Why? If I were on the Verizon network, I wouldn't NEED a Verizon Network Extender, because they have great coverage in my area, and AT&T's coverage is spotty at best, even in my driveway. So what is your logic?
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AT&T Trialling Free 3G MicroCell Offers
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Why? If I were on the Verizon network, I wouldn't NEED a Verizon Network Extender, because they have great coverage in my area, and AT&T's coverage is spotty at best, even in my driveway. So what is your logic?
Yes, plus pay another $20 a month to have coverage, what your initial monthly bill is supposed to give you.
The logic for many is that, regardless of coverage quality on any area, some houses block out reception even when it's 5 bars outside the door. Examples include basement offices and/or old houses with lots of brick, plaster, and concrete (like mine). Strong reception outdoors doesn't guarantee the same indoors, and for those who are trying to get rid of land lines and go with cell service as a complete replacement the femtocell devices make perfect sense.
Oh, so because you're in one of those areas that have great AT&T coverage, the rest of the world just has to "get over it"? Unfortunately some people do not have a choice which network they're on. Especially when you have a company cell phone, or you have a wife and kids who want iphones. Those people are stuck with AT&T. Most people that have Verizon don't need a Network Extender as they call it, because Verizons coverage is 100 times better than AT&T.
Whoa. I got the letter for a free micro cell today. AT&T store was all out. The customer service rep said they were giving them out to people in certain zip codes.
I have 3 iPhones with contracts set to expire in August, September, and November. I also have an iPad 3G. I pre-ordered 2 of the iPhone 4's but cancelled the order due to the antenna issues.
AT&T must know that Im about to jump ship
I have 3 iPhones with contracts set to expire in August, September, and November. I also have an iPad 3G. I pre-ordered 2 of the iPhone 4's but cancelled the order due to the antenna issues.
AT&T must know that Im about to jump ship
Nope, it's only $20 more per month if you want to be able to have unlimited minutes while using the Micro Cell. If you opt not to do that, they just charge the minutes to your account like they normally would.
My Thoughts on AT&T's MicroCell
Let me share my thoughts that I posted on AT&T's User Forum about this new 'MicroCell' business:
http://blog2.digitzero.com/post/809564552/my-thoughts-on-at-ts-microcell
Let me share my thoughts that I posted on AT&T's User Forum about this new 'MicroCell' business:
http://blog2.digitzero.com/post/809564552/my-thoughts-on-at-ts-microcell
ok...
$150 these little boxes is ridiculous. They should be free for EVERYONE.
MicroCells take the strain off AT&T's 3G network and saves them tons of money... Why should the consumer foot the bill?
It's really unethical for you the consumer PAY MONEY to AT&T for something that saves them money and puts strain on your home network.
I know exactly what's going on down at AT&T corporate... EXTORTION.
$150 these little boxes is ridiculous. They should be free for EVERYONE.
MicroCells take the strain off AT&T's 3G network and saves them tons of money... Why should the consumer foot the bill?
It's really unethical for you the consumer PAY MONEY to AT&T for something that saves them money and puts strain on your home network.
It's not free 3G you idiots, it's coming from your (already slow) broadband connection and it will count against your cap!
I know exactly what's going on down at AT&T corporate... EXTORTION.
This is hilarious. Where did they force you to use ATT? If you don't like ATT, go with another carrier.
My local ATT rep acknowledged that the signal fluctuations (my reception fluctuates from 0-5 bars both in and out of my home) is due to capacity and has worsened with explosive growth of 3G data traffic. I am one mile from a tower that sits adjacent to a heavily traveled Interstate, and at the apex of a 7500 foot pass with little chance for signals from any other towers. As a result, folks in my town have been sent the free MC letters, yet I have not yet received a letter despite 9 years of loyalty and $200+ per month spend on my account.
I see this "trial" as a test to determine IF they give MC to users in congested areas, will overall experience improve for both indoor users, and add capacity for outdoor users.
With that in mind, I cannot see myself paying for the device in order to add capacity on their network for the tourists driving by on I25.
I see this "trial" as a test to determine IF they give MC to users in congested areas, will overall experience improve for both indoor users, and add capacity for outdoor users.
With that in mind, I cannot see myself paying for the device in order to add capacity on their network for the tourists driving by on I25.
Nope. My family has been with AT&T/Bell for 28 years. True, I only got my first iPhone 3 months ago, but with that much landline time as a customer & this being the 3rd cell contract with them, I should have been sent one of those letters via certified, overnight express mail.
This has been the least explained point about the Microcell. I understand that all of the data & possibly phone info goes through the DSL lines, but my data will still be restricted by what the peak of the landline DSL speed is. I've got a router with wi-fi if I want to be limited by the DSL feed speeds. If AT&T would give me 3G speeds through my DSL line for the iPhone, then I might think about getting one. I have way too many rollover minutes to ever worry about overages on voice & I got unlimited data before they pulled the rug out from under us.
I will 150% agree with the fact that AT&T needs to get their asses into overdrive in making the 3G network itself better & faster. My SpeedTest app always says that the available speed is 8-9 times faster than when I actually get when trying to download something.
Ihonda how did you get 50% Fan discount? They say this device is not eligible? Also anyone who had luck getting AT&T to discount the device how..I call and go to store and they dont seem to care...say they dont gurantee service inside a building what a load of crap I get very little signal in my home and cant keep a call for more than a few minutes.
