“The carrier told Electronista that it’s running trials in two markets as a way of determining the ‘most effective way to intro the product;’ it didn’t mention the regions, but one is known to be in Scottsdale, Arizona,’ Electronista reports. “It’s especially geared towards those who have ‘voice coverage challenges’ in their own homes, a spokesman said Monday.”
Electronista reports, “Speculation exists that AT&T is doing its best to retain as many iPhone customers as possible before the appearance of a Verizon iPhone, which could lure customers away in San Francisco and other places where AT&T 3G service is poor.”
Read more in the full article here.
You give it to 1 and you have to give it to all. So, leave them open to all the AT&T;customers that are passing by and you are getting a Wi-Fi hot spot without the ongoing network, structure maintenance or electrical cost.
This could be a great idea to expand and cut operating costs.
My friend in Las Vegas got one. He’s only had an iPhone for a year and the AT&T;network is strong at his home.
What no MDN anti AT&T;rant?
Magic word: who, as in who do the think they are depriving me of my daily AT&T;chuckle.
I think I deserve a microcl tower, been with att for over 10 years and have 3 iPhones ,which could have/need better reception,,,!!
Even for free, the MicroCell isn’t all that great. I just got back from a nearly all day exercise in installing one for my daughter. She moved into an apartment that’s in a small valley and can get a network signal just barely when upstairs, but downstairs it is full of holes.
Two issues:
1. When you initiate a call through the MicroCell and then move away into a network area, the call transfers to a tower just fine. However, if you’re in the network in a call and then arrive within range of the MicroCell, the call does NOT transfer to the MicroCell. The result for her is a dropped call almost every time you pass through the front door (a dead spot).
2. Once the phone displays “ATT M-Cell”, showing you what you’re connected to, it will forever continue displaying that even if you drive 10 miles away. The thing is, when you return you’ll think you really ARE connected to it, but you’re not. Not unless you totally lose connection and the phone searches for a signal and finds the MicroCell. (It WILL display the correct source if it loses connection and has to search and find a new tower.)
The end result of all this is a very frustrating experience. You’ve just swapped one set of problems for a different set, although dropped calls is still a component of both sets.
If I was the boss at ATT and my engineers came to me with this, they’d be kicked out of my office and given a week off without pay, just for thinking it was good enough.
Just got my letter from AT&T;for a free microcell. I live in northeast pa. It said as one of att’s most valuable customers I’m eligible for a special gift.
Did AT&T bring enough gum to class for everyone?!?!?
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I bought mine for $150, 3 months ago…
No reception in my home before… Now it is perfect… (until I leave my house… and drive a few blocks out of our canyon..)
Do I get a refund?
I bought a micro-cell last week and then saw this article pop up on the different sites and was wondering how I could get mine. Then today in the mail the letter came and they refunded me the $150. I was the best end to a Monday. I live in Portland OR.
I’ve used the “Mark the Spot” app on my iPhone to report bad reception. Several times at home and several times at work. I guess it paid off to actually complain! I got the letter yesterday. I’m using my lunch break today to pick it up. Just got the new iPhone, so I’m stuck with it for at least 18 months. Might as well get the 3G Microcell free and have great reception at home – where I mostly need reliable service with my phone anyway.
BTW, it supports up to 4 phones concurrently.
My parents were contacted by AT&T;, telling them to come pick up there’s. They really do get poor reception where they live.