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Monday September 21, 2009
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 Does spotty reception on your iPhone drive you nuts? Do you live in Charlotte, NC? If so, head on over to AT&T to pick up the new 3G MicroCell, a device which piggybacks on your home high-speed Internet to provide five bars of HSDPA 3.6-flavored 3G coverage inside your home. It works with up to four users at once, though remember: four people hitting 3G sites at maximum speed all at the same time will clog up many low-rent DSL or cable lines!
According to an AT&T rep in Charlotte, the MicroCell costs $150 and service is free (heck, you're saving AT&T money by using it) unless you sign up for AT&T's "unlimited talk" option, which gives you unlimited minutes of calling over your microcell. That costs an extortionate $20/month, though it also gets you a rebate on your device.
The MicroCell covers about 5,000 square feet and only works in AT&T licensed coverage areas, so don't think about taking it on your next international trip. When you're setting up it uses a GPS to verify its location, which gives me some amusing visions of having to carry your MicroCell outside and wave it around before it works.
AT&T confirmed the MicroCell is only available in Charlotte right now, though presumably they'll expand its availability with time.
The three other nationwide wireless carriers all have their own network-extending solutions. T-Mobile has the best deal, though it only works with some phones. Their Hotspot@Home system works without additional hardware, on any Wi-Fi hotspot you can get access to around the world. That's especially good for world travelers.
Sprint's and Verizon's solutions fall behind AT&T's and T-Mobile's in flexibility. Sprint's $99 AIRAVE is currently out of stock and only supports 2G speeds, according to Sprint's Web site. Verizon's insanely overpriced Network Extender costs $249.99 and doesn't support 3G data. Remember: you're paying them $250 to do them a favor by taking traffic off their towers.
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September 21, 2009 12:56 PM
I think that this is AT&Ts way of avoiding the problem here in Charlotte, NC I know of 10 people which means there are many more who have return AT&T phones particularly the popular iPhone 3Gs due to AT&T's poor signal coverage in our outside of the home. Forget 3G I am talking general signal to make / not lose calls. I think they are passing the buck and this device should be free. Heck it has to be cheaper giving these away vs building the several/many towers it would take to cover charlotte like some other cities in the US who love there iPhone signal. To sum it up AT&T is passing the buck to it's customers and then charging them for it......
September 21, 2009 1:00 PM
I think they are passing the buck and charging their customers for it at the sametime. They are doing this "to lower traffic on their towers" but in fact I know of ten people who returned their iPhones with in 30days to to poor signal both in and outside their homes. They are just doing this to avoid having to spend $$$ on building cell towers / rent tower space... They could give these away and it would cost less (one time cost vs ongoing) than renting tower space here in Charlotte... It's outrageously extortianate
September 21, 2009 3:01 PM
I called my ATT people in Hartford: they haven't even HEARD about this--never mind when I might get it. I live in a little valley. At my house, I get 1 bar--until I want to make or answer a call ... then it's ZERO bars ... and their map says "good" coverage. I told them that was a HUGE stretch of the word! Can't wait to go to TMO & get their hotspot so I can GET what I'm PAYING for ...
September 22, 2009 2:44 PM
Everyone knows AT&T's coverage is the worst of the major players. Their coverage maps are jokes at best. I wish Verizon would hurry up and make a deal with Apple.
September 23, 2009 6:28 PM
Does anyone know if it would work in another state at my house if I bought it now out of a North Carolina store where is available? Also would it work on UVERSE?
October 19, 2009 10:42 AM
Hey Phil, I just got off of the phone with AT&T to ask the same question. I just moved to VA and have to find a way to get coverage where I live...they will be emailing me the information from the Product Management department. I will post it here when I receive it.