3G MicroCell

[Vic_C]

I just picked one up and all I can say is Thank You AT&T!!! For I and others that can't get or get poor reception at home this is WONDERFUL!!! Took 15 minutes to set up and get 5 bars in my house where I usually got no service except near a window in my home office where i would get maybe 1 - 2 bars. It cost $100 less than what Verizon has to offer. It did not opt for the $20/mo unlimited plan due to our family plan having so many roll-over minutes. If you get the unlimited plan you get a $100 rebate from AT&T so the MicroCell will only cost you $50 for the hardware. Now I can get rid of my home phone thru my cable co. and save $25 a month!! So in 6 months the MicroCell will have paid for itself!! Very Nice!!!

[miked]

So, if I understand this right, the MicroCell plugs into your router, and then any calls from cell phones in your house go through the MicroCell onto the Internet; is that right?

Questions:

1) So if you don't buy the unlimited plan, minutes are taken off your normal phone plan (as if you weren't connecting thru the MicroCell), and you don't pay anything extra for the Microcell capability but for the device itself?

2) What happens if your MicroCell is in range with your neighbors' phones -- will your neighbors phone calls go onto your Internet, too?

[Vic_C]

1) Yes and No. It is not VoIP. It still goes over the AT&T network. You do use your regular minutes if you choose not to get the unlim plan.

2) No. You have to program in which Cell numbers can access the MicroCell so people cannot hack off your signal.

So far I have had no problems. Sound quality has been excellent while walking around in and out of my house while on my iPhone. It has a 5000 sf reach so I can go out back and still stay connected. I am very pleased with it!!!

[jhamilton3]

I still find it overpriced and feel like AT&T should give them away for dirt cheap or free because its their problem that their network is crap.

[brewers80]

When is this going to be available in other parts of the U.S.? I really need this in Wisconsin.

[whmurray]

Originally Posted by brewers80

When is this going to be available in other parts of the U.S.? I really need this in Wisconsin.

This is one more instance of AT&T and their games. I am afraid that this trial has reset the clock. 2009 may or may not happen now. By rolling it out in one market, AT&T has covered themselves.

However, I seriously doubt that the server can tell or cares where in the Internet the microcell is. One can fly to Charlotte, pick one up, and take it to Wisconsin.

[jhamilton3]

Originally Posted by whmurray

This is one more instance of AT&T and their games. I am afraid that this trial has reset the clock. 2009 may or may not happen now. By rolling it out in one market, AT&T has covered themselves.

However, I seriously doubt that the server can tell or cares where in the Internet the microcell is. One can fly to Charlotte, pick one up, and take it to Wisconsin.

LOL - thats a good idea

[whmurray]

Originally Posted by Vic_C

1) Yes and No. It is not VoIP. ...........

Well, yes it really is. By definition, the part of the path between the micro-cell and the AT&T Server, is voice over Internet Protocol. As with any cell, how this cell is connected to the PSTN is "transparent" to the phone. However, all of the switching, metering, and call completion is in the public switched telephone network. To your cell phone this cell looks just like any other cell.


.

[brewers80]

Anyone in Charlotte want to pick one up and ship it to me...lol I will compensate you well!

[DaPeeps]

Originally Posted by whmurray

This is one more instance of AT&T and their games. I am afraid that this trial has reset the clock. 2009 may or may not happen now. By rolling it out in one market, AT&T has covered themselves.

However, I seriously doubt that the server can tell or cares where in the Internet the microcell is. One can fly to Charlotte, pick one up, and take it to Wisconsin.

Actually, they CAN tell where its being used. The microcell uses an external GPS device that hooks up to it, and AT&T can control precisely where it can and cant be used. Sprint's is the same way...I used to use their version of it. This is done so that you cant take it with you and use it overseas or internationally. Theoretically, they could use it to block you from using it in certain parts of the USA as well, which they may very well be doing during the rollout. I am not sure if they ARE...just saying they very well could.

And no, the device will not work without the GPS connected and locked on...so theres no fooling it.