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AT&T Set to Roll Out Nationwide 3G MicroCell Availability Beginning Next Month
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I agree with the monthly fee plan. That way, if you leave AT&T, you give the device back to them and you're not stuck with a $149 item you no longer have a use for.
cmaier
Suspended
GPS Sensitivity?
If anyone who already has one of these units has waded this far through the hate in this thread...
How sensitive is the GPS receiver in this thing? If I were to get one, I would prefer it to be next to my router which happens to be right in the middle of my house, and I'm concerned that the GPS won't connect from down there (my iPhone seems OK, but my portable sat-nav complains).
If anyone who already has one of these units has waded this far through the hate in this thread...
How sensitive is the GPS receiver in this thing? If I were to get one, I would prefer it to be next to my router which happens to be right in the middle of my house, and I'm concerned that the GPS won't connect from down there (my iPhone seems OK, but my portable sat-nav complains).
Because it would cost AT&T something: Lost minutes. The greedy bastards can't have you using that phone YOU bought and pay a monthly fee to use on another device YOU bought which would in any way mean you could do with a smaller minute plan. Sure, cut your minute plan down Mr. Customer. That'll save you $19.99 a month. Then go ahead and start paying us... $19.99 a month to use your microcell.
I'm so through with the cell phone carriers. I'm getting ready to pull the plug. I already fired my bank. If enough of us say "enough is enough" maybe it finally will be.
That service was only $9.99/month, but it was a REQUIRED $9.99/month, correct? So if you only wanted to use your plan minutes (i.e. you didn't want unlimited), you still had to pay $9.99/month, right? No free option, like Verizon and AT&T offer?
And the service only works with specific smartphones that support UMA, right? So if you had one of those, and your wife had a smartphone that didn't, and your kids had regular cell phones, they were all basically screwed and couldn't use the service, right?
Um...
...are you ****ing kidding me? I'd love to meet the pale friendless virgin at AT&T who came up with this brain child. I got a $20 that says the brainwave worked on the Health Care bill too.
...are you ****ing kidding me? I'd love to meet the pale friendless virgin at AT&T who came up with this brain child. I got a $20 that says the brainwave worked on the Health Care bill too.
More food for thought next time you see one of those SCAM Luke Wilson AT&T ads on TV! "AT&T, we're the best!" Yeah, right!
http://celebslam.celebuzz.com/2010/03/luke-wilson-weight-gain.php
http://celebslam.celebuzz.com/2010/03/luke-wilson-weight-gain.php
Attachments
Yikes! the level of passion! If this device doesn't add value to your usage, then it's not meant for you, so there's no need to gripe about the pricing. For others, I can see it being a value. I know for many people who live in cities, some apartments and office are built like Faraday cages. Outside you have clear reception and once inside, no calls. That's not ATT's fault, no can they do anything about it, until now. This device will mean alot to people in such situations. And apparently there are a lot of such people. That's why all cell providers have similar solutions.
plus, it sounds like $9.99 per phone with T-Mobile. Where as with the microcell, it looks like you can have your whole family or office (up to 10 at a time) on it for $20. T-Mobile's plan is going to be better for individuals, while ATT's is going to be better for groups (family, businesses, etc.)
plus, it sounds like $9.99 per phone with T-Mobile. Where as with the microcell, it looks like you can have your whole family or office (up to 10 at a time) on it for $20. T-Mobile's plan is going to be better for individuals, while ATT's is going to be better for groups (family, businesses, etc.)
Oh, okay, starboard. Just let me take my iPhone to Verizon or Sprint or T-Mobile. Oh, wait...
See the fatal flaw in your plan? 😉
See the fatal flaw in your plan? 😉
Unless you have AT&T internet, it is touching AT&T network. They need to have inbound/outbound computers to route your voice traffic ( on a VPN connection presumably ) into their internal network. They still have the bandwidth payments just like you do for your internet bandwidth. ( substantially cheaper per GB, but non zero. ) If AT&T is placing the call it has to be touching their network somewhere. ( so if you drift out of range of the microcell and onto the cell network the call keeps going because effectively this cell is just another ATT tower hooked to the same "backend". )
Even with AT&T internet, there is now more traffic and still a "on/off" routing through the more publicly accessible parts of their network.
