but then you need a new tower, and your park isn't so nice anymore. People living in that sort of location may prefer this kind of solution.


Agreed, but there are work arounds. I live up in the mountains and reception has been spotty for years. Recently they put in a few towers disguised as a pine tree. Sure, if you look for it you can find int really easily, but it's not incredibly noticeable like a big tower would be. Rather smart solution and reception has gotten better!

[Benster]

I just called my local AT&T store (in the Charlotte area.)

I can get the Microcell if I want today. It costs $150 for the unit. If I sign up for the $20 unlimited Microcell talk plan they will send a $100 rebate (so it nets just $50 for the Microcell unit.)

The $20 unlimited Microcell minutes applies to a PLAN. So if you have multiple phones on a Family Plan, they would all benefit from it.

If you have multiple phones, each on their own plan, the $20 would need to be on each plan that wants unlimited calling.

Any AT&T 3G phone can use it (that is configured to use it so no mooching) and if you do not have a $20 unlimited Microcell plan, it just uses your normal minutes.

Hopefully that made sense. I might just have to try it. If they still have one left by the time I get to the store, I'll try it.

-Benster

[zackkitzmiller]

This is a completely great deal.

$20 extra bucks for UNLIMITED minutes on FOUR lines? And I can elimate Skype?

Sounds like a deal.

[aristobrat]

Of course Verizon & T-Mobile & Sprint already have these and they are cheaper!
Doesn't T-Mobile's offering use UMA, which means only a subset of their phones will work with that service?

How much does Verizon cost for unlimited calls through theirs?

[run-kmc]

Of course Verizon & T-Mobile & Sprint already have these and they are cheaper!

Verizon's device is $250, and Sprint charges $30 a month. So yes, they are cheaper in Bizarro world.

[DotCom2]

$20/month is an OPTIONAL PLAN that allows any AT&T phone your authorize to make unlimited calls through the MicroCell, without having to use that phones minutes.

My roommates and I all have AT&T.

So if we buy one of this MicroCells and pony up $20/month, that single $20/month gets *ALL* of us unlimited minutes when we're at home. Goodbye Vonage.

How is this not a good idea?

A: it's optional .. we don't have to pay the $20/month if we don't want to
B: $20/month for unlimited minutes on MULTIPLE LINES OF SERVICE is crazy cheap?!


It only covers 5,000 square feet, and any phone using it has to be pre-authorized. If your neighbor gets one, you can't do anything unless he's pre-authorized your phone.

EXACTLY!
Finally someone who GETS IT!
It's only $20 if you want/need that option.
I can see people getting the $20 unlimited plan and cancelling their landline. Or if you run a small biz outta your home.
THis is perf!

[Scooterman1]

This is amazing. ..... 40 ft in any direction. Lets see, I have a NORMAL 2 story home, 2300 sq. ft. At&T Uvers Router upstairs in one corner of the house.... It's more than 40 ft. to my downstairs bedroom where I use the iPhone at night. A lot of good this would do.... At least they could give something capable of 100 ft at this price.

[bergmef]

Wow! What a release, considering we are on the brink of 4G. :rolleyes:

I think AT&T is going to be a while for 4G. That's why they are pushing up the data speed for 3G.

[rbarthle17]

This is amazing. ..... 40 ft in any direction. Lets see, I have a NORMAL 2 story home, 2300 sq. ft. At&T Uvers Router upstairs in one corner of the house.... It's more than 40 ft. to my downstairs bedroom where I use the iPhone at night. A lot of good this would do.... At least they could give something capable of 100 ft at this price.

How are you getting 40 ft in any one direction?

[andiwm2003]

seems i'm missing something.

i pay att already for some 900 minutes per month and i have about 300 minutes per month left. i have unlimited weekend and night minutes on top of that.

why would anyone pay additional 20 dollar to use even less of there minutes that they have in excess and use up internet bandwith instead? what is the use of that?

even if I would exceed my 900 minutes per month wouldn't it be better to pay the 20 dollar for more minutes in the normal contract. then i could call from everywhere and would not be dependend on my internet connection.

[DotCom2]

This is amazing. ..... 40 ft in any direction. Lets see, I have a NORMAL 2 story home, 2300 sq. ft. At&T Uvers Router upstairs in one corner of the house.... It's more than 40 ft. to my downstairs bedroom where I use the iPhone at night. A lot of good this would do.... At least they could give something capable of 100 ft at this price.
Yeah, I was wondering that too. The site states you can get more than one of these units but that would get rather pricey. We'll just have to wait and see what other that actually have the device report on how well it works I guess.

[Rodimus Prime]

"those with both home phone and Internet service from AT&T will be able to utilize the 3G MicroCell service for free."

Sounds good to me! ;)

Great way to keep people happy if they have a land line but with more poeple going cell only that is an issue. I feel it you have lets see just 3 services from AT&T it should be free. Those services being internet, TV, Home Phone and cell.

So if you have AT&T Uverse it should be free. But no.

As for people bitching about it it only cost you money if you want unlimited minutes. Lets face it most people have tons of roll over any how so not like it will effect them.

Also people bitching about AT&T coverage in doors or around buildings compared to Verizon need to remember CDMA is much more powerful signal than what GSM phones use and is able to punch though building a hell of a lot better.

Top it off in a heavy CDMA areas GSM phones drowned up by the more powerful CDMA signals.

[YoGramMamma]

I just called my local AT&T store (in the Charlotte area.)

I can get the Microcell if I want today. It costs $150 for the unit. If I sign up for the $20 unlimited Microcell talk plan they will send a $100 rebate (so it nets just $50 for the Microcell unit.)

The $20 unlimited Microcell minutes applies to a PLAN. So if you have multiple phones on a Family Plan, they would all benefit from it.

If you have multiple phones, each on their own plan, the $20 would need to be on each plan that wants unlimited calling.

Any AT&T 3G phone can use it (that is configured to use it so no mooching) and if you do not have a $20 unlimited Microcell plan, it just uses your normal minutes.

Hopefully that made sense. I might just have to try it. If they still have one left by the time I get to the store, I'll try it.

-Benster

One thing that wasn't clear, was you mentioned that if you had multiple phones, each with their own plan, then you'd have to add the $20 unlimited minute deal to each plan. But why, if you could just add it to one, then authorize the other phones in the house to have access to the device? why wouldnt everyone just benefit from the microcell just being added to one plan. Im confused. This should just be free. ATT sucks.

[kingtj]

I spoke with our AT&T business account rep. and one of their network engineers about this technology last year, when they brought it up as something new they were working on.

Honestly, the places I can see it working well would be areas where people generally don't expect their cellular coverage to be any good anyway. (Sprint, for example, was rolling out their own version of this technology, and their primary focus was on subway tunnels, where people were losing their cellphone signals otherwise.)

AT&T suggested in our case, for example, we might purchase one of these microcell transmitters to install in our building's basement, so our employees would always have a functional phone down there, where they normally have spotty coverage at best.

It makes sense when implemented that way, but if they market it at consumers - they run the risk of people interpreting it just like you did. People generally expect their cellphones to "just work" in their own homes, and see it as the carrier trying to "get out of paying for their own network build-out" if they ask you to buy a box like this to make it work better for you at home.


So you'd be making your home network a 3G point..? Am I understanding this. We pay money to extend AT&T's 3G network range instead of them paying us to extend their service..?

[DotCom2]

How are you getting 40 ft in any one direction?
5000 s.f. radius = 40 feet in one direction.

[aristobrat]

seems i'm missing something.

i pay att already for some 900 minutes per month and i have about 300 minutes per month left. i have unlimited weekend and night minutes on top of that.

why would anyone pay additional 20 dollar to use even less of there minutes that they have in excess and use up internet bandwith instead? what is the use of that?

even if I would exceed my 900 minutes per month wouldn't it be better to pay the 20 dollar for more minutes in the normal contract. then i could call from everywhere and would not be dependend on my internet connection.
The $20/month plan seems to be OPTIONAL. So if you had bad coverage at home, just buy the device, but don't sign up for the unlimited plan.

For people with home phones + cell phones, it may make financial sense to ditch the home phone and pay the $20/month to be able to use the cell phone as freely as they want at home, like they did with a landline home phone.

[clayj]

More info: The AT&T 3G MicroCell unit costs $150 for the hardware, which is all you really need. There is a $100 rebate available if you sign up for the $19.95/mo MicroCell Unlimited plan.

[aristobrat]

Also people bitching about AT&T coverage in doors or around buildings compared to Verizon need to remember CDMA is much more powerful signal than what GSM phones use and is able to punch though building a hell of a lot better.
What?

850mhz punches through buildings a hell of a lot better than 1900mhz.

Much of Verizon's network is 850mhz.

AT&T's moving 3G to 850mhz in the markets where it can.

It's the frequency of the service (850mhz/1900mhz), not the format (GSM/CDMA), that has the most impact of it being able to punch through. Nextel, at 700mhz, was crazy.

[clayj]

seems i'm missing something.

i pay att already for some 900 minutes per month and i have about 300 minutes per month left. i have unlimited weekend and night minutes on top of that.

why would anyone pay additional 20 dollar to use even less of there minutes that they have in excess and use up internet bandwith instead? what is the use of that?

even if I would exceed my 900 minutes per month wouldn't it be better to pay the 20 dollar for more minutes in the normal contract. then i could call from everywhere and would not be dependend on my internet connection.Andi, the point is that you could cut back on your mobile plan (drop down to the 450 minute plan, for example) and switch to the Unlimited plan. Whether it makes sense depends on how many of those minutes you use while in your house. You need to do the math. People who are currently on the $99 Unlimited plan and who mostly use their phones in their homes could save considerable money by switching to the MicroCell Unlimited plan.

[Jensen G]

To me, this feature is great. All cell companies have some problems inside buildings. So bitching that they should have a cell tower near your house anyway is just sour grapes. You can return your phone for free when you prove that your provider's phone signal won't work in your house anyway.

Regarding the cost, it is probably a bit steep at $20/month for me to get it, but if that goes down to $10, then I'd probably do it. $20 might be worth it if it doesn't cost me minutes while I'm calling from my WAP-enabled home.

[NoExpectations]

...this is an option....buy it if you feel there is value in it....no one is forcing you to buy this.

Wireless Service was never intended to replace wireline service....so don't feel that you should have a 'right' for perfect 3G service within your metal and concrete enclosures that you call HOME or WORK. It just so happens that many of us are lucky to be close enough to existing 3G Cell towers that we are able to pick up a strong enough signal inside building where we work and live.

This is an optional service to allow those customers who can not receive 3G signals behind a tinted window, metal framing, or other barrier so that you to get 3G signals almost anywhere.

Jeez....grow up folks.

[TitoC]

Does this mean anyone in range benefits? People on the street etc?
Wow, ATT really know how to bleed their customers dry! You pay EXTRA if you get crappy service to boost your service to not crappy only in your home.

Now I know why we have such a crappy, uneducated & uninformed discussion on health care. People just want to scream, get pissed off and shout at someone - anyone. No one seems to know how to debate anymore. Here's a "crazy" concept. How about READING the damn information first?

[scaredpoet]

Now I know why we have such a crappy, uneducated & uninformed discussion on health care. People just want to scream, get pissed off and shout at someone - anyone. No one seems to know how to debate anymore. Here's a "crazy" concept. How about READING the damn information first?

Yes, like the fact that you can limit who has access tot he microcell, AND you don't have to pay $20 a month to use it.


If you get the $20 a month plan, then you get unlimited calling why you're on the microcell, and you get $100 off the purchase of the cell. If not, then the regular minutes just come off your plan like normal.

[Mattie Num Nums]

Good idea makes sense to me. In some areas broadband speed doesn't even meet the 3g speeds. Also places like my work are a huge lot (3sq miles) so dead areas are everywhere.

...this is an option....buy it if you feel there is value in it....no one is forcing you to buy this.

Wireless Service was never intended to replace wireline service....so don't feel that you should have a 'right' for perfect 3G service within your metal and concrete enclosures that you call HOME or WORK. It just so happens that many of us are lucky to be close enough to existing 3G Cell towers that we are able to pick up a strong enough signal inside building where we work and live.

This is an optional service to allow those customers who can not receive 3G signals behind a tinted window, metal framing, or other barrier so that you to get 3G signals almost anywhere.

Jeez....grow up folks.


Remember these are the same people who blame everything wrong with the iPhone on AT&T. Granted AT&T isn't the best, I don't believe everything (including app rejection) is all on them.

[leomac08]

alas

at&t u have lost another customer tonight:D

[aristobrat]

alas

at&t u have lost another customer tonight:D
You're leaving AT&T because they offered a new service? :confused:

[vivithemage]

I think you have to register your phone on the device, so not everyone can hop on it like you all are thinking.

I wonder what this thing costs to power monthly, of course that's another added cost to the monthly fees. I have bad reception in my Condo, but amazing reception everywhere else.

It should also not use ANY minutes, since it is using our own bandwidth. Kind of like T-Mobiles @HOME, that was a great service over wifi with my blackberry curve.

[smartaleck]

Man, this is utterly stupid. Some thoughts:

1. As many posters have said, AT&T should be paying YOU to expand their service. Their solution to the question of "why is your service so bad?" is to charge you more, essentially making normal service a premium product. Brilliant solution guys.

2. I can get unlimited skype calls on my iphone for $3/month and use wifi indoors anyway. Why pay $20? What is the value add?

