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AT&T Trialling Free 3G MicroCell Offers

called today

called today and told that they would give me a $100 rebate and that I needed a $19.99 plan to use it.

I am confused. I need a plan to use it? or can I get one off ebay and hook it up? I don't need unlimited because I have the lowest minute plan now on my family plan and never come close to using all the minutes.

So does anybody know if I can use it without purchasing a plan?
 
RaceTripper said:
I have one and can't even get it to work reliably. An ATT tech support person is calling me Wednesday to see how it is after an exchange for a new one (which is actually worse the the one it replaced). Chances are I will be retuning mine for a refund (within 30 days of purchase).

I don't have a problem with the fact I need one. I'm inside a 80 year old house with plaster on brick outer walls and plaster on lather inner walls. I can't blame anyone for poor cell coverage there, but I do expect the damn MicroCell device to work.
Click to expand...

I don't know for a fact how Verizon would work under my metal roof, but I'm thinking not well either.

Depending on your network config, it can be tricky to install, like all network *&&$^^!! stuff. I think the key is, it should be near a window.

While installing mine, I somehow worked out a kink in my setup that sped it all up by a considerable amount, wifi as well as 3G.
 

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kconatymd said:
called today and told that they would give me a $100 rebate and that I needed a $19.99 plan to use it.

I am confused. I need a plan to use it? or can I get one off ebay and hook it up? I don't need unlimited because I have the lowest minute plan now on my family plan and never come close to using all the minutes.

So does anybody know if I can use it without purchasing a plan?
Click to expand...

You don't need to have a service plan to use it.

I got one of these letter last week and went in today to get my free Microcell. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pick it up because the AT&T employee needed manager approval before giving it to me. If you are also one of the lucky ones to get a voucher I would strongly recommend calling ahead to your local AT&T store and make sure either the manager is present or that the employee has clearance to give you a free Microcell.
 
kconatymd said:
called today and told that they would give me a $100 rebate and that I needed a $19.99 plan to use it.

I am confused. I need a plan to use it? or can I get one off ebay and hook it up? I don't need unlimited because I have the lowest minute plan now on my family plan and never come close to using all the minutes.

So does anybody know if I can use it without purchasing a plan?
Click to expand...

Since it gives you access to the 3G network through your Wi-Fi connection, you need a 3G calling plan to use it. You actually set it up, and then go to the AT&T website to enter your number. It takes a half an hour or so of blinking lights until the lights go all green and you get an e-mail saying you're cool.

Which costs $20 a month. But if you have a family plan, your whole family qualifies for it. So, depending on the number of family members, it would be only a few dollars per month per family member for all of you to be unlimited.
 
Swift said:
But I can also authorize up to ten different numbers for us with this thing, and all of them get Unlimited minutes.
Click to expand...

That is not true. Only accounts with the unlimited Microcell calling plan get unlimited minutes. If you authorize your friend's number and he comes over, he doesn't get unlimited minutes.
 
dernhelm said:
They should give them out free to perspective customers that can't purchase ATT because they have zero coverage in their home.

They would if they were smart, anyway.
Click to expand...

And how could they know for sure you're not just "saying" that you have no coverage, in order to, idk, maybe get it for your friend as a gift or something? Or maybe you'll just sell it for extra cash.
 
Yeah but chance are that ATT will change the "Free" after a few months? Remember the unlimited data for the Ipad? That lasted only a few months before ATT changed the plan to "help save money for low data users" I say BS to that explanation. They can't build their system so they are using that to throttle back data use, while "helping save money for low data user". Yeah right!!
 
still not answered

called AT&T and surprise they didn't know...

Question:

If I get a microcell off of ebay, will I be able to use it in my home without additional cost? Don't care about unlimited calls.
 
