How would you change Sprint's AIRAVE?

Now that Sprint's AIRAVE has been on sale (nationwide, that is) for nearly a month, we're curious to know if it has lived up to your expectations. We'll admit -- it definitely lived up to ours, but we can still think of a few things we'd like to see different. Would you too enjoy being able to use this thing abroad? Is the 3-call (simultaneous) limit too tight for you? Do you wish your EV-DO data was piped through this thing as well? Oh, and does the pricing scheme set well with you? Let us know just how you're enjoying (or not) that fresh new femtocell in comments below.

[Johan S @ Sep 12th 2008 6:35PM]

I would fix it by putting up more cell towers.


Ok actually if it could provide some sort of indoor GPS that would be useful in shopping malls etc.

[Ben @ Sep 14th 2008 12:18AM]

NO NO NO NO NO! you are all wrong! You are paying a monthly fee because if you are within range of the box then you get unlimited minutes! You are paying for unlimited use of the airave! NOT to free up the network!

[D1Hamby @ Sep 14th 2008 8:54AM]

Why put up more towers? Just let Verizon put up the towers and offer unlimited roaming for $5 to everyone. Oh yeah, they did that already and I've been using it for years now.

[helixtimestwo @ Sep 12th 2008 6:36PM]

How about they NOT MAKE US PAY A MONTHLY SERVICE CHARGE FOR IT!

Its OUR broadband connection it uses and it frees up bandwidth on THEIR towers.

Hey AT&T -- don't charge for your femtocell when it comes out next year and you'll get at least 1 new customer.

[Brad @ Sep 12th 2008 6:54PM]

I agree pretty solidly with you, this is the only barrier for me. Sprint should not be charging a monthly fee unless I am not using my minutes while on it. If I'm still paying like always, why charge a monthly fee?

So I have to pay for my cellphone, my broadband, AND a monthly fee to use my cell minutes over my broadband because Sprint doesn't have good coverage at my parent's house?

Seems a little odd to me.

Also, I'd severely limit the range (say 3m or less) whenever not in a sprint approved region/country. I'd love to plug this thing in while traveling abroad where Sprint doesn't work.

Anyone know if the GPS can't get a fix, will it turn on still?

[Jim @ Sep 12th 2008 7:16PM]

+1 My only barrier to entry...

[gazorp @ Sep 12th 2008 7:19PM]

I complained to sprint about paying for the device and a monthly fee and they waived the monthly fee. Just had to buy the box.

[nerdtalker @ Sep 12th 2008 7:19PM]

Everyone should be able to buy one of these, add cell numbers or bandwidth policy criteria (and open it to everyone), or even recieve call credits for people who use the femtocells of customers who have opened it to everyone.

Do that, and there will be coverage everywhere. I promise.

[D @ Sep 12th 2008 8:49PM]

Dude, why not go for the T-Mobile service?

[TavisJohn @ Sep 12th 2008 9:22PM]

Exactly! Remove the stupid monthly fees, and do not bind it to a single account!
We have 6 people at home, with 2 different cell plans. It would be nice for it to just work for everyone.

[Brett @ Sep 12th 2008 10:40PM]

I have an AIRAVE, but I'm totally on-board with this complaint. The only reason I agreed to do it was because the service in my house is terrible and they eventually agreed to give me the actual hardware for free. I tried to pay for the hardware and get out of the monthly fee, but no dice.

It would be nice if it could handle EV-DO, but oh well.

[Dog Whisperer @ Sep 13th 2008 1:06AM]

Does this really "free up" their towers? It is a remedy to the weak signal problem, one that most carriers seem to have inside certain structures, but these are calls that wouldn't be using Sprint's network resources, 'cause theywould go straight to voice mail or be dropped quickly. Traffic would be added by this device, though I understand the begrudging feeling that I am using my bandwidth- I get no Sprint service in my house, which is why I'm online looking for a solution.

