Re: Free AT&T Microcell

[David Gibbs <david@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 1/19/2011 7:25 PM, Scott Klement wrote:
> Microcell is a signal booster.
>
> AT&T bills it as "like a mini cellular tower in your home or small 
> business environment."

Actually, it *IS* a mini cell tower ... although it only handles 3G signals (and only for phones you specify).  It connects to the AT&T network via broadband (VOIP style).  When your phone is using the microcell the "3G" indicator changes to "3G M-Cell".

It's range limited to about 40 feet in all directions.  When you leave the microcell's range it hands off active calls to a real cell tower (although a real cell tower can't hand off to the microcell when you go in range).

Cell coverage at my house is pretty bad to, so I actually paid for one.  

It works pretty good ... although sometimes there's a noticeable lag when you're talking to someone.  It also seems to take longer to connect when dialing out.

I setup QOS on my router for the microcell so my wife's secondlife activity (and my occasional bit torrent downloading) wouldn't effect call quality.

The perceived downside, that it uses your cell minutes, is not a big deal ... the call has to go to POTS eventually.  You can also pay extra and get unlimited calls when you're using the microcell.  

david