The $19.99 and no cell minutes is clearly partially aimed at folks who are likely dumping a landline (stay and inhouse and perhaps keep cell phone plugged in most of the time so can talk constantly if wanted to. )
If you buy this thing, can you agree to allow ANY ATT user without inputting their specific phone number to roam on your microcell in exchange for being allowed to roam on any other ATT subscriber's microcell who agrees to the same?
cmaier
Suspended
That is so dumb. ATT could do a lot towards fixing their coverage issues if they allowed people to do this. I know I would buy one and do it immediately. Otherwise, I get decent coverage, I see no reason to buy this.
marksman
macrumors 603
Given the lack of comprehension by many in this thread it seems they would be right if they felt that way.
Any outgoing calls from a AT&T cell phone into non AT&T networks, regardless of where they originate ( micro cell or cell site ) will incur an extra cost. It's why most carriers give you free in network calls ( AT&T cell to AT&T cell for example ) because it very cheap in house, no extra external costs.
If you call someone from your AT&T cell to a T-Mobile cell, AT&T has to pay T-mobile for the time used on their network and vice versa. In house calls that doesn't happen.
The cost for this extra bandwidth for micro cell calls is far less for the carrier when compared to putting extra T1's in cell sites to expand coverage. Every T1 saved probably pays for a thousand of these devices including maintenance ( T1's are generally $700 a month each x 12 months = $8400 a year ). But that's just a broad estimate, it would be interesting to compare the actual costs.
Earendil
macrumors 68000
So, besides the many users that got slapped with the stupid stick this morning before posting, I have only one observation to comment on.
When did it become a cell phone users *right* to have Cell reception *everywhere*? 😕
Seriously, When cells phones came out it was fracking amazing that you *might* have the option to make a phone call from the road, or at a store. If you didn't, no big deal. And since that time, and that mentality, things have only gotten better! Now if I can't make a call due to distance from a tower, or a building in the way, it's a bummer, but it's still within the realm of reasonable.
When I got a cell phone, and chose AT&T (and I don't have an iPhone) I did it based on their current coverage in my location. I did not choose them based on some illusion that I was purchasing 100% coverage, and that damnit if I didn't get reception that AT&T would jump at the opportunity to stick a tower down a mine shaft so that I did.
My parents live in the boonies. No cell company provides them coverage, and they don't expect it because they understand the cost to build a tower vs the people it would cover. However they have cell phones for when they drive to town, or are on the road. Is this device the perfect solution for them? Yep. And many other people like them.
When I was in college I lived on the wrong side of a building in the basement. I had no cell reception in my room even though the rest of the house did. Did I piss and moan that AT&T didn't cover the corner of my house? 🙄
Seriously, this mentality, outside of the general stupidity of it, makes me think this thread is filled with a bunch of 12 year olds with unrealistic expectations, using phones that their mommy bought them. Either that or we have a bunch of older gents with reading comprehension, poor purchase understanding, and a self importance complex that would rival Steve.
I'm amost sorry if I have offended anyone. But honestly this is one of the more stupid threads on Macrumors, on a topic people should be educated on, that I have seen in a very long time.
You don't have to like it, or love it, but at least state an opinion based on informed and reasonable information. This thread is threatening to rival the US heathcare debate, and it's 1/1000 as complicated 😎
When did it become a cell phone users *right* to have Cell reception *everywhere*? 😕
Seriously, When cells phones came out it was fracking amazing that you *might* have the option to make a phone call from the road, or at a store. If you didn't, no big deal. And since that time, and that mentality, things have only gotten better! Now if I can't make a call due to distance from a tower, or a building in the way, it's a bummer, but it's still within the realm of reasonable.
