  KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little GuyPremium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
 ·AT&T DSL Service
| I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- ... when your own broadband is what supports the calls and data. You're paying them and doing their job for them. They charge you for the phones, and you pay for the broadband connection, and now they want to charge you again for using either. Sheesh. I guess I could see an equipment charge or a small monthly fee, but a "Service plan"? Gimmie a break.
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"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
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 |  en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- I agree... it should be a monthly add on of $5-$10/month.
The only reason that I could see them wanting a contract is due to unlimited calling... and then again... it should be no more than $5-$10/month.
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Canada = Hollywood North | |
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| |  Count ZeroMD2BePremium
join:2007-01-18
Warner Robins, GA | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- It shouldn't be an add-on at all. It should be a one-time pay for the hardware cost and then they THANK you for saving them the money of having to build another new tower to give you cell phone coverage. | |
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join:2000-05-31
Valencia, CA | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- I'd rather have Verizon's option. I don't need more minutes. I need my phone to work reliably at home, and I don't want a higher fee for the privilege.
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AT&T U-Hearse
Your funeral. Delivered.
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| | | |  wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by djrobx:I'd rather have Verizon's option. I don't need more minutes. I need my phone to work reliably at home, and I don't want a higher fee for the privilege. I totally agree. In fact, the only reason I didnt buy (or demand for free  ) a Sprint unit was that they require you to pay more money each month to have it. I have more minutes than I could ever use in a given month, and I have no interest in paying another $5, $10, or $20 a month to my cell phone provider. Verizon's femtocell business model is perfect in my opinion, you pay one time for the device and then just use your minutes as usual.
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Комитет государственной безопасности
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| | | |  MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | said by djrobx:I'd rather have Verizon's option. I don't need more minutes. I need my phone to work reliably at home, and I don't want a higher fee for the privilege. And I have full signal at home, but would love to pay an extra $15-$20 bucks a month not to have to use my cell minutes at home. 6 of one, half-a-dozen of another. ::shrug:: | |
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| | | | | |  RockyBBPremium
join:2005-01-31
Steamboat Springs, CO | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by djrobx: Offer the hardware, and then offer an "at home unlimited" feature for an additional, optional cost? That is exactly Sprint's offer. | |
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| | | | | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by RockyBB:said by djrobx: Offer the hardware, and then offer an "at home unlimited" feature for an additional, optional cost? That is exactly Sprint's offer. No, Sprint requires you have a plan specifically tied to the device. Verizon appears to be just the opposite (no plan required). Hopefully, ATT will realize people might want either, and actually offer both options.
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Комитет государственной безопасности
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| | | | | | | | RockyBBPremium
join:2005-01-31
Steamboat Springs, CO | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by wifi4milez:No, Sprint requires you have a plan specifically tied to the device. They don't require me to have a plan to the device. I have a plan with a fee for that plan, and then a monthly fee to use the device .... minutes used on the device don't count against the allowance on the plan. | |
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| | | | | | | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by RockyBB:said by wifi4milez:No, Sprint requires you have a plan specifically tied to the device. They don't require me to have a plan to the device. I have a plan with a fee for that plan, and then a monthly fee to use the device .... minutes used on the device don't count against the allowance on the plan. We are saying the same thing, just using different words. Sprint makes you pay a fee (call it a plan, charge, etc.) each month to have the device. The do not offer the option to simply buy the unit, then use your standard wireless minutes. It looks like just Verizon is doing this, although if we look further they too might be charging some sort of fee (charge, etc.) each month to have the device as well.
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Комитет государственной безопасности
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| | | | | | | | | xirianPremium
join:2003-01-26
Beacon, NY
kudos:1 | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- I swear I've read people saying that they whined hard enough and didn't have to pay the fee for the device monthly. | |
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| | | | | | | | | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by xirian:I swear I've read people saying that they whined hard enough and didn't have to pay the fee for the device monthly. You are correct. Apparently if you complain enough they will give you the device for free and not charge you a monthly fee. However, for the sake of argument I am just pointing out their standard offering involves paying a fee each month to have it.