So wait: I pay you $150 + $20 a month and still have to use my "wireless" minutes even though this is actually now a VoIP call on a 3rd party ISP's network which I'm already paying for. :confused:

There's a word for this...wait lemme think...oh right. It's called Skype!
 
yg17 said:
IF YOU MAKE A CALL ON A MICROCELL, IT STILL COSTS AT&T MONEY, SO THEY STILL CHARGE YOU.... The call still goes into AT&T's network, it still uses their bandwidth, it still goes through their routers and switches, and they still have to pay to get the call to you and to the person you're calling...
Click to expand...
"

Well, actually it costs them less because the call is partially one sided since MicroCell side is using paid broadband and paid electricity and the other side is using cell network. I'd think they should offer some sort of discount for reducing the network usage, they're still generating revenue from the receiver of the call especially if you are in high usage area in a major city.
 
Swift said:
But I can also authorize up to ten different numbers for us with this thing, and all of them get Unlimited minutes.
Click to expand...

No, they don't.

The Unlimited Microcell calling is *per account*. You can authorize someone to use your microcell, but if they're not on your account, they will continue to use their minutes.

My nephew is in this boat. He's authorized on our microcell because he visits frequently. But he uses his minutes up as if he were at home. My wife an I, however, have the $20 microcell unlimited, and we use free minutes over it.
 
e-coli said:
So wait: I pay you $150 + $20 a month and still have to use my "wireless" minutes even though this is actually now a VoIP call on a 3rd party ISP's network which I'm already paying for. :confused:

There's a word for this...wait lemme think...oh right. It's called Skype!
Click to expand...

No. You pay $150 and use your minutes *OR* you pay $50 and $20/mo and get unlimited minutes.
 
kconatymd said:
called AT&T and surprise they didn't know...

Question:

If I get a microcell off of ebay, will I be able to use it in my home without additional cost? Don't care about unlimited calls.
Click to expand...

Yes.

*PROVIDED* you live in a place where the microcell is authorized for use.

I would not buy one off eBay unless your local AT&T store is selling them.
 
e-coli said:
So wait: I pay you $150 + $20 a month and still have to use my "wireless" minutes even though this is actually now a VoIP call on a 3rd party ISP's network which I'm already paying for. :confused:

There's a word for this...wait lemme think...oh right. It's called Skype!
Click to expand...

Not exactly. If you pay the $20/mon. you get unlimited calling minutes and M-Cell calls do not count against your wireless minutes. If you just get the device and not the plan, then it counts against your wireless minutes.

But I agree minutes on the M-Cell should just be free since you are using internet bandwidth you've already paid for. It should definitely be free if you are on an ATT internet plan.
 
Swift said:
I don't know for a fact how Verizon would work under my metal roof, but I'm thinking not well either.

Depending on your network config, it can be tricky to install, like all network *&&$^^!! stuff. I think the key is, it should be near a window.

While installing mine, I somehow worked out a kink in my setup that sped it all up by a considerable amount, wifi as well as 3G.
Click to expand...
As I explained in a subsequent post, that isn't the problem on my setup. If my phone connects to the M-Cell calls work fine. As I write this, I've been home for about an hour sitting 3 feet away from my M-Cell and my iPhone has yet to show it's connected. If I want it connected I have to set my phone to Airplane Mode and back again. Then it might stay connected for more than a few minutes, if I'm lucky.
 
Rather than pay AT&T and cable company..

Rather than pay AT&T (for same minutes AND the MicroCell) and my cable company for the data use, why wouldn't I just get a Cell Repeater? If I'm on my cable connection, and not AT&Ts towers.. shouldn't they be paying me? OK, not *paying* me, but at least cutting my bill?

I have two towers nearby, but my connection in my home is sometimes flaky.. (nearby AFB and stucco exterior w/ metal mesh acts like a Faraday cage I think are the main issues).. Even w/ that, I get better reception at both home and office than w/ t-mo, Sprint, or Verison..

