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AT&T unwraps 3G MicroCell with GPS

updated 07:30 am EST, Mon January 26, 2009

ATT 3G MicroCell


AT&T ahead of any official announcement has revealed the 3G MicroCell, the company's own approach to in-home cellular hubs. Similar to the Samsung AIRAVE for Sprint, the Cisco-made device serves as a cell tower for homes where coverage is poor and puts the data through an existing broadband Internet connection. Unlike the Sprint device, however, the MicroCell requires 3G and also supports GPS to provide location services.

The carrier vows a secure network and only allows authorized cellphones; both data and voice are accessible to the iPhone 3G or any device that supports AT&T's faster network. As many as four can be using the MicroCell at the same time, while calls will also seamlessly bridge between the tower and outside AT&T connections.

Without an official launch, pricing and ship dates aren't yet available. AT&T regardless notes both individual and family plans that offer unlimited calling through the 3G MicroCell connection. [via BGR]


By Electronista Staff

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iPhone, sprint, AT&T, networking, Samsung, mobile phones

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  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    +2
    01/26, 08:59am | report spam | reply

    Let's hope they do it rig

    If AT&T really allows unlimited calling any time of day through the microcell then they will have beat Verizon.

    Charging you to make calls when using your own internet connection and not the cell tower, like Verizon does, is just wrong.

    Now dumping your land line makes much more sense.


  1. Guest

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Nov 1999

    +2
    01/26, 09:15am | report spam | reply

    No monthly fees

    Please no monthly fees. I don't mind being charged for minutes according to the contract, but please don't charge a monthly fee for me to buy this device and then plug it into my broadband connection to make it work. Afterall, I do not get AT&T service in my entire town, but I do have service where I work and go to school. If they will sell this device and not charge a monthly fee to use, then AT&T will have two new customers. But the chances of this being delivered in a way that makes sense for the majority of the public are slim to none, and slim has a non refundable, non transferrable plane ticket. . .


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

    0
    01/26, 09:39am | report spam | (1 reply) | reply

    Re: Let's hope


    Now dumping your land line makes much more sense.

    Nah. I would never dump my landline. First off, I don't know if I can and keep the FiOS. But that's besides the point.

    If I dump the landline, then I need to give everyone my cell number. And then people are pestering me left and right on the cell phone.

    With a landline, everyone who's no one calls me on that, and I can just ignore it. Plus, remove all the extras, and pay per local call vice unlimited local, and its like $13 a month, plus tax.


  1. starwarrior

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Mar 2006

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    01/26, 09:55am | report spam | reply

    Who is Paying?

    Live in an affluent neighborhood with poor AT&T signal. Funny to see all the housewives with their iPhones standing in their yards to do their talking.

    Now AT&T will not have to build out their coverage in this area, until COX blocks their Internet usage.


  1. MeandmyMac

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Feb 2008

    +3
    01/26, 10:19am | report spam | reply

    You're gonna be charged..

    You're gonna be charge monthly. At least that is how I interpret AT&T's 3G MicroCell web page where they say "Available unlimited minute plans - Individual or Family Plan." If it is just a one time purchase of the actual AT&T product of the MicroCell and then hook it up to your cable of DSL, then why make the distinction between Individual and Family "PLANS" with Unlimited Minutes? They are going to charge folks! Which is too bad. AT&T coverage in my neighborhood sucks big time which is why I haven't made the jump to the iPhone!


  1. testudo

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2001

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    01/26, 12:14pm | report spam | reply

    Re: You're gonna be

    Of course they're gonna charge you monthly for it. The cell companies make their money on calls. Where's the benefit to them if 90% of your calls don't make them money.

    And keep in mind that they still spend money on the infrastructure for the phone transfers from broadband to the outside world and back again, technical support, 911 support, etc, etc, etc.


  1. malax

    Fresh-Faced Recruit

    Joined: Aug 2006

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    09/18, 12:40pm | report spam | reply

    The benefit

    They will charge, of course, but the justification for not charging is that you're already going to be using your AT&T minutes to make calls. Now you'll be paying twice for the same call. Kinda sucks. As the second poster pointed out, it would be a win-win if I could buy a device to basically put an AT&T tower in my house. I would be more likely to stick with AT&T, it basically costs AT&T nothing, and I get better cell phone service. And my whole family dies of some rare form of cancer in the future that cannot be conclusively linked to anything.


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