Comments on: Review: AT&T 3G MicroCell http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/ Tue, 15 May 2012 11:24:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tyler Hamilton http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1936 Tyler Hamilton Thu, 08 Mar 2012 14:25:58 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1936 i just signed up for AT&t at a non corporate owned store and the guy who sold me my phone told me all i had to do was call the support line when i got home if i had no service. i got home and had zero service for both my new iphone and motorola atrix so the next day i called support and they told me they didnt have the authorization to give out a microcell. and that i had to go to a corporate store. BUT they did take my activation costs and an extra 20 off my first bill totaling about $86 so i went to the corporate store and they told me they couldnt just GIVE me a microcell. and that the guy at the store and on the phone shouldnt have told me that i could just have one. they also showed me my house on a service map. something that the first store i went to didnt even look up. and sure enough i was in a "black hole". an area in my town that has no service at all. they told me that they would have told me right away that i shouldnt have gotten signed up for at&T and that they would have showed me that before i signed up. so i left and called the store that signed me up. i explained to them what happened and the guy got in touch with the area account manager. later that afternoon he called me with somewhat good news. he managed to get a $50 discount on the microcell. he put a note on my account so it would total $149.99 and if i went into the corporate store that they would sell it to me at that. and then they would call the area manager, and he would take 149.99 off my bill. so the microcell would end up being free. i went down there a few days later. and there was no record of the note on my account. they called the manager again and they tried to sell it to me at 199.99 and take the 200 off my account. but i told them i wouldnt pay it and they gave it to me for the 149. it was a ridiculous, annoying, predicament to deal with. but in the end i have good service with AT&t and i have a free microcell i can take with me when i move, which will be soon. now if i could just get better battery life out of my iPhone without spending $100 on the charging case they sell at the store.... i just signed up for AT&t at a non corporate owned store and the guy who sold me my phone told me all i had to do was call the support line when i got home if i had no service.

i got home and had zero service for both my new iphone and motorola atrix

so the next day i called support and they told me they didnt have the authorization to give out a microcell. and that i had to go to a corporate store. BUT they did take my activation costs and an extra 20 off my first bill totaling about $86

so i went to the corporate store and they told me they couldnt just GIVE me a microcell. and that the guy at the store and on the phone shouldnt have told me that i could just have one. they also showed me my house on a service map. something that the first store i went to didnt even look up. and sure enough i was in a “black hole”. an area in my town that has no service at all. they told me that they would have told me right away that i shouldnt have gotten signed up for at&T and that they would have showed me that before i signed up.

so i left and called the store that signed me up. i explained to them what happened and the guy got in touch with the area account manager. later that afternoon he called me with somewhat good news. he managed to get a $50 discount on the microcell. he put a note on my account so it would total $149.99 and if i went into the corporate store that they would sell it to me at that. and then they would call the area manager, and he would take 149.99 off my bill. so the microcell would end up being free.

i went down there a few days later. and there was no record of the note on my account. they called the manager again and they tried to sell it to me at 199.99 and take the 200 off my account. but i told them i wouldnt pay it and they gave it to me for the 149.

it was a ridiculous, annoying, predicament to deal with. but in the end i have good service with AT&t and i have a free microcell i can take with me when i move, which will be soon.

now if i could just get better battery life out of my iPhone without spending $100 on the charging case they sell at the store….

]]> By: R Dietz http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1802 R Dietz Fri, 03 Feb 2012 01:17:44 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1802 This is the only review or site that explained WHY the broadband connection is needed. Most descriptions of the Microcell as a booster or mini cell site implied a two way communication which I thought was all wireless. The use of broadband to transmit TO a cell site escaped me before reading it here. The booster is incoming wireless only to the phone fr the cell site. I now see why my Microcell auction purchase does not work out of the box without connection to broadband- which I was hoping to avoid by purchasing it! This is the only review or site that explained WHY the broadband connection is needed. Most descriptions of the Microcell as a booster or mini cell site implied a two way communication which I thought was all wireless. The use of broadband to transmit TO a cell site escaped me before reading it here. The booster is incoming wireless only to the phone fr the cell site.
I now see why my Microcell auction purchase does not work out of the box without connection to broadband- which I was hoping to avoid by purchasing it!

