iPhone Carrier Update hints at AT&T MicroCell coming soon

iPhone users in the US have recently been hit with a "carrier update" when they sync with their machines, and a little digging reveals that the package contains two "AT&T M-Cell" carrier logos -- suggesting that Ma Bell's upcoming MicroCell femtocell is close to launch. Still no word on how much the Cisco-sourced hardware will cost when it does arrive and we're still not super-stoked on the idea of paying a monthly fee to improve AT&T's own service, but if you've been patiently waiting to take matters into your own hands, we'd guess you'll be rewarded soon.

[Via TUAW]

[Brando @ Feb 7th 2009 12:48PM]

Finally the Update we've all been waiting for...

[KAIKAI @ Feb 7th 2009 1:26PM]

im pretty sure that was sarcasm...

[Knee to the Groin @ Feb 7th 2009 8:20PM]

I already took it upon myself to improve my iPhone's service, I put it on T-Mobile...

[Harkonian @ Feb 7th 2009 12:51PM]

I've been waiting forever to finally get more than half-a-bar in my apartment in the middle of the city. I wasn't expecting to have to pay for it myself, however :(.

[rtdunham @ Feb 7th 2009 1:02PM]

waiting a year didn't do me any good.

before anyone springs for a purchase + monthly ATT fee (if that's how they charge for it) consider the Wi-Ex zBoost 510: It cost me nearly $300 (there are other, cheaper models depending on your needs) at amazon and the mfgr was selling it for less at MWSF. Unlike the ATT solution there's no monthly fee and it boosted me from zero or one bar to an average four bars. It made the diff between not being able to use my iPhone in my home to having quiet confidence it'll always work. I wish i'd not waited so long before getting it.

http://www.wi-ex.com/

I'm not a shill, just a very pleased customer.

[luv_carrier_branding_:) @ Feb 7th 2009 1:02PM]

the carriers are too lazy and greedy to expand anymore :(

i wish we had carriers like rogers and vodafone here in the US, their customers overseas seem to be happy w/ their service and coverage

on a side note, what is your avatar?

[Joe @ Feb 7th 2009 5:06PM]

@LUV If you're talking to Harkonian, the avatar is a photo by Gregory Colbert from the Ashes and Snow exhibit.

http://www.ashesandsnow.org/

Trust me, it's one of the most gorgeous photo collections I've ever seen.

[Harkonian @ Feb 7th 2009 7:31PM]

Correct, my avatar is from Ashes & Snow. I saw the exhibit when it was in Santa Monica. It was spectacular!

[luv_carrier_branding_:) @ Feb 7th 2009 8:20PM]

oo interestin!

deres a huge billboard in downtown LA that has that image, buts its all tagged up with gangster writing lol

[oliver hart @ Feb 7th 2009 12:58PM]

The update does nothing to jailbreak/unlock settings. In case anyone wanted to know

[OnlyShawn @ Feb 7th 2009 3:14PM]

thank you! I did want to know. :)

[bmitchell @ Feb 7th 2009 1:01PM]

seach for att microcell reveals
http://www.wireless.att.com/3gmicrocell/
and
http://www.wireless.att.com/dcom//English/staticContent/html/help_ATT3GMicroCell_cms.html

[Tinu @ Feb 7th 2009 1:04PM]

So we have to use our own broadband service, pay for the MicroCell hardware, and pay for the monthly MicroCell service to get good reception for the cellular service I already pay for? OMG I am so excited!!

[Danny P @ Feb 7th 2009 1:13PM]

I totally agree...this is bullshit!

[shravan @ Feb 7th 2009 1:15PM]

This isn't a particularly good trend. I do not know frankly if the fault is with AT&T or the iphone, but whichever it is, its a ripoff. You pay hefty monthly fees for a phone and you get a defective antenna ? I say get a Nokia. But if the fault is with AT&T's 3G networks, I say abandon ship and change networks. The only way to teach them a lesson is deprive them of your monthly 100$.
Paying for a defective phone, on a defective carrier and then purchasing a solution to rectify it does not seem to hit me as a sane man's idea.

[KarlW @ Feb 7th 2009 1:37PM]

This is nothing to do with the phone itself - other carriers like Verizon are rolling out similar femtocells, with similar ideas that they can charge customers extra to get the service they're already paying for.

