DISQUS

Name · 2 months ago

Hey! I've got an idea! Let's pay an extra $150 & $20/month for something most people already assume they're getting by buying a phone... Genius!

EntrepreNerd · 2 months ago

My thoughts exactly!

The best part is that AT&T is piggy-backing off of your ISP's network instead of building out there own. And on top of that they want to charge you an extra $20 a month to make use of some one else's bandwidth, which you already pay for. That is comedy gold.

visormatt · 2 months ago

This just makes me angry... For how much we already pay this should not be an issue, yet it is... If it was not for the iPhone AT&T would not have the customers they do... We can only hope that Apple makes the wise choice and opens the phone to other service providers... BOO AT&T

Jimmy Eppley · 2 months ago

lmfao. This why verizon beats all. Why can't Apple see that?

Name · 2 months ago

Probably because they don't feel like using a mobile phone standard that is used in the US, South Korea, and parts of Japan, as opposed to world-wide.

Tiffany G. · 2 months ago

Pay $150 more for service quality I should already be getting? I think not. This looks to me like a way for AT&T to profit off of their shoddy service coverage, and I won't be contributing to that.

Name · 2 months ago

My thoughts exactly! What a scam! We already pay premium rates to enable the mandatory web functions of the I-Phone and now pay more with no guarantee (in writing) of better service. Apple please reconsider this deal when it comes up. What you do will signal to millions of customers whether you value us and our satisfaction or not.

T G CORSATEA · 2 months ago

IT SHOULD BE FREE!!! WITH THE SPOTTY SERVICE AND POOR 3G RECEPTION, I'M GOIN TO VERIZON AS SOON AS THEY GET THE iPHONE!!

Rich S. · 2 months ago

Hmmm..so when I get home from work at night, I'll get free calls (which I have already) and 3G speed (which can't compare to my WiFi)...and at work, I'll have to ask if I can plug a device into my secure network just so it will work the way it's supposed to work with the $150 bill I'm paying in the first place. But when I'm walking in the street and really need a reliable 3G connection, this "new" solution won't help. ARE THEY INSANE????

techgirl09 · 2 months ago

AT&T is treating this problem as if you were using a landline and only make calls from one location - just expand the network.

Mark · 2 months ago

This just goes to show how fragile AT&T is as an organization. If you take away the iPhone exclusivity and Verizon has the opportunity to get a piece of the iPhone pie AT&T will go right down the tubes. Read the writing on the wall. The only reason people choose AT&T is the iPhone, if you can get it somewhere else with better service why wouldn't you? Let's also not forget they think consumers are moronic enough to spend and additional $150 dollars for "good service", isn't that what you paid for when you signed up for service with AT&T to begin with. It's only a matter of time before they coming crashing down.

Name · 2 months ago

When you call Apple complain every time. ATT is awful.

Brad F. · 2 months ago

This thing is ridiculous. They don't want to upgrade their networks, so they're trying to make people pay extra for service that they should already be receiving.

What's the difference between this thing and just using your home wifi? You can make VoIP calls without their $150 microcell garbage.

Mario · 2 months ago

So they want users to pay more money to fix their mistakes??? sounds like an awesome idea!....NOT

John R Live · 2 months ago

Man this is great news too bad it's not offered in New York yet!

Giannii · 2 months ago

Hahaha... Now that's so funny. Oh my side.

Ceri May (@CezzBB) · 2 months ago

Vodafone UK released an identical product (in terms of functionality) a few months ago but priced at £160 (~$260) see http://bit.ly/wyrAa for more info...

Why is it we get so ripped off in the UK???

gruen · 2 months ago

Yes please. Regardless of carrier, in-apartment reception for many New York City apartments will always lack due to technology/FCC limitations. I don't want a landline. Gimme!

aboutjer · 2 months ago

I can't say that I'd spend an additional $150 with AT&T. My iPhone bill is big enough already. But if I lived out in a sparsely populated area, then maybe I'd look into it.

Justagooddude · 2 months ago

I think this is SUCH BS.
ATT is asking us to pay them to make up for their shitty network...
The only way i would be happy with this is if the device was 29.99 (because this thing is just a glorified router... "Femtocel" makes it sound like it will do time travel as well as boost your cell reception) and had no limits or monthly fees (the monthly fees are the worst part).

Justagooddude · 2 months ago

Annnnd its using MY INTERNET CONNECTION!!!!!
how ironic is it going to be for ATT Uverse customers lmao

Thom Theriault · 2 months ago

Absolutely not. Now it's getting ridiculous. Hello Hero.

