Get your own personal AT&T cell tower next month
March 24th, 2010, 3:15 pm · 14 Comments · posted by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
If you’re tired of waiting for AT&T to build a new cell tower in your neighborhood, you will soon be able to buy your own mini tower to improve cellular coverage at home.
The AT&T 3G MicroCell, which launched last fall in test markets like San Diego, is now ready for its national roll out. The product goes on sale in mid-April. No cities were announced, but the company plans an aggressive launch.
These MicroCell devices, generically called femtocells, still require separate broadband Internet service. Wireless calls are routed over the home’s broadband connection to produce a stronger signal for a clearer conversation. If your calls are scratchy due to concrete walls, nearby mountains and other terrain, this is something to consider.
The AT&T’ MicroCell also supports 3G data and was developed with Cisco. More details: www.att.com/3gmicrocell.
The device will be $149.99, which may seem high considering you’re already paying a monthly bill. But that’s about the going rate for MicroCells. Verizon Wireless charges $249.99 for its “network extender.” Sprint’s Airave is $99.99. T-Mobile no longer offers its HotSpot @Home service, at least to new customers.
AT&T is offering mail-in-rebates to get the cost down to nothing. If you add a MicroCell monthly plan of $19.99, you’ll get unlimited calls when using the MicroCell to connect. That also qualifies for a $100 rebate. Add in AT&T DSL or U-verse Internet service and there’s an additional $50 rebate.
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I think it’s worth it. I will save that much in 3 months when I dump Cox phone service.
Avoid AT&T altogether and goto Sprint, where there is signal everywhere! GSM sucks!
I like that AT&T is offering a monthly MicroCell plan at only $19.99 a month. So on top of your monthly cell plan you can add an addtional $239 plus a year. So if your paying roughly $45 a month for your cell service, your now approaching $800 a year to use your cell phone……….nice!
Ooops………..forgot to add wireless service taxes and additional texting charges. Try closer to $1000.00 a year to use your cell phone. And I hear people everyday crying the blues on how they can’t make ends meet.
well if you are barely making ends meat, then you should not have a cell phone then. carry a few quarter, there are still payphones around
Than dont have a cellphone if you cant afford it. I pay over $1200 a year and i’m getting a great deal i no longer have a landline or internet if you think about it cell phones are saving us alot of money if you look at the other areas we can cut cost because of it.
You people have to realize that cell phones were not made to replace landlines. Cell phones were intended for mobile use. TV signals don’t reach every house either. Every cell phone carrier have bad areas and dropped calls. What this device does do is allow you to use your AT&T 3G cell phone in your house with a 5 bar signal. Add the (optional) monthly rate for unlimited calls in your home and no more landline and no more long distance package. Am I the only one that sees the value of this device?
My brother just recived one of these things from Sprint. It made absolutely no difference whatsoever. He still cannot get phone calls while at home and has eve had to go to the added expense of getting a landlind back. This device is a Total waste of money!!! This is just one way for AT&T to make more money and not have to improve the service your already paying for!!!
Why would I pay AT&T any money so that instead of using their network, they tax my personal broadband connection. They should be paying me for that usage. I can pay an extra 20 dollars a month, on top of my internet connection fees, for unlimited calling? Thanks but no thanks. My wireless provider should actually be providing me with service if I’m going to be giving them money every month.
why pay for this…at&t should be giving this out for free to show that they are really sincere in improving their service…
You guys are bunch of idiots. I have this in my home and it works wonders (7 bars!!). Amazing how people will “diss” something before they even investigate it first! Way to go morons!
Your an idiot. We all have the right to voice our concerns about our wireless company.
I for one would not pay for this stupid device nor would I pay an additional mothly service charge to ATT. Your better off with Vonage or Skype.
why are you getting personal? There are lots of valid opinions out there – yours just happens to be wrong.
microcells are a rip-off. I do not want to pay extra for something I am supposed to be getting with my already sky-high monthly bill – good signal and service!