If anything, putting a femtocell in your home, eating your bandwidth, should entitle you to extra minutes/texts. They've got enough of a margin (esp. texts) that they're not hurting the carriers too much, and you get rewarded for helping out the network.

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Feb 7th 2009 1:32PM]

Carrier update, huh? Anyone have a screenshot of this happening or did I completely just miss the mark here.

[Sycamore714 @ Feb 7th 2009 1:47PM]

LiQuiD_FuSioN

To get the carrier update just connect the iphone to itunes and hit the check for update button

Itunes will tell you that a carrier update is available. Hit download and install , it updates a very small file on the iphone ( take couple of seconds)

After the update is complete in the settings tab you will see the carrier as ATT 3.1 instead of ATT 2.9

I will recommend this to everyone. My iphone started dropping the data connection every now and then for the last two days.

I applied the update and all is well now

[LiQuiD_FuSioN @ Feb 8th 2009 12:45AM]

Wow, thanks. It was quick and easy!

[Odineye @ Feb 7th 2009 1:37PM]

There's a much less expensive workaround.

Pay the $2.95/month for a skype number and forward your iPhone (or other AT&T) to the skype number. Works like a charm for me - I answer and take messages on my iMac. Also - my jawbone can be paired with the bluetooth connection on the computer, allowing me to move around the house while talking.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 7th 2009 1:43PM]

This is stupid. They should just use UMA.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generic_Access_Network

I already have WiFi at my house and I have set up access perms, no need to add another radio base station for iPhones when they already have WiFi.

[El in AZ @ Feb 7th 2009 1:52PM]

No thank you, AT&T.

I Craigslisted my family's 2 iPhone 3Gs because of your sh!t service. "More bars in more places... Except for where you live and work."

After trying out Android/the T-Mo G1 for a bit, we wanted our iPhones back... So we picked up a couple of used ones on the cheap, unlocked them to our new T-Mobile service and haven't looked back.

Full bars everywhere in Phoenix on T-Mobile. No dropped calls. No BS.

Paying AT&T (or any carrier) for the privilege of extending their network on your own back... That's just stupid.

[PeterF @ Feb 7th 2009 4:08PM]

Not everyone wants this for extending the network. I will be using it to convert my home phone to a cell phone and get unlimited minutes while using the microcell. It will also improve service in my basement (which I don't expect any carrier to work well in)

[Shattered Ice @ Feb 7th 2009 2:18PM]

When are we going to ban iEye.

[scott @ Feb 7th 2009 5:19PM]

this shit made my iphone crash....had to restore it =(

[RadicalxEdward @ Feb 7th 2009 6:52PM]

I think this is a horrible horrible idea. If this catches on they're just gonna think they don't have to build out their towers as far because people will just pay for boxes in their house. which means you'll be FORCED to buy them to have service, and even though they'll save money on building towers, those savings will NEVER come back to the consumer.

[Craig @ Feb 7th 2009 8:04PM]

OK maybe this device isn't for everyone. Don't buy it if you don't need it. I, however, will probably get it. I get 5 bars outside my house, but 0 to 1 bars in certain areas inside my house. I can't expect AT&T to be able to push their signal into the deepest depths of every structure within the coverage area, just like I don't expect God to push sunlight into that windowless room in my basement.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Feb 7th 2009 9:33PM]

God doesn't charge $80/month for sunlight.

[rtdunham @ Feb 8th 2009 3:23PM]

true, but god lets the utility company charge you for electricity to light those nooks and crannies.

[suicycle.com @ Feb 10th 2009 11:04PM]

Like you, I also have poor AT&T service in my home and would benefit from a device like this. My only problem is having to pay monthly fee on top of the cost of the device. According to an Engadget story Verizon's femtocell costs $249 with no monthly fees. If I am paying for cell minutes, paying for the device, and paying for broadband internet access, how can AT&T justify a monthly charge for the device? That's just ripping people off.

[ismokeuu @ Feb 7th 2009 10:30PM]

I have the first generation iphone and got the update too. Does this mean the the Microcell will work with my iphone too? Does anybody know or has anybody asked ATT?

I really hope it does work with my 2G iphone otherwise has to replace all 3 phones in my house to be able to get some bars..motheF ATT..

