AT&T Posts Details About the MicroCell, Its Femto Cell Product
Sep 21, 2009, 7:42 AM by Eric M. Zeman
updated Sep 21, 2009, 8:58 AM
AT&T recently published a new web page that provides some details about an unannounced femto cell product. The MicroCell acts as an in-home base station. Much like the UbiCell product available from Sprint and Verizon, this MicroCell hooks into a home's wired broadband connection and then provides enhanced coverage over an area of 5000 square feet. According to the AT&T site, the MicroCell will give its customers unlimited minutes from the MicroCell, which will provide both voice and 3G data coverage for up to four connections at once. The MicroCell is secured from unauthorized access, and can seamlessly hand calls off to the macro network and back when users enter or leave their premises. According to Gearlog, the MicroCell is currently only available in Charlotte, N.C. It costs $150 and service is free. Alternately, users can opt to pay $20 per month for unlimited talking, and this qualifies the MicroCell for a rebate. AT&T said that the MicroCell is undergoing trials in Charlotte, and that pricing policies aren't fully finalized.
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Comments
Network relief
What if you could get faster speeds via landline (unlikely but here's to dreaming)?
The only way to free the load is for the iphone users (mainly) to get the femtocells. And for them to pay to get one of these boxes, and use them at home, well it would already infuriate some of them more. One option AT&T could do is give the...
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Could be good if...
But I highly doubt that it will be free because its AT&T and only Sprint seems to "Need" customers right now so I just don't see them wanting nor caring about attracting customers like flies to doo-doo.
Available unlimited minute plans – individual or FamilyTalk plans.
Since they mention that "plans" are available, I presume, you're not getting unlimited calling if you use the device. However, whether the device ...
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This Compares Well to the Network Extender.
My number one concern with this is
If the MicroCell takes off an is wildly popular, AT&T could simply degrades its towers and force more people to pay for MicroCell.
I wouldn't put it past them to make you pay for the service and make you pay for your own coverage too. Double dipping is not uncommon in this country.
I sell Sprint's rrave system which is about the same thing. The only people we sell it to are customers working deep in large bu...
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That's why it's a MOBILE phone...
I just don't feel a great deal of sympathy for people who don't get coverage in their homes. Regardless of how spoiled people have gotten today, the fact remains that you are using a mobile phone. It is to be used when you are not able to access a landline. True, coverage on any network has gotten so good that one doesn't always have to be outdoors to use their phone. And true, we've forgetten what the phones have been made phone. But what bothers me is that people complain about not getting coverage inside. No mobile provider says they provide coverage indoors. If a person wants service indoors then they can subscribe to a landline or this MicroCell.
I guess what bothers me is that folks are complain...
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