Just got my MicroCell, unboxing inside!!

[foranor]

Okay, just so I get this right.

You have to have broadband @home, plug in this microcell thing and then instead of using wifi at home, you can use 3g.

And it blocks out other 3g phones, however it does that.

And in order not to use my wifi-broadband-flatrate that I pay for anyway, but rather use a 3G connection on my iPhone, I install this thing and it gives me 3G-over-Broadband, basically.

And this works how far around me?
And does it stop other people's 3G phones from working @3G at all, or do they still have their normal reception?

I won't even comment on the price thing. That seems weird.
I wonder about the usefulness of the device if you have broadband and a wifi router at your home.

 

[cdinca]

Okay, just so I get this right.

You have to have broadband @home, plug in this microcell thing and then instead of using wifi at home, you can use 3g.

And it blocks out other 3g phones, however it does that.

And in order not to use my wifi-broadband-flatrate that I pay for anyway, but rather use a 3G connection on my iPhone, I install this thing and it gives me 3G-over-Broadband, basically.

And this works how far around me?
And does it stop other people's 3G phones from working @3G at all, or do they still have their normal reception?

I won't even comment on the price thing. That seems weird.
I wonder about the usefulness of the device if you have broadband and a wifi router at your home.

You are missing the point that this gives you call reception.

 

[foranor]

You are missing the point that this gives you call reception.

Which I have on my fixed phone?

And probably at least 2 bars of Edge?

 

[cdinca]

Which I have on my fixed phone?

And probably at least 2 bars of Edge?

Wait...what???

 

[foranor]

Well, the purpose of this device eludes me.

When is it useful? When I have no reception whatsoever? and no alternative phone?

Or when my reception is 'just bad' ?
Or is it a cool and nice-to-have device for everyone?

 

[Jumpie]

So, I take it you had activation problems also, as I did?



This is what I've heard, I'm wondering about 3G service on other carriers? I know only AT&T can be used with the unit.



Me too. Are you in Charlotte?

Nope, I'm in Atlanta. I'm wondering if you're having the same problem that I'm having. This morning, after "setting up" the device again, I got reception. Then about 2 hours ago, the 3g bars started flashing. So I've let it sit there for a while but I got annoyed. So I turned everything off and am doing the "set up" again. I called support and he said he'd check into it and call me back.

So far, I'm waiting for the gps to acquire a signal again so I can complete set up yet again.

I'm hoping this doesn't happen all the time.

 

[tjp888]

I looked into these femtocell devices when I had Sprint. Sprint officially charged $100 for these, but from what I read in the (Pre) forums, if you complained and did a little threatening, they would give it to you for free and waive the monthly fees.

Hmm, I wonder if AT&T would be so understanding? I doubt it. Its crazy that they expect you to pay more when it's their lousy service that is failing. These things should be free, or at least a small fee to purchase. The extra monthly charge is outrageous.

Another thing with the Sprint Airave was it was only good for voice service. It wouldn't help at all for data.

nozebleed, can you confirm that you have good data service with yours?

 

[Jumpie]

Well, the purpose of this device eludes me.

When is it useful? When I have no reception whatsoever? and no alternative phone?

Or when my reception is 'just bad' ?
Or is it a cool and nice-to-have device for everyone?

For me, my cell is my only phone. So I really do need this. I barely get reception on 3g let alone edge.

I'm not sure about the 5,000 sq ft range though. When I asked yesterday the tech said it's about 40 meters. So that's quite a bit less than 5k.

 

[cdinca]

Well, the purpose of this device eludes me.

When is it useful? When I have no reception whatsoever? and no alternative phone?

Or when my reception is 'just bad' ?
Or is it a cool and nice-to-have device for everyone?

This is not for everyone.

If you get no or spotty reception in your home, this is for you.

As for your "alternate phone" comment, I guess that depends on you. I, personally, have many people who will only call my cell phone.

 

[nozebleed]

ugh ok to clear things up for those who do not want to read 4 pages:

1) it provides full 3G coverage "up to" 5000 sq ft. I tested and can go approximately to the other side of the street with it in my downstairs kitchen, which is in the back of the house. I have about 20 ft from the front door to the street. so lets say 35 feet from my front door, and complete coverage in my backyard, and all around the house. and upstairs

2) You still have complete wifi coverage with your wifi router, it does absolutely nothing to your modem or wifi router, it just needs these to work.

3) As far as pricing, I heard that it was going to be a one time price. $299. Use your plans mins. Then someone said here $15-30 / mo. Unlimited mins? Idk. I scoured the trial website for any kind of pricing but they dont have anything posted.

4) I have a verizon work phone and it does absolutely nothing to it, as far as AT&T, I have a friend that'll be over this weekend so I'm going to check.

I looked into these femtocell devices when I had Sprint. Sprint officially charged $100 for these, but from what I read in the (Pre) forums, if you complained and did a little threatening, they would give it to you for free and waive the monthly fees.

Hmm, I wonder if AT&T would be so understanding? I doubt it. Its crazy that they expect you to pay more when it's their lousy service that is failing. These things should be free, or at least a small fee to purchase. The extra monthly charge is outrageous.