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Комитет государственной безопасности
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| | | | | | MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | said by djrobx:said by Matt:And I have full signal at home, but would love to pay an extra $15-$20 bucks a month not to have to use my cell minutes at home. 6 of one, half-a-dozen of another. ::shrug:: Why do they need to be mutually exclusive options? Offer the hardware, and then offer an "at home unlimited" feature for an additional, optional cost? So you want them to offer the hardware and the service for free? | |
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| | | | | | |  JoeG4
join:2001-12-16
945941 | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by Matt:said by djrobx:said by Matt:And I have full signal at home, but would love to pay an extra $15-$20 bucks a month not to have to use my cell minutes at home. 6 of one, half-a-dozen of another. ::shrug:: Why do they need to be mutually exclusive options? Offer the hardware, and then offer an "at home unlimited" feature for an additional, optional cost? So you want them to offer the hardware and the service for free? ABSOLUTELY! | |
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| | | | en102Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA | I agree... if that were the case for me... I'd buy a repeater if I lived in an area of poor service.
I'd be tempted to purchase a repeater for unlimited use (and ditch VoIP/POTS service). I doubt that it would happen the way I'd want it though. I have enough minutes to use up that I don't need any more, and service is good enough for me right now.
You'll get better service sometime this year in your area when they build up Seco Canyon/Copper Hill site, Seco Canyon/Decoro and Seco Canyon near the end this year. | |
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| | | | | I caught it. And I could almost live with it if the device was free, but it costs $250. So VZW is asking people to PAY to fix their coverage issues. And, for that $250, all you get is a stronger signal--minus EVDO--and you use your Internet connection to transport the call. What a deal! | |
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| | | | | | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- That's correct... BUT if you get a useable EVDO signal from a nearby tower then you can use EVDO while using the 1X(RTT) connection from the femtocell! | |
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| | | | | David, you should know better. Here in the states, wireless service charges are based on 'use of network'. Inbound or outbound, data or text, or whether it runs through a femtocell, it's a use of network, so charges apply. If ATT doesn't do this then they are leaving money on the table. | |
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| | | | | | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- But if I'm going to pay for a femtocell and then allow it to use the Internet connection that I pay for, I ought to see something in return. I'm not saying I should get my calls totally free, but I'm offloading my traffic from the nearby cell sites and the carrier's backhauls, and I'm helping them fill a coverage hole in their network, so I ought to get some consideration for that. And, in the case of VZW, I can't even stop others from connecting to my femtocell and using my bandwidth.
If VZW or any other carrier wants to erect a cell site on my property, they have to pay me rent and bring in their own equipment and circuits. With the femtocell arrangement, I get to foot the bill for all of this. Sounds like a pretty sweet deal for the carriers. | |
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| MattAll noise, no signal.Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
kudos:12 | said by KrK:... when your own broadband is what supports the calls and data. You're paying them and doing their job for them. They charge you for the phones, and you pay for the broadband connection, and now they want to charge you again for using either. Sheesh. I guess I could see an equipment charge or a small monthly fee, but a "Service plan"? Gimmie a break. You're only doing part of the work for them as they still have to route your call on the back-end (call termination). Since no cell phone carrier guarantees service indoors, this is a neat feature. It all depends on how expensive per month it is, especially the unlimited plans they refer to. | |
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| | | | Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- said by Matt:Since no cell phone carrier guarantees service indoors, this is a neat feature. AFAIK, no cell company guarantees service anywhere, indoors or outdoors. All they do is show a general coverage map and tell you to drop their sevice if you don't like it. | |
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|  NOCManMacChatterPremium
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO | It costs more to warehouse all that equipment, pick it up, send collectors etc etc. Than to just sell it and be done with it. | |
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| | KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little GuyPremium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK Reviews:
·AT&T DSL Service
| Re: I still don't understand why they want to charge you--- Yep, so why now just allow users to buy it and have no fee.
