AT&T 3G MicroCell
September 18th, 2009According to Yahoo, “AT&T” [sic] is about to release a “MicroCell”. You plug it into your internet connection, and it broadcasts a short range 3G signal that a few phones can use for voice and internet. Basically a wireless router for cell phones.
I’m having a little trouble wrapping my head around it. On the one hand, you can fix the dead spot in your basement apartment or get an iPhone in Vermont. That’s really cool. On the other hand, you’re going use your own internet connection to augment AT&T’s shitty network, and you’re going to pay AT&T for the privilege?
You know what would be great? If you could get one without the AT&T. I mean, if the call is going from your phone to your MicroCell and then over your internet, then what is AT&T really bringing to the program?
September 19th, 2009 at 3:16 am
Maybe you could, if you paid a few $billion for a spectrum license :-)
September 19th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I had no idea this was going on. Thanks for letting us know.
September 24th, 2009 at 10:33 am
Well, you’re paying for the hardware, but you’re not paying anything beyond that unless you want the unlimited calling.
As far as what they’re bringing to the table:
1) They must be running some sort of VOIP servers that the traffic goes through. 2) Seamless integration with your cell phone number and cell phone.
September 28th, 2009 at 9:37 am
T-mobile is doing it for some time, I think the service is know as T-mobile@home