]]> By: Jeff http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1716 Jeff Fri, 30 Dec 2011 16:59:36 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1716 Thanks for the great post. We moved from an excellent AT&T service area to rural(ish) Minnesota, and the official AT&T map shows us on a "moderate" service island (the lowest of the covered levels), surrounded by "good" and "best" service. We've got a bar when outside, if we're lucky and the wind is blowing the right way. We have full coverage in the house now with the microcell. Guests with Verizon (iPhone 4) do not have much better service at our house, dropping calls in a similar fashion to our att iPhones. Customer service from att has been excellent. They provided the microcell free of charge after several conversations over a few months with tech support regarding poor cellular service. As mentioned previously, pleasant persistence is the name of the game. A few things probably didn't hurt in the discussion: I converted a business account from a previous employer several years ago, and we are no longer on a contract; there is a Verizon store in town (no att store); we had a hefty voice and data package at the time; I made the argument that I didn't see why we had to pay $200 (cost of the microcell at the time) to use a service we were already paying for, particularly as it piggybacked on another service we were paying for (home internet). Success came from a phone call to customer service, rather than a visit to a store. I've experienced this with several alterations to our plan over the last few years were I was looking for non-standard modifications. Best case scenario would be to bring real service to this area, but I'm satisfied with the microcell compromise for the time being, particularly considering the excellent customer service we've received. Thanks for the great post.

We moved from an excellent AT&T service area to rural(ish) Minnesota, and the official AT&T map shows us on a “moderate” service island (the lowest of the covered levels), surrounded by “good” and “best” service. We’ve got a bar when outside, if we’re lucky and the wind is blowing the right way. We have full coverage in the house now with the microcell. Guests with Verizon (iPhone 4) do not have much better service at our house, dropping calls in a similar fashion to our att iPhones.

Customer service from att has been excellent. They provided the microcell free of charge after several conversations over a few months with tech support regarding poor cellular service. As mentioned previously, pleasant persistence is the name of the game. A few things probably didn’t hurt in the discussion: I converted a business account from a previous employer several years ago, and we are no longer on a contract; there is a Verizon store in town (no att store); we had a hefty voice and data package at the time; I made the argument that I didn’t see why we had to pay $200 (cost of the microcell at the time) to use a service we were already paying for, particularly as it piggybacked on another service we were paying for (home internet). Success came from a phone call to customer service, rather than a visit to a store. I’ve experienced this with several alterations to our plan over the last few years were I was looking for non-standard modifications.

Best case scenario would be to bring real service to this area, but I’m satisfied with the microcell compromise for the time being, particularly considering the excellent customer service we’ve received.

]]> By: Steve http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 Steve Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:53:56 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1687 Just hooked up my micro cell and it works fine BUT while it is powered up i cannot use my data plan on my iphone it will not let me up any sites online and of course tech support does not have a answer as usual.Has anyone else had this problem? Just hooked up my micro cell and it works fine BUT while it is powered up i cannot use my data plan on my iphone it will not let me up any sites online and of course tech support does not have a answer as usual.Has anyone else had this problem?

]]> By: Mike OBrien http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1674 Mike OBrien Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:09:18 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1674 I'm using my second 3G MicroCell. The first didn't work but I'm hoping this one solves my problem. Like you even though I live in a large city my house is in a dead zone. I want this for I never want to go back to Verizon. When I switched to them ten years ago AT&T let me go with out any problem. When I moved back to AT&T I switched my phone number. Because I didn't specify my Wife's number as well Verizon charged me for her number even though it was clear we had not used the number. I never want to do business with them again . I’m using my second 3G MicroCell. The first didn’t work but I’m hoping this one solves my problem. Like you even though I live in a large city my house is in a dead zone. I want this for I never want to go back to Verizon. When I switched to them ten years ago AT&T let me go with out any problem. When I moved back to AT&T I switched my phone number. Because I didn’t specify my Wife’s number as well Verizon charged me for her number even though it was clear we had not used the number. I never want to do business with them again .

