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 |   en102 Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26 Valencia, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
·DSL EXTREME
| 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. -- Canada = Hollywood North | |
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 |  |   Count Zero MD2Be Premium 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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 |  Tobester
join:2000-11-14 San Francisco, CA
| "Verizon's system doesn't support 3G data, calls made via broadband still count against your minutes,....."
WOW, that's incredible. Verizon has some gall to bill you wireless minutes when you are connected via your own broadband service. In effect, passing off the cost of network capacity expansion onto the femtocell user.
Heck, I only pay 2.5 cents a minute for anywhere in the USA with POTS service and have extensions in every room.  | |
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 |  |  |   djrobx
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. -- AT&T U-Hearse Your funeral. Delivered.
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 |  |  |  |   Matt Take me down to the paradise city Premium join:2003-07-20 Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| 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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 |  |  |  |  |  |   RockyBB Premium join:2005-01-31 Longmont, 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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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |   RockyBB Premium join:2005-01-31 Longmont, 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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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |   wifi4milez Big Russ, 1918 to 2008. Rest in Peace
join:2004-08-07 New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·RoadRunner Cable
·BroadVoice
| 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. -- Комитет государственной безопасности
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 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  xirian Premium join:2003-01-26 Beacon, NY | 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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 |  |  |  |  |  |   Matt Take me down to the paradise city Premium join:2003-07-20 Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| 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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 |  |  |  ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23 Tuscaloosa, AL
| 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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 |  |  |  |   SterlingJ85 Obama 2008
join:2000-11-19 Millville, NJ | 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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 |  |  |   JasonOD
@comcast.net
| 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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 |  |  |  |  ISurfTooMuch
join:2007-04-23 Tuscaloosa, AL
| 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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 |   Matt Take me down to the paradise city Premium join:2003-07-20 Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| 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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 |  |  travelguy
join:1999-09-03 Santa Fe, NM
| 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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 |   NOCMan Verizon Fios User Premium join:2004-09-30 Flower Mound, TX | 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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  ptrowski Got Helix? Premium join:2005-03-14 Putnam, CT clubs: | 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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 |  SyNiSt3r
join:2007-04-26 Morristown, TN
| 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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  mod_wastrel
join:2008-03-28
·magicjack.com
| 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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join:2008-03-28 | 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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 |  |  |   ilikeme I live in a van down by the river. Premium join:2002-08-27 Houston, TX clubs:  
·Comcast
| 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." --
Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum
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 |  |  |  |   mod_wastrel
join:2008-03-28 | Re: Ack! Nope... I'm from Bloom County.  | |
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 |  |   iansltx_
@spcsdns.net
| 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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  kilometers
join:2007-01-24 Sacramento, CA | 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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 |  mleland Premium 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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 |  |  mleland Premium 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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 mjgould
join:2006-04-30 Bowling Green, OH
·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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 |   RockyBB Premium join:2005-01-31 Longmont, CO
| Re: This would be great for businesses said by mjgould : 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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  woody7 Premium 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 -- BlooMe | |
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 dave006
join:1999-12-26 Boca Raton, FL
·AT&T U-Verse
| 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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  verizongps234
@wightman.ca
| 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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  softimage
join:2002-09-04 | 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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  funchords Hello Premium,MVM join:2001-03-11 Washington, DC
·Verizon Online DSL
·Skype
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. -- 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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 |   scots Can we have Twinkies? Premium join:1999-12-06 Raleigh, NC
·AT&T U-Verse
·ooma
·RoadRunner Cable
·AT&T CallVantage
| 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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 |  viper3431
join:2003-04-21 STL, MO
| 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 $27/mo but I need it to have reliable calling throughout my entire home. A femtocell would allow me to cancel my landline because my basement coverage issues would no longer exist. Even at a small cost, it would be advantageous for me to have one of these devices. I would be curious to see how much bandwidth each call stream will absorb however. For some people like me this device would be great. | |
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 |  |   buckingham Buckingham Pa
join:2005-07-17 Buckingham, PA
·Vonage
| Re: Exactly HOW STUPID ARE WE if we buy this crap? I'm in a similar situation as Viper...1/2 mile from the tower, but the mountain the tower sits on blocks line of sight to the tower right where our home is. We get reasonable service outside...most of the time...but almost no service inside due to both the location and the 18" thick stone walls part of our house is made of. The less expensive repeaters didn't help. The more expensive one likely will work well. The Femtocell will present an interesting option, provided the actual cost when available isn't absurd... | |
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 ace41690
join:2003-01-24 Northfield, CT
| For the Record... I love my Airave, Went from no signal to a fully useable phone all over the house. O, and I don't pay a dime. 
Me: I have to stand upside down on one foot to get a signal in my house! And every other carrier has a signal here so I want to cancel!!!!
Sprint: Please hold. -----> Connect to retentions... Sprint: Hello sir blah blah may I ask what you're reason for cancelling is?
Me: There is no signal in my house and unless you build a tower in my backyard I see no reason to pay 120$ 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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 Airwolf7 Premium join:2004-12-12 Franklin, KY 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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 |  mimitche
join:2003-11-22 Sterling, VA
| 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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 mimitche
join:2003-11-22 Sterling, VA | 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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