3. AT&T has horrible coverage and the iphone has been great but AT&T has been a HUGE letdown after leaving sprint (sprint had horrible customer service but I rarely, if ever, was looking for coverage)

4. Data is data. WE are paying for 1's and 0's. We shouldn'y be paying $50 for calls, $20 for texts (which are actually free for AT&T to process), and $30 for data. It is all data. There are no beehived ladies putting plugs into switches like on Mad Men.

4. AT&T sucks and will go the way of the dodo.

5. RISE UP gentle consumer, inform yourself and you shall be free!

[aristobrat]

Man, this is utterly stupid. Some thoughts:

1. As many posters have said, AT&T should be paying YOU to expand their service. Their solution to the question of "why is your service so bad?" is to charge you more, essentially making normal service a premium product. Brilliant solution guys.
Every wireless provider (even your beloved Sprint) offers this type of service. AT&T doesn't charge you anything additional for this service, unless you want to have unlimited minutes when you're at home.

2. I can get unlimited skype calls on my iphone for $3/month and use wifi indoors anyway. Why pay $20? What is the value add?
This service works with every AT&T 3G phone. Skype doesn't.

[pcguru83]

First of all, let me state that I'm in Charlotte, NC and I'm going to pick this up in about 2 hours. I'll report back with my thoughts and impressions in a bit. I've already spoken with a "Subject Matter Expert" at my local AT&T store and the device is $150 with a $100 mail-in rebate. And for emphasis:

THE $20 MONTHLY FEE IS NOT REQUIRED. END OF STORY.

I didn't even prod for this info. He started his pitch by explaining there are two ways to use the MicroCell device--with the $20 unlimited plan, and without (using up your cell minutes).

I'm not getting the hate for this device. This is going to end up saving me about $10/month. Because we'll now have unlimited calling at home, I can cancel our Vonage service (about $35/month, which we very rarely use but is a necessity since we didn't get a signal at home). So it's a win-win for us. It's saving us $10/month and we'll now get cell coverage at home. I don't see the downside.

[nick004]

I'm starting to wonder if this site has not become a iPhone PR tool. Any kickbacks we should know about? Why is this trivial stuff on page 1? Rather have quality reports than quantity. Gone are the days when something new appeared on this site you actually got excited...

[iSee]

Dear AT&T:

No.

[vivithemage]

First of all, let me state that I'm in Charlotte, NC and I'm going to pick this up in about 2 hours. I'll report back with my thoughts and impressions in a bit. I've already spoken with a "Subject Matter Expert" at my local AT&T store and the device is $150 with a $100 mail-in rebate. And for emphasis:

THE $20 MONTHLY FEE IS NOT REQUIRED. END OF STORY.

I didn't even prod for this info. He started his pitch by explaining there are two ways to use the MicroCell device--with the $20 unlimited plan, and without (using up your cell minutes).

I'm not getting the hate for this device. This is going to end up saving me about $10/month. Because we'll now have unlimited calling at home, I can cancel our Vonage service (about $35/month, which we very rarely use but is a necessity since we didn't get a signal at home). So it's a win-win for us. It's saving us $10/month and we'll now get cell coverage at home. I don't see the downside.

bingo!! This is a great service, I wouldn't even mind if it used my minutes if it was free, or $150 - $100 for MIR. Any chance you could hook up a Kill A Watt to it for me too?

Do you need to connect to it via WIFI, or will it just extend the signal of 3G/EDGE for my iphone?

[Benster]

One thing that wasn't clear, was you mentioned that if you had multiple phones, each with their own plan, then you'd have to add the $20 unlimited minute deal to each plan. But why, if you could just add it to one, then authorize the other phones in the house to have access to the device? why wouldnt everyone just benefit from the microcell just being added to one plan. Im confused. This should just be free. ATT sucks.

Let me say it again .... EVERY authorized user can use the 3G Microcell. You set up who is authorized to access your Microcell.

Only those that have the $20 Unlimited Microcell calling on their PLAN (Family for multiple lines, Individual for one line) get unlimited calling for "free".

-Benster

[co.ag.2005]

And for emphasis:

THE $20 MONTHLY FEE IS NOT REQUIRED. END OF STORY.



I added more emphasis for ya...

people, please read before making your "ATT sucks, why should we pay to extend their service!!!111!!!1!" comments

simple, you are paying for the hardware device in your house. This unit is cheaper than Verizon's and doesn't require the monthly fee of Sprint...

[pcguru83]

bingo!! This is a great service, I wouldn't even mind if it used my minutes if it was free, or $150 - $100 for MIR. Any chance you could hook up a Kill A Watt to it for me too?

Do you need to connect to it via WIFI, or will it just extend the signal of 3G/EDGE for my iphone?
I'd be glad to...if I had one. You can ship a loaner over to me and I'll hook you up with some results. :)

[aristobrat]

I'm starting to wonder if this site has not become a iPhone PR tool. Any kickbacks we should know about? Why is this trivial stuff on page 1? Rather have quality reports than quantity. Gone are the days when something new appeared on this site you actually got excited...
For anyone with an iPhone that gets crap AT&T coverage at home (which would be 90% of iPhone owners, if you go by the forum posts here), then this is very exciting news.

They'll actually be able to reliably use their iPhones at home for the first time ever!

How is that not exciting?

[vivithemage]

I'd be glad to...if I had one. You can ship a loaner over to me and I'll hook you up with some results. :)

haha, I assume someone will do it eventually. When will it be available elsewhere, like Minnesota?

[sishaw]

Agreed, but there are work arounds. I live up in the mountains and reception has been spotty for years. Recently they put in a few towers disguised as a pine tree. Sure, if you look for it you can find int really easily, but it's not incredibly noticeable like a big tower would be. Rather smart solution and reception has gotten better!

That is clever.

[LEStudios]

Damn AT&T really know how to tick their customers off! :D

[NoExpectations]

Man, this is utterly stupid. Some thoughts:

1. As many posters have said, AT&T should be paying YOU to expand their service. Their solution to the question of "why is your service so bad?" is to charge you more, essentially making normal service a premium product. Brilliant solution guys.

2. I can get unlimited skype calls on my iphone for $3/month and use wifi indoors anyway. Why pay $20? What is the value add?

3. AT&T has horrible coverage and the iphone has been great but AT&T has been a HUGE letdown after leaving sprint (sprint had horrible customer service but I rarely, if ever, was looking for coverage)

4. Data is data. WE are paying for 1's and 0's. We shouldn'y be paying $50 for calls, $20 for texts (which are actually free for AT&T to process), and $30 for data. It is all data. There are no beehived ladies putting plugs into switches like on Mad Men.

4. AT&T sucks and will go the way of the dodo.

5. RISE UP gentle consumer, inform yourself and you shall be free!


1. This is free....read the article again. In fact, this is better than free...you can eliminate your local land line (prob 30-50 a month) and spend 10 a month for unlimited calls.

2. Skype is VOIP. Good luck with that internet phone call. This is true Wireless Service that is connected directly with every wordlwide telco.

3. You should have tested your phone first....you had 30 days to try it and return it.

4. Nothing is free. There is a cost to every service. Shop around if you don't like what you have now.

4. (2 4s?) Leave ATT. We are all tired of you complainers. When and if Verizon ever gets the iPhone, go for it. You will experience their growing pains too....at least AT&T will be beyond theirs.

5. Just read the article again.

[d21mike]

Now that I see the $20 is optional, I see this as a great option for those that have a poor signal. I have a good signal at my house and work so I don't believe I need it. However, I do allow my iPhone to switch to WiFi for Data, if the 3G "Data" on the Microcell was the same speed as WiFi then I would have no need to go off of 3G so maybe it would be a good option. Lastly, if battery life was better when you have a Microcell (because you always have a very stong signal) then maybe it would be worth it. I will interested to the results from customer usage. But $50 ($150 - $100 rebate) for the device is really not a problem for me.

[pcguru83]

haha, I assume someone will do it eventually. When will it be available elsewhere, like Minnesota?
I don't think anyone knows yet. I'm just psyched we get it first. Charlotte never gets anything first! :)

[TripHop]

I think a device that helps AT&T lighten the load on their Cell Tower traffic should be FREE or maybe $20 for the hardware at most but certainly FREE for unlimited service from home. :eek: No way would I pay $150 for the box.

[SMGreenfield]

I think it's a brilliant move and I can't wait. Here's why:

We live in an old house, lath and plaster. The walls also have wire mesh, and getting a single through them can be a challenge. We also live in an area in the hills, where coverage can be good on the uphill side, but not the downhill side.

My wife (and I) make business calls from our iPhones. The idea of having perfect reception anywhere in the house is GREAT!

We already have AT&T as our wired carrier, and AT&T as our DSL carrier. So the cost will be virtually nothing.

We would also have the amazingly brilliant AT&T U-Verse (instead of DirecTV), but the new house we're in is on a street that doesn't get U-Verse. (it's on the streets around us, though). But the way I see it, MicroCells may be another way for AT&T to justify running more fiber and completing the U-Verse network. Once I have the 20 Mbs that U-Verse provides, instead of 6 Mbs DSL, any bandwidth sucked up by the MicroCell is irrelevant.

So bring on that MicroCell to Southern California!

[deannnnn]

People love to complain about AT&T... in fact, I'm one of them. I live in New York and am absolutely not satisfied with their service.

HOWEVER, this is a great move by AT&T. They are offering the ability to enhance in home coverage FOR FREE! Everybody is all like "omfg I have to pay to enhance my own coverage?!?" but all your paying for is the device. You really expect AT&T to shell out 70 billion of those little things at no cost to you -- the person benefitting from it? Think of it as if you're buying a cell signal extender from a 3rd party. Just because AT&T's selling this device, people flip.

YES I think AT&T's coverage should be better, but at least this is a step in the right direction.

[greenpaz]

I'm sorry, but this is ridiculous. I live in Los Angeles and still get horrible service at my house. So now I'm supposed to pay more money because AT&T can't get its act together?

This cocky, FU attitude from AT&T must mean that Apple is extending their exclusive deal. How else could they be so ballsy?

[pmjoe]

I'm starting to wonder if this site has not become a iPhone PR tool. Any kickbacks we should know about? Why is this trivial stuff on page 1? Rather have quality reports than quantity. Gone are the days when something new appeared on this site you actually got excited...
Yeah, this just seems like a big yawner. Seems more useful for 3G phones without WiFi and maybe businesses, but not really that iPhone related.

Why would somebody even get an AT&T mobile phone if the coverage is that crappy at their home?

[sishaw]

I don't think anyone knows yet. I'm just psyched we get it first. Charlotte never gets anything first! :)

Hey, Charlotte has an Olympic-quality white water rafting course and is generally a pretty cool town...kwitchercomplainin'!

[MrCrowbar]

Err... how about using the home's WIFI and doing voice over IP when in range of the home network? You know, like the rest of the world...

[NoExpectations]

....way to get the entire unbiased story before you present it :)

Update: Engadget now reports that the 3G MicroCell service is currently only running as a "public trial" in Charlotte, North Carolina. The $19.99 per month pricing is reportedly also a part of the trial, so apparently no final decision on pricing for the full rollout has yet been made.

Update 2: GearLog clarifies that the 3G MicroCell device costs $150 and that, besides the monthly "unlimited minutes" charges, users also have the option of using their monthly wireless minutes for no additional charge.

[deannnnn]

Once I have the 20 Mbs that U-Verse provides, instead of 6 Mbs DSL, any bandwidth sucked up by the MicroCell is irrelevant.

You can get 50Mbps with Comcast ;)
comcast.com/fastestfast

[thejadedmonkey]

Why is this even posted on a mac site. Sure mac has since been translated into Apple, but is Apple now synonymous with AT&T?

[IBradMac]

For anyone with an iPhone that gets crap AT&T coverage at home (which would be 90% of iPhone owners, if you go by the forum posts here), then this is very exciting news.

They'll actually be able to reliably use their iPhones at home for the first time ever!

How is that not exciting?

You know, the more I read into this. It really doesn't seem to bad. ;) I get maybe one bar Edge, if I'm lucky at home. If I could cut out that Verizon landline bill with this that would cut costs by about $50 and I always have plenty of rollover minutes as it is so I wouldn't need the $20 per month unlimited service! Hmmm...

[tmoore44]

I wonder if the $100 equipment rebate will be available for me. I have ATT dsl and land line, so I qualify for free unlimited.

[SciFrog]

$150 is probably a cost, nothing to pay monthly. I will get one ASAP. As for all the whinners, get real, all providers suck. What do you think would happen to Verizon if they had all the iPhones data to handle?

[james.hays]

I don't have a problem with the 150 dollar device charge. It has to be paid for somewhere. But, the 20/month or use my own minutes is ridiculous.

Basically, for 20 bucks a month, I get to use my broadband, my ISP and my bandwidth to make my AT&T experience in my home acceptable. The other option, use my bandwidth and my network to enhance AT&T's network while they charge me for minutes that I use over my network.

Crazy. This is about as dumb as Obama's Cap and Trade scam. Quite coming up with ways to charge us for things that don't belong to you!!

The only thing that will change my tune is if AT&T can show that the 20 dollars a month simply covers the expense of connecting my phone to the another's via the AT&T system.

Another approach would be to let me open my connection up to all phones, and then pay me for my network usage when a person makes a call on my network. That way, I'm truly enhancing the AT&T network and AT&T pays me for the use of my bandwidth.