I get very little signal in my home and cant keep a call for more than a few minutes.I've read on CNET of people requesting a unit for free or a discounted rate due to their lack of reception over the years and they were obliged. When I called they played stupid and wouldn't do anything. I shouldn't have to pay $150 for something that is available to fix their reception issues - something that piggy backs off another service (broadband internet) that I currently pay for. And the fact that I can pay a little over $100 to get out of my contract and into something that actually works doesn't matter to them at all.man, AT&T really needs to send me a free one. I deal with dropped calls from my iPhone everyday in my home office. The only solution I have is to use Skype. Given the number of AT&T people I've talked to about it over the years they got to know.
come on AT&T, my contract is expiring this year and I'm waiting to see what Apple fesses up to about the iPhone 4 defect before making a move. Send me one.
GPS My Downfall
I live in Manhattan and have the usual crappy ATT service. In my apartment the one room that faces the street gets reception and all the others don't. I thought the Microcell would be my salvation. I purchased one for $150 at an ATT store at 71st/Broadway. The sales people there were surprisingly uninformed about anything to do with the device and could only answer my questions by reading from their website. I have an Airport Extreme and had to look to blogs to find the best way to install as it is not covered in the manual. Anyway, eventually hooked up fine but the device needs to find GPS to work. The manual says its best to put it within 3 feet of a window. My internet is cable from Time Warner and is away from the window as my TV is hooked up to it. Next to my TV there was no GPS to be found. I did rearrange the cables and pull everything across the room to the window pointed it at the sky and still no GPS from my 1st floor apartment. The worst part is while the device was searching for GPS it would shut the internet down. That meant plugging everything back in in the proper sequence. The final result is this product needs work. Perhaps a GPS indicator that is removable and can be place elsewhere. So it was returned this morning. ATT fails me once again. I simply ask the question, "What good is the coolest phone if you have the crappyist service???"
I live in Manhattan and have the usual crappy ATT service. In my apartment the one room that faces the street gets reception and all the others don't. I thought the Microcell would be my salvation. I purchased one for $150 at an ATT store at 71st/Broadway. The sales people there were surprisingly uninformed about anything to do with the device and could only answer my questions by reading from their website. I have an Airport Extreme and had to look to blogs to find the best way to install as it is not covered in the manual. Anyway, eventually hooked up fine but the device needs to find GPS to work. The manual says its best to put it within 3 feet of a window. My internet is cable from Time Warner and is away from the window as my TV is hooked up to it. Next to my TV there was no GPS to be found. I did rearrange the cables and pull everything across the room to the window pointed it at the sky and still no GPS from my 1st floor apartment. The worst part is while the device was searching for GPS it would shut the internet down. That meant plugging everything back in in the proper sequence. The final result is this product needs work. Perhaps a GPS indicator that is removable and can be place elsewhere. So it was returned this morning. ATT fails me once again. I simply ask the question, "What good is the coolest phone if you have the crappyist service???"
Anyone have one of these that they don't need??
If anyone has received a letter and/or one of these Microcells, but doesn't have a service issue and would like to get rid of it, please message me. I am having connectivity issues, but have not yet been able to get a free MicroCell from AT&T. Thanks!
If anyone has received a letter and/or one of these Microcells, but doesn't have a service issue and would like to get rid of it, please message me. I am having connectivity issues, but have not yet been able to get a free MicroCell from AT&T. Thanks!
Ihonda how did you get 50% Fan discount? They say this device is not eligible? Also anyone who had luck getting AT&T to discount the device how..I call and go to store and they dont seem to care...say they dont gurantee service inside a building what a load of crap
I was quoted $50 with no MIR required. I believe this was with a FAN discount (I am on a Premier Account), or perhaps it was an appeasement discount?
I got a letter offering me a free one, but I called my AT&T store before going in and was told it's only free if I sign up for the $20/month package. He said if I just want to use it against my minutes and not sign up for the $20/month package, I'd have to pay $100 for the Microcell. Is this what everyone else has been told about this?
I would go by whatever is in the letter. People at AT&T stores have no clue, and you can't go by what they say. I had one person tell me it doesn't require an internet connection. Another said the unlimited calling is free if you have an internet connection. They're all idiots. If the letter says it's free with no strings attached the store has no right to force you to a plan. If they insist, you could also sign up for it and cancel it again when you get home.
Microcell Drops Between Floors
We have sketchy MMS service on the first floor of our apartment and ZERO cell or MMS service upstairs. I broke down yesterday and bought the Microcell for $150 hoping this would fix the problem. M-cell service works great upstairs where the device is stationed but as soon as I walk down the stairs, the call drops and the display switches to 3G. I could live with this, except the phone shows FULL BARS downstairs and I can't event make a call. When I called today, AT&T's answer was that the Microcell *should* provide up to 5000 meters of coverage and that I should go return the unit and try another. And if that doesn't fix the issue, I asked? They'll open a ticket to see what the problem is. Really??! Meanwhile, I am back to being a prisoner of my 2nd floor bedroom to make or receive any calls. :-(
We have sketchy MMS service on the first floor of our apartment and ZERO cell or MMS service upstairs. I broke down yesterday and bought the Microcell for $150 hoping this would fix the problem. M-cell service works great upstairs where the device is stationed but as soon as I walk down the stairs, the call drops and the display switches to 3G. I could live with this, except the phone shows FULL BARS downstairs and I can't event make a call. When I called today, AT&T's answer was that the Microcell *should* provide up to 5000 meters of coverage and that I should go return the unit and try another. And if that doesn't fix the issue, I asked? They'll open a ticket to see what the problem is. Really??! Meanwhile, I am back to being a prisoner of my 2nd floor bedroom to make or receive any calls. :-(