Nope.... because what they really want is another way to milk people for more $$$.
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"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
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 ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4 | Idea is neat but.... I use an indepeendant VoIP provider and have a wireless network so I would not see as much value for my family. The only good piece would be it is portable. | |
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| | | So let me see if I understand this They have a device thats going to allow you to use 3g data but it uses your internet connection which cuts down their network traffic, You already pay for their service to begin with and they want to charge you for the device and for a plan too? Is that right? How can they justify trying to charge the customer when youre doing the favor for them?
The idea is great but the only thing that should cost is the device. There should be no plan other than the one youre already paying on your cell phone. | |
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| | ptrowskiGot Helix?Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
kudos:4 Reviews:
 ·VOIPo
·Choice One Commu..
| Re: So let me see if I understand this Exactly. Where I live I don't get 3G speed but I can download via Wifi on the iPhone much faster than 3G can do. We already have too many rollover minutes already.
But you are basically doing them a favor of decreasing the load on their networks. | |
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| | wifi4milezBig Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY | said by SyNiSt3r:There should be no plan other than the one youre already paying on your cell phone. I think you should have the option to either use your existing plan minutes or pay for "home minutes". They should offer the device for around $100 if you are going to use your plan minutes, and give it away free if you buy a $10 (or higher) "home" plan as that subsidizes the device.
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Комитет государственной безопасности
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| | Ack! All Verizon needs now is a "cool" name for their service--like @Home and AIRAVE ...not that it would make their pricing any more appealing (and when I say "more appealing", I really mean "less ridiculous"). Maybe they can get the Alltel guys working on that.  | |
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| Count ZeroMD2BePremium
join:2007-01-18
Warner Robins, GA | Re: Ack! said by mod_wastrel:All Verizon needs now is a "cool" name for their service--like @Home and AIRAVE ...not that it would make their pricing any more appealing (and when I say "more appealing", I really mean "less ridiculous"). Maybe they can get the Alltel guys working on that. I wouldn't count on Alltel to come up with ANYTHING cool... look at their commercials afterall. | |
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| | | | Re: Ack! Yeah, I was being facetious. Even so, Alltel's product naming is typically both relevant (to the point of being downright simple) and easy for customers to remember. ("Ack!" is a reference to Bill the Cat, BTW.) | |
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| | |  ilikemeI live in a van down by the river.Premium
join:2002-08-27
Denton, TX
kudos:1
 ·Verizon FiOS
·AT&T Southwest
| Re: Ack! said by mod_wastrel:Yeah, I was being facetious. Even so, Alltel's product naming is typically both relevant (to the point of being downright simple) and easy for customers to remember. ("Ack!" is a reference to Bill the Cat, BTW.) I think you mean "eek!" from "eek! the cat."
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Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum
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| | | | | | Re: Ack! Nope... I'm from Bloom County.  | |
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| | | | ATT has the right idea on this...their device has 3G support. Hopefully it's available for 100 or so, with a 10 buck plan for individual, 20 for families for unlimited voice over that network. Even better, 15 and 38 for voice, text and data.