[Mike @ Feb 8th 2009 12:02AM]

That's a great question - to my knowledge this box will only service 3G. I think the reason it got pushed to the 2G iPhones is because the software updater can't distinguish who has what. Unfortunately for you and I, we got screwed in that 1900 Mhz downgrade to our internet and now this! I get zero coverage in my Philadelphia 8th story apartment building so now I have to buy a 3G AND the femtocell box!

[Snitch @ Feb 8th 2009 2:06AM]

Am pretty sure you have nothing to worry about cause 90% of the people using the device will only use it for voice and not data, cause if you have broadband already my guess is that you will wanna use the Femtocell device just for voice and you will use WiFi for data instead of slow as* 3G. Am pretty sure we will see a router from Apple supporting AT&T femtocell service and also being a 802.11n draft router.

[Dean Collins @ Feb 7th 2009 11:59PM]

anyone know if it connects data as well?

[Snitch @ Feb 8th 2009 1:53AM]

Verizon executives are shitting in their pants right now lol, cause as soon as unlimited plans for $10 start being offer for people using the device they're also going to start dumping their rip-off landlines right away, it will save the user money and it will put $10 extra a month into AT&T pocket for a service that should be free & at the same time it will take a lot of strain from their towers, a win, win for them. No wonder Verizon doesn't offer a unlimited plan for their device, cause they know if they do they will lose every landline from everyone that has a cellphone.

[ismokeuu @ Feb 8th 2009 4:08PM]

what sucks more is that in a few months a new iphone is comming out and for those of us who absolutely have to reception at home, need to upgrade to iphone 3g to be able to get that service working...rediculous..

Waited so long for this shit to come out for ATT and now that its out, wont work with my 2g iphone..that fd up.

For those of u thinking about data, its not about loading webpages, its about being able to send and receive text messages..that sort of data is important..not that u care to load a fuking webpage if there is fucking wifi available.

[jboy @ Feb 8th 2009 5:50AM]

In and around my house I get crappy signal from all major carriers (not just att). If I simply walk up the hill my house is on, the signal is fine. Signal boosters/repeaters like wi-exs product was tried by me and failed again because there is barely a signal around my house.

Now, should all major carriers build an antenna on our side of the hill just because 10 houses are poorly served? NO...I do not expect them too...and that is why a femtocell will be in my house this year.

[Strap @ Feb 8th 2009 7:09AM]

I think most of us would agree that it is unreasonable to expect blanket coverage across the nation. However, what most are having issues with is that carriers are now expecting us to buy this expensive equipment, use our own bandwith, AND PAY AN EXTRA MONTHLY FEE TO USE MINUTES AND DATA WE'RE ALREADY PAYING FOR. If you don't see the insanity in that, then either you're just plain stupid, enjoy being taken advantage of, or, my guess, you work for ATT.

[rtdunham @ Feb 8th 2009 3:29PM]

[QUOTE]Signal boosters/repeaters like wi-exs product was tried by me and failed again because there is barely a signal around my house.[QUOTE/]

jboy, did you try standing on the roof of your house, with your phone, to see if you get a signal there? if you did, and if you did, the wi-ex oughta work. the installation directions need to be followed carefully (maximize the vert and horiz displacement between the antenna and the broadcasting unit, for ex). Mine wouldn't work set up in some ways i thought would work, but i ended up putting the antenna in the highest point in my attic--where i got the best iPhone signal--and the results are gratifying).

Having said that, i realize there are places the booster won't work, and if you're one of those, i feel your pain.

[jboy @ Feb 8th 2009 3:38PM]

Yeah...tried multiple antenna locations for wi-ex along with multiple "base station" locations. Also tried a directional yagi instead of the omni-directional pole antenna that comes with it.

Even though it didnt work for me, I still would suggest a wi-ex before a bandwidth using femtocell. People who are having fits over the price of a femtocell have no clue how much people have already tried to get cell signal in there homes.

A solution to my problem now exists...it's called a femtocell...and it will be mine.

[JohnnyGTO @ Feb 8th 2009 2:23PM]

I love it "More bars in more places" if your willing to pay!

[Ray @ Mar 5th 2009 11:24PM]

I have a friend who's father is involved with AT&T (some what high level executive) and he said that it should be out in the third quarter of 2009.

[Jack @ May 2nd 2009 12:49AM]

It is cool...when it works. It keeps crashing my network b/c of ip address problems. And it will only allow you to add 10 people to use it...that is only enough for me and a couple of friends.

overall...not impressed