]]> By: Jay http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1615 Jay Sun, 18 Sep 2011 22:15:32 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1615 I went into an AT&T store in a mall where we changed from Verizon to AT&T for 4 phones in my family a few years ago, and complained that my daughter who just started college now had no cell service in her dorm, even though she is in a major metropolitan area (Baltimore). I made a point of being very obvious to other customers that I was not happy with AT&Ts service, and asked if they had any MicroCell units. I then played up the fact that this was the very store they signed up 4 new customers courtesy of my family a few years ago, and was successful at getting a unit for free. All this and out the door in 15 minutes. Couldn't ask for better customer service than that, so I applaud AT&T for at least doing something they can control. I went into an AT&T store in a mall where we changed from Verizon to AT&T for 4 phones in my family a few years ago, and complained that my daughter who just started college now had no cell service in her dorm, even though she is in a major metropolitan area (Baltimore). I made a point of being very obvious to other customers that I was not happy with AT&Ts service, and asked if they had any MicroCell units. I then played up the fact that this was the very store they signed up 4 new customers courtesy of my family a few years ago, and was successful at getting a unit for free. All this and out the door in 15 minutes.

Couldn’t ask for better customer service than that, so I applaud AT&T for at least doing something they can control.

]]> By: loganthedj http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1572 loganthedj Mon, 11 Jul 2011 19:28:26 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1572 What really agitates me about the WHOLE AT&T 3G and MicroCell ordeal is that I live in an area I was told would "have 3G service available any day" and that "they are putting up new towers and upgrading existing Edge network equipment as we speak"... So far, 2.5 years later...NOT TRUE! I questioned my AT&T rep about this again last year before upgrading to the iPhone 4, and was given the same spill. Still nothing a year later. I gave in and purchased a MC last year, yes it works...sort of. My call quality sounds somewhat "choppy" but it does work. The biggest problem I have with the MC is that it slows our internet connection down to the point that it isn't usable. It literally grinds it to a halt (and it's not bad at 16mbps over cable). I inquired with AT&T the other day about letting me out of this contract or switching it to one of the other phones on my account that don't need 3G...and they're not willing to do it. The other 3 phones on the account aren't under contract -- and they are about to lose a customer since the early 90's with a monthly bill over $300 over a $195 ETF. Oh well, their loss, Verizon's gain! At least I'll get what I pay for with Verizon instead of paying $140/mo for 3G and data I cannot use! What really agitates me about the WHOLE AT&T 3G and MicroCell ordeal is that I live in an area I was told would “have 3G service available any day” and that “they are putting up new towers and upgrading existing Edge network equipment as we speak”… So far, 2.5 years later…NOT TRUE! I questioned my AT&T rep about this again last year before upgrading to the iPhone 4, and was given the same spill. Still nothing a year later. I gave in and purchased a MC last year, yes it works…sort of. My call quality sounds somewhat “choppy” but it does work. The biggest problem I have with the MC is that it slows our internet connection down to the point that it isn’t usable. It literally grinds it to a halt (and it’s not bad at 16mbps over cable). I inquired with AT&T the other day about letting me out of this contract or switching it to one of the other phones on my account that don’t need 3G…and they’re not willing to do it. The other 3 phones on the account aren’t under contract — and they are about to lose a customer since the early 90′s with a monthly bill over $300 over a $195 ETF. Oh well, their loss, Verizon’s gain! At least I’ll get what I pay for with Verizon instead of paying $140/mo for 3G and data I cannot use!

]]> By: Chris http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1481 Chris Sat, 04 Jun 2011 04:34:28 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1481 AT&T has been sending out letters in the mail to customers who have terrible service/dead zones providing free micro cells with a 1 year commitment. They ask that if you cancel/leave your AT&T service within 1 year of the micro cell being given to you that you return the device free of charge or they will charge you a prorated amount. After 1 year the product is yours to keep. AT&T has been sending out letters in the mail to customers who have terrible service/dead zones providing free micro cells with a 1 year commitment. They ask that if you cancel/leave your AT&T service within 1 year of the micro cell being given to you that you return the device free of charge or they will charge you a prorated amount. After 1 year the product is yours to keep.