Another thing with the Sprint Airave was it was only good for voice service. It wouldn't help at all for data.

nozebleed, can you confirm that you have good data service with yours?

no bars E to full bars 3G. data is not that important to me though. I have a broadband connection…I don't see why people would need data if they already have internet connection? I'm just glad I can call someone once, not 5 times because my connection dropped out.

 

[allymac]

I can't wait for more networks to make these available in the UK. At the moment, it's only Vodafone that are offering them.

For me the attraction is that I live in a village where there is only one mobile network with a strong signal (and there's no data service), but these devices would give me a choice. O2 is the carrier for the iPhone in the UK - there is no reception for O2 where I live, but my work phone is on O2. The only reason I have not got an iPhone yet is because there is no reception where I live, I have no interest in paying over the odds for an imported unlocked or trying to hack.

 

[lenard]

The 5000 sqft thing:
if you lived in an apartment, it would kill your neighbors' home reception?

That sucks for them.

No. Neighbor is tied is his/her own wifi network.

 

[cdinca]

No. Neighbor is tied is his/her own wifi network.

What does their wifi have to do with call reception. It was stated that this device blocked other Att call reception within 5000sqft.

 

[ct2k7]

I can't wait for more networks to make these available in the UK. At the moment, it's only Vodafone that are offering them.

For me the attraction is that I live in a village where there is only one mobile network with a strong signal (and there's no data service), but these devices would give me a choice. O2 is the carrier for the iPhone in the UK - there is no reception for O2 where I live, but my work phone is on O2. The only reason I have not got an iPhone yet is because there is no reception where I live, I have no interest in paying over the odds for an imported unlocked or trying to hack.

O2 have no immediate plans of releasing femtocells, I confirmed with them today.

 

[nozebleed]

The 5000 sqft thing:
if you lived in an apartment, it would kill your neighbors' home reception?

That sucks for them.

I'm actually going to test this theory hopefully this weekend. My neighbor also has an iphone 3g with at&t. Im going to see if it blocks his reception or if he is still able to use his phone. then im going to see if i get reception in his house off it. if i do, im going to authorize his phone for it since its free to use atm. when the trial is over, unless there is a monthly charge, let him piggyback off it. hes not home much anyways, but im a good neighbor.

 

[Givmeabrek]

Why?? I don't get it. Just get a VOIP account with your internet connection and have a full time phone at home with unlimited calling for less. And now you have two phone numbers! Seems pointless.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Why?? I don't get it. Just get a VOIP account with your internet connection and have a full time phone at home with unlimited calling for less. And now you have two phone numbers! Seems pointless.

Your solution is pointless. Why have yet another phone and another bill when you already have 1 phone and 1 bill. Pointless really.

 

[scaredpoet]

Your solution is pointless. Why have yet another phone and another bill when you already have 1 phone and 1 bill. Pointless really.

Especially since a decent VoIP service costs around $25-$30 a month and you have to buy the equipment...

 

[allymac]

O2 have no immediate plans of releasing femtocells, I confirmed with them today.

That's a shame, they issued a press release last year saying they were going to launch one. They probably will do eventually, especially if other suppliers are going to do it.

 

[ct2k7]

That's a shame, they issued a press release last year saying they were going to launch one. They probably will do eventually, especially if other suppliers are going to do it.

Apparently their trial failed, but like you, I really need one of these femtocell, reception is very poor at the least.

 

[allymac]

Might look at something like these instead then:

http://www.cellantenna.co.uk/index.php?id=50

No subscription costs, just one off payment. Quite expensive though. But then it should work with all operators.

 

[BryanLyle]

Especially since a decent VoIP service costs around $25-$30 a month and you have to buy the equipment...

If you really want a VOIP solution at home, check out ooma. You have to pay for the equipment, but after that the service is "free". I've had it for about 4 months now and it works beautifully.

 

[ct2k7]

Might look at something like these instead then:

http://www.cellantenna.co.uk/index.php?id=50

No subscription costs, just one off payment. Quite expensive though. But then it should work with all operators.

It's still a repeater, and signal outside my house is crap anyway, so it won't really make a difference

 

[allymac]

It's still a repeater, and signal outside my house is crap anyway, so it won't really make a difference

I usually get a couple of bars if I'm upstairs, non-existent downstairs. No data signal. I just want to be able to make and receive calls anywhere at home, without leaning out of the window Sounds like you need to wait for a femtocell service.

 

[jc1350]

Your solution is pointless. Why have yet another phone and another bill when you already have 1 phone and 1 bill. Pointless really.

It's not pointless to have 2 different phone services. There may be times (natual or man-made disaster) where one type of service has failed, but another is ok. A fire in your home may destroy the landline wires, so you call the 911 with the cell; weather may knock out a cell tower, but your landline can still work, etc.

My wife and I thought about going cell-only, but it's not that great a choice if there is an emergency and you can't get service (tower getting hammered or it's faulty for example).

If you have multiple phone numbers, you can use Google Voice once it's fully available or you get an invitation. You'll have a third phone number from Google, but that is the only one you need to give out. Depending on how you have it set up, when someone calls the Google number, all your phones can ring (landline POTS/VOIP/etc AND one or more cell phones, etc) and you simply answer from which device you want.

What's really cool is say you answer on your landline, but need to go out and the call is THAT important that you can't hang-up - you can easily transfer the call from the land line to the cell.