I tried out AT&T’s new 3G MicroCell this week. It’s basically a router-sized station that plugs into your internet connection and creates a mini cellular network in your home or office.
I’ll start by saying that I’m no fan of AT&T’s coverage. I’m a real estate broker, and I take about half of my business calls from my home office. I currently live in Wallingford, just about five miles North of downtown Seattle. This should be a major metro area with great coverage, but it’s a dead zone. I’ve been running my iPhone on the old Edge network for almost a year, because all of my calls drop when I try to use the 3G network at home. The speed of the Edge network when using apps is not pretty.
Grudges aside, I figured it was time to step up and see if I could get my SeattleHome.com office better connected. The 3G MicroCell cost $149 from the AT&T store, with a $100 rebate if you sign up for unlimited home service ($20/mo). This means that any call you make from home, that originates on your MicroCell network, doesn’t count against your minutes. There’s no annual contract, so if you decide you don’t need the minutes, you can cancel.
The results? I have 5 bars at all times. My emails download in milliseconds. My apps load very quickly. I should be overwhelmed at the new coverage, but I keep telling myself that I should be getting this coverage standard. Either way, it’s a great piece of equipment so far. The install is quick, the hardware requirements are minimal, and the AT&T rep tells me that it puts out less radiation than a standard wireless router (should I believe him?). Whenever you’re connected to your MicroCell network, your iPhone displays in the upper left corner, “AT&T M-Cell” for the network. I’ll have to try leaving home while on a call and seeing how it transfers between networks.
If you’re fed up with your AT&T coverage, and you must have an iPhone, you owe it to Steve Jobs to pick up a 3G MicroCell and send him the bill.
Pingback: iPhone 4 Battery Exceeds Expectations | Becoming Cultured