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

Read the Article.....

...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.
 
yetanotherdave said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
TitoC said:
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?
Click to expand...

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.
 
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.

NoExpectations said:
...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.
Click to expand...


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.
 
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.
 
Lamest Idea Ever

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!
 
smartaleck said:
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.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
This service works with every AT&T 3G phone. Skype doesn't.
 
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.
 
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...
 
pcguru83 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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?
 
YoGramMamma said:
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.
Click to expand...

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
 
pcguru83 said:
And for emphasis:

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

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...
 
vivithemage said:
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?
Click to expand...
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. :)
 
nick004 said:
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...
Click to expand...
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?
 
jrm27 said:
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!
Click to expand...

That is clever.
 
smartaleck said:
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!
Click to expand...


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.
 
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.
 
$150 Seems Like A Barrier To Entry

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.
 
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!
 
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