I think it's clear that AT&T has been playing on capital hill too long. They need to come down and deal with the people again.

[thejadedmonkey]

I'm starting to wonder if this site has not become a iPhone PR tool. Any kickbacks we should know about? Why is this trivial stuff on page 1? Rather have quality reports than quantity. Gone are the days when something new appeared on this site you actually got excited...

+1. If you look back at the old news stories, there were spy shots, speculation (http://www.macrumors.com/2000/07/16/more-cube-madness/), but it didn't read like a PR tool for Apple, which is how MR presents itself now.

[lazyrighteye]

I've had every iteration of the iPhone from original launch day to 3GS. Which is to say - I feel qualified to comment on AT&T's service - which is completely unacceptable/unusable in Denver, CO (especially considering their current rates).

It's weird, every month I uphold my end of the bargain: I send in my family plan payment, in full & on time. Yet AT&T is not upholding their end of the deal. I'd say about 25% of the time, 3G is completely unusable. I know dozens of iPhone users here that don't even turn ON their 3G, yet continue paying for the "feature."

So for AT&T to offer his MicroCell service at additional chargess only underscores their detachment from reality and/or complete and utter disregard for their customer base.
The fact they want to charge me for 3G that doesn't work AND now want to charge me to expand their network is laughable.

Here's a couple of things that could happen that would help my relationship with AT&T.
•*reduce my monthly bill by the fees I currently pay for a service (3G) that does not work.
• continue charging me for 3G but allow me to access their MicroCell service for free. That way, at least when I am home I can use 3G (which currently, I can't - and that's with an AT&T cell tower within line of sight of my house!).

It's too bad... the iPhone is hands down the best hand held device on the market. I wish the service provider could match.
I'm not sure what the solution is... will opening it up to other carriers help? I don't think it could hurt.

[NoExpectations]

You can get 50Mbps with Comcast ;)
comcast.com/fastestfast

Voice traffic bandwidth requirements are real, real low. I am a network engineer and when we size the WAN for concurrent calls, we allow for about 12-16kbs per call. This service will have no impact whatsoever on your current ISP connection.

[alent1234]

People love to complain about AT&T... in fact, I'm one of them. I live in New York and am absolutely not satisfied with their service.

HOWEVER, this is a great move by AT&T. They are offering the ability to enhance in home coverage FOR FREE! Everybody is all like "omfg I have to pay to enhance my own coverage?!?" but all your paying for is the device. You really expect AT&T to shell out 70 billion of those little things at no cost to you -- the person benefitting from it? Think of it as if you're buying a cell signal extender from a 3rd party. Just because AT&T's selling this device, people flip.

YES I think AT&T's coverage should be better, but at least this is a step in the right direction.

im in NYC as well and service depends where you are. midtown is sucks due to the big buildings and people. on the hudson it's pretty good. queens and brooklyn it's good as well but the data is a bit slow

[uricmu]

I wonder what the radiation implications of this technology are.
If my neighbor installs one right below my baby's crib, I'm essentially going to have a cellphone tower with a low range (say 500 feet) right below his head.

It's bad enough that my apartment gets saturated by WiFi from all my neighbors since nobody bothers to turn down the transmitting power of their Wi-Fi from factory default.

[NoExpectations]

Why is this even posted on a mac site. Sure mac has since been translated into Apple, but is Apple now synonymous with AT&T?

Well, yes it is.

UNIX was created by AT&T....this is the foundation for MAC OS X.

Apple's core growth is now wireless....a service invented by AT&T many years ago.



The ties are stronger than you think (or want it to be) !

[azshopper]

How do they lock that down? If it transmits/receives a 3g signal then surely any capable phone would be able to use it?

There are two features in the microcell sites to lock the phones being used. 1. It records the SIM # of your phones. 2. It has a built-in GPS unit so you can't even move it to another location.

[bdkennedy1]

So basically the consumer is paying AT&T even more money for AT&T's incompetent network. Boy what a business plan. Not only that, they are piggybacking off of YOUR internet connection that you also have to pay for.

Folks, if you don't receive a signal where you live you have every right to get out of your contract and go with another service provider.

[THX1139]

This doesn't apply to me and it never will. I have tried AT&T internet services and they suck. I won't ever have them in my home again. Looking forward to the day Apple takes away their exclusivity for the iPhone.

[bboucher790]

All of this negative feedback is rather troubling.

This is a GREAT solution for people who live in areas where they can't get network service, why don't more people see this?

My sister lives in the Hollywood Hills. NO ONE can get service where she lives. NO provider. ATT's Microcell makes cell phone using a reality for her, and many other people in her situation throughout the country. $150 is well worth the price tag and unless I'm wrong, no other cell phone company has this technology yet.

In "Theoretical Land", sure, it would be great if cell phone towers reached the entire country and everyone could get service everywhere they went. But it doesn't work like that, and if you're too stupid to see the benefits of this technology, than you're an idiot IMO. Flame away.

+2. It's one of the only times you'll see me complimenting ATT.

[nozebleed]

I was lucky enough to get one of these a few months ago for free as a trial participant. Here is the thread I started when I got it, did about as much testing as I could with it.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=747195&highlight=microcell

[RebootD]

I have a Pre ( I know heresy!) and I got them to throw in a free Airave that does the same thing as AT&T is launching and it's wonderful. (and I would have got an iPhone if they had this 6 months ago)

That said does this lock onto registered phones like mine? My Airave uses the phones GPS to tell it "this phone is authorized" and it isn't like wifi where (unless you lock it) anyone without striking distance can filch bandwidth.

[THX1139]

I wonder what the radiation implications of this technology are.
If my neighbor installs one right below my baby's crib, I'm essentially going to have a cellphone tower with a low range (say 500 feet) right below his head.

It's bad enough that my apartment gets saturated by WiFi from all my neighbors since nobody bothers to turn down the transmitting power of their Wi-Fi from factory default.

Got sources that prove your claim or are you just paranoid? Why would anyone turn down the power of their WI-FI? Is that even possible? Let me guess, you believe in alien abductions too? Seriously, you have more to worry about just going out for a Sunday drive and stopping off at McDonalds on the way home.

[co.ag.2005]

I've had every iteration of the iPhone from original launch day to 3GS. Which is to say - I feel qualified to comment on AT&T's service - which is completely unacceptable/unusable in Denver, CO (especially considering their current rates).

It's weird, every month I uphold my end of the bargain: I send in my family plan payment, in full & on time. Yet AT&T is not upholding their end of the deal. I'd say about 25% of the time, 3G is completely unusable. I know dozens of iPhone users here that don't even turn ON their 3G, yet continue paying for the "feature."

So for AT&T to offer his MicroCell service at additional chargess only underscores their detachment from reality and/or complete and utter disregard for their customer base.
The fact they want to charge me for 3G that doesn't work AND now want to charge me to expand their network is laughable.

Here's a couple of things that could happen that would help my relationship with AT&T.
•*reduce my monthly bill by the fees I currently pay for a service (3G) that does not work.
• continue charging me for 3G but allow me to access their MicroCell service for free. That way, at least when I am home I can use 3G (which currently, I can't - and that's with an AT&T cell tower within line of sight of my house!).

It's too bad... the iPhone is hands down the best hand held device on the market. I wish the service provider could match.
I'm not sure what the solution is... will opening it up to other carriers help? I don't think it could hurt.

Where are you in Denver? I have fantastic 3G service pretty much everywhere I go in Denver (sure, it can drop down to EDGE when you enter a hilly portion of town, terrain blockages do plague mountain areas on any cell network). Also, I live in Evergreen and ATT just installed a 3G tower by my house.

[aristobrat]

Err... how about using the home's WIFI and doing voice over IP when in range of the home network? You know, like the rest of the world...
How about not every AT&T 3G phone has WiFi? :confused:

The only thing that will change my tune is if AT&T can show that the 20 dollars a month simply covers the expense of connecting my phone to the another's via the AT&T system.
So essentially, you've made your mind up that this service is a rip-off, but yet you admit you have no idea how it works. Interesting...

[cababah]

AT&T could afford to bleed it's customers and treat them like ****** a year or so but with talks about the iPhone (only reason EVER to be with AT&T) going to other carriers, you would think they would have wised up and started playing square.

I don't think there is any other device out there that is so polarized with love/hate as the iPhone. We love the phone hardware but HATE the service provider that shortchanges it.

I am curious to know what AT&T will do (if anything) to keep current customers or entice them to go with their service once the iPhone goes to another carrier.

IDIOTS!!!! Treating customers like crap karma will come back to get them soon and I want some popcorn and a soda to watch them squirm when it happens.

[bdkennedy1]

http://gizmodo.com/5364161/3g-microcells-att-wants-you-to-pay-extra-to-fix-their-own-failures

[lostngone]

I tell you what AT&T.

I am feeling generous today. I will buy the hardware and even install at no charge to you so that people around me can use this hardware and my broadband connection to improve YOUR service.
However I want a 20 dollar monthly credit for this service.

[greenpaz]

"...if you're too stupid to see the benefits of this technology, than you're an idiot IMO."

But you're too stupid to understand what this argument is about. The problem isn't that the technology doesn't have a benefit. The problem is that the benefit it provides (good cellular service) is something AT&T should already be providing. Seriously, have the people applauding AT&T completely lost the plot?

[Stately]

Hahaaaa lol, people actually seem surprised by AT&ts bad behavior. Everytime I read a post like this, I thank God I left my iPhone behind. Even though I miss the phone, I don't miss at&swindle.

[clayj]

I tell you what AT&T.

I am feeling generous today. I will buy the hardware and even install at no charge to you so that people around me can use this hardware and my broadband connection to improve YOUR service.
However I want a 20 dollar monthly credit for this service.Yet another person who didn't read all the FAQs.

The MicroCell does NOTHING for your neighbors' 3G service, UNLESS you authorize their phone numbers to be able to use the device. It's intended to improve the 3G service in YOUR home or office.

[GregorBehr]

So.... for $20, I can get unlimited usage on my Family Plan. I'm slightly indifferent about that, since we never hit our limit and end up with Rollover Minutes.

But if I sign up for the $20 a month gig, I get the rebate, so the cost of the hardware drops to $50 (minus taxes I'm sure).

But since I already have a land line (which gets used on the fax machine), and AT&T DSL and obviously cell service, the $20 fee gets waived.

Now I'm wondering, does this mean I still get that unlimited usage AND the rebate? If so, then I'm only out of pocket $50 bucks to improve the poor service in my house.

If this works out the way I hope (I'm sure there will be a loop hole preventing it), I'll certainly drop the $50 get get what I already pay AT&T to do in the first place... WORK in a major metropolitan area.

[NoExpectations]

"...if you're too stupid to see the benefits of this technology, than you're an idiot IMO."

But you're too stupid to understand what this argument is about. The problem isn't that the technology doesn't have a benefit. The problem is that the benefit it provides (good cellular service) is something AT&T should already be providing. Seriously, have the people applauding AT&T completely lost the plot?

I think that all Wireless Carriers have the same problem.....Physics. You can not send a radio signal thru a metal/concrete structure or other barriers (thick walls, tinted windows, etc). This is one way to get around it. The other option is to install cell towers every 500 feet in your neighborhood. Do you really want that....do you really want to pay for that?

This service is FREE if you want your existing minutes. Reread the article.

[aristobrat]

So basically the consumer is paying [AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, Verizon] even more money for [AT&T's, Sprint's, T-Mobile's, Verizon's] incompetent network. Boy what a business plan. Not only that, they are piggybacking off of YOUR internet connection that you also have to pay for.
Since AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon all offer these devices (which wouldn't be required if their networks weren't "incompetent"), I updated your quote for you. :)

[mdntcallr]

I am so torn about this device. I live in the Raleigh area and we have TERRIBLE coverage in our whole house. The rest of the neighborhood, is bad, but our house is worse... 1 bar is the best we get, and it goes in and out constantly. So now to fix the problem of terrible coverage, I have to pay AT&T an extra $20/month, on top of the $200 plus per month I'm already paying them for my wireless bill. But I'm torn, because the device would probably fix my coverage problems. So it would seem that AT&T would have an incentive to create coverage problems so that you'd pay them more.

They are kind enough to lower the price if you use AT&T for your broadband connection. Great... they don't offer the service in my area! But that makes even less sense. They are funneling their traffic through the infrastructure of your broadband provider, so they should actually give you a discount for not having to use their own infrastructure! I can see where this is going too... you pay AT&T $20/month to add this device. Then in a few months Time Warner decides I'm using too much bandwidth and tacks on additional fees to cover AT&T mooching off of their pipes.

As much as I HATE government intervention, with the grueling 2 year contracts the carriers have, the consumer really doesn't have a way to fight this effectively. I either continue to put up with crappy service, or I pay them extra to fix it. Any "voting with your wallet" type of thing here would take 2 years to implement and I'd likely find myself in a similar boat with the next carrier. Never mind the fact that I can't use my device with the other carriers because of another monopolistic policy. This whole wireless market is getting more and more wacky in the US and it is not consumer oriented at all at this point.

I am with you on this. my hopes are that this isn't done yet. this is the beta pricing.

but i am hoping this will finally roll out nationwide soon. my coverage is horrible also, coverage in my neighborhood stinks. at this point it is just about making my coverage usable in the house and guest house.

