Some cell phone services, such as AT&T, are trying new ways to give better service to their customers when they enter buildings and when at home to avoid the typical dropped call "Can you hear me now?" situation.
AT&T launched a new device called the 3G MicroCell signal booster March 24th. "The MicroCell allows the customer to have a full 3G signal inside the home, for unlimited calling," said Sue Sperry, Fleishman-Hillard for AT&T Corporate Communications in the Gulf States. "This is great for customers who use their mobile phone exclusively, or due to terrain, building construction and other factors, want the strongest signal in their homes."
The device is an innovative solution that allows residental customers to route wireless phone calls and data conncetions across a home broadband connection, like a mini-cellular tower in your home or small business environment. This solution is designed to benefit customers who live in homes that have bad coverage which consistently interrupts wireless spectrum, such as dense wall and roof construction or unfavorable terrain.
Sperry said the device connects to AT&T's network via an existing broadband Internet service, such as DSL or cable, and is designed to support up to four simultaneous users in a home or small business setting. Sperry said customers receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications such as picture messaging and surfing the Web.
The MicroCell is actually a router, Sperry said, and is available for a one-time cost of $149.99. In addition, AT&T said it will "offer a companion rate plan option for MicroCell customers, especially customers on Family Talk plans, who want to supplement their existing voice plans.
For $19.99 a month, individual or Family Talk customers can make unlimited calls through a 3G MicroCell, without using minutes in their monthly wireless voice plan." However, if a customer already as a broadband router, they only need a connection that provides at least a 1.5 Mbps download speed.
The product itself has been trial with the public in select markets since September and soon will be rolling out, market by market, in mid-April. Sperry said AT&T's plan is to integrate the device into all states and because of their extended trial, they believe their product to be superior to others on the market.
However, some people are not satisfied with AT&T's signal-boosting efforts. "If I were a mother of a household of four and I lived in a rural area where there was broadband, maybe it would be relevant, but being a college student living in a city it doesn't seem relevant," said Kelli Howell, AT&T customer and senior in anthropology. "It seems like a waste of money."
Howell said she does think the device will be somewhat
successful. "Living in a consumer world, I would say it would be successful because it's a new fad, but it will quickly fade out with something new that comes in," Howell said.
Shanna Lockwood, AT&T customer and graduate student in technical and professional communication said she also thinks the MicroCell is a waste of money. Lockwood said she doesn't think people are going to want to pay more money than they already pay, especially for just a few more bars of
service. "Don't make us pay more, just make your service better," Lockwood said.
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