Can anyone tell me why something like this wouldn't be a better solution?

http://www.repeaterstore.com/products/repeaterkits/wilson/soho.html

I'm not trying to be a wiseass here, I'm honestly curious why the MicroCell would be a better solution over a repeater like the above for the majority of iPhone users... I could see if a user had no AT&T towers nearby, but doesn't AT&T refuse to sell in areas they don't have towers?

Anyone?
 
i.e. We suck...

Dear valued customer...

Our throughput and coverage sucks. Here is a device that uses YOUR broadband to increase coverage and speed up a service you are already paying for.

Sincerely, AT&T
 
jwdsail said:
Rather than pay AT&T (for same minutes AND the MicroCell) and my cable company for the data use, why wouldn't I just get a Cell Repeater? If I'm on my cable connection, and not AT&Ts towers.. shouldn't they be paying me? OK, not *paying* me, but at least cutting my bill?

I have two towers nearby, but my connection in my home is sometimes flaky.. (nearby AFB and stucco exterior w/ metal mesh acts like a Faraday cage I think are the main issues).. Even w/ that, I get better reception at both home and office than w/ t-mo, Sprint, or Verison..

Can anyone tell me why something like this wouldn't be a better solution?

http://www.repeaterstore.com/products/repeaterkits/wilson/soho.html

I'm not trying to be a wiseass here, I'm honestly curious why the MicroCell would be a better solution over a repeater like the above for the majority of iPhone users... I could see if a user had no AT&T towers nearby, but doesn't AT&T refuse to sell in areas they don't have towers?

Anyone?
Click to expand...

A repeater needs a good signal from the tower to work. So, if you're handy enough to put a big antenna on the roof of your house that can pick up the signal from the tower, a repeater might be a good solution, but for people who live in an apartment, or don't feel like climbing up on a roof, then the MicroCell is a better solution. It takes 30 seconds to install, it's plug it in and forget it, and not to mention, at $150 with no monthly fee (unless you want unlimited minutes on the MicroCell) it is a hell of a lot cheaper than the repeater you linked to.

And for anyone who's complaining that the MicroCell is stealing your bandwidth and AT&T is ripping you off by using your minutes, I have a MicroCell and decided to do a little test:

No phone call on the MicroCell:


Phone call on the MicroCell:


No, those aren't reversed. What that means is that the bandwidth required for a phone call is so minuscule and insignificant that the normal fluctuations you see in running consecutive speed tests are greater than the bandwidth used by a phone call.
 
Swift said:
I don't know for a fact how Verizon would work under my metal roof, but I'm thinking not well either.

Depending on your network config, it can be tricky to install, like all network *&&$^^!! stuff. I think the key is, it should be near a window.

While installing mine, I somehow worked out a kink in my setup that sped it all up by a considerable amount, wifi as well as 3G.
Click to expand...



Yeah, nothing special here, anyone connected to their home wifi will get speeds like that. It has little to do with the micro cell. Your still routing data just like you did before over your wifi network.
 
.:ryan:. said:
Loyal customers, eh? 19 years as a customer, I wonder if I am considered "Loyal".
Click to expand...

Well, I've been a customer of ATT for over a decade and I have six lines with them (business account)...but no free femtocell at this point. I'm probably going to purchase one to put in my apartment in the near future because the service there is horrible. Thankfully, I usually get full bars at my house.
 
Zyniker said:
Well, I've been a customer of ATT for over a decade and I have six lines with them (business account)...but no free femtocell at this point. I'm probably going to purchase one to put in my apartment in the near future because the service there is horrible. Thankfully, I usually get full bars at my house.
Click to expand...

So, you punish AT&T for poor service by sending them more money?

Gotta figure out how to get into one of those schemes....
 
Let me get this straight. I'm supposed to pay $150 for the "privilege" of using my own broadband internet connection (which I also pay for) in order to make up for the fact that AT&T's service is a piece of crap at my house?

AT&T should be paying *ME* to do their work (creating coverage) for them.
 
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