An AT&T sales rep in Charlotte, NC, where their MicroCell trial is taking place, has corrected the pricing numbers for AT&T's femtocell device, designed to fix issues with holes in AT&T coverage. While initial reports showed a somewhat egregious $19.95 service fee for monthly service, it now appears that's only if someone wants unlimited talk time.
If you simply want to piggyback on top of your current service, it's free on a monthly basis, but the Microcell device itself will cost $150. A femtocell device such as this, is designed to leverage your broadband service to enhance your cell phone coverage at a specific location.
Compared to other services, it now looks like AT&T's MicroCell service is more of a bargain than first thought, although I must admit that using up my broadband cap because AT&T has poor service in my area doesn't give me a warm fuzzy. On the other hand, I'd rather not have a cell phone tower put up in my neighborhood.
Compare it to other carriers' similar programs:
- Sprint's Airave runs $4.99 a month, but reports are that if threaten to cancel, they'll give it to you for free. It's $10 a month for unlimited calling. The device itself is $99.99.
- Verizon charges nothing once you buy the Wireless Network Extender unit (of course, that's $250). There's no unlimited calling option available.
- T-Mobile offers unlimited calling through its WiFi-based HotSpot@Home service for $9.99 a month. The price of the HotSpot router is currently discounted to $39.99.
- AT&T MicroCell, $150 for the device, no service cost, unless you want unlimited talk time. If you have either AT&T internet service or AT&T landline service, you'll pay $9.99. If you've got both, it's free. Otherwise, it's $20.
Despite the price correction, I'm still annoyed with all these devices. Not with the idea, per se, but with the fact that I have to pay to do these carriers a favor by fixing holes in their coverage areas. Sigh.