But do any of us want to spend an extra $20 a month? hell no. but i think if you buy one of these microcells and dont have to pay any plan... it would be great to use your existing minutes. which i believe is an option.

[JGuez]

Most of you who are complaining sound pretty dumb. You're mad that AT&T has poor service in your area. Who the hell told you to sign up with them? They're trying to extend their coverage to you, and when they do you still bitch. Jeeze. Either drop them or just deal with it. If however you signed up with AT&T and their map shows you have good coverage in your area, call and complain and get some months for free. I guarantee you will get your wish if you demand and make your point to them properly.

AT&T is definitely the most expensive but clearly they're smart if they convinced you to sign up with them and they have bad service in your area....

[twoodcc]

i will not be paying for this.

[macswitcha2]

AT%T must think I'm stupid!

[steamed.hams]

"How little regard for your customers do you have to have to offer a product that fixes your own product for an additional fee every month? "

^ Adam/Gizmodo really hit the nail on the head.
:mad:

[aristobrat]

But you're too stupid to understand what this argument is about. The problem isn't that the technology doesn't have a benefit. The problem is that the benefit it provides (good cellular service) is something AT&T should already be providing. Seriously, have the people applauding AT&T completely lost the plot?
For someone calling a person stupid, you're coming across as short-sighted. No carrier (including the all-mightly Verizon, with "The Network") provides (good cellular service) everywhere. Which is probably why Verizon sells a device that does exactly the same thing that this AT&T MicroCell does.

You act like because of this device, AT&T's stopped dumping $10's of BILLIONS of dollars a year into expanding their network. :confused:

[cjmillsnun]

Oh if you don't get 3g service at your house we can SELL YOU THIS! For a low monthly fee you fill receive service as YOU expect it. Otherwise we can't guarantee that your phone will work well.. at all.. :D

Can Verizon finally get the Iphone.. Seriously.

When and if they make an iPhone that isn't GSM/UTMS then maybe. But that would then be a US only product. CDMA is not common outside the US.

[h4ck]

thank you for pointing that out. voice over IP traffic is negligible.

Voice traffic bandwidth requirements are real, real low. I am a network engineer and when we size the WAN for concurrent calls, we allow for about 12-16kbs per call. This service will have no impact whatsoever on your current ISP connection.

[QCassidy352]

No, you don't not have to pay $20 per month. ONLY if you want to and no, other people cannot latch on to your service.
READ PEOPLE READ!

But... but... it's more fun to rant angrily and trash AT&T blindly! C'mon, everyone else is doing it!

[Stately]

Other carriers have REAL unlimited plans for a reasonable $50 a month, just in case anyone is finally coming to their senses about AT&T. Sometimes we need to choose quality and efficience over luxury and while the iPhone is actually superior to other smartphones, it has become extremely crippled by it's carrier. The quality of it has been tarnished and smothered with the burden of finance for every feature that is already offered by the phone itself. At&t has caused this to become just another luxury item.*

[DotCom2]

Now I know why we have such a crappy, uneducated & uninformed discussion on health care. People just want to scream, get pissed off and shout at someone - anyone. No one seems to know how to debate anymore. Here's a "crazy" concept. How about READING the damn information first?
MY GAWD!
Do I second that or what!
Right on Buddy!

[aristobrat]

"How little regard for your customers do you have to have to offer a product that fixes your own product for an additional fee every month? "

^ Adam/Gizmodo really hit the nail on the head.
:mad:
Adam/Gizmodo missed the nail entirely.

Straight from AT&T's website, there is no required monthly fee.

http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&ft=browseTab&ps=solutionPanels&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8&solutionId=KB95627&isSrch=Yes
Do I need to subscribe to an AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling feature?

Question:
Do I need to subscribe to an AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling feature?
Answer:
While highly recommended for maximum benefit, a subscription to AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling is not required. Your normal wireless from AT&T minute plan rates will apply.

[GQB]

As much as I HATE government intervention, with the grueling 2 year contracts the carriers have, the consumer really doesn't have a way to fight this effectively.

Yeah... that 'government intervention' thing is really evil until you need it to step up and help protect you from rapacious corporations, huh?

Funny how libertarians hate government, except when protects them.

[NoExpectations]

I don't think there is any other device out there that is so polarized with love/hate as the iPhone. We love the phone hardware but HATE the service provider that shortchanges it.

I think that part of this perception problem stems from the fact that we pay Apple a real low, one time price for the iPhone (thanks to AT&T's ridiculously high subsidy) and we end up paying AT&T each month for the service which has to include the subsidy that was given to Apple. We don't think about that each month because the check goes to AT&T.....but behind the scenes, much of that money we send them already went to Apple. Apple ends up being the HERO and AT&T the VILLAIN. Very smart PR campaign from Apple.

[DotCom2]

Damn AT&T really know how to tick their customers off! :D

You mean the stupid ones that don't know how to read don't you?

[d21mike]

Other carriers have REAL unlimited plans for a reasonable $50 a month, just in case anyone is finally coming to their senses about AT&T.

But they don't hav ethe iPhone. So for most here that is not an option.

[jzuena]

Voice traffic bandwidth requirements are real, real low. I am a network engineer and when we size the WAN for concurrent calls, we allow for about 12-16kbs per call. This service will have no impact whatsoever on your current ISP connection.

Heck, even an un-encoded/uncompressed voice call only uses 64Kbps, which should still be tiny on a broadband connection.

Got sources that prove your claim or are you just paranoid? Why would anyone turn down the power of their WI-FI? Is that even possible? Let me guess, you believe in alien abductions too? Seriously, you have more to worry about just going out for a Sunday drive and stopping off at McDonalds on the way home.

Turning down the power on a Wifi base station can be a good security move. If my base station reaches 2 houses down at full power, that leaves 3-4 extra neighbors the temptation to try and get onto my network. If I turn it down to just the minimum needed to reach the edges of my property, I don't have to worry about anyone else trying to break in, because they can't even if they want to.

...
Now I'm wondering, does this mean I still get that unlimited usage AND the rebate? If so, then I'm only out of pocket $50 bucks to improve the poor service in my house.

If this works out the way I hope (I'm sure there will be a loop hole preventing it), I'll certainly drop the $50 get get what I already pay AT&T to do in the first place... WORK in a major metropolitan area.

I think you do qualify for both the rebate and the extra service for free. But as you stated, there may be fine print somewhere that says you have to pick the rebate or the free unlimited minutes.

[wallinbl]

My house in a GSM/3G deadzone (neighborhood is in a topographical depression). Neither T-mobile nor at&t have a usable signal when I'm at home. I'd love something like this, but I'm not paying 20 bucks a month for it...unless it could eliminate the need for my Vonage service. I despise having home phone service when my wife and I each have wireless phones.

T-Mobile has phones that will make and receive calls via WiFi. My wife has one and it works great. You don't consume minutes for calls that use WiFi. Their billing can be a bit confusing about which calls were on WiFi, but the service is great.

[greenpaz]

I think that all Wireless Carriers have the same problem.....Physics. You can not send a radio signal thru a metal/concrete structure or other barriers (thick walls, tinted windows, etc). This is one way to get around it. The other option is to install cell towers every 500 feet in your neighborhood. Do you really want that....do you really want to pay for that?

This service is FREE if you want your existing minutes. Reread the article.

What is this idea that I'd have to pay for the cell towers AT&T builds? I'm locked into a plan right now, so if they build more cell towers, I wouldn't be paying for them. And, yes, I want the extra cell towers. Geez, it's not like there aren't power poles every thirty feet already.

And I did take your advice and reread the article, and it still says I have to pay $150 dollars for the device. Not sure where "free" equals $150 in your world. On Planet Earth, $150 ain't free.

By the way, people with Verizon service get great reception in my brick building. When my contract is up, I'll be switching providers -- unless AT&T manages to build those cell towers you don't seem to want.

[aristobrat]

Some of the content from the FAQ, FWIW:
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=browseTab&ft=browseTab&opentopic=2700015&topicName=AT&T+3G+MicroCell&topicTreeId=solutionPropertyTree&showcontent=true&lstLanguageResults=&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8

Question:
Can I restrict access to my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device? Is it secure?
Answer:
Yes, only phones you expressly authorize have access to your AT&T 3G MicroCell device.


Question:
Can I grant access to my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device to other people’s phones?*
Answer:
Yes. You may grant access to other AT&T 3G phone customers, up to a total of 10 lines.


Question:
Can I move my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device and use it in another location?
Answer:
Yes, your device can be moved to another location provided it is within the Wireless from AT&T authorized service area.*A device move requires an update to your location address in your AT&T 3G MicroCell account profile for the device to function and for 911 purposes.*Please go to www.att.com/3GMicroCell*and select "Manage Your AT&T 3G MicroCell".


Question:
Do AT&T pre-paid phones work with the AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Answer:
You cannot activate an AT&T 3G MicroCell device because a post paid myWireless account is required; however, prepaid 3G wireless devices*can be added to the Authorized User List of someone else's device.*


Question:
Can I use my normal phone functions like voicemail and text messaging over my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?*
Answer:
Yes. These functions work exactly the same. However, at this time certain location based services and video share features may not be fully functional.


Question:
Do calls started on one AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device “handover” to another AT&T 3G MicroCell™ if I move out of range of one and into range of another?
Answer:
No. Calls will not handover between two AT&T 3G MicroCell devices.


Question:
Do other carrier’s phones work with the AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Can I use a non A&T device on my AT&T 3G MicroCell™?
Answer:
No, only 3G phones with an applicable AT&T mobile plan can be used with the AT&T 3G MicroCell device.


Question:
Does AT&T 3G MicroCell™ support 911?
Answer:
Yes, 911 services are supported. You must keep the address where the AT&T 3G MicroCell device is physically located up to date in order to ensure the proper location is available to emergency personnel.
*
Power Outages*- AT&T 3G MicroCell™ service is not available when either electrical service or your broadband service is unavailable.*In the event of a service disruption, you will not be able to access E911 service using your wireless device unless you have service on AT&T's wireless network.*The MicroCell unit includes a GPS device that enables the unit to identify its location. The MicroCell will not work until it has identified its location.*If the MicroCell is moved to a new location, it is important that instructions for updating the device location are followed to enable E911 service to function properly.*


Question:
How many phone numbers can I have on my*approved user list*for access to*my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Answer:
You can grant access to your AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device up to*a total of*10 numbers.


Question:
How many simultaneous calls or data sessions are possible with my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Answer:
Up to 4 simultaneous sessions are possible with your AT&T 3G MicroCell device.


Question:
I have a FamilyTalk plan with 4 additional numbers on my account. If I buy an AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device, are the additional numbers automatically added to the Unlimited MicroCell Calling?
Answer:
You must subscribe to Unlimited MicroCell Calling to receive unlimited domestic calling minutes.*AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling is available for single lines or multiple lines on an account like FamilyTalk covering all 3G phones on your account.*This is in addition to your 3G MicroCell device purchase.
*
You must add all your lines to the Approved User List to provide access to your 3G devices.


Question:
If I start a call away from my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device and then come within range, does the call move to the AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?* How about billing?
Answer:
No. Calls initiated on a cell tower do not transfer to the AT&T 3G MicroCell device. Standard wireless rate plan billing applies.*


Question:
Is there a minimum broadband internet speed required for my AT&T 3G MicroCell™?
Answer:
The device is compatible with any broadband service.*However, downstream speeds of 1.5 Mbps and upstream speeds of*256 Kbps are recommended for best performance. (Satelite Broadband is not recommended.)


Question:
What is the range of the AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Answer:
The signal range is approximately 40 feet from the base station (in all directions), or about 5000 square feet.


Question:
What kind of phone do I need to work with the AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Answer:
An AT&T 3G device is required to work with the AT&T 3G MicroCell device.


Question:
What minutes are included in AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling?
Answer:
Domestic calls only.*These include inbound anytime minutes and outbound anytime minute domestic calls*made to the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Northern Mariana Islands.


Question:
Why do I have to provide my location when I activate or move my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device?
Answer:
You must provide your location to*ensure emergency personnel have access to your correct location, and to comply with FCC regulations.


Question:
Will*the AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device cause interference with my Wi-Fi router?*
Answer:
No. Installed as recommended, there should not be interference between a Wi-Fi router and the AT&T 3G MicroCell device.

[cjmillsnun]

Well, yes it is.

UNIX was created by AT&T....this is the foundation for MAC OS X.

Apple's core growth is now wireless....a service invented by AT&T many years ago.



The ties are stronger than you think (or want it to be) !

Wireless was invented by AT&T? I don't think so. Wireless technology could be taken back to the days of Marconi. IIRC he was Italian.

[davidee]

NO!
You DO NOT have to pay an additional $20 a month!
That is ***ONLY*** if you want to get the unlimited calling plan.
You can just buy the unit outright, and use your already established plan minutes just like you do now when you use your cell phone in your home.
The amount of mis-information on this is scaring me.
If you use your 3G cell phone a lot at home, you could actually lower your calling plan and get the $20 unlimited plan and be ahead.
Again, this is only if you want to.
I'm getting this baby!
I need coverage inside my home that I am not getting now.
I don't feel it's AT&T's fault that I live on the skirt of town, with blown in insulation and metal studs in my house.
CAN"T WAIT FOR IT!