Though personally I'd rather have a upgrade to Airave on Sprint for this. I get great coverage in my place, but Sprint seems to have capacity issues here. Maybe offer a 50 dollar device with no monthly fee (but you use your minutes) in congested areas. Plus a small amount per minute back (cellular is low bandwidth voice) for other people who use your femtocell. Maybe half a cent, which will definitely cover your bandwidth requirements... | |
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| | interesting but... Would I still get charged for incoming and outgoing text messages if I'm connected at home since I don't have an unlimited texting plan? | |
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 scotsAre we there yet??Premium
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC
kudos:1
·AT&T U-Verse
1 edit | Coming soon? These must be coming pretty soon. You can click on the Personal Wireless link in the "Set Up & Activate your AT&T 3G MicroCell" box, log in with the same ID/password you use to log in to your wireless account, and it comes up to a page to to setup a MicroCell. It wants the serial number from the MicroCell (if you have one). | |
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| mlelandPremium
join:2002-12-17
Westwood, CA | Re: Coming soon? It is also possible that this page is just for beta testers. Usually companies are better about restricting access to beta related web sites but who knows.... | |
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| | mlelandPremium
join:2002-12-17
Westwood, CA | Re: Coming soon? Hmm seems this page was not meant for general distribution yet as the details are all gone and a "Maintenance" page is now in its place. Sure looks like this is the beta portal to me. | |
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2 edits | said by scots:These must be coming pretty soon. You can click on the Personal Wireless link in the "Set Up & Activate your AT&T 3G MicroCell" box, log in with the same ID/password you use to log in to your wireless account, and it comes up to a page to to setup a MicroCell. It wants the serial number from the MicroCell (if you have one). I noticed that too. But without a device to register you can't go any farther on that page. Below is more info you can see once logged on. I'm trying to figure out the costs by what's written, but it does look like you do purchase the device, while also saying you may need to pay more fees.
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Congratulations on purchasing AT&T 3G MicroCell. Please follow the instructions to set up your new AT&T 3G MicroCell device or to reinitialize your device at a new location.
This device is sold for use on AT&T systems, and is not compatible with other wireless systems. To take advantage of all the benefits and service features, you may need to purchase additional hardware or software, pay monthly access, and/or pay-per-use charges.
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Reviews:
 ·Time Warner Cable
·Verizon Online DSL
| This would be great for businesses I would like to see something like this, but a device capability of 30 to 40 handsets connected to it. When working in the center of our building it is almost impossible to get a cell signal from any carrier because of the many walls. Most of our IT guys get their email primarily on their phones so this would be great for us. | |
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| RockyBBPremium
join:2005-01-31
Steamboat Springs, CO | Re: This would be great for businesses said by Storage_Guy: When working in the center of our building it is almost impossible to get a cell signal from any carrier because of the many walls. see this thread: »Cellular Booster | |
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1 edit | A better picture from at&t's site heres a better pic | |
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 woody7Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA | hmmmm.... There are/will be people who will pay for this, or they wouldn't offer it. I use my own broadband and pay for the luxury of doing so, I think not.....Peace
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BlooMe | |
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dave006
join:1999-12-26
Boca Raton, FL | Your description is "Incorrect" Karl, your Article:
...According to the website, the device is portable, supports 10 phones or 4 3G data devices, and will come with a monthly plan of some kind..
It connects to AT&T's network via your existing broadband internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to 10 3G capable wireless phones in a home or small business setting.
Up to 4 simultaneous voice or data users supported.
»www.wireless.att.com/dcom//Engli···cms.html
Dave | |
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| | Use outside of USA I wonder if this could be used outside the USA while travelling. Roaming rates are horrable.
And if it's based on a GPS lock... Does that mean i need to place this thing near a window? Ideally it's going to go in the basement, the usual dead zone. | |
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| | microcell this is just what i wanted, i just hope they dont charge more than $5 or $10 per month otherwise i'll just switch to Verizon.
one thing that i haven't read is how much bandwidth does having 4 phones connected use up? | |
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 funchordsHelloPremium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Yarmouth Port, MA
kudos:5
1 edit | Exactly HOW STUPID ARE WE if we buy this crap? Verizon, AT&T, et. al. rent site space and rent power and network bandwidth and they their own equipment there. Yet we sheeple are expected to buy it, sometimes pay extra charges per use, put it in our homes and power it and provide bandwidth for it?
And here comes trouble -- the Cable Internet providers are going to go nutz because you're offering your cable Internet service to 3rd parties! (Unless you're going to be the exclusive user on your femtocell.)