]]> By: Jimmy http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-1264 Jimmy Fri, 18 Mar 2011 05:22:07 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-1264 I had a similar problem with not having coverage at home and my friends with other carriers had similar problems when visiting although most were a bit better that what AT&T could do. I just ended my contract period with AT&T and was ready to make the jump to an iPhone with Verizon but the AT&T Retention Dept. offered a free MicroCell to solve the problem so I thought I would give it a try. So far so good, the only issue I run into is if I go upstairs where I used to get a periodic one bar the MicroCell seems to always give priority to the actual tower so it will switch if it picks up that one bar then lose it and drop the call. I wish there was a way I could set a "priority" but now that I know the issue I can avoid it and pick up a full five bars and use my phone at home. Regardless of which carrier I would have tried I am sure that there is no one that could offer that kind of coverage in the little black hole that seems to surround my house both inside and outside. My wireless seems to be a lot slower as well even when I'm not using my cell phone???? Personally, I give the MicroCell a thumbs up but do see a bit of room for improvement! I had a similar problem with not having coverage at home and my friends with other carriers had similar problems when visiting although most were a bit better that what AT&T could do. I just ended my contract period with AT&T and was ready to make the jump to an iPhone with Verizon but the AT&T Retention Dept. offered a free MicroCell to solve the problem so I thought I would give it a try. So far so good, the only issue I run into is if I go upstairs where I used to get a periodic one bar the MicroCell seems to always give priority to the actual tower so it will switch if it picks up that one bar then lose it and drop the call. I wish there was a way I could set a “priority” but now that I know the issue I can avoid it and pick up a full five bars and use my phone at home. Regardless of which carrier I would have tried I am sure that there is no one that could offer that kind of coverage in the little black hole that seems to surround my house both inside and outside. My wireless seems to be a lot slower as well even when I’m not using my cell phone???? Personally, I give the MicroCell a thumbs up but do see a bit of room for improvement!

]]> By: Nick http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-765 Nick Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:11:39 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-765 We've had nothing but problems for 6 months now with our 3G Microcell. Anyone considering buying one should visit 3gmicrocellsucks.com to learn about the many, many ways this device can fail. We’ve had nothing but problems for 6 months now with our 3G Microcell. Anyone considering buying one should visit 3gmicrocellsucks.com to learn about the many, many ways this device can fail.

]]> By: Kevin Brock http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-714 Kevin Brock Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:52:22 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-714 I have a 3GS myself and I used to have MAJOR issues with others hearing me. The best way to describe it was that others stated that my voice got distant and low and then came back clear so my conversation was choppy on there end despite me hearing them fine on my M-Cell connection. After some troubleshooting I found 2 things that impact call quality on M-Cell. 1. Location Services – you need to turn this service completely off. 2. Wi-Fi – yep, that wireless connection will impact your call due to using then same connection redundantly by your iPhone via M-Cell & Wireless. Switch both of these services off, and provided your Quality of Service is 0.0%, you’ll be fine. I have a 3GS myself and I used to have MAJOR issues with others hearing me. The best way to describe it was that others stated that my voice got distant and low and then came back clear so my conversation was choppy on there end despite me hearing them fine on my M-Cell connection. After some troubleshooting I found 2 things that impact call quality on M-Cell.

1. Location Services – you need to turn this service completely off.

2. Wi-Fi – yep, that wireless connection will impact your call due to using then same connection redundantly by your iPhone via M-Cell & Wireless.

Switch both of these services off, and provided your Quality of Service is 0.0%, you’ll be fine.

]]> By: Dave http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-678 Dave Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:30:51 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-678 Just an FYI. AT&T is now sending out letters for free MC's. I got 5 bars at home and didn't even need one but still got it free. I did use "Mark The Spot" app at work, where coverage is terrible, so maybe that's why they gave me one. P.S. Is there any way to force the iPhone to use the MC? Just an FYI. AT&T is now sending out letters for free MC’s. I got 5 bars at home and didn’t even need one but still got it free. I did use “Mark The Spot” app at work, where coverage is terrible, so maybe that’s why they gave me one.
P.S. Is there any way to force the iPhone to use the MC?