As far as I am concerned, If I am not using their wire (as it is using mine) then unlimited minutes for my personal femtocell SHOULD BE FREE. It is my AP/repeater basically doing voip for your crappy net (over simplification as there is call routing to tower/landlines etc) but if you are assisting their net...charge me for the device but not for a plan addition.

Let's see what Seth the tilty head "blogger guy"/puppet says. I for one say this is effing pathetic.

[NoExpectations]

Wireless was invented by AT&T? I don't think so. Wireless technology could be taken back to the days of Marconi. IIRC he was Italian.

Here is my source. I was looking this up for a school project.


http://www.corp.att.com/attlabs/reputation/timeline/83celltech.html


"AT&T Labs developed car phones in the 1940s and continued to seek improvements. But until recently mobile telephones were rare, limited by a lack of available communications channels. The big breakthrough came when AT&T Labs divided wireless communications into a series of cells, then automatically switched callers as they moved so that each cell could be reused. This led to the development of cellular phones and made today's mobile communications possible.

For their pioneering work in cellular telephony, AT&T Labs researchers Richard Frenkiel and Joel Engles earned the National Medal of Technology. Cellular telephony has spawned a multibillion-dollar industry and has freed tens of millions of people, both at home and at work, to communicate anywhere, any time."

[uricmu]

Got sources that prove your claim or are you just paranoid? Why would anyone turn down the power of their WI-FI? Is that even possible? Let me guess, you believe in alien abductions too? Seriously, you have more to worry about just going out for a Sunday drive and stopping off at McDonalds on the way home.

Since I didn't make any claims, just asked a question, so I don't have anything to "substantiate". Go back to college. If we're fighting credentials, I have two masters degree and a PhD from a top-4 school. As for comparing risks, I can choose whether to go to McDonalds, I can't choose if my neighbor puts a cell station below my aapartment. Let me guess, you're a smoker?

That being said, I do believe that EM radiation can cause cancer and other problems, it's a question of range and of frequencies, and has been proven scientifically in vitro. The question is whether Wi-Fi and 3G and DECT cause cancers in household ranges. That hasn't been proven yet, just like it took a while to demonstrate that cigarettes cause cancer. I do think that there may be cause for concern, so when possible I like to minimize transmission powers around the house. Again, basic physics.

I live in a 1000sq apartment. When my wi-fi is set to maximum power, I can get my network 5 blocks away. That's a waste. So I went into my router's configuration menu and reduced the transmission power, yours can do it too.
I would also not live somewhere that is right under a huge cell tower.

I encourage you to put an iphone continuously downloading in your pants pocket in a single-bar zone. Natural selection.

[GQB]

I have to wonder how Comcast feels about AT&T freeloading on their network?

[aristobrat]

I have to wonder how Comcast feels about AT&T freeloading on their network?
Probably no different than they do about Skype or Vonage. If the FCC gets its way (with the net neutrality rules it's trying to formalize), then it won't matter what Comcast thinks anyways.

[davidee]

EXACTLY!
Finally someone who GETS IT!
It's only $20 if you want/need that option.
I can see people getting the $20 unlimited plan and cancelling their landline. Or if you run a small biz outta your home.
THis is perf!

1. this hooks up to your wire
2. it eats bandwith
3. I'll bet money there is no COS monitoring, so you would need to buy a router that can restrict that (granted I have them)
--> <edit> I did not know about the 4 concurrent connections only, still worth thinking about though)
this should also be a thought for those that want to leave an OPEN config to service whomever, you may not be able to get on your own femtocell at times so lock it down </edit>

instead of paying AT&T why don't we sign up for boingo, and get $ paid to us when someone uses our network. at lease 1 way you are making some cash, instead of further opening the vein and "donating" to AT&T

[jav6454]

I'm sure broadband ISPs will not like AT&T feeding of their networks. Smart on AT&T's part, using someone else's pipes to offload theirs free of charge.

Although, $150 is a biggy, I can see people buying those if their service is terrible.

[Stately]

As much as I HATE government intervention, with the grueling 2 year contracts the carriers have, the consumer really doesn't have a way to fight this effectively. I either continue to put up with crappy service, or I pay them extra to fix it. Any "voting with your wallet" type of thing here would take 2 years to implement and I'd likely find myself in a similar boat with the next carrier. Never mind the fact that I can't use my device with the other carriers because of another monopolistic policy. This whole wireless market is getting more and more wacky in the US and it is not consumer oriented at all at this point.

The way to fight it is to have your own mind and settle for a phone that can't do as much, it's really that simple. It's sad but simple. Ex: blackberry/sprint. Take it easy.

[aristobrat]

1. this hooks up to your wire
2. it eats bandwith
3. I'll bet money there is no COS monitoring, so you would need to buy a router that can restrict that (granted I have them)
If the bandwidth requirements are listed at 256kbps, I'm not imagining it's going to put a load on the average consumers broadband connection.

instead of paying AT&T why don't we sign up for boingo, and get $ paid to us when someone uses our network. at lease 1 way you are making some cash, instead of further opening the vein and "donating" to AT&T
I live on a residential street that nobody's going to frequent. Boingo isn't going to earn me any money. Besides, none of AT&T/Sprint/T-Mobile/Verizons MicroCells are "open networks". Nobody can use them until you've authorized their device.

[davidee]

...this is an option....buy it if you feel there is value in it....no one is forcing you to buy this.

Wireless Service was never intended to replace wireline service....so don't feel that you should have a 'right' for perfect 3G service within your metal and concrete enclosures that you call HOME or WORK. It just so happens that many of us are lucky to be close enough to existing 3G Cell towers that we are able to pick up a strong enough signal inside building where we work and live.

This is an optional service to allow those customers who can not receive 3G signals behind a tinted window, metal framing, or other barrier so that you to get 3G signals almost anywhere.

Jeez....grow up folks.

yep,

there is value in it. this is a great idea in a data center network darkspot etc, I think what people/me are irritated about it the recurring monthly charges. This shows that AT&T continues to miss the point here and pork their users.

I do not think that anyone is arguing that it is a good idea and a great option, just now AT&T is going to get paid for running traffic over another carrier's wire. They essentially extended their network @ 0 cost. Maybe they are doing this so they can spend the $ on MMS system rightsizing [insert appropriate eyeroll here]

[jav6454]

Since I didn't make any claims, just asked a question, so I don't have anything to "substantiate". Go back to college. If we're fighting credentials, I have two masters degree and a PhD from a top-4 school. As for comparing risks, I can choose whether to go to McDonalds, I can't choose if my neighbor puts a cell station below my aapartment. Let me guess, you're a smoker?

That being said, I do believe that EM radiation can cause cancer and other problems, it's a question of range and of frequencies, and has been proven scientifically in vitro. The question is whether Wi-Fi and 3G and DECT cause cancers in household ranges. That hasn't been proven yet, just like it took a while to demonstrate that cigarettes cause cancer. I do think that there may be cause for concern, so when possible I like to minimize transmission powers around the house. Again, basic physics.

I live in a 1000sq apartment. When my wi-fi is set to maximum power, I can get my network 5 blocks away. That's a waste. So I went into my router's configuration menu and reduced the transmission power, yours can do it too.
I would also not live somewhere that is right under a huge cell tower.

I encourage you to put an iphone continuously downloading in your pants pocket in a single-bar zone. Natural selection.

This. I am studying EE and I agree totally with you. EM waves won't do you anything in the moment, but continue exposing yourself and watch what happens. As this poster said, Natural Selection.

Oh btw, having Wi-Fi also affects you.

PS- Why do you think any cell tower has to be turned OFF before any maintenance is done? (regardless if it's on top or on the computer down at the base) Guess? No? Just read on.

Hint: Has to do with Microwaves.

[aristobrat]

there is value in it. this is a great idea in a data center network darkspot etc, I think what people/me are irritated about it the recurring monthly charges.
David.

AT&T's own website says that there is no required recurring monthly charge.

Where is the confusion? :confused:

[uricmu]

Oh btw, having Wi-Fi also affects you.


I think that the FCC regulation should be that all wi-fi routers should be set to minimal power by default, and if users have a problem, they can go in and increase the strength.

Putting it as a default of max means that 99% of people will never tinker with it since it works, even though they could get the same effect at 1/8 power.

When I was growing up, I had a DECT phone and its base next to my head. My parents aren't techies, and I had no idea these things transmit all the time even while the phone is in the base! (which is really a strange design decision).

[PaulieORF]

I don't understand why people are having such a hard time grasping the concept that there is ZERO monthly cost for extending AT&T's coverage in your home using the Microcell. I've seen sites like Gizmodo where they post articles absolutely blasting AT&T for "charging $20 a month to enhance their lousy network", when in fact that is all completely false. $20 a month for unlimited minutes on the Microcell is an OPTIONAL feature!!!! I always thought the tech blogging types were the smart ones, but apparently a lot of them don't know how to read or don't know how to do their homework.

[skinnylegs]

I'm not fully understanding what this service will provide. Does it mean that guys like me with limited phone reception at home will get better reception?

[sumsugar]

I was reluctant to give AT&T more of my money but it works as advertised. Picked one up today and I now have 5 bars (instead of 1) and crystal clear calls at my home office. Not opting for the unlimited calls since I am just piggybacking off my existing plan.

[Stately]

But they don't hav ethe iPhone. So for most here that is not an option.

Your right, but sometimes quality/neccessity should outweigh luxury. For instance, some need to handle real business and can't afford to mess around. So getting the job done in a case like that is far more important.

[TitoC]

"How little regard for your customers do you have to have to offer a product that fixes your own product for an additional fee every month? "

^ Adam/Gizmodo really hit the nail on the head.
:mad:

AT%T must think I'm stupid!

I said it before in the post and I'll say it again (since no one still seems to be reading the FAQ page about this thing): Now I know why we have such a crappy, uneducated & uninformed discussion on health care. People just want to scream, get pissed off and shout at someone - anyone. No one seems to know how to debate anymore. Here's a "crazy" concept. How about READING the damn information first?


"...if you're too stupid to see the benefits of this technology, than you're an idiot IMO."

But you're too stupid to understand what this argument is about. The problem isn't that the technology doesn't have a benefit. The problem is that the benefit it provides (good cellular service) is something AT&T should already be providing. Seriously, have the people applauding AT&T completely lost the plot?

Seriously? Show me ONE - ONE provider that has cell phone coverage EVERYWHERE? And I mean everywhere -in thick buildings, in ALL cities in all areas, in all forrest parks, in all large grocery stores, in all rural areas. Tell me, who? Because if you can find one, then you have the next big thing in all communications, not just cellular. The answer of course is NO ONE. Not Sprint, not T-Mobile, not AT&T. Again NO ONE!! So, get off of this one track argument and come back to reality.

Jeez, I'm not a big fan of AT&T, but this hate-mongering is getting ridiculous.

A few facts:
(1) You pay for the device ONE TIME.
(2) You pay $20 ONLY FOR THE UNLIMITED CALLS SERVICE. Otherwise it is free.

If you get good service in your area but maybe not in your home (maybe because it is old, has steel beams, whatever), then this thing would be for you.

It does NOT :
(a) Give cell service to your neighbor or anyone else (unless you want it to)
(b) Make you and your family into alien robots eating the flesh of your neighbors.**
(c) Microwave your burrito**
(d) Get you free porn**

** Sorry, had to throw these last few ones in there for fun, since the crazy meter is apparently up today.

[PaulieORF]

I was reluctant to give AT&T more of my money but it works as advertised. Picked one up today and I now have 5 bars (instead of 1) and crystal clear calls at my home office. Not opting for the unlimited calls since I am just piggybacking off my existing plan.

I assume you are in NC?

[run-kmc]

I can't wait to switch to Verizon, where I can pay $100 more for the exact same service. Stupid AT&T and their lower price.

[mdntcallr]

Most of you who are complaining sound pretty dumb. You're mad that AT&T has poor service in your area. Who the hell told you to sign up with them? They're trying to extend their coverage to you, and when they do you still bitch. Jeeze. Either drop them or just deal with it. If however you signed up with AT&T and their map shows you have good coverage in your area, call and complain and get some months for free. I guarantee you will get your wish if you demand and make your point to them properly.

AT&T is definitely the most expensive but clearly they're smart if they convinced you to sign up with them and they have bad service in your area....

coverage changes especially now that att is doing 3g - 4g switchover / "upgrade"

[sumsugar]

I assume you are in NC?

Yes. Charlotte.

[Scooterman1]

How are you getting 40 ft in any one direction?

If you follow the links under the Microcel Home Page: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

Click on Microcell Owner/FAQ/Page 3/What is the range of the AT&T Microcell Device?
It takes you here:
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&ft=browseTab&ps=solutionPanels&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8&solutionId=KB95629&isSrch=Yes

[davidee]

David.

AT&T's own website says that there is no required recurring monthly charge.

Where is the confusion? :confused:

If I am off here I'll stop ranting, but there was a 20$ additional for unlimited usage minutes of your local femtocell.

is this not the case? others also seem to be thinking this.

again I am not opposed to the 1, 2, 3, hundred dollar price tag, just the recurrings for unlimited use of _my_ wire.

btw thx for the 4 concurrent connection clarification on page 5ish, that is much less heartburn on the COS point I mentioned above, also I modified my post.

[MacU]

I second that claim. I live in Chicago as well and I have dropped calls all the time. I think if you have ATT Home phone and ATT internet you get to use this for free.


