AT&T 3G Microcell, a femtocell, coming sooner than we think?
Trials supposedly were underway months ago, but it looks like the launch could be literally around the corner. One of our faithful AT&T ninjas sent us in a screenshot that shows an AT&T 3G Microcell femtocell option in addition to AT&T’s broadband and TV service, U-Verse. We don’t have a date on this yet — we’ll continue to dig — but appearing publicly on employee’s screens is always a good sign!
Thanks, Kal!
UPDATE: Another AT&T 3G Microcell shot, this time showing the unit in the POS system (Point Of Sale). It can’t be that far away, guys. Thanks to one of our anonymous peeps on this shot!
UPDATE 2: Well, it wasn’t that far away at all. At least in terms of showing up on AT&T’s site… We added the info after the break.
What is an AT&T 3G MicroCell™?
AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business environment. It connects to AT&T’s network via your existing broadband internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to 10 3G capable wireless phones in a home or small business setting. With AT&T 3G MicroCell, you receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications, like picture messaging and surfing the web for up to 4 simultaneous users.
Device Features:
* Enhanced coverage indoors – supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet.
* Available unlimited minute plans – Individual or Family Plan.
* 3G handset compatible – works with any AT&T 3G Phone.
* Up to 4 simultaneous voice or data users supported.
* Device is secure – cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
* Seamless call hand-over – start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue uninterrupted even if you leave the building.
Device Requirements:
* 3G wireless phone/device
* Broadband service over DSL or cable
* Computer with internet access for online registration
Additional Information:
* Installing your device near a window is strongly recommended to ensure access to Global Positioning System (GPS). A GPS link is needed to verify the device location during the initial startup.
* The 3G MicroCell device is portable. The device may be moved, provided the new location is within the AT&T authorized service area and properly registered online.
Um, so is it one millionth or quadrillionth of a cell?
What?! which market is this and what POS system, because I just checked my system (yep BGR at work..hehe) and I don’t see this during the home product eligibility screen.
Nice !! Verizon has a femtocell, now AT&T has one also… Looks like both Verizon and AT&T are competing against each other(rather obvious) on the LTE and 4G after all…
I have no idea what this means.
Very truly yours,
Conrad P. Hernandez
Hrm.. May have to ping my AT&T Account Manager and see if she can dig one up for me.
As was reported ca. April 2008, the initial AT&T femtocell will be made by IP Access, a company headquartered just outside London, UK.
I am curious of the deal with the femtocell. It was originally posted it would be unlimited minutes when going through the device. That is reason for me switch from Verizon. I can then get rid of the home phone also.
Wonder why AT7T isn’t going the UMA route. Seams like it would be cheaper and easier (for them and the customer).
screw UMA, this will work a with A LOT more phones.
UMA has its pros and cons. With UMA, you can take your UMA-phone overseas and it’ll act like it’s domestic.
But yeah, having to make sure your phone is UMA-capable is a barrier.
In any case, will this femtocell enable 3G service where there isn’t, or will it simply boost the already-existing 3G signal?
Squarelinksy, Sprint has an unlimited option w/thier’s now for only $100 on the device with $15 unlimited individual or $25 for fam
It could provide 3g in non 3g areas if there is unused spectrum to do so. Should be a possibility in most areas. Not entirely sure, but definitely interesting.
Amen!
I just want to be able to make and receive phone calls inside the building where I work. I get 0 service inside. I walk outside and I get 3G Full bars.
Your job will let you use thier broadband?
I definitely need this device. Zero coverage inside my house in a huge metro area.
Jeremy Cushing
Yeah I saw that today! I was wondering what it was all about.
@Don Louie: I work for a fire department. Not much in the way of IT. The radio room is on a special network of its own. We have a separate internet connection (Comcast Cable) for the living quarters.
i love this google: http://www.wireless.att.com/3gmicrocell/
I wonder what this baby will cost. AT&T could potentially retain a bunch of customers with this thing. I have 2 friends who are ready to jump ship to Verizon because of coverage issues. They would love to stay w/ AT&T, and a femtocell would enable them to in both cases.
Excellent news and way to go digging this up, BGR!
I just hope that AT&T offer a unlimited plan for like $10 while at home like Sprint & T mobile are doing otherwise there’s no point for getting this thing unless you really live in a crappy area. Verizon is scare as fuck of these things cause as soon as people start adopting femtocells with cheap unlimited calling while at home there’s no point at all for getting a rip off landline from them
As far as comparison to UMA is concerned, the problem with femtocell is that you have to buy a new box (or more than one if you have a large home or business) and that such a box is carrier-specific. You will also want one in the office and yet another one where you travel. This is all avoidable with WiFi, which is already available in most places, and for which there is also many cheap/small travel routers available. As far as UMA not being in that many phones, that’s true but easily fixed going forward if AT&T just wants to. WiFi costs only a few dollars to include in any phone, and AT&T could just simply dictate that all of its phones be UMA going forward, and they would have them soon. T-Mobile USA has dictated that almost all of its phones be WiFi/UMA going forward, and it should be at something close to 90% by the end of this year, the only exception being the cheapest and most basic phones where price is the most important factor and where even the very low WiFi cost is too high. Besides, UMA and femtocells are NOT mutually exclusive in any technical way at all. Any carrier — AT&T or otherwise — could offer both solutions side by side. If they did that, I bet 90%+ of people over time would go the WiFi/UMA route, if the relevant handsets were made available, which again would be easy and cheap to do. Almost 100% of all GSM Blackberries, for example, have already been WiFi/UMA capable for some time.
The technology for successful handoffs between 3G and UMA networks is already available and will be utilized by T-Mobile later this year on new handsets.
I wish ATT went the UMA route too, but I guess this will be better than nothing.
Unlike Sprint and Verizon’s version of this device, at least it’ll support 3G. Their units only operate on 2.5G services (1xRTT)
Now they have beat vzw and have an unlimited option at $10 and $20 vs. the $15 or $25 Sprint charges
I’m buying two of them the minute (second) they are available! One of the office areas needing coverage is nearly underground, service sucks for everyone. This will be so beautiful!