[ChillyWilly @ Sep 14th 2008 10:12PM]

Helix hit it on the nose. I don't mind buying the box and maybe even a one time fee for setup, but monthly recurring charges to fix bad signal issues? Hmmm... Nope.

[NG @ Sep 12th 2008 6:38PM]

i think it would make more sense to take away the monthly charge if you are only using it to extend service range, and if necessary charge a higher up front cost; it makes no sense that you are paying a monthly fee to reduce stress on their network

[Dog Whisperer @ Sep 13th 2008 1:06AM]

Stress on their network is not being reduced- these are calls that would otherwise be dropped or not received. As much as that sucks for the customer, it's an unquantifiable amount of "customer dissatisfaction" versus actually increasing traffic on their networks with this device, which is why they charge the monthly fee. The T Mobile option is so much cheaper.

[Johan S @ Sep 12th 2008 6:39PM]

Allow people to earn money or free service credits by routing other people's phone calls through it .. ENCRYPTED (harder to crack than snooping the airwaves).

[Johan S @ Sep 12th 2008 6:45PM]

A lot of office buildings don't have good indoor coverage .. so independent entrepreneurs (or an office worker) contracts with office buildings to install these things and Sprint should pay them a pennies each time a call is routed through.. since they're enabling Sprint customers to have uninterrupted service.

[Randy @ Sep 12th 2008 7:06PM]

Actually, I was going to say to work out deals to have these installed in Office buildings. I'm in that boat right now. I get poor --> no reception in my cubical. And I'm right next to window.

[michas_pi @ Sep 12th 2008 6:41PM]

Allow alternative firmware to be installed like Tomato :)

I kid, I kid.

[change @ Sep 12th 2008 6:42PM]

The concept of paying a monthly fee for the privilege of fixing a carrier's coverage problems does not sit well with me.

[Yankees368 @ Sep 12th 2008 6:44PM]

They have to do away with the monthly charge, like they did for me via retentions.
EVDO would be nice, but I think that is coming in the near future.

[Dr @ Sep 12th 2008 6:46PM]

It works... most of the time.. the unit and monthly costs are a double whammy... why should one pay more to have a service to work when the provider has network weaknesses ... and if you make an airave call, it should have free unlimited minutes.

[iSmoke,therefore emit death by breathing @ Sep 12th 2008 6:51PM]

i totally agree with everyone arguements,when they first announced this i was excited then come to find out that not only do u have to buy this but u have to pay monthly..that's absurd!


if they had charge more upfront with no monthly payments i would have had this from the first day it was available

[Dubb @ Sep 12th 2008 6:53PM]

Pretty much what everyone else has said, why the hell do we have to pay monthly? I don't mind paying for the base hardware, understandable, but there's no reason for the monthly charge.

I always miss people's calls at my place because I'm in roaming mode, it will literally just switch back and forth from "entering Sprint Service Area" to roaming non stop. Also, on the phone I'm using, Sprint just drops the incoming caller to Voicemail and when I "enter Sprint Service Area" again it notifies me of the voice mail but I have no missed call alerts. If the caller doesn't leave a voicemail I would never know that someone had called.

It's really annoying, does anyone know if you can cancel your Sprint service without paying your ETF for this reason? Is this how it works on other networks?

I wouldn't mind having this though if it solved my dropped call issues, but I wouldn't pay the monthly fee.

[Sandeep @ Sep 12th 2008 7:32PM]

try 'force roaming' on your phone.... there's usually a setting in the menus to let you only Roam. it'll solve the signal issues (presumably the roaming signal is good enough) and if you roam too much, Sprint will be glad to cancel your contract, sans ETF

[Dubb @ Sep 12th 2008 8:02PM]

I don't seem to get any calls when in roaming, maybe I'm not actually in roaming. When the "T" symbol turns into a Triangle, what does that mean? When in that mode I can't receive or make calls, texts, etc.

[Craig @ Sep 12th 2008 6:53PM]

I'd make it work on AT&T's crappy network.

