Microcell Archive

  • AT&T 3G MicroCell now available in all markets

    AT&T 3G MicroCell now available in all markets

    Posted on June 22, 2010 | No Comments
    Completing a phased roll-out that kicked off back in April, AT&T has finally gotten around to launching its 3G MicroCell in all of its markets, giving the entire customer base some flexibility when "more bars in more places" doesn't happen to include your place. Interestingly, the announcement was made in passing during comments by AT&T director Gordon Mansfield at the Femtocells World Summit in London this week, where he spent much of his time trying to quell a minor furor over the carrier's continued application of data caps when using the MicroCell. He makes some pretty strong arguments: even though all MicroCell voice and data traffic starts off traveling over your own internet connection, it ultimately ends up within AT&T's core infrastructure -- and a legal requirement that the carrier be able to intercept traffic for law enforcement use prevents it from diverting that traffic elsewhere. More importantly, though, if you're within range of a MicroCell, odds are very good that you're also within range of a WiFi connection -- and since all of AT&T's data-heavy handsets offer WiFi, the whole complaint is kinda moot. So just get one if you need one and don't worry about it, okay?

    AT&T 3G MicroCell now available in all markets originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • AT&T Palm Pre Plus and 3G MicroCell available nationwide on May 16 (update: not quite nationwide)

    AT&T Palm Pre Plus and 3G MicroCell available nationwide on May 16 (update: not quite nationwide)

    Posted on May 7, 2010 | No Comments
    You've waited long enough AT&T customers. So long that the Palm Pre is now the Palm Pre Plus and Palm, well, isn't even Palm anymore. But you just never mind all that, what's important is that AT&T subscribers will finally have dibs on the Palm Pre Plus starting May 16th, nationwide. No mention of a free 3G mobile hotspot capability like that offered by Verizon, but you will have free access to AT&T's 20k-strong network of fixed hotspots. Now we just need a price -- an interesting dilemma after VZW lowered the PPP to just $30 on contract.

    Our tipster also tells us that AT&T will be rolling out its 3G MicroCell from coast-to-coast on the same day. Makes sense since AT&T already gave us a mid-April date for its little signal boosting wonder.

    [Thanks, D.]

    Update:     We just spoke to AT&T about this whole ordeal; they wouldn't confirm or deny the Pre Plus situation, but we were told that there's "no change" in the MicroCell plans -- May 16 won't be a nationwide rollout, and there will be more rollouts in the weeks after.

    AT&T Palm Pre Plus and 3G MicroCell available nationwide on May 16 (update: not quite nationwide) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 May 2010 01:36:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • AT&T to offer ‘incentives’ to customers willing to limit data usage

    AT&T to offer ‘incentives’ to customers willing to limit data usage

    Posted on December 17, 2009 | No Comments
    AT&T exec #1: You know, our network's really getting slammed with all these people using their unlimited data plans to download things and do stuff online all the time. Any ideas how we can fix it?

    AT&T exec #2:     We could put out more WiFi hotspots. People seem to use those. Sometimes.

    AT&T exec #1: Sure, but that's not going to make a dent in places like New York City. I mean, have you used an iPhone there?

    AT&T exec #2: We have these things called MicroCells that people can use at home, if they live in North Carolina. Maybe more people could use those?

    AT&T exec #1: Yeah, that's good. But people like to use their cellphones outside their house too. What happens then?

    AT&T exec #2: Well, what if we offered customers incentives to use less data?

    AT&T exec #1: Now you're talking! What sort of incentives could get them to do that?

    AT&T exec #2: Hmm....

    Well, readers, are there any incentives that would get you to use less data? Feel free to offer your suggestions for AT&T in the comments below. And don't worry about actually paying more for data (yet, anyway), as AT&T 's Ralph de la Vega is now saying that "we have not made any decision to implement tiered pricing," which is a slight backtrack from previous hints to the contrary.

    AT&T to offer 'incentives' to customers willing to limit data usage originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Dec 2009 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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  • AT&T launches ‘MicroCell’ signal booster

    AT&T launches ‘MicroCell’ signal booster

    Posted on September 21, 2009 | No Comments
    Here it is, the AT&T 3G MicroCell. It’s a router-like device that piggybacks on your home broadband connection to provide better AT&T signal strength, including 3G data. You’re apparently able to use your existing plan minutes for no additional charge aside from the cost of the device, or for $20 per month you get unlimited minutes for up to ten registered phones. Mind you, these are unlimited minutes while you’re within range of the MicroCell. When you’re out and about, you’re using your plan minutes.

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