Don't be stupid. Reject this idea. The damned thing ought to be leased to you for free in exchange for keeping you as a customer when their service fails to work inside their coverage area. The systems ought to be designed so that you can exclude non-household members from using it or the broadband agreements need to allow you to enter into such agreements.
This borders on the mega-dumb.
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Robb Topolski -= funchords.com =- Hillsboro, Oregon -- KJ7RL
... Should we pay those who are "too big to fail" more money to ensure they stay that way? ... | |
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| scotsAre we there yet??Premium
join:1999-12-06
Raleigh, NC
kudos:1 Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
| Re: Exactly HOW STUPID ARE WE if we buy this crap? said by funchords:And here comes trouble -- the Cable Internet providers are going to go nutz because you're offering your cable Internet service to 3rd parties! (Unless you're going to be the exclusive user on your femtocell.) You are going to be the exclusive user on your femtocell with AT&T. After you get the femtocell you have to log onto the AT&T web site, register it, and then tell it which phones you're going to be using with it. Only those phones that you register for use with the femtocell will be able to use it. | |
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·Charter
| I think you're missing the point here. I'll provide my scenario to clear things up for you. My cell phone is my primary communications device. I also have a work phone with ATT. I live less than a mile from the nearest tower, however my house is on the far side of a hill from said tower. I generally get good reception in the upper level of my home (3 bars or so) and full service outside but signal can sometimes drop off in my basement, which is usable space for me. This is the case with several providers in my home. My landline sets me back an unnecessary $27/mo but I need it to have reliable calling throughout my entire home. A femtocell would allow me to cancel my landline because my basement coverage issues would no longer exist. Even at a small cost, it would be advantageous for me to have one of these devices. I would be curious to see how much bandwidth each call stream will absorb however. For some people like me this device would be great. | |
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| |  buckinghamBuckingham Pa
join:2005-07-17
Buckingham, PA
·Verizon FiOS
| Re: Exactly HOW STUPID ARE WE if we buy this crap? I'm in a similar situation as Viper...1/2 mile from the tower, but the mountain the tower sits on blocks line of sight to the tower right where our home is. We get reasonable service outside...most of the time...but almost no service inside due to both the location and the 18" thick stone walls part of our house is made of. The less expensive repeaters didn't help. The more expensive one likely will work well. The Femtocell will present an interesting option, provided the actual cost when available isn't absurd... | |
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| | For the Record... I love my Airave, Went from no signal to a fully useable phone all over the house. O, and I don't pay a dime.
Me: I have to stand upside down on one foot to get a signal in my house! And every other carrier has a signal here so I want to cancel!!!!
Sprint: Please hold. -----> Connect to retentions...
Sprint: Hello sir blah blah may I ask what you're reason for cancelling is?
Me: There is no signal in my house and unless you build a tower in my backyard I see no reason to pay 120$ a month for a service that doesn't work.
Sprint: Well sir we actually have a device called the airave, blah blah blah.
Me: How much does it cost?
Sprint: I can add the service at no additional cost and will ship the unit next day at absolutely no cost to you.
Me: Cool | |
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Airwolf7Premium
join:2004-12-12
Franklin, KY
kudos:1
2 edits | Morons Morons will be snapping these up left and right!
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Edit: I should not have insinuated that potential users of this device would be morons.
I'm sorry. It was not very nice of me.
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| | | Re: Morons If the price is reasonable and the minutes are unlimited count me in as one of those morons- This would allow me to stop paying $30.91 per month to Vonage since I'm unable to get a reliable mobile signal (from any major mobile company) in my basement office. | |
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| | Q1 if you're in the right city? According to an AT&T support rep who responded to my support ticket of a poor signal near my home the Femtocell is currently being tested with an employee only trial and a user trial will be rolled out to 3 (unknown) cities in Q1. | |
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