[stunmonkey @ Sep 12th 2008 6:59PM]

I would have them not charge me for it, but instead offer a CREDIT for me using it.

Why in the hell should I be paying THEM to provide my OWN backhaul on my own bandwisth?

[Dakota (.Mac) @ Sep 12th 2008 7:08PM]

1: Remove the GPS lock ENTIRELY. If I want to use an AIRAVE in Japan, hell or high water I'll do it.
2: This shouldn't have a monthly fee - it's YOUR internet connection!
3: GSM version of this would be nice.

[Charlie @ Sep 16th 2008 9:40AM]

You don't have a license for those frequencies in Japan.

[j @ Sep 12th 2008 7:15PM]

Dudes, why not simply switch to the T-mob? With the hotspot calling (which it seems a large number of new phones will have) you dont pay anything extra (you CAN pay 9.95 a month to have unl wifi calling) but you get incredible coverage in any open wifi area. no extra eqp to buy, no hassle. It works great, plus their rate plans are significantly less that anyones else

[bjsguess @ Sep 12th 2008 7:21PM]

You have to pay extra for Hotspot calling - $10/m (just confirmed it on the T-Mobile website). And you have to use selected handsets. While the options are improving (it used to be just a couple phones) it is not the same as the Sprint offering where you can use any Sprint phone.

[MBN @ Sep 12th 2008 7:37PM]

Guesser, yes and no. With T-Mob, you pay $10 for unlimied UMA access, but you can use UMA without paying $10 - it just counts from your minutes. For just improved coverage, T-Mob is a great deal. It's free and uses existing wi-fi.

Sprint and T-Mobile each have their positives, but I think T-Mob has more.

T-Mobile
-Use most any Wi-Fi access point!
-No fee to use UMA (unless you want the unlimited UMA calling)
-No equipment to buy

Sprint
-Any Sprint phone works.

T-Mobile is getting more and more UMA handsets, two dumbphone flips, Blackberry Curve and new Pearl II and soon the new Pearl Flip and Shadow II.

[B @ Sep 12th 2008 8:14PM]

Also, Tmobile Hotspot UMA calling works anywhere in the world. Im living in Germany for a few months and I just turned off the cell antenna and use my Blackberry Curve to make free unlimited calls to the US over the Wifi in my apartment, from Germany. (I pay the $10 for unlimited UMA calling). Beats the pants off this ridiculous Sprint thing if you ask me.

[Nick @ Nov 8th 2008 1:48PM]

1. I can't get t-mobile in my zip.
2. I got t-mobile in another zip and moved here - and they canceled my account for too much roaming.
3. In big cities there is a lot of open wi-fi, but in the country there is none.
4. I was desparate for any cell service to work in my house and jumped on the airrave as soon as it was offered.

It works great. EDVO would be nice but only so my Kindle would work in my house,.

[bjsguess @ Sep 12th 2008 7:18PM]

Pretty sure Sprint is not authorized to use their frequencies in foreign countries. That's why the GPS receiver is built in.

That said, like everyone else, no fees. It's absurd that this costs extra every month just so you can get a proper cell signal.

[Marino @ Sep 12th 2008 7:19PM]

There are people who still use Sprint? Why?

[Brett @ Sep 12th 2008 7:34PM]

You absolutely cannot beat the value of the (now extinct) SERO plans. Besides, to me, a phone isn't worth the $60-100 that other carriers would charge for the same services.

On topic, I'd remove the monthly fee, and maybe reduce the price a bit. I'd be happy to pay $50 and no monthly fee to essentially provide Sprint service around my house. Higher device prices and, more significantly, a monthly fee are kind of a kick in the teeth for

[peestandingup @ Sep 12th 2008 8:23PM]

Yeah, but how long can you use the old SERO plan argument for being with them? Those plans are long gone & they aint coming back. Not to mention they dont work with most of Sprint's new smartphones, so that means you basically can never upgrade your phone if you want to keep saving.

