AT&T expands availability of it’s personal in-building 3G coverage MicroCell Device.
According to Engadget, AT&T has announced that it is expanding it’s trial service of it’s long awaited 3G MicroCell unit. Initially, AT&T launched trials of the new product in cities like Raleigh and Charlotte NC, but now customers in the areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, San Diego, and Sin City herself Las Vegas, can now get in on the MicoCell in-building goodness. So what is a MicroCell exactly? Well the AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business and is supposed to improve cellular signal performance for both voice calls and 3G data. The unit connects to the AT&T wireless network via your home or office broadband Internet service to produce the improved coverage. One good feature of the MicroCell is that unlike some unsecure WIFI routers, anyone with a 3G phone can’t just hop on your MicroCell. The unit is designed so that in order to use your MicroCell, you have to grant them access. According to AT&T the unit can support up to 4 3G devices at the same time, but up to 10 users can be authorized to use the unit.
Let look at the units features.
Enhanced coverage indoors – supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet
Available unlimited minute plans – individual or FamilyTalk plans.
3G handset compatible – works with any AT&T 3G phone.
Supports up to four voice or data users at once.
Device is secure – cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
Seamless call hand-over – start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue without interruption, even if you leave the building.
Now AT&T is not the only carrier to offer this mini cell tower solutions. T-Mobile was one of the first to launch the service nationally with it’s HotSpot @Home offering, but the unit only supported a few devices such as BlackBerry. T-Mobile, as of late, has decided to discontinue the program. Sprint is currently offering it’s AIRAVE solution, and Verizon Wireless has its Wireless Network Extender. AT&T seems to be the only carrier of the BIG 4 that hasn’t launched a full nationwide roll out the service. So if you’re not really pleased with AT&T’s coverage in your neck of the woods, a MicoCell maybe just the ticket you’re looking for.
Click here to visit the AT&T MicroCell site to see a video overview and availability in your area.
Click here to read Engadget’s detailed impress of the AT&T’s MicroCell unit.
[...] Last month we reported that AT&T is expanding it’s test markets, where they were performing trials on their 3G MicroCell units. The AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business and is supposed to improve cellular signal performance for both voice calls and 3G data. The unit connects to the AT&T wireless network via your home or office broadband internet service to produce the improved coverage. [...]