AT&T's 3G MicroCell does unlimited calling, but it ain't cheap
By Chris Ziegler 
posted September 20th 2009 6:20PM
posted September 20th 2009 6:20PM
- Sprint's Airave runs $4.99 a month, but they'll give it to you for free if the alternative canceling your service. Unlimited use is $10 a month.
- Verizon charges nothing once you buy the unit, though there's no unlimited calling option available.
- T-Mobile offers unlimited calling through its WiFi-based HotSpot@Home service for $9.99 a month.
- AT&T's going to charge $19.99 a month for unlimited use unless you've got internet or landline (ironic) service with them, in which case you'll pay $9.99. If you've got both internet and landline accounts, it's free.
[Thanks, anonymous tipster]
Well put Chris. It is a great way to keep customers since there doesn't seem to be a chance of a unified service for this that will cross providers.
Who needs unlimited minutes with Rollover + A-List + Google Voice ??? thats unlimited enough isn't it?
Just another reason not to have ATT. Good thing they have the iPhone exclusivity or they would be #4. I fail to see how they can have the number of subs they have when so many people are dissatisfied with their prices and service.
ATT is soooo Full of it. Their Boring iPhone has taken its run and everyone and their mother is sick of it now. They're going to start sliding REAL quickly soon. Especially if their only savior apple leaves. More Terrible 3G service in More Places! Yeap thats you ATT, good luck with that. You're not even the FASTEST. Ha! *shakes head*
It should be free, period. If it is using your Internet service, then you are not using any AT&T bandwidth, so it should be no added cost. Period.
Worth noting that T-Mobile's service, if you're just trying to fix a dead zone in your apartment, works without the Hotspot subscription. Any UMA capable phone T-Mobile sells will go onto hotspot calling if it's had the wifi profile added to the phone. Absolutely the cheapest way to fix a dead zone. Also, FWIW, an incredibly cheap way of making phonecalls when you're overseas. Hop onto a hotspot and use your domestic calling plan when overseas. It's great.
You forgot to mention that T-Mobile offers enhanced coverage through wi-fi for free. They have a triple advantage, free enhanced coverage, no special equipment to buy, and enhanced coverage through any wi-fi hotspot, not just at one spot.
Only negative is handset selection, or lack thereof, but it's getting better.
Hell yeah att is so full of caca. Thats the way this company will try to rape you my brother just canceled his service with att after 4 months with them. He was paying $75 after taxes with the minimum minutes 450 with 5,000 night an weekend minutes plus the text messaging and the insurance. Now he got a pre pays about same amount but enjoys the any mobile anytime deal with unlimited 450 and unlimited everything else. He has constant 3g signal and has the unlimited nights that start at 7:00pm. ATT will be the #3 carrier in the future with is overpriced plans, cheap network, most unreliable 3g, an soon to expire iphone exclusivity.
From reading the pamplet it looks like you can connect without a monthly fee(you just pull from your minutes), they just offer an unlimited plan that you an add, and if you have thier other services they are giving it for free. How is that a bad deal? That beats all the other providers!
Half as much? To be beef up their POS service that they are already charging me through the nose for, and use my bandwidth that I already pay a pretty dam high premium on?
FUCK THAT SHIT, they should be paying US to deploy these things.
We're only seeing part of a pamphlet here. Let's not be so cynical. Jeez.
Seriously engadget should note that you don't have to pay the $20 to use it. IMO, this is the best deal there is!
ATT's Microcell does data too! So, that is awesome.
Are the phone companies in business to make a profit? Why should AT&T or any other company offer this service for free without some type of reciprocity? Over 50% of the internet traffic in the US goes over AT&T's backbone. Revelation for most people, 90 % of cell towers are connected to landlines which go back to the core network. So if you think that because you by a microcell that you should automatically get free service, go and build out your own network. AT&T customers benefit from a bundled service. It is a tiered pricing structure and what is wrong with that? This is just my opinion......
I've been waiting for this for a while. I switch to AT&T about 4 months ago. After spending 10+ years on Verizon, I was blown away at just HOW bad the AT&T network really is. I've dropped more calls then I can count. On Verizon, I dropped few, if any. I have chalked it up to the high bandwidth use from iPhones - the only reason I switched. I've figured I'd jump on the Femtocell the femtosecond they were released.. but, at $19.99/month, tacked onto the already high prices I pay for the iPhone.. Now I'm really mad!!
Not much I can do is there?? I'll be sending some nasty (but clean) e-mails and maybe even a regular mail... I'll see just how responsive AT&T really is..
Oh.. if Verizon *ever* gets an iPhone, I'll be back there in a *half* femtosecond. Heh.. I would pay the early term fee before I'd pay $19.99 a month for a femtocell!!!! DO THE MATH!
Ok ... Fine if ATT wants to charge to cover areas that were never intended to be covered by 3G in the first place - for instance, the middle of nowhere. But when I don't get service on a 1st level apartment in the middle of a MAJOR US CITY (which, by the way, is completely covered by 3G according to the 'coverage map'), there is no reason that I should have to pay extra for a femtocell.
Perhaps they can discount my wireless bill by $20/month and then I would gladly pay the surcharge.
AT&T just added a 3G cell tower near my neighborhood, I went from no-bars to full-bars. If this were "free" I might consider dropping my Comcast Digital Voice line, but the speakerphone on any of my mobile phones sucks in comparison to my cordless speakerphone.
I can't wait for ATT to try and charge someone for going over their 5GB data cap using this thing :p
Now if this worked with the GoPhone... unlimited calling through the FC on a pre-paid burner, then you might have something.
According to AT&T Answer Center:
Question:
Do I need to subscribe to an AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling feature?
Answer:
While highly recommended for maximum benefit, a subscription to AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling is not required. Your normal wireless from AT&T minute plan rates will apply.
So how much without Unlimted Calling?
http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&ft=browseTab&ps=solutionPanels&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8&solutionId=KB95601&isSrch=Yes
Excellent point.......This I would be curious about....What would the price be w/o unlimited?
My friend has an AT&T DSL modem that drops the Internet when not in use. I guess they'll have to get that replaced. Unless this device somehow keeps the connection up.
I'm not seeing a price for the device anywhere. Has it been posted? The AT&T site just links stores where you can get it.
Texting unlimited too???