If you have any Backflip or iPhone-toting friends like we do, you'd know that AT&T isn't exactly the model for network reliability. There's drop calls, weak signals, full signal but slow data, etc. Most people just suffer through AT&T's problems but hey, you don't have to any more--the AT&T 3G MicroCell will solve all your problems.
Basically, the AT&T 3G MicroCell acts as a mini cell tower in your home, giving you full signal for both data and voice connections. You just plug your home internet connection into the MicroCell and voila, you'll get awesome coverage in your home. The MicroCell costs $150 which is kind of okay but kind of not. It's decently priced because it's a one time fee, no need to pay a monthly fee (unless you spring for the $20/month for unlimited calling) but kind of ridiculous because AT&T is using your internet connection to solve their problem.
Either way, if you have terrible AT&T 3G service at home or office, the AT&T 3G MicroCell is your answer. Pony up $150 and you'll get to enjoy voice and data coverage like you should.
[att]
Reader comments
AT&T 3G Microcell announced and priced
/Facedesk
This is almost sad that they needed to put out a product like this.
Yea Verizon has a similar product for $250 AND it allows other cell phone customers to use it too ! So not only do you pay for the unit and use YOUR internet connection, but other people in the area get a free ride (including Verizon).
All I know of is the Verizon MiFi Hot Spot, which is a completely different device. I'm kind of curious to see the Verizon version and then compare the two.
My sister & brother in law bought the Verizon unit, they live in a dead zone. Turns out you can't get the thing to work over your internet connection unless it can talk to a cell tower, so it was useless to them and they took it back. Only took Verizon support 3 weeks to figure out what was wrong.
So let me get this straight. Att brags about there great 3G coverage all over tv, then turn around and sell a product that will boost your signal, you know just in case you dont live in a good coverage area. And on top off it I have to pay for it twice, the product and the internet connection. Shouldnt att be paying to for more towers and better service, but thats right they have a great network already.
I almost bought the Verizon version when it came out because signal is questionable at my house sometimes. Come to find out you have to have dsl and/or cable internet to be able to use it and neither of those are available where I live..........
On a positive note I have noticed MUCH better signal strength since I switched from the Storm to the Droid :D
What device is it that Verizon has that is similar to this? All I've seen is the Verizon MiFi hot spot, which is a completely different device. I just would like to compare the two and was unaware Verizon had a similar device.
Here's the Verizon unit, it's called a femtocell and it's been out for a while:
http://www.androidcentral.com/e?link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kqzyfj.com%2Fclick...
Here's a "review":
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/New-Verizon-Femtocell-Service-Is-A-Ba...
I'm sorry but I thoght the purpose of has a mobile phone is to BE MOBILE!!! why should you have to by this device to enhance their so called network when your already paying them a monthly fee for service that true isnt what its cracked up to be. I have Verizon and I've had Verizon for years. I can make calls in the Holland and Lincoln tunnels in New York as well as underground in the train station while my buddy thats standing right next to me cant make a call to me with his beautiful iPhone he goes on and on about. thay dont have an app for that now do they!!
My first thought: how do you stop the neighbor from having a free ride?
Why do you care so much about your neighbor getting a free ride, if they were that concerned with their home signals strength they'ed be buying one aswell. So really your neighbors probably won't even notice that their signal strength is better. And you must be the worst neighbor ever to hate them so much that you wouldn't want to increase mobile capabilities around your home in general.
Why do you care so much about your neighbor getting a free ride, if they were that concerned with their home signals strength they'ed be buying one aswell. So really your neighbors probably won't even notice that their signal strength is better. And you must be the worst neighbor ever to hate them so much that you wouldn't want to increase mobile capabilities around your home in general.
NVM
lol. At&t = fail
The last sentence of the article says it all.
Palm meet face. Face meet palm....
I've thought about getting the Verizon one just for home, my signal at home is bad and there's times I have to go outside to talk for extended periods of time, but I don't want to pay $250.
I don't think that any cell company should be putting something like this out anyway, they should just put up more towers.
And knowing my luck, if I bought one, they'd improve the signal or add another tower.
I can see both sides to this. I understand the consumers point of view that they are paying for a mobile service so why should they have to pay more to get better coverage at home. But on the other hand at least the carrier is giving you an option to improve coverage. Simple fact is there are some places that will probably always have crappy coverage because a carrier isn't going to put up a tower in an area unless its going to benefit a lot of people. There will always be spots where it doesn't make business sense to put a tower so this is just another option. At least the carriers aren't trying to make you sign a contract with it. Luckily I've never had coverage issues at my home so I haven't even had to consider these baby cells.
Only a sleezy company like AT&T would have the nerve to charge their wireless customers for a cellular booster/router because they have such shitty coverage for the iphone and 3G devices! "Ma Bell go to to HELL"!!!!
The New AT&T are crooks just like the Ma Bell creation of over l00 years of a telephony monopoly!
Let me fix that last sentence:
Either way, SINCE you have terrible AT&T 3G service EVERYWHERE, the AT&T 3G MicroCell is your answer. Pony up $150 and you'll get to enjoy voice and data coverage, BUT you should JOIN VERIZON.
If this is advertised well it should have a pretty big market. I know lots of places that I drop cell coverage when i go indoors but have it outside. AT&T (and every other cell provider) will never fix dead spots like that so this seems to be a viable solution. Does it suck that AT&T charges $150.00 for it? Yes, but they are a company and companies look for every opportunity to pluck your last dollar. The bigger question is will they have 4G option in the near future? I could see spending some money on that.
Out of all the companys Sprint launched there 4G a while back VerizonWireless will have there 4G network completly up at 2013 T-mobile is working on expanding 3G and AT&T hasnt even planned on 4G yet so good luck
All the major carriers have one of these things. I used the one from Sprint (got it for FREE)and it was complete garbage. I returned it and found that the problem with reception was the phone (the Palm Pre @ the time). I sold it and purchased the Hero. No problem ever since. What they don't tell you is that not only do you need a great internet connection, but also it needs to be near a window to catch a signal from the nearest tower. What a waist, cause if both are not performing at their peak then you get plenty of dropped calls.