]]> By: Robert http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-665 Robert Sat, 07 Aug 2010 20:12:11 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-665 "“Charging $20/month for tethering, again adding NO additional data to your plan” This is actually to prevent everyone from using astronomical amounts of data on the 3G network. Imagine how slow your 3G service would be if everyone in your neighborhood was using tethered 3G service simultaneously. This is a premium service because of the load this causes on the 3G network." Bob was right. There's no reason for AT&T to charge for tethering. The phone has the capability to share its connection with a computer (which costs them nothing). You have purchased data usage, usually 2GB, which you should be able to use whether on your phone or computer - what difference is there? If they're going to charge $20/month for tethering, then they should be increasing how many GB you get. The argument that 3G service would be slow if everyone were tethering doesn't make any sense - you're not allowed to tether on the unlimited plan. ““Charging $20/month for tethering, again adding NO additional data to your plan”

This is actually to prevent everyone from using astronomical amounts of data on the 3G network. Imagine how slow your 3G service would be if everyone in your neighborhood was using tethered 3G service simultaneously. This is a premium service because of the load this causes on the 3G network.”

Bob was right. There’s no reason for AT&T to charge for tethering. The phone has the capability to share its connection with a computer (which costs them nothing). You have purchased data usage, usually 2GB, which you should be able to use whether on your phone or computer – what difference is there? If they’re going to charge $20/month for tethering, then they should be increasing how many GB you get. The argument that 3G service would be slow if everyone were tethering doesn’t make any sense – you’re not allowed to tether on the unlimited plan.

]]> By: CJ http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-556 CJ Wed, 21 Jul 2010 00:33:56 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-556 I have a few responses for Bob... "The MicroCell is charging you for service which you should have gotten in the first place." As stated in previous posts, it's not always that the service AROUND your home is poor. Some homes just deflect the cell signal. The choice to be on AT&T is that of the purchaser. If you don't like the service in the area, why would you go with AT&T in the first place? The MicroCell is for those of us that like our service everywhere but our house and for us technological nerds that like our iPhones. "Charging for SMS messages – data is data, this costs AT&T nothing." Routing and queuing for SMS messages differs greatly from standard sending and receiving of data. There's much more involved than you'd actually think. Do I think they should charge such a large amount for this service? No. However, I do believe there should be an extra charge. Nothing is free. "Charging $20/month for tethering, again adding NO additional data to your plan" This is actually to prevent everyone from using astronomical amounts of data on the 3G network. Imagine how slow your 3G service would be if everyone in your neighborhood was using tethered 3G service simultaneously. This is a premium service because of the load this causes on the 3G network. "The change in the unlimited 3G data plan for the iPad. Now you can go longer go month to month without losing the unlimited option, so you are being charged for months when you never need 3G. Again, money for nothing for AT&T." If you're using your iPad often enough to supersede your quota into the "unlimited" zone, I'm sure the unlimited plan makes sense. I can't think of a situation where it would be beneficial to have "unlimited" during certain months and not in others if you're using it all of the time. Just cough up the extra cash and get the unlimited plan. You did buy an iPad for a reason, didn't you? "Needless to say, I won’t be buying an iPhone 4 or any other device which has an AT&T contract." Too bad you'll be stuck in the 90s with all of the other carrier's equipment. AT&T offers the latest and greatest devices that aren't found on other networks. Enjoy. I have a few responses for Bob…

“The MicroCell is charging you for service which you should have gotten in the first place.”

As stated in previous posts, it’s not always that the service AROUND your home is poor. Some homes just deflect the cell signal. The choice to be on AT&T is that of the purchaser. If you don’t like the service in the area, why would you go with AT&T in the first place? The MicroCell is for those of us that like our service everywhere but our house and for us technological nerds that like our iPhones.

“Charging for SMS messages – data is data, this costs AT&T nothing.”