[Brett @ Sep 12th 2008 9:03PM]

Long gone? I don't think they've been gone for more than a month. I will agree that it doesn't look like they're coming back, so in response to your question I'd say about the year + a few months that I've got left on my Sprint contract.

[Benson @ Sep 13th 2008 12:17PM]

You could use the old plan as long as you still have it... They're not pulling the old plans or anything, existing SERO customers are grandfathered in.

Of course, I missed the end of SERO by about a week when I got out of my old carrier, so I wound up going T-Mo instead.

[George @ Sep 12th 2008 7:51PM]

This is a complete rip off. I would change the following things.

1. The price.
2. The monthly fee is just ridiculous.
3. This is just nickel and dimming your customers.

I live in Arizona close enough to see the football stadium from my house and yet I get no bars in or outside or around the block for that matter. I love my sprint phone but I have to drive 4 blocks before I can even use it. Now, Airave comes along and all you feel like is nickel and dimming me. It's not my fault you sell phones in places where there is no coverage. You should sell the airave for 1 PRICE with NO monthly fees. This is just stupid.

disgusted,

george

[kevin @ Sep 12th 2008 8:32PM]

I live in AZ too..

I purchased the Airave and i cant be happier..

Am i annoyed i had to pay for it? YES!!
Am i annoyed i have to pay monthly to use it? YES

Am i annoyed that having 3 blackberries and a data card all on SERO saves me 290 dollars a month vs Verizon??? NO!! :)

ill pay the 5 dollars a month and move on.. For most people though i am on your side. Its using your bandwidth to operate.

[LongKnights @ Sep 12th 2008 7:25PM]

Find a better company to provide the service.....Sprint only provides a means to take money without providing services.

[Kris @ Sep 12th 2008 7:29PM]

People use vonage in foreign countries even though they are not supposed to.
Why the hell did they put a GPS lock. They should have mentioned "For use in USA only" in one those hidden sprint agreements.

I would have taken it and used it in other countries during my travel.

[hondamini @ Sep 12th 2008 7:30PM]

Add EVDO. Otherwise, I love it.

[Sandeep @ Sep 12th 2008 7:33PM]

Can someone from Engadget please submit this comment thread to Sprint or thebuzzaboutwireless.com and see if we can get a response? It'd be incredible if Sprint pulled a Palm and at least kinda sorta listened to the complaints.

[Gary @ Sep 12th 2008 7:35PM]

Why still on Sprint?

The old sero plan; $29.99/month, 500 anytime minutes, nights and weekends begin at 6pm, unlimited text, unlimited data (no 5gig cap).

[tech411 @ Sep 12th 2008 7:41PM]

Do away with the monthly charges, we already pay cell and broadband charges.

[Kevin @ Sep 12th 2008 8:48PM]

I have the Airave. It is great. I have also had Verizon and T Mobile service from this house. All three (four if you count Nextel's iDen network) have marginal network service at our house. Having one of the two carriers that offer an in-home coverage solution that is affordable is great.

I would, like everyone else that is posting on this topic, like to get this service for free. I would also like to get my cell service for free and lots of other things, but the price is reasonable, and no other carrier has offered a better overall solution for my situation.

By the way, here is my analysis of the difference in pricing between T-mobile and Sprint. Sprint chose a femto-cell CDMA solution to allow any CDMA phone to work. GPS is required as part of the CDMA network requirements and possibly to ensure compliance with spectrum licensing considerations. The femto cell device is produced in MUCH smaller quantities than WiFi routers with VoIP so the cost is probably 5 to 10 times ($50 vs $250-$300) as much to produce as those routers. Sprint purchases a lot of these, but waaaay less than what is needed to really bring the costs down. So they decide to subsidize them in a similar way to how they offer phones. This is why I think there is a $5 per month charge. The unlimited charge is probably just based on some competitive analysis of substitution of a wired phone line.