Microcell + Iphone 4 = Awesome

[skulkingghost]

I picked up an iphone 4 today, then decided to swing by the att store on the way home and pickup a microcell. When I got home as usual I had 1 bar or searching... on my iphone screen, as ATT really sucks since my house is in large field.

I hooked up the microcell and about 15 minutes later finally had a full 5 bars all around the house. I was pleased and all this for only $150 with a $100 mail in rebate if your willing to try the unlimited minute option out.

Cliffs:
Iphone 4 + Microcell = WIN

 

[Kmax82]

So you simply have to "try" unlimited minutes? Or you have to have an unlimited minute plan to get the $100 rebate on the microcell?

 

[Kaido]

lol, I love how they make you buy a device to get better reception 😀

sad thing is, I want one 🙁

 

[Ns1]

AT&T has warned that its recent data caps will still apply when using the 3G MicroCell. Despite its creating a 3G cell site of its own, it's still considered part of the network and counts towards the 200MB or 2GB ceilings, even though the Internet connection handles much more of the traffic. AT&T has justified the lack of free data by noting that the data still goes over its network at other stages.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/06/17/att.claims.2gb.cap.still.applies.to.microcells/

 

[sjwaste]

I can't believe they make you pay for it. You're basically providing infrastructure for them.

Pass.

 

[Emulex]

why not use wifi?

 

[aphex]

AT&T has warned that its recent data caps will still apply when using the 3G MicroCell. Despite its creating a 3G cell site of its own, it's still considered part of the network and counts towards the 200MB or 2GB ceilings, even though the Internet connection handles much more of the traffic. AT&T has justified the lack of free data by noting that the data still goes over its network at other stages.

http://www.electronista.com/articles/10/06/17/att.claims.2gb.cap.still.applies.to.microcells/

Correct, which is asinine if you ask me. That being said, if your in your home using the 3G microcell, your likely on your Wifi connection anyway so the point may be moot as it wont be using 3g data.

 

[mugs]

lol, I love how they make you buy a device to get better reception 😀

sad thing is, I want one 🙁

Well, you can see the coverage map before you sign up, and just because you sign up in an area that has poor service that does not obligate AT&T to provide better service there.

I grew up in a rural area, and we'd have been happy to pay for equipment that would enable us to get services that were unavailable where we lived (cable TV wasn't available until sometime in the 1990s, and my parents weren't able to get 2-way cable modem until 2010; DSL is not available).

The microcell is for your benefit, not AT&T's.

Charging for data at the same rates is kind of stupid; although it does go over their network, the area of their network where they really want to cut data usage is between the tower and the phone. Upstream from the tower it's cheap to add capacity. I'm guessing they do it like that to simplify things - no need to differentiate between different types of data, and any sensible person would just use wifi.

 

[Kaido]

Well, you can see the coverage map before you sign up, and just because you sign up in an area that has poor service that does not obligate AT&T to provide better service there.

Thing is, according to the map, I should be fully covered. But I have to walk 10 feet out my front door to get a signal on AT&T. I get no service at school, at work, I drop calls on the highway, it's ridiculous. I had an iPhone 2G, 3G, and 3GS before finally switching back to Verizon last year. I hated to do it, but I needed reception.

But I can see your point. And there's still a surprisingly large number of places that don't get good services of ANY kind. My buddy lives next to one of those electricity generation mini plants and can't get a signal within about half a mile of his home haha.

 

[ViviTheMage]

So you simply have to "try" unlimited minutes? Or you have to have an unlimited minute plan to get the $100 rebate on the microcell?

If I recall, you pay a month $20~ and then cnacel it after you get the rebate, which is what I did. then it's a cheap 3G cell tower in your home.

lol, I love how they make you buy a device to get better reception 😀

sad thing is, I want one 🙁

So does verizon, and tmobile .... and they make you pay monthly. with the microcell you do not have a monthly, unless you want it to not use your minutes. The microcell also connects via 3G, and not wifi, which I think is awesome, I do not like having to have my wifi on all the time.

 

[tatteredpotato]

I don't mind paying for a microcell, but don't they charge a monthly fee? I thought at least some of the carriers were doing that.

 

[Anonemous]

If I recall, you pay a month $20~ and then cnacel it after you get the rebate, which is what I did. then it's a cheap 3G cell tower in your home.




So does verizon, and tmobile .... and they make you pay monthly. with the microcell you do not have a monthly, unless you want it to not use your minutes. The microcell also connects via 3G, and not wifi, which I think is awesome, I do not like having to have my wifi on all the time.

Eh, if the microcell can connect in 3G why would you need to buy one to make a call? That would mean you have 3G coverage. Wouldn't your phone connect itself?

 

[ViviTheMage]

Eh, if the microcell can connect in 3G why would you need to buy one to make a call? That would mean you have 3G coverage. Wouldn't your phone connect itself?

Maybe I worded it wrong, but the microcell does not need an AT&T signal to connect (3G or normal voice), it uses the ethernet/WAN and creates a 3G cell signal, in which your phone can connect to.

It's also locked down, do only phones you specify can use it. Very good for me in my condo.

 

[alizee]

I just got my microcell and am very happy about it. I got mine so I could get reception in my basement, where nobody gets reception (not even verizon...), with the side benefit of having perfect reception around the rest of the house. So really, I'm not worried about paying AT&T to extend their network, I do think it's too much to ask to get good reception in a non-dugout basement. Works great!!!

No monthly plan necessary, but you could if you wanted unlimited minutes from the MicroCell; $20 a month NOT REQUIRED.