When I got a cell phone, and chose AT&T (and I don't have an iPhone) I did it based on their current coverage in my location. I did not choose them based on some illusion that I was purchasing 100% coverage, and that damnit if I didn't get reception that AT&T would jump at the opportunity to stick a tower down a mine shaft so that I did.
My parents live in the boonies. No cell company provides them coverage, and they don't expect it because they understand the cost to build a tower vs the people it would cover. However they have cell phones for when they drive to town, or are on the road. Is this device the perfect solution for them? Yep. And many other people like them.
When I was in college I lived on the wrong side of a building in the basement. I had no cell reception in my room even though the rest of the house did. Did I piss and moan that AT&T didn't cover the corner of my house? 🙄
Seriously, this mentality, outside of the general stupidity of it, makes me think this thread is filled with a bunch of 12 year olds with unrealistic expectations, using phones that their mommy bought them. Either that or we have a bunch of older gents with reading comprehension, poor purchase understanding, and a self importance complex that would rival Steve.
I'm amost sorry if I have offended anyone. But honestly this is one of the more stupid threads on Macrumors, on a topic people should be educated on, that I have seen in a very long time.
You don't have to like it, or love it, but at least state an opinion based on informed and reasonable information. This thread is threatening to rival the US heathcare debate, and it's 1/1000 as complicated 😎
May want to check the FAQ
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/faq.jsp#using
Namely,
" Q. Do calls started on one AT&T 3G MicroCell device "hand over" to another AT&T 3G MicroCell if I move out of range of one and into range of another?
A. No. Calls will not hand over between two AT&T 3G MicroCell devices. "
Curious it leaves off transitioning to an AT&T tower. That may/may not work ; suspect it does though. I suspect the random placement and overlapping range issues on the microcells is a substantive part of the problem.
"Q. How many simultaneous calls or data sessions are possible with my AT&T 3G MicroCell device?
A. Up to four simultaneous sessions are possible with your AT&T 3G MicroCell device. "
Dense business locations aren't going to work. Unless this is mainly for folks (small 4-5 person workgroups) sitting fixed at their desks.
Just went and picked mine up at the AT&T store near my work in Scottsdale. Where I live NE of Scottsdale, even Verizon coverage is spotty. (Rio Verde Foothills)
While I am irritated at needing this device, at least my wife and I can use our phones at home finally and drop the land line.
Of note for those that know the area, between Rio Verde and Fountain Hills there are no less than seven new towers that AT&T has put in sometime in the last couple of months. They are running on rented generators until buried power lines are installed. (survey markers were there) So at least they are doing something. The rep in the store was aware of these and claimed my area would have coverage in the next 8 months. Not holding my breath just yet.
While I am irritated at needing this device, at least my wife and I can use our phones at home finally and drop the land line.
Of note for those that know the area, between Rio Verde and Fountain Hills there are no less than seven new towers that AT&T has put in sometime in the last couple of months. They are running on rented generators until buried power lines are installed. (survey markers were there) So at least they are doing something. The rep in the store was aware of these and claimed my area would have coverage in the next 8 months. Not holding my breath just yet.
It's nice little new feature but WHY!!! should i pay extra for the crappy network service they provide to improve it with my money? We already paying paying alot for iphone service with at&t with all its wonderful drop call, slow internet, no internet, FALSE 3G speed that disappear to Edge when in use (not all the time), and im sure i can think of other issues with the at&t service.
I say they should include device to make up for the poor service.
oh and that dumb commerical with 3g service everywhere in Los Angeles... thats a lie, im getting most of the time receiving Edge speed while downtown or around ktown.
I say they should include device to make up for the poor service.
oh and that dumb commerical with 3g service everywhere in Los Angeles... thats a lie, im getting most of the time receiving Edge speed while downtown or around ktown.
Earendil
macrumors 68000
Right. I mean, who actually wants to pay for sophisticated hardware these days? That is soooo last year. I'm sure they have cats that design, test, and build these things for free and only ask to be let loose every so often to catch mice in the companies basement. That AT&T would even consider charging me for such a device, no matter how beneficial it may be to me personally, is just appalling, so appalling I feel the need to say something about it in this thread.