| reply to djrobx
Re: Why is this so complicated? You can buy the device and use your own minutes without a monthly fee.
Question is, in this mode can I allow other people not on my plan to use the Microcell? Say I'm a business with 10 employees that have their own ATT phones, but our coverage is crappy. Can I buy this unit and let all my employees use it? |
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netboy34
join:2001-08-29
Kennesaw, GA
kudos:1 | only 4 can be on a call at a time, but you can list 10 ATT numbers to allow it to use it... minutes count against their own plans... I have friends with iphones, and it counts against their plan... not mine |
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 morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | reply to Uncle Paul
said by Uncle Paul:You can buy the device and use your own minutes without a monthly fee. Don't forget 24/7 electricity usage by the device. Any word on what these suckers will eat in a year's time? |
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| It's a fairly low power device. It might use $10/year in electricity. No more costly than your DSL modem or Linksys access point. |
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1 edit | reply to morbo
said by morbo:said by Uncle Paul:You can buy the device and use your own minutes without a monthly fee. Don't forget 24/7 electricity usage by the device. Any word on what these suckers will eat in a year's time? The Sprint Airave electric use is minimal(READ OFF OF BOTTOM OF DEVICE 5 volts/2 amps). Can't say what the AT&T model will be.
So the Airave uses about the same power as a 10 watt bulb. |
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morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | reply to drstein
it should be considered as part of the total cost of ownership AND the hidden cost to consumers for helping out the provider. |
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fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | said by morbo:it should be considered as part of the total cost of ownership AND the hidden cost to consumers for helping out the provider. The power consumption argument is so over played.... how are you "helping out the provider"...? There has never been a guarantee by the provider that cellular radio signals can penetrate the walls of your home.. in fact, they disclose that service can be hindered by structures... it's not like ATT or any provider can have that much control over time and space.
I hardly think that ATT is in the position to inform you how much power you are going to use and what it will cost you, as they simply don't know... they're not the power company. And, to say that its a hidden cost.. now you're just being WAY too picky there, don't you think?? |
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morboComplete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000 | Almost everyone considering one of these devices has shitty reception in their house. Why else would someone pay for a device and possibly pay a monthly fee for no reason? I view this as helping out the provider.
It's important for consumers to know that with this device they will actually be paying about $1 per month MORE just to run it. The number of vampire electronics out there show that people don't realize how this hits their pocketbook. That's how it's "hidden", not AT&T hiding anything. There's a huge lack of value with these plans, but as always, there's a sucker born every minute. |
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fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | But the OP makes it sound like ATT is hiding that cost.. and they're not.
And like I said, radio signals are what they are... I live in a Sprint area that has EXCELLENT signal coverage.. just my home with all three floors and basement won't let the signals penetrate that well. The neighbor's house, however, does. So I don't ever expect my phone to work as it would outside.. I know better. Radio signals from cell towers don't make it in my home any better than FM or AM radio signals... so what makes cell phones any better?
But, if one wants better reception, then they'll get one of these.. if not, then have that land line phone installed. If they have bad signal, then there IS a reason, right?
No one is forcing anyone to take one of these, are they? If you can't get good reception in your home, it's not necessarily the provider's fault.. sorry, it's not.
As for power.. I NEVER look at that.. I don't consider that to be part of owning.. I never dime it out to the penny when buying something like that.. and those that do, I wonder how many of them have gone 100% florescent bulbs in their homes, set their thermostats properly, etc etc.
Sorry, but I find those BITCHING about the power consumption to either have their anger misplaced, or a bit disingenuous to begin with. Again, we make choices in life.. if that femtocell is so important, then maybe unplug the PS3 or stop charging the iPod.. sounds like an equitable trade to me. |
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