what is the point of paying for att service if all your going to do is use wifi, i have no att reception at my house so i figured its free and why not, now i get great fast service and use the same number, done and done
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Free Micro-cell Tower?
- Thread starter KBP
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what is the point of paying for att service if all your going to do is use wifi, i have no att reception at my house so i figured its free and why not, now i get great fast service and use the same number, done and done
Agreed but, my point is that there are other free ways to still make phone calls on the iPhone 4. This is a great alternative if your AT&T coverage is spotty in your house. If the Micro-cell device is free for you, then great go for it. Many are not getting it for free though.
If you can get AT&T to give you a Microcell for free why wouldn't you use it??
True it uses your existing minutes (unless you subscribe for the $20/month unlimited thing) but you'd be using those minutes anyway if you had better reception to begin with. Plus you keep your regular phone number.Even at a discounted price, I can see why some folks are willing to by it. If I worked from home and was on my cell frequently, it would be worth $150 alone just to keep my existing number and not have to use a third party service with another number.
EDIT: Sorry I hadn't seen your later posts above where you said it makes sense if its free.
I still say it is worth the money to people who don't want to juggle two+ phone numbers.
Because I don't have any empty network slots on my router and don't want to spend the money for an extender. Plus I don't want to have to plug yet another device, into a power outlet.
This device would be a good option for those without my concerns. But for me it's easier to use the Whistle Phone app around my home, until AT&T improves their coverage in my area.
Well now that you bring all of that info to the table regarding your particular situation, no - it doesn't make sense for *you*.
AT&T is really fleecing you guys over there. And I thought back in Canada was bad.
Here in Asia, I get nearly perfect service. You get mutiple options 4 diff plans ranging from 39 local dollars which is like 31 USD to up to 200. Phone prices start at around 600 to 60 for the 90 plan which i have and 0 for the 200 plan with $300 upgrade credit each year. AND 12GB of data for all plans and 30 for the top plan and tethering is not restricted.
No one really uses 12GB but still.....good to have. I remember Rogers back in Canada when they were coming out with the 3G the promo was 2GB I think LOL
Here in Asia, I get nearly perfect service. You get mutiple options 4 diff plans ranging from 39 local dollars which is like 31 USD to up to 200. Phone prices start at around 600 to 60 for the 90 plan which i have and 0 for the 200 plan with $300 upgrade credit each year. AND 12GB of data for all plans and 30 for the top plan and tethering is not restricted.
No one really uses 12GB but still.....good to have. I remember Rogers back in Canada when they were coming out with the 3G the promo was 2GB I think LOL
A switch is about 20 bucks and will get you 8 more ports. It's not a big expense, plus I'm sure you'll use it for other devices too.
And none of those alternatives you mentioned are good for incoming calls or texting.
True it's not a lot of money, but my biggest issue would be getting power to the Microcell. I only have one wall outlet near my router and am already using several power strips with it for other various devices. My wireless router and cable modem are behind my TV.
Texting is not an issue, as it seems to work fine even with terrible 3G coverage. For incoming calls I use Google Voice, Whistle Phone and Ooma. The only real issue I have is outgoing AT&T calls on my iPhone 4. So I prefer to use my other options for them.
Just letting you know that I almost always get what i want from any company I have a problem with. But when your not an "adult" you really don't have as much power... Just saying.
My story:
Been with AT&T for almost 2 years. Joined their network when I first bought my iPhone 3G. Cell service on 3G at my home is usless. I have always had to switch my phone to the Edge Network when I arrive home to be able to make and hold phone calls.
About a month ago I was having some strange problem (all of a sudden) with people calling me at my home and the phone not ringing. I'd then get a "missed call" notification and voice mail if somebody left a message. So I called AT&T and ended up with technical support. I talked to them about this MicroCell promotion buisnees and asked if I could get one. The guy said that they were told to stop giving them out without very good reason and the answer was "no". So they put in a trouble report and several days later I got a text telling me the problem was resolved. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't. The non ringing phone has happened once that I know of since.
Anyway, today in the mail I get a letter from AT&T thanking me for being a valued customer etc. And, as a way of showing their appreciation they offered me an AT&T MicroCell at no charge.
Reading further into the letter it said to simply take the letter to my local AT&T store (they provided the address) and pick up the free MicroCell. They reiterated that they would furnish the MicroCell at no charge (they underlined "no charge") for as long as I am an AT&T customer. If I decide to leave AT&T within 12 months they simply ask that I return the device to my nearest retail location.
That's it. I'm gonna take them up on it.
I sure hope this thing will in no way change the speed of my Cable Modem/Internet connection. It shouldn't right?
Been with AT&T for almost 2 years. Joined their network when I first bought my iPhone 3G. Cell service on 3G at my home is usless. I have always had to switch my phone to the Edge Network when I arrive home to be able to make and hold phone calls.
About a month ago I was having some strange problem (all of a sudden) with people calling me at my home and the phone not ringing. I'd then get a "missed call" notification and voice mail if somebody left a message. So I called AT&T and ended up with technical support. I talked to them about this MicroCell promotion buisnees and asked if I could get one. The guy said that they were told to stop giving them out without very good reason and the answer was "no". So they put in a trouble report and several days later I got a text telling me the problem was resolved. Maybe it was and maybe it wasn't. The non ringing phone has happened once that I know of since.