It's not a revelation that the home phone is obsolete but when will ATT get a clue here. If I'm willing to pay for their internet, this service should be free. Heck, if you're in a WIFI area use the Google app if this isn't a free service for the violently expensive iPhone plan. When will the consumer get a break? Stop advertising with these celebrities and let us have cheaper service!

[PaulieORF]

Yes. Charlotte.

Nice. I'm very jealous. Can't wait for it to be available in CT.

[MacU]

Where are you in Denver? I have fantastic 3G service pretty much everywhere I go in Denver (sure, it can drop down to EDGE when you enter a hilly portion of town, terrain blockages do plague mountain areas on any cell network). Also, I live in Evergreen and ATT just installed a 3G tower by my house.

I have a friend in downtown denver who says the same thing. I can't use my cell at home and I live in downtown Sacramento, CA.

[hsk]

Some really knee jerk, vile reactions above. Man, you folks REALLY need to get another carrier. I have decent service, but I want it to be as perfect as possible and I think this device is a great idea and a good deal at $150. I have ATT DSL and an ATT Landline, so I get the benefit of free unlimited calling.

And guess what, ATT is not making me buy it nor are they making me stay with their service. Free country - switch and see if the grass is greener. And no stupid comments about a ETF - the $175 is chump change when you consider what you pay yearly for the service. If you don't like the service, move on.

[Scooterman1]

There are two features in the microcell sites to lock the phones being used. 1. It records the SIM # of your phones. 2. It has a built-in GPS unit so you can't even move it to another location.

This is probably to keep you from plugging it into the Network in another Country.

But wait, that's what MajicJack does, except for having to have a telephone plugged into the MajicJack and a computer to plug in the MajicJaxck. And hardware $20 and $20/year unlimited calls.

It would be nice for me if they would just come out with a iPhone to VOIP modem.

In my last home, they didn't have a 3G tower, and the EDGE was terrible. Even the bars were very low. Dropped calls, etc. I may have paid $300 for the unit them. I was thinking of buying a Cell Repeater for about $300. Do a search for that one!!! You may find it interesting.

[BryanLyle]

If you follow the links under the Microcel Home Page: http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

Click on Microcell Owner/FAQ/Page 3/What is the range of the AT&T Microcell Device?
It takes you here:
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&ft=browseTab&ps=solutionPanels&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8&solutionId=KB95629&isSrch=Yes

And forty feet is squat. So instead of having to hang out the window to make a call, I'll have to be IN the room where the microcell is.

[allmIne]

I was all set to open this thread and find everybody bitching about the cost for no good reason.

But seriously... you Americans really get shafted. AT+T have a cheek! I really, really hope nobody signs up for this.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9341/crappymicrocell.tif (http://img230.imageshack.us/i/crappymicrocell.tif/) http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/crappymicrocell.tif/1/w425.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img230/crappymicrocell.tif/1/)

"Up to 5 bars in your home" - it's not really something to brag about, is it? Pay us a further $20 on top of your monthly bill and you could, potentially, possibly, probably, likely, maybe get up to 5 bars signal strength.

[Scooterman1]

And forty feet is squat. So instead of having to hang out the window to make a call, I'll have to be IN the room where the microcell is.


You've got it!!! Or have it at floor level on the 2nd floor in the Middle of a 2 story house, or in the middle of the house at ceiling level for a 1 story. For a lot of people, they don't want to run cables into the middle of a house.

They should have placed a Wireless adapter in it to connect you your WiFi Modem/Router. Then you could have placed it anywhere without having to have Ethernet wired to it.

I wonder if anyone else, besides Cisco, makes a MicroCell device that would connect wirelessly. I'll have to do some research on that one.

[aristobrat]

If I am off here I'll stop ranting, but there was a 20$ additional for unlimited usage minutes of your local femtocell.

is this not the case? others also seem to be thinking this.
AT&T gives you two choices:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
$20.00/month extra to add unlimited MicroCell minutes to your normal plan minutes.

Here's how the rest of the market pans out for their version of the MicroCell:

T-Mobile gives you one choice:
no option (I saw) to just use your normal plan minutes
$09.99/month extra to add unlimited WiFi minutes to your normal plan.

Verizon gives you one choice:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
no option (I saw) to add unlimited minutes

Sprint gives you two choices:
$04.99/month to use your normal plan minutes
$10.00/month to add unlimited Airave minutes to your normal plan

[davidee]

Some really knee jerk, vile reactions above. Man, you folks REALLY need to get another carrier. I have decent service, but I want it to be as perfect as possible and I think this device is a great idea and a good deal at $150. I have ATT DSL and an ATT Landline, so I get the benefit of free unlimited calling.

And guess what, ATT is not making me buy it nor are they making me stay with their service. Free country - switch and see if the grass is greener. And no stupid comments about a ETF - the $175 is chump change when you consider what you pay yearly for the service. If you don't like the service, move on.

I _had_ AT&T dsl for years until they just didn't cut it anymore. I need statics and faster upstream. I was paying for a biz class acct and it was pathetic. I still pay for a biz class acct w/time warner and it runs about 10 more, but was worth it. The only reason I have TW is because I cannot get fios, for some AT&T dsl is good enough, but not for everyone. This device is intended to leach bandwith across multiple providers, why not make the monthly unlim free, and just make us buy the device. I spent $200 on my cradlepoint router, and would pay the same for this one, the recurring is what is unreasonable.

[JoeG4]

The way to fight it is to have your own mind and settle for a phone that can't do as much, it's really that simple. It's sad but simple. Ex: blackberry/sprint. Take it easy.

The iPhone has a lot of direct competition - particularly the Palm Pre and HTC Hero, and you'd be nuts to write them off.

As for the 2 year contract thing, in most places you have anywhere between 2 weeks and a month to decide whether or not the service works and return the phone. I don't really believe the "THE NETWORK WAS GREAT FOR THE FIRST 2 WEEKS AND NOW I GET 1 BAR AT HOME!" baloney, those people just have such iPhone obsession they can't realize that AT&T doesn't care about covering their home area.

I'm lucky, that where I live everything (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and even MetroPCS) grants me good coverage. I don't have to be picky, but then I don't choose to do business with AT&T because I can't afford it in the first place.

I think anyone that pays $150 for a device to use their $80/mo (after tax) phone that cost them anywhere between $50 and $300, is a sucker. You can argue with me all you want about how having an iPhone makes you the perfect social butterfly, but I still think you're a sucker.

[NoExpectations]

I was all set to open this thread and find everybody bitching about the cost for no good reason.

But seriously... you Americans really get shafted. AT+T have a cheek! I really, really hope nobody signs up for this.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9341/crappymicrocell.tif (http://img230.imageshack.us/i/crappymicrocell.tif/) http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/crappymicrocell.tif/1/w425.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img230/crappymicrocell.tif/1/)

"Up to 5 bars in your home" - it's not really something to brag about, is it? Pay us a further $20 on top of your monthly bill and you could, potentially, possibly, probably, likely, maybe get up to 5 bars signal strength.


First, it's free. Second, why do you care about us Americans and our service?

[NoExpectations]

AT&T gives you two choices:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
$20.00/month extra to add unlimited MicroCell minutes to your normal plan minutes.

Here's how the rest of the market pans out for their version of the MicroCell:

T-Mobile gives you one choice:
no option (I saw) to just use your normal plan minutes
$09.99/month extra to add unlimited WiFi minutes to your normal plan.

Verizon gives you one choice:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
no option (I saw) to add unlimited minutes

Sprint gives you two choices:
$04.99/month to use your normal plan minutes
$10.00/month to add unlimited Airave minutes to your normal plan

I'm glad someone is presenting the facts. Thanks.

[davidee]

AT&T gives you two choices:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
$20.00/month extra to add unlimited MicroCell minutes to your normal plan minutes.

Here's how the rest of the market pans out for their version of the MicroCell:

T-Mobile gives you one choice:
no option (I saw) to just use your normal plan minutes
$09.99/month extra to add unlimited WiFi minutes to your normal plan.

Verizon gives you one choice:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
no option (I saw) to add unlimited minutes

Sprint gives you two choices:
$04.99/month to use your normal plan minutes
$10.00/month to add unlimited Airave minutes to your normal plan

so, then the logical thing here is for them to charge 9.95 MAX, as another cellular device on your account. there is your and my compromise.

oh and I can move it anywhere I want, so I can pay for my parent's femtocell for example.

$20 is too much, if they are going to charge $20 for unlim, make that $20 for all the minutes you can use femtocell or otherwise for all the phones on your family plan...1 charge more flexibility less backlash. seriously they need to reevaluate what people find reasonable. I can't wait until the tether plan comes out and they want to charge you what they do for an aircard (which I have both AT&T & VZW) how will they rationalize that one?

[clayj]

I was reluctant to give AT&T more of my money but it works as advertised. Picked one up today and I now have 5 bars (instead of 1) and crystal clear calls at my home office. Not opting for the unlimited calls since I am just piggybacking off my existing plan.Fellow Charlottean here...

I get 5 bars all throughout my condo, so the MicroCell does nothing for me with respect to improving signal quality. In my case, the ONLY reason to get one of these is if I ALSO sign up for the $19.95 Unlimited plan, so that I can use my iPhone as a sort of landline-substitute. But seeing as how I never use all of my minutes anyway (and I have the cheapest AT&T iPhone plan), again that would make no sense.

So despite the fact that I am a gadget freak and this is a pretty cool gadget, I'm going to hold off until the time comes when the Unlimited plan makes sense for me.

[PaulieORF]

I was all set to open this thread and find everybody bitching about the cost for no good reason.

But seriously... you Americans really get shafted. AT+T have a cheek! I really, really hope nobody signs up for this.

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9341/crappymicrocell.tif (http://img230.imageshack.us/i/crappymicrocell.tif/) http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/crappymicrocell.tif/1/w425.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img230/crappymicrocell.tif/1/)

"Up to 5 bars in your home" - it's not really something to brag about, is it? Pay us a further $20 on top of your monthly bill and you could, potentially, possibly, probably, likely, maybe get up to 5 bars signal strength.

AT&T does NOT require you to pay $20 a month to use the Microcell, please READ before you post something like this, you are just proving my point about the amount of ignorance in these forums.

[greenpaz]

I said it before in the post and I'll say it again (since no one still seems to be reading the FAQ page about this thing): Now I know why we have such a crappy, uneducated & uninformed discussion on health care. People just want to scream, get pissed off and shout at someone - anyone. No one seems to know how to debate anymore. Here's a "crazy" concept. How about READING the damn information first?




Seriously? Show me ONE - ONE provider that has cell phone coverage EVERYWHERE? And I mean everywhere -in thick buildings, in ALL cities in all areas, in all forrest parks, in all large grocery stores, in all rural areas. Tell me, who? Because if you can find one, then you have the next big thing in all communications, not just cellular. The answer of course is NO ONE. Not Sprint, not T-Mobile, not AT&T. Again NO ONE!! So, get off of this one track argument and come back to reality.

Jeez, I'm not a big fan of AT&T, but this hate-mongering is getting ridiculous.

A few facts:
(1) You pay for the device ONE TIME.
(2) You pay $20 ONLY FOR THE UNLIMITED CALLS SERVICE. Otherwise it is free.

If you get good service in your area but maybe not in your home (maybe because it is old, has steel beams, whatever), then this thing would be for you.

It does NOT :
(a) Give cell service to your neighbor or anyone else (unless you want it to)
(b) Make you and your family into alien robots eating the flesh of your neighbors.**
(c) Microwave your burrito**
(d) Get you free porn**

** Sorry, had to throw these last few ones in there for fun, since the crazy meter is apparently up today.

Nobody sane is arguing that there is one magical company that has perfect cell phone service everywhere. You claim people are saying this so you can marginalize them and make your argument sound reasonable, which it's not.

Look, when I bought my iPhone, I knew that AT&T service would be worse than the Verizon service I was getting. It was a trade-off I was willing to make because I really wanted the iPhone. And I didn't want the iPhone for the phone aspect, I wanted it mostly for everything else it does (and it does do everything else quite well).

Is it really so surprising that people are bothered by the fact that AT&T wants them to plunk 3/4 of the cost of a new iPhone to improve their service? These don't sound like crazy AT&T customers to me. What could be construed as crazy is arguing that this is no big deal, and that anybody who thinks otherwise is crazy or some sort of message-board crank.

Yes, the technology is fantastic. Yes, it will improve one's phone service. Yes, we all want it. But do we want to have to pay money just to bring our service to a basic level of reception that we should already be getting?

This is the problem us crazies have. Decent reception should be included in the package we already have. The fact that it's not and that AT&T wants us to pay a "reception tax" is why most of us are so upset.

[NoExpectations]

AT&T gives you two choices:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
$20.00/month extra to add unlimited MicroCell minutes to your normal plan minutes.

Here's how the rest of the market pans out for their version of the MicroCell:

T-Mobile gives you one choice:
no option (I saw) to just use your normal plan minutes
$09.99/month extra to add unlimited WiFi minutes to your normal plan.

Verizon gives you one choice:
$00.00/month extra to use your normal plan minutes
no option (I saw) to add unlimited minutes

Sprint gives you two choices:
$04.99/month to use your normal plan minutes
$10.00/month to add unlimited Airave minutes to your normal plan


WHAT!! Sprint is charging $5 a month for the minutes you already bought? DOUBLE DIPPING! No wonder they keep losing customers each month.