Routing and queuing for SMS messages differs greatly from standard sending and receiving of data. There’s much more involved than you’d actually think. Do I think they should charge such a large amount for this service? No. However, I do believe there should be an extra charge. Nothing is free.

“Charging $20/month for tethering, again adding NO additional data to your plan”

This is actually to prevent everyone from using astronomical amounts of data on the 3G network. Imagine how slow your 3G service would be if everyone in your neighborhood was using tethered 3G service simultaneously. This is a premium service because of the load this causes on the 3G network.

“The change in the unlimited 3G data plan for the iPad. Now you can go longer go month to month without losing the unlimited option, so you are being charged for months when you never need 3G. Again, money for nothing for AT&T.”

If you’re using your iPad often enough to supersede your quota into the “unlimited” zone, I’m sure the unlimited plan makes sense. I can’t think of a situation where it would be beneficial to have “unlimited” during certain months and not in others if you’re using it all of the time. Just cough up the extra cash and get the unlimited plan. You did buy an iPad for a reason, didn’t you?

“Needless to say, I won’t be buying an iPhone 4 or any other device which has an AT&T contract.”

Too bad you’ll be stuck in the 90s with all of the other carrier’s equipment. AT&T offers the latest and greatest devices that aren’t found on other networks. Enjoy.

]]> By: Chris http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-517 Chris Sat, 10 Jul 2010 23:56:05 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-517 I finally got a deal on a Microcell. After 5 or so calls to customer service and no deals, I spoke to the manager at my local AT&T store. I explained that I I have no signal at my home and that I had been in touch with customer service many time and they could not help. She indicated that some people are now receiving coupons( in the Charleston SC area) for a final cost of $49.00 - $100 off retail. I asked her if there was any way I could get one of that price and she said yes. So, with tax - $53.00. Nice to have 5 bars were there were none! I finally got a deal on a Microcell. After 5 or so calls to customer service and no deals, I spoke to the manager at my local AT&T store. I explained that I I have no signal at my home and that I had been in touch with customer service many time and they could not help. She indicated that some people are now receiving coupons( in the Charleston SC area) for a final cost of $49.00 – $100 off retail. I asked her if there was any way I could get one of that price and she said yes. So, with tax – $53.00. Nice to have 5 bars were there were none!

]]> By: Joh http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-499 Joh Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:43:57 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-499 I've got a two story house, after twenty feet away it sounds choppy despite me ugorading to the fastest speed of 24mb. I’ve got a two story house, after twenty feet away it sounds choppy despite me ugorading to the fastest speed of 24mb.

]]> By: Femtocell market update for week of 14 Jun 2010 « 3G In The Home http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-454 Femtocell market update for week of 14 Jun 2010 « 3G In The Home Sun, 20 Jun 2010 16:33:54 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-454 [...] Katie Floyd reviews the 3G MicroCell. [...] [...] Katie Floyd reviews the 3G MicroCell. [...]

]]> By: Bob DeGrande http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-447 Bob DeGrande Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:29:25 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-447 The MicroCell looks like a good product. I am increasingly disturbed by AT&T, though. Instead of doing what they should be doing, building up their infrastructure and providing good service, their profitability model seems to be based on making money for providing nothing. Examples: The MicroCell is charging you for service which you should have gotten in the first place. Charging for SMS messages - data is data, this costs AT&T nothing. Charging $20/month for tethering, again adding NO additional data to your plan The change in the unlimited 3G data plan for the iPad. Now you can go longer go month to month without losing the unlimited option, so you are being charged for months when you never need 3G. Again, money for nothing for AT&T. Needless to say, I won't be buying an iPhone 4 or any other device which has an AT&T contract. The MicroCell looks like a good product. I am increasingly disturbed by AT&T, though. Instead of doing what they should be doing, building up their infrastructure and providing good service, their profitability model seems to be based on making money for providing nothing. Examples:

The MicroCell is charging you for service which you should have gotten in the first place.

Charging for SMS messages – data is data, this costs AT&T nothing.