Anyway, today in the mail I get a letter from AT&T thanking me for being a valued customer etc. And, as a way of showing their appreciation they offered me an AT&T MicroCell at no charge.
Reading further into the letter it said to simply take the letter to my local AT&T store (they provided the address) and pick up the free MicroCell. They reiterated that they would furnish the MicroCell at no charge (they underlined "no charge") for as long as I am an AT&T customer. If I decide to leave AT&T within 12 months they simply ask that I return the device to my nearest retail location.
That's it. I'm gonna take them up on it.
I sure hope this thing will in no way change the speed of my Cable Modem/Internet connection. It shouldn't right?
I sure hope this thing will in no way change the speed of my Cable Modem/Internet connection. It shouldn't right?
No. It uses very little bandwidth for voice calls, you won't notice any speed decrease.
I've been an AT&T iPhone customer for over 2 years, have made numerous tech support calls and constantly report slow data on their iPhone app, yet I have not been sent a letter offering me a free MicroCell. If they had given me a free MicroCell then I would give it a try, but I will never purchase one from them. They should give me what I am already paying for......the ability to make and receive calls on my iPhone.
^^^The MicroCell won't help with data speeds on your iPhone. It's for 3G voice only.
I got a free one from AT&T. I used it in my last place and it worked pretty well. My only complaints were that there would be a 5 second delay when dialing out, and sometimes my iPhone wouldn't pick up the MicroCell signal when I got home.
I don't use it in my new place.....I get good reception here.
I got a free one from AT&T. I used it in my last place and it worked pretty well. My only complaints were that there would be a 5 second delay when dialing out, and sometimes my iPhone wouldn't pick up the MicroCell signal when I got home.
I don't use it in my new place.....I get good reception here.
The Microcell does do data and will increase speeds, but you're better off using your home WiFi. The speeds you get over WiFi are faster (IIRC, the Microcell is only capable of UMTS - the slowest of the 3G network types) plus it won't count towards your data cap if you're on WiFi.
Yes, I know that the MicroCell will do data, but it caps the data speed at 56Kbps. Way way way way slower than wifi speeds. That's why I said that it won't "help" with data speeds.
I never asked for a microcell but got one of the letters for a free one in the mail yesterday. I'm going to go pick it up -- and the letter says that I can simply go to my nearest AT&T store to get it. However, they then provide an address that is miles away. I'm a bit confused. Can I truly pick it up an *any* AT&T store or do I have to go to the address in the letter?
There are several AT&T company stores that are much closer than the one mentioned in the letter.
There are several AT&T company stores that are much closer than the one mentioned in the letter.
Yes, I know that the MicroCell will do data, but it caps the data speed at 56Kbps. Way way way way slower than wifi speeds. That's why I said that it won't "help" with data speeds.
I've used data on my Microcell and can get around 2 mbps down.
after reading this thread I went into my local att store told the lady I called att and they said to come in and see if they can discount the microcell tower.
She ended up giving it to me for free without me even asking! she rang it up and it said 0.00 she said its 100 and they have a 100 rebate so its free!
She ended up giving it to me for free without me even asking! she rang it up and it said 0.00 she said its 100 and they have a 100 rebate so its free!
Went to the AT&T store yesterday to claim my FREE MicroCell. No problems. Easy transaction. They were very nice and helpful.
Set up the MicroCell this morning and in a bout 20 minutes I received a text says everything was activated and congratulations.
My iPhoine now shows: AT&T M-Cell 3G and I am showing 5 bars.
Will be doing some test phone calls later and let you all know how that goes. But at this point it seems maybe it's gonna work/help with phone calls at my house using 3G instead of Edge.
As a side note I hear a lot how awful AT&T service is and I just don't see it. Every time I have ever called AT&T the reps are polite, helpful and willing to help. I couldn't be happier right this minute...(I do, however, reserve the right to change my mind)
Set up the MicroCell this morning and in a bout 20 minutes I received a text says everything was activated and congratulations.
My iPhoine now shows: AT&T M-Cell 3G and I am showing 5 bars.
Will be doing some test phone calls later and let you all know how that goes. But at this point it seems maybe it's gonna work/help with phone calls at my house using 3G instead of Edge.
As a side note I hear a lot how awful AT&T service is and I just don't see it. Every time I have ever called AT&T the reps are polite, helpful and willing to help. I couldn't be happier right this minute...(I do, however, reserve the right to change my mind)
Finally after 1 year of wanting one, I got a letter in the mail saying I qualify for a free microcell. I took the letter down to AT&T and they scanned the barcode and I was on my way with my new microcell. 2 days later I get an email from AT&T saying basically the same thing, and to bring the email to a retail store to claim a microcell...So I said what the heck, showed it to the sales rep, and told him I already got a free one...He said lets try it anyway, and he scanned it, and handed me another one. He said "I didnt tell you this, but sell it". So now Im curious if I can get charged by AT&T some how for having 2, or selling one, etc. Anybody have any idea?
Different strokes I guess but why would yo even do that? Don't you think they should charge you for the second one? Would seem fair to me.