AT&T 3G MicroCell Review: Bringing More Bars to Your Places
March 24, 2010 - By Justin E. Gehrke
In the past many AT&T customers have been perplexed as to why they could never reach the coveted “five bar” status in their home, office, or other structure. While I’m one of the lucky few people who works within 100 yards of a cellular tower, I am not so lucky at home. It’s routine for me to go from three bars to one bar, by simply crossing the room. AT&T’s femtocell device, the 3G MicroCell, is designed to resolve this frustrating problem.
A small box designed to work like your typical Wi-Fi router, femtocell transmits cellular signals that cell phones with AT&T service can use to increase the reception in indoor spaces. How does it work? Customers simply connect the femtocell to their home’s broadband modem. The innovation in the technology is that the femtocell actually picks up the signal, from your cell phone and transmits it through your broadband internet connection. From there, your modem’s wireless access point broadcasts the cellular signal. Essentially, your broadband modem just became a pint-sized cellular tower.
In a previous Geek Shui Living article on femtocell, several test AT&T test cities were mentioned. These are the same areas that will be included in the initial roll-out of the 3G MicroCell service in mid-April 2010. The company plans to continue the roll-out to the rest of the U.S. gradually, thereafter. In theory, the service may help many AT&T customers. For Apple iPhone and other Wi-Fi enabled smartphone customers, they have always had the option to switch to Wi-Fi mode for their data needs.
AT&T 3G MicroCell features and specifications include:
- Improved voice and data indoor coverage, ranging up to 5000 sq. ft.
- Designed to work with all AT&T 3G-enabled phones
- Device simultaneously supports up to four voice and data users
- Simple, secure configuration and use, via online management
- Going from a femtocell supported area to a cell tower-supported area will not result in any interruption of voice or data use
While the service is useful to customers, it may also help AT&T maximize their existing infrastructure. This is based on the fact that more people using femtocell means less people are using the already-saturated cellular towers located throughout many metropolitan areas. Ultimately, it may result in less congestion, fewer dropped calls, and increased customer satisfaction with AT&T.
Existing AT&T customers will be able to add an unlimited calling, femtocell option to their current service, for a monthly fee of $20, plus a $100 rebate. AT&T plans to attract new customers to its home broadband service through the offering of a $50 mail-in rebate. Specific roll-out dates and the areas to receive the service have not yet been published.
For more details on the soon-to-be rolled out 3G MicroCell service, users can visit the official 3G MicroCell page on AT&T’s website.
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- 2010 and Beyond: Is AT&T the Network to Beat?
- Tweetie 2 for iPhone: A Review of Existing Features and Cool New Ones in Version 2.1.1
- The Way Lowdown Review on the Microsoft Windows Phone 7 Series
- Will the Verizon/Skype Deal Usher in New Era of VoIP Love?
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This sounds similar to the T-Mobile service I’ve been using for almost 2 years. There is no cell reception at my home so we make calls over broadband via a wireless router. Calls made over wi-fi are totally free except for international. I do not have to be home for free calling, the phone will make use of any open hotspot. We never go over our minutes.$79 per month for 300 minutes and 2 phones is pretty spiffy.
I have the microcell, LOVE IT! All 5 Bars and 3G!
I use satellite internet that is subject to Fair Access Policy and is slow to download. Would a 3G microcell even work with this? I am 45 miles outside of Austin and it’s like I am in the middle of no where. I get one bar at best on my cell phone and dish is the only internet service available besides dial up. AT&T could not answer my question.
Unfortunately, the only people who can really answer the question are the same ones who told you they couldn’t. The theory is that your wireless access point would boost the AT&T signal. The functionality should be dependent upon the mere presence of the wireless internet, not the speed of it, since it is only being used to boost the actual AT&T signal. As previously stated, though, this is theoretical. I would contact AT&T again and inquire again. The Technical Support people are probably a much better option than the Sales Representatives. We’ll also tweet your question, to see if someone else has some insight into the issue.