Gearlog has scooped pricing details on AT&T's entry into the up-and-coming femtocell market, the
3G MicroCell, where it's currently undergoing a public market trial in Charlotte, North Carolina -- and basically, it's a decent deal as long as you don't want unlimited calling. Stores are charging $150 for the unit itself and service is free (similar to Verizon's model, though Verizon charges $100 more upfront and the unit doesn't do 3G); if you want to tack on unlimited calling, you're paying another $20 a month unless you have some combination of AT&T landline or DSL service at your address. $20 is properly insane, though in exchange, the carrier throws you a bone with a $100 rebate on the device. All they've got to do is drop that unlimited service down to $10 a month to bring 'em in line with Sprint and T-Mobile and put some pressure on Verizon, which still doesn't offer any unlimited add-on.
[Via
Mac Rumors]
posted Sep 21st 2009 1:37PM
right on. 10 bucks would be reasonable. is it 150 and a 100 dollar rebate (so it costs 50?) or is the rebate included in the 150 price (so originally 250)?
It's $150 upfront and $50 after the rebate only if you commit to the $20 per month plan.
Here's the problem though -- when I enter my zip code in their system it says "Congratulations, the microcell is available in your area, call one of these stores to get yours today". When I called a store they put my street address into their system and said I couldn't get one. I have no cell service in my house. My phone will ring, but as soon as I answer it the call drops within seconds. I can't send texts from my house either -- I have to go outside to the very edge of my deck to send a text. To talk on the phone I need to go up by the street. I'm not sure what "qualifies" you to "try" their great new product, but it seems to me they do not want customers that cannot use their phone from home.
so i have an iphone with a 2100 minute plan (family). if i'm at home using the microcell to make calls, those minutes are just coming off my plan right? i don't have to sign up for the $20 unlimited plan on the microcell correct? why would anyone sign up for this? you've already got minutes on your existing plan anyway.
OK. So let me get this straight, ATT. You'll make me pay to get your little microcell unit and pay monthly to use it.
Tell me again why I should drop T-Mobile and my UMA Blackberry which allows me to get dialtone over any wifi network I can log onto? Anywhere in the world, including my house?
@Phil Hodgen
Exactly. Wow ATT, how nice. I have crappy signal at my house, so you make me buy something so that I can get signal, and it still uses my minutes? Or, I can go to t-mobile, use my existing wifi, and have unlimited hotspot calling. I guess if you REALLY love ATT? Otherwise, why?
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones - I live just north of Charlotte and was able to get one of these today. It works great and I think its worth the money, especially since I had either no service or 1 bar at home. Now I have 5 solid!! It took awhile to activate because of the GPS signal, but eventually (after a very nice phone call to tech support, some patience and about 6-hours) All is good!
The particulars - $150.00 (no additional cost) but you use your plan minutes, even from home. I could have gotten a $100.00 rebate by adding the unlimited plan of $20.00 per month but decided against it because I have so many rollover minutes.
The internal GPS acts as a gatekeeper to make sure that the address registered is the same one where the device is used.