[iphones4evry1]

Right now, I use my iPhone in my house, with unlimited mobile-to-mobile, more night and weekend minutes than I know what to do with, and more rollover minutes than I can count... and AT&T actually thinks I'm going to pay an upfront fee of $150 plus $20 per month IN ADDITION to what I already pay???

Are they out of their !$#$#%#$#@#$#$#$# MINDS ???????????? :eek::eek::eek:

This is perhaps THE WORST public relations mistake they could have made. With AT&T's image already tarnished, this is like squirting lighter fluid on an out of control camp fire. This move by AT&T is social suicide.

[davidee]

WHAT!! Sprint is charging $5 a month for the minutes you already bought? DOUBLE DIPPING! No wonder they keep losing customers each month.

wait you are outraged over that yet, AT&T is doing that in their $20 plan

(as are all of the others to be fair)

I can see charging for handling/completion (if they could manage to do it)/and off system routing

but give people more for the $20

not just unlimited minutes in their own home _on their own wire_

not only is AT&T double dipping but now they are also charging you for use of the device hooked to another carries net.

are they paying comcast, timewarner, verizon, for the traffic this generates?
NO

yet we...pay them

[davidee]

Right now, I use my iPhone in my house, with unlimited mobile-to-mobile, more night and weekend minutes than I know what to do with, and more rollover minutes than I can count... and AT&T actually thinks I'm going to pay an upfront fee of $150 plus $20 per month IN ADDITION to what I already pay???

Are they out of their !$#$#%#$#@#$#$#$# MINDS ???????????? :eek::eek::eek:

This is perhaps THE WORST public relations mistake they could have made. With AT&T's image already tarnished, this is like squirting lighter fluid on an out of control camp fire. This move by AT&T is social suicide.

device cost is fine, it is another network device that is not subsidized. the monthly is what is crap

[NoExpectations]

wait you are outraged over that yet, AT&T is doing that in their $20 plan

(as are all of the others to be fair)

I can see charging for handling/completion (if they could manage to do it)/and off system routing

but give people more for the $20

not just unlimited minutes in their own home _on their own wire_

not only is AT&T double dipping but now they are also charging you for use of the device hooked to another carries net.

are they paying comcast, timewarner, verizon, for the traffic this generates?
NO

yet we...pay them

That's not the way I read it. AT&T is $0 if you do not change your plan. Sprint is $5 if you do not change your plan.

[edoates]

1. This is free....read the article again. In fact, this is better than free...you can eliminate your local land line (prob 30-50 a month) and spend 10 a month for unlimited calls.



DSL usually needs a ... land line and some rate plan. I don't know if you can get DSL (whether from ATT or others: mine is with Earthlink/COVAD, but is in actuality ATT - that's who showed up the one time I needed service). And I have a minimum service plan for that line: I use it for my fax line.

So, yes, you can reduce your land line cost, but not to zero in most instances. Oh, and that line works with an old style phone when the power goes out.

[glap1922]

wait you are outraged over that yet, AT&T is doing that in their $20 plan

(as are all of the others to be fair)

I can see charging for handling/completion (if they could manage to do it)/and off system routing

but give people more for the $20

not just unlimited minutes in their own home _on their own wire_

not only is AT&T double dipping but now they are also charging you for use of the device hooked to another carries net.

are they paying comcast, timewarner, verizon, for the traffic this generates?
NO

yet we...pay them

That is not what ATT is doing in their plan. for $20 per month with ATT you get unlimited minutes, for $0 per month you can use your own plan, which is what Sprint charges $5 to do. While I agree $20 is too high for only unlimited minutes at home, it is not the same thing.

[Roy Hobbs]

And forty feet is squat. So instead of having to hang out the window to make a call, I'll have to be IN the room where the microcell is.

Assuming your room is 5000 sq foot than yes you will need to be in the same room as the microcell

[PaulieORF]

Wow, this entire discussion about pricing makes me want to give up on the internet for good. It's bordering on hilarious now. Some of you people need to go back to school.

[aristobrat]

if they are going to charge $20 for unlim, make that $20 for all the minutes you can use femtocell or otherwise for all the phones on your family plan...
??


Question:
I have a FamilyTalk plan with 4 additional numbers on my account. If I buy an AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device, are the additional numbers automatically added to the Unlimited MicroCell Calling?
Answer:
You must subscribe to Unlimited MicroCell Calling to receive unlimited domestic calling minutes. AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling is available for single lines or multiple lines on an account like FamilyTalk covering all 3G phones on your account. This is in addition to your 3G MicroCell device purchase.

[davidee]

That's not the way I read it. AT&T is $0 if you do not change your plan. Sprint is $5 if you do not change your plan.

so sprint sucks more than AT&T in this case™ of that part of their plan.

I have AT&T, they are who I care about. If sprint gave me unlimited use of my femtocell i would not go to their net, I like my phone, I just object to being violated by AT&T when they are using my wire to extend their capabilities (albiet for a limited # of users). 5-9$ per month for the device access cost (to their wire maybe and that is w/unlims), $20 is out of the question

[BryanLyle]

Assuming your room is 500 sq foot than yes you will need to be in the same room as the microcell

Hopefully I'll be able to put it in the center of the house (upstairs) and it will provide enough signal to my office down the hall. 2 bars of coverage is 2 more than I have now :)

[aristobrat]

Right now, I use my iPhone in my house, with unlimited mobile-to-mobile, more night and weekend minutes than I know what to do with, and more rollover minutes than I can count... and AT&T actually thinks I'm going to pay an upfront fee of $150 plus $20 per month IN ADDITION to what I already pay???

Are they out of their !$#$#%#$#@#$#$#$# MINDS ???????????? :eek::eek::eek:
If you have "more minutes than you can count", you, sir, would be the one out of your !$#$#%#$#@#$#$#$# MIND if you bought the device *and* signed up for the OPTIONAL $20/month unlimited MicroCell minute plan. :eek: :rolleyes:

There is NO ADDITIONAL AT&T MONTHLY FEE to use this device with your normal plan minutes.

[mr_matalino]

When will AT&T ever get it? They are screwed when they lose their exclusive contract with Apple...

[skinnylegs]

Can someone clarify.....will this provide for better phone service in homes that have limited bars?

[davidee]

??

wow yea that was badly constructed

what i meant to convey was:

for $20, give me unlimited usage for the phones in my family plan.
femtocell or AT&T native celular network.

then it would make it more inline with the unlimited talk plan from AT&T

it would be a tradeoff, I get some benefit outside of the femtocell addition, that way you can rationalize it and assign a monetary value to that feature set

for example: for $20 i get unlimited femtocell minutes, _and_ unlimited minutes for those 4 phones in my family plan? Sweet!

as opposed to "AT&T, money grubbing (etc, etc, and more non-productive expletives) :-)

[clayj]

Wow, this entire discussion about pricing makes me want to give up on the internet for good. It's bordering on hilarious now. Some of you people need to go back to school.I agree completely. How is it that supposedly educated people are missing the part where the $19.95/mo thing is OPTIONAL?

Again, for those who seemingly can't read:

$150 gets you the hardware, which is all you really need to set up your MicroCell. This is a one-time expense.

$19.95 a month, OPTIONAL, lets you have unlimited cellphone minutes through your MicroCell. Otherwise, you just use your normal minutes.

[clayj]

Can someone clarify.....will this provide for better phone service in homes that have limited bars?Yes.

[aristobrat]

so sprint sucks more than AT&T in this case™ of that part of their plan.
Then so does T-Mobile, as they also don't offer a free option as part of their plan.

As far as I can tell, AT&T is the only carrier that offers both a FREE option as well as an unlimited minutes option.

[ItsGavinC]

I'm amazed at how many people posting here cannot read.

There is NO monthly fee!

How will your ISP feel about AT&T using up some of their bandwidth? I don't know, but why don't you ask Verizon and Spring, since they have had these in home mini-tower options for their customers for quite some time!

I'm getting one of these MicroCells as soon as they are available.

[davidee]

When will AT&T ever get it? They are screwed when they lose their exclusive contract with Apple...

the fairness side of me says, as they are a telco they have oversubscription %ages that are in place for resource estimation. No one can afford to be 1 to 1, it is just not feasible. People can bail to VZW or sprint, but in reality had they been the only network for iphone, they would have had the same issue.

Now, when they do pickup the rats migrating off the ship (from AT&T) their network will see issues as well from time to time.

Noone...could have predicted the traffic and planned in a 3yr deployment cycle what AT&T has had to do to provide us the lackluster quality we have today.

Other carriers would have had the same issues

[greenpaz]

Wow, this entire discussion about pricing makes me want to give up on the internet for good. It's bordering on hilarious now. Some of you people need to go back to school.

Having to plunk down $150 to purchase the device doesn't exactly make the service free. That's like saying, well, I paid $12.50 for the movie, but they didn't charge me anything extra while I was watching it, so it's free!

Actually, this AT&T scam is more like paying $12.50 for the movie, then having to pay an extra $6 to make it so the screen isn't so out of focus. Cue the AT&T apologists on this message board: "Only $6 to make the screen less blurry? Such a deal! Why is anyone complaining!?"

Paulie, when you're finished with grade school, come back and see us...

[davidee]

Then so does T-Mobile, as they also don't offer a free option as part of their plan.

As far as I can tell, AT&T is the only carrier that offers both a FREE option as well as an unlimited minutes option.

dude if you want me to say that tmobile sucks more too, I will. none of the carriers should charge you to reduce your minutes if you are using your network, not theirs to carry the call.

full stop

[davidee]

Having to plunk down $150 to purchase the device doesn't exactly make the service free. That's like saying, well, I paid $12.50 for the movie, but they didn't charge me anything extra while I was watching it, so it's free!

Actually, this AT&T scam is more like paying $12.50 for the movie, then having to pay an extra $6 to make it so the screen isn't so out of focus. Cue the AT&T apologists on this message board: "Only $6 to make the screen less blurry? Such a deal! Why is anyone complaining!?"

Paulie, when you're finished with grade school, come back and see us...

you should have to pay for another piece of network kit, that is logical

[skinnylegs]

Well, if this improves my reception at my home office then count me in.....

I get great reception just about everywhere *except* at home which is where I run my company so this would be a blessing for me. I understand that I could change carriers but that would require giving up my iPhone and my phone is a very important business tool for me.

[alent1234]

Having to plunk down $150 to purchase the device doesn't exactly make the service free. That's like saying, well, I paid $12.50 for the movie, but they didn't charge me anything extra while I was watching it, so it's free!

Actually, this AT&T scam is more like paying $12.50 for the movie, then having to pay an extra $6 to make it so the screen isn't so out of focus. Cue the AT&T apologists on this message board: "Only $6 to make the screen less blurry? Such a deal! Why is anyone complaining!?"

Paulie, when you're finished with grade school, come back and see us...

every cell carrier charges for their microcells

[aristobrat]

dude if you want me to say that tmobile sucks more too, I will. none of the carriers should charge you to reduce your minutes if you are using your network, not theirs to carry the call.
You're using their broadband network instead of their cellular network. Perhaps that's why they charge you 50% less for unlimited calls on the MicroCell than they charge for unlimited calls on their cellular network.

You're making it sound like your network is doing the "heavy lifting" when it comes to making a MicroCell call.

Your network only carries your MicroCell calls 50% of the way (if that). At some point, the bandwidth of your call leaves your network and winds up on AT&T's network.

Your MicroCell call still requires an AT&T infrastructure, even though it's not cellular, in order to be made.

[davidee]

Your network delivers the call to AT&T's network, which then completes the call.

A call over the MicroCell uses just as many bytes of AT&T's bandwidth as it does yours.

careful there, you are about to walk yourself into the discussion that I will personally not assault anyone for, and that is the coverage.

Charge me $20 to hand you my traffic, since I need better reception, and you can't react fast enough but are telling me that you are "upgrading for MMS" (see tilty head "blogger guy").

yea that argument

[aristobrat]

Charge me $20 to hand you my traffic, since I need better reception, and you can't react fast enough but are telling me that you are "upgrading for MMS" (see tilty head "blogger guy").
There is no fee for you handing them your MicroCell traffic for the minutes that your plan normally includes.

The $20 fee is for the ability of you handing them UNLIMITED MicroCell traffic, in addition to your normal plan minutes.

I know you understand that, so I won't bother responding to any of your points trying to twist it around. And yes, to your point, it would be nice if AT&T would give you unlimited everything minutes for $20.

[davidee]

You're using their broadband network instead of their cellular network. Perhaps that's why they charge you 50% less for unlimited calls on the MicroCell than they charge for unlimited calls on their cellular network.

You're making it sound like your network is doing the "heavy lifting" when it comes to making a MicroCell call.

Your network only carries your MicroCell calls 50% of the way (if that). At some point, the bandwidth of your call leaves your network and winds up on AT&T's network.

Your MicroCell call still requires an AT&T infrastructure, even though it's not cellular, in order to be made.


My prior response was to the original non-edited post you had.

If you read my prior responses, I said that quite a bit ago. I also know a bit about how telco/wireless providers carry and route their traffic. I am opposed to the $20 monthly fee as it stands, if I am carrying 50% would you monazite the offering/service at $40 and then say we are splitting it in a gracious fashion? $20 per month from even 10% of your subscribers is a pretty good chunk, it would be nice if I didn't need to help you connect those calls...remember I am trying to stay away from the coverage portion of the discussion here as every carrier would have the issue (read: in the interest of being fair).