Charging $20/month for tethering, again adding NO additional data to your plan

The change in the unlimited 3G data plan for the iPad. Now you can go longer go month to month without losing the unlimited option, so you are being charged for months when you never need 3G. Again, money for nothing for AT&T.

Needless to say, I won’t be buying an iPhone 4 or any other device which has an AT&T contract.

]]> By: Dominic Ross http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-428 Dominic Ross Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:59:10 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-428 Katie, Delighted to read you now have "normal" phone usage in your own home. I've been following your persistent struggle with AT&T Customer Services in your various blogs, tweets and podcasts. I must commend your calm and determination; a lesser person would have snapped and shouted at innocent salesclerks by now. I find the lack of coverage on behalf of AT&T astonishing. I live in the UK and have never had any coverage problems on O2. It has always seemed crazy to me that a large number of American iPhone users find it hard to use their iPhone to it's full potential, and feel it's a huge mistake on Apple's part not to release the iPhone to other networks. With the launch of iPhone 4, all major UK networks will be offering the iPhone, pretty much solving this problem. I hope that this situation is soon resolved in the US, for the sake of the future of the iPhone, and sorry if it sounded like I was boasting. Katie,
Delighted to read you now have “normal” phone usage in your own home. I’ve been following your persistent struggle with AT&T Customer Services in your various blogs, tweets and podcasts. I must commend your calm and determination; a lesser person would have snapped and shouted at innocent salesclerks by now.
I find the lack of coverage on behalf of AT&T astonishing. I live in the UK and have never had any coverage problems on O2. It has always seemed crazy to me that a large number of American iPhone users find it hard to use their iPhone to it’s full potential, and feel it’s a huge mistake on Apple’s part not to release the iPhone to other networks. With the launch of iPhone 4, all major UK networks will be offering the iPhone, pretty much solving this problem.
I hope that this situation is soon resolved in the US, for the sake of the future of the iPhone, and sorry if it sounded like I was boasting.

]]> By: Teresa http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-427 Teresa Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:39:07 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-427 I think I would reword this: "an optional $20 a month plan that will allow all calls made from the MicroCell to be free." Because if you pay $20/month then the calls are not free - they just don't impact your cell phone minutes. I know - too picky for words. ;-) I do live in a known "dead zone" for all cell phones, I believe it even shows up correctly on the maps. Naturally the locals of this area (of which I still don't consider myself one of even after living here for 4 years) have absolute meltdowns if anyone suggests putting up more towers. So I have the Verizon version of the Microcell which has been out longer than AT&T's and I love it. My question is - how does the iphone work as a phone now that you have service? Is the call quality good? Do the people on the other end think the calls are smooth or is it choppy audio? How does it sound to you with incoming calls? That kind of thing. I never hear anyone talk about the phone part of the iphone. I think I would reword this:

“an optional $20 a month plan that will allow all calls made from the MicroCell to be free.”

Because if you pay $20/month then the calls are not free – they just don’t impact your cell phone minutes. I know – too picky for words. ;-)

I do live in a known “dead zone” for all cell phones, I believe it even shows up correctly on the maps. Naturally the locals of this area (of which I still don’t consider myself one of even after living here for 4 years) have absolute meltdowns if anyone suggests putting up more towers. So I have the Verizon version of the Microcell which has been out longer than AT&T’s and I love it.

My question is – how does the iphone work as a phone now that you have service? Is the call quality good? Do the people on the other end think the calls are smooth or is it choppy audio? How does it sound to you with incoming calls? That kind of thing. I never hear anyone talk about the phone part of the iphone.

]]> By: Brian Reath http://katiefloyd.me/microcell/comment-page-1/#comment-423 Brian Reath Mon, 14 Jun 2010 03:00:39 +0000 http://katiefloyd.me/?p=203#comment-423 Thanks for the great review! I've been thinking about trying out a MicroCell. I live in a very rural area, but I have a pretty good broadband connection. The thorough analysis is much appreciated for helping to inform my decision. Thanks for the great review! I’ve been thinking about trying out a MicroCell. I live in a very rural area, but I have a pretty good broadband connection. The thorough analysis is much appreciated for helping to inform my decision.

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