Sprint offers AIRAVE in-home cell hub for all US
updated 11:15 am EDT, Wed July 30, 2008
Sprint AIRAVE Nationwide
Sprint today made official word that it will offer the AIRAVE across the whole of the US. The femtocell boosts indoors coverage for Sprint's cellphones by receiving the CDMA phone link and using the subscriber's existing high-speed Internet connection at home to relay the calls, eliminating the need to locate the femtocell in a part of the home that can already get coverage. Unlike T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home and other Wi-Fi based options, the licensed frequency isn't as likely to face interference, Sprint argues.
The AIRAVE hub will be available on August 17th and sell for $100 both online and at retail. It requires a $5 monthly plan for the enhanced coverage but gives subscribers to any of Sprint's Simply Everything plans unlimited call time as long as they talk on the AIRAVE connection. Regular customers can add the unlimited calling for $10 per month as individuals or for $20 on a family plan.