[greenpaz]

every cell carrier charges for their microcells

Yes, then it isn't free, is it? Plus, every cell carrier engages in a variety of nefarious practices, such as the ridiculous practice of double-charging on texts (that is, counting a single text against both sender and receiver). It doesn't mean you need to take it like a sheep and just be drooling at the prospect of paying extra money to companies who have commericals out bragging about how clear their reception is.

Seriously, how does anybody think the cell companies are going to change their ways when you have people out there going: "An extra $150 to make the commercials true? OK!"

[davidee]

There is no fee for you handing them your MicroCell traffic for the minutes that your plan normally includes.

The $20 fee is for the ability of you handing them UNLIMITED MicroCell traffic, in addition to your normal plan minutes.

I know you understand that, so I won't bother responding to any of your points trying to twist it around. And yes, to your point, it would be nice if AT&T would give you unlimited everything minutes for $20.


I think we can agree to have differing viewpoints in some respects but both understand each others positions. suffice it to say I think we could both agree for $20 it would be nice if there were something a bit more enticing than femtocell, while offering it in the feature bundle? would that be fair?

[davidee]

Yes, then it isn't free, is it? Plus, every cell carrier engages in a variety of nefarious practices, such as the ridiculous practice of double-charging on texts (that is, counting a single text against both sender and receiver). It doesn't mean you need to take it like a sheep and just be drooling at the prospect of paying extra money to companies who have commericals out bragging about how clear their reception is.

Seriously, how does anybody think the cell companies are going to change their ways when you have people out there going: "An extra $150 to make the commercials true? OK!"

the $150 is for the device that makes your life easier, that is like saying you should give us free iphones with no contract just because we pay your monthly fees. I do understand the subsidy portion of the example is different here, but inthe interest of being fair...it is a network device, no different than if you purchased a router or wireless print server.

(trying to stay away from the coverage discussions here)

[alphaod]

What a scam.

If they were smart, they might just give out the device for free or heavily discounted, charge may $5 a month extra and then maybe a one to two year agreement. Then if some people don't want the contract, let them pay the $150.

Keep the monthly increase cheap, so people will go for it, make you free money (since it doesn't put a load on your network). Of course they're idiots, so they want to rip people off, and then nobody can afford it, so they'll just their crappy network.

[PaulieORF]

Having to plunk down $150 to purchase the device doesn't exactly make the service free. That's like saying, well, I paid $12.50 for the movie, but they didn't charge me anything extra while I was watching it, so it's free!

Actually, this AT&T scam is more like paying $12.50 for the movie, then having to pay an extra $6 to make it so the screen isn't so out of focus. Cue the AT&T apologists on this message board: "Only $6 to make the screen less blurry? Such a deal! Why is anyone complaining!?"

Paulie, when you're finished with grade school, come back and see us...

Dude, are you serious?

First of all, you are completely getting me wrong. I'm not saying that they are giving you the Microcell for free. I'm saying that it costs you one upfront cost, and that there is NO MONHTLY FEE TO USE IT. How hard is that to understand? If someone has an issue with the equipment cost, then that is perfectly fine, because that is up for debate. What IS NOT up for debate are the facts, and the facts that people are having such a hard time grasping here are the monthly costs involved.

If you still don't understand this then you are an idiot.

[OriginalFormula]

The idea is definitely nice, but the price is a bit steep when Sprint's can be had for free. Unlimited calling ala T-Mobile UMA is nice though.

[SFStateStudent]

I'm holding on to my $19.99, since I already get full bars, full 3G coverage and WiFi with boost....:eek:

I feel really sorry for all the others that have to pay to receive what I already have....:(

[jaw04005]

Some initial thoughts:

1. Device should be offered at cost to all AT&T's wireless customers. AT&T should provide some type of subsidy to customers with frequent service complaints to entice them to purchase the device. For example, Sprint offers their MicroCell device for free as part of their customer retention policy.

2. Device should be offered below cost to iPhone customers located within flagged troubled areas including New York and San Francisco.

3. Locking the device to one specific GPS location is ridiculous. If customers want to pack it up and carry it with them to grandmas out in the country or on vacation, so be it. It doesn't cost AT&T any more since service is being provided via VOIP protocols and AT&T-owned cell towers. Not to mention, the percentage of customers that would actually go through the trouble of doing this would likely be extremely small.

[UPDATE: Apparently, it doesn't lock it to one specific location. You just have to update the location via the Web for 911 purposes.]

4. The monthly fee for unlimited MicroCell calling should be dropped to $9.99 like other carriers.

5. AT&T needs to properly inform their store personnel and make an effort to promote this product. This is not a device that's functionality is easy to explain.

[JohnDoe98]

For those of you defending this, explain this to me. Why is the devise restricted to my home? If I can buy some hardware that extends my internet service by giving it a 3G signal, why can't I use that hardware anywhere I want, on any ISP of my choosing? Why should it matter where I am using this device? The GPS restrictions seem contrived as there would be seemingly no difference in terms of what happens on the ATT network. Also, what if I have a 3G ATT phone with a voice plan but no data plan. Will this device let me access the internet through the ad hoc created 3G network for free? Why not? Accessing Google or any other web service does not require retransmitting the traffic to the ATT network like a call placed on the device does, so the restriction seems unjustified if it requires a data plan over and above the one provided by the ISP. Similarly, why can't the devise be used with prepaid plans?

[ob81]

This could be awesome for businesses with poor / spotty AT&T coverage. Any reason why one couldn't (or wouldn't want to) install a couple of these guys on a floor to improve cell coverage?



This is the only real use that I can see for this thing. In the personal home? AT&T should be paying me.

[IBradMac]

This is the only real use that I can see for this thing. In the personal home? AT&T should be paying me.

For 5000 sq ft. of 3G service? :confused:

[Full of Win]

Some initial thoughts:

1. Device should be offered at cost to all AT&T's wireless customers. AT&T should provide some type of subsidy to customers with frequent service complaints to entice them to purchase the device. For example, Sprint offers their MicroCell device for free as part of their customer retention policy.

2. Device should be offered below cost to iPhone customers located within flagged troubled areas including New York and San Francisco.

3. Locking the device to one specific GPS location is ridiculous. If customers want to pack it up and carry it with them to grandmas out in the country or on vacation, so be it. It doesn't cost AT&T any more since service is being provided via VOIP protocols and AT&T-owned cell towers. Not to mention, the percentage of customers that would actually go through the trouble of doing this would likely be extremely small.

4. The monthly fee for unlimited MicroCell calling should be dropped to $9.99 like other carriers.

5. AT&T needs to properly inform their store personnel and make an effort to promote this product. This is not a device that's functionality is easy to explain.

1. If they did, word would get out and they would be indutatded with complant calls hoping to save a few bucks

2. I'm in a poor reception zone, but on the other side of the school library is good service. Bad service from ATT is such a variable based on location that giving it based on this would not be feasible.

[PaulieORF]

For those of you defending this, explain this to me. Why is the devise restricted to my home? If I can buy some hardware that extends my internet service by giving it a 3G signal, why can't I use that hardware anywhere I want, on any ISP of my choosing? Why should it matter where I am using this device? The GPS restrictions seem contrived as there would be seemingly no difference in terms of what happens on the ATT network. Also, what if I have a 3G ATT phone with a voice plan but no data plan. Will this device let me access the internet through the ad hoc created 3G network for free? Why not? Accessing Google or any other web service does not require retransmitting the traffic to the ATT network like a call placed on the device does, so the restriction seems unjustified if it requires a data plan over and above the one provided by the ISP. Similarly, why can't the devise be used with prepaid plans?

It is not restricted to your home:

From AT&T's Microcell website:
Question:
Can I move my AT&T 3G MicroCell™ device and use it in another location?
Answer:
Yes, your device can be moved to another location provided it is within the Wireless from AT&T authorized service area. A device move requires an update to your location address in your AT&T 3G MicroCell account profile for the device to function and for 911 purposes. Please go to www.att.com/3GMicroCell and select "Manage Your AT&T 3G MicroCell".

What this means is that you can move the Microcell anywhere you'd like, as long as its an area that AT&T has license to operate, which is virtually the entire United States, but you'd have to change the service address associated with yoru account online. Why they do this for reasons other than 911? No clue, but if you moved or something like that, it wouldn't be a problem.

As far as your prepaid question goes, this device can be used with pre-paid phones/plans. But of course what you are probably really questioning is why can't a pre-paid user buy and activate one. Apparently that has to do with the way AT&T ties the activation and managing of the Microcell to your att.com account login. I suppose that if you are a pre-paid customer and really wanted to get a Microcell, you could give a family member or friend the $150 to buy the device and activate it, and then just put it in your house.

[greenpaz]

the $150 is for the device that makes your life easier, that is like saying you should give us free iphones with no contract just because we pay your monthly fees. I do understand the subsidy portion of the example is different here, but inthe interest of being fair...it is a network device, no different than if you purchased a router or wireless print server.

(trying to stay away from the coverage discussions here)

No, it's not at all like saying AT&T should give us free phones with no contract just because we pay their monthly fees. Terrible analogy. When we signed up for AT&T, we all understood, from the outset, that we were paying for the phone AND making monthly payments.

By the way, it's not like they're aiming this device at rural areas where reception might understandably be poor. They're testing it in a metropolitan area with close to 2,000,000 people. This $150 device is AT&T's way of telling us service won't really improve unless you pony up.

[dmenahem]

I have a friend in downtown denver who says the same thing. I can't use my cell at home and I live in downtown Sacramento, CA.

I'm in Downtown Denver (two blocks from Coors Field) and have no reception/little reception in the second floor of my apartment thats facing the street......so its not all great in Denver.

[skinnylegs]

I know I am jumping in this thread 'kinda late but I figured I would add my thoughts on the matter.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my iPhone is both fun *and* a valuable business tool. I knew full well that reception was sketchy at my home when I bought it but I weighed things out and bought it anyway. So, now AT&T is offering a piece of hardware that will improve reception for a one-time fee? I'm all over it.

Honestly, if you didn't check out coverage at your home before subscribing to AT&T then you have nothing to complain about and if you, like me, checked it out and subscribed knowing in advance that reception would be sketchy then you have nothing to complain about.

So, what are you complaining about?

Frankly, I'm tired of this AT&T hate-mongering. Maybe it's because I'm old enough to remember when cell phones didn't even exist. I had Cingular before they went to AT&T and I'm pretty sure there was even another company before them. It's been so many years I can't remember. That said, my cell phones have always worked very well - not in every little nook and cranny of the county - but that's life.

Carry on.

[greenpaz]

Dude, are you serious?

First of all, you are completely getting me wrong. I'm not saying that they are giving you the Microcell for free. I'm saying that it costs you one upfront cost, and that there is NO MONHTLY FEE TO USE IT. How hard is that to understand? If someone has an issue with the equipment cost, then that is perfectly fine, because that is up for debate. What IS NOT up for debate are the facts, and the facts that people are having such a hard time grasping here are the monthly costs involved.

If you still don't understand this then you are an idiot.

I'm going to bypass your idiot comment and just note that the service is not "free" if you have to pay $150 in order to use it. People like you are throwing the word "free" around here as if you're AT&T hacks. Ain't gonna fly with the educated. Now back to grade school, you!

[Rescuer]

at&t just charged me $10 to read this thread! damn them!

[GQB]

Right now, I use my iPhone in my house, with unlimited mobile-to-mobile, more night and weekend minutes than I know what to do with, and more rollover minutes than I can count... and AT&T actually thinks I'm going to pay an upfront fee of $150 plus $20 per month IN ADDITION to what I already pay???

Are they out of their !$#$#%#$#@#$#$#$# MINDS ???????????? :eek::eek::eek:
.

??
By your own analysis, you won't be paying any extra $20/mo. You'll be using some of your rollover minutes.
As for the $150 box, as others have said, I knew reception in my part of the boonies was sketchy. I bought anyway because I use my iPhone everywhere, not just at home.
I've been looking at amplification solutions that cost 2-3 times that.
I'll gladly pop for the box when it becomes available in Marin County.
Do I wish there were more towers in my area? Sure. There aren't. Move on.

[iSee]

After seeing Update 2 this seems reasonable: The $20/mo is optional and is for people that want unlimited minutes at home.

The $150 for the device also seems reasonable (it's not cheap, but the price doesn't seem out-of-line).

[IBradMac]

Its not even available yet in my area...Darn..:rolleyes:

Maybe late next summer? :p:D

[corywoolf]

Funny, T-Mobile has had this for years. Good to see it added for AT&T though. But that's a lot of money for the service.

[PaulieORF]

I'm going to bypass your idiot comment and just note that the service is not "free" if you have to pay $150 in order to use it. People like you are throwing the word "free" around here as if you're AT&T hacks. Ain't gonna fly with the educated. Now back to grade school, you!

The idiot comment is for if you don't understand.

Again, you screwed up. Where did I ever say it's FREE? Exactly, I didn't! You're putting words in my mouth now to try and create an argument.

it's quite simple, people have been parading around here, saying it's outrageous that AT&T charges $20 a month on top of the $150 purchase in order to use the Microcell, and that simply isn't true. The truth is you buy it once and then you are done paying for it. It's simple. Posts where people are saying "wow, sucks to be an AT&T customer in the US and have to pay $20 a month to fix their crappy network" are based on 100% fallacy.