Chris · 2 months ago

Sorry but no, I wouldn't pay half again what my phone is worth to help ATT do their job. I might spring for something like it if they had the T-Mobile offers but not as stands.

Matt Carrier · 2 months ago

So rather than improving something, Pay $400 for the phone then pay 150 to be able to use the phone.
What a damn shame.
No way do I buy this.

Freebie-Link.com · 2 months ago

How stupid. They should offer this anyways.

"CoachDeb" Micek · 2 months ago

oh i see - so they screw you on service you're paying for - and then create an "upsell" if you actually want that service to work. awesome ;(

I hope Verizon gets iPhone contract soon - I'll switch in a heartbeat!

Heather Henderson · 2 months ago

For the amount of money i pay every month, my service should work already! I'm considering getting rid of my iphone and switching services because I never have reception anywhere.

This makes me think that AT&T is purposely providing their customers with shitty service just so we'll pay extra money to improve it. Fuck AT&T.

bjlayland · 2 months ago

I don't know why anybody would pay for this. AT&T should improve coverage.

Jason Douglas · 2 months ago

Absolutely not. This is just another ploy by AT&T to use resources to create new products instead of improve on the products that currently exist.

kplandes · 2 months ago

It seems like AT&T should be paying ME to install this. A better solution for iPhone connectivity issues is to bring in another service provider to compete against AT&T. Competition is the only solution, not micro-cells installed at home.

Michael Hansen · 2 months ago

You know what's awesome? Pair this with one of those mobile hot-spot devices (which converts a 3G signal into wifi). Each one feeds the other, so you'll have a perfect connection anywhere! Even on the subway!

anitamarieburke · 2 months ago

this is crap... ATT is burdening their customers with THEIR capital expenses... they need to improve their network or get outa the way and let us iPhone users pick a better network... Verizon spent the money form their profits to build out their network... ATT is dumping this on its users... this is crap..

Jonathan · 2 months ago

Wow!! Instead of improving the quality of the signal, they are inventing some crappy waste of space and charging people for it! How AWESOME is that! I'm sorry, but the minute Apple gets rid of the AT&T restrictions, i'm OUT of there!!!

TheBox193 · 2 months ago

Why not just activate VoIP AT&T? The iPhone has wifi...

(correct me if I'm wrong), but I believe that Verizion has a phone that switches to VoIP when connected to a wifi.

Steve · 2 months ago

I would be unhappy if I bought an iPhone and had to not only buy an extra adapter but get broadband service in my home to us.

Name · 2 months ago

Why would I want to pay more for a service I should be getting in the first place? This makes me so frustrated!

R · 2 months ago

so pay $299 for a phone. then pay $140 to get a signal? BRILLIANT!

Jason Rukus · 2 months ago

This is F#@K... So let me get this straight. I get to pay $150 (+ possibly $20) for my phone to work nearly as well as advertised? This is genius.

Yes lets all clamor to support corporate laziness and their bottom line. We wouldn't want them retooling their networks on our account.

Furthermore how is this going to be any faster than my wifi? I'm not on dial up at the house anymore and judging from the already blistering speeds of their data network this booster should put them about equal with the DSL I had 5 years ago. Sign me up.

Christina · 2 months ago

I would prefer to see them just give me the service I'm already paying for. In the long run, it seems like they'd make more money since I'd be more likely to renew my contract. Jail breaking an iPhone is not a rare occurrence...

Dan · 2 months ago

What I don't get is in Canada where we have 34 million people and a larger land mass than the US we don't have any issues in major cities what so ever with the iPhone using the less than perfect Rogers network.

How is it possible for AT&T to be so bloody inept!?!?

I hate AT&T! · 2 months ago

Why should I have to pay another dime for AT&T's lousy service? Three dropped calls this morning and two Friday night--all within the city limits. AT&T is criminal. They knowingly sign up new subscribers, all the time knowing that cannot even support the existing clients. Add insult to injury--add more subscribers and tax the system even more!!!! Apple DO NOT extend this agreement!

GerardFreeman · 2 months ago

LMAO!! This just another way to piss off at&t iphone users. This is making Verizon very happy..They know at&t iphone owners will soon move to Verizon when they get the iphone.

DH · 2 months ago

F This! I already pay them enough. It's outrageous they want to charge you more to buy a device to make the phone work, when it should be working in the first place.

If and when the iPhone moves to a new carrier, I'm there. I'll pay the fee to get out of my contract.

jason · 2 months ago

absolutely not!

Name · 2 months ago

sounds to me like at&t is getting advice from microsoft on how to rip customers off.

Ron · 2 months ago

AT&T must think we are as stupid as they look!

colinr23 · 2 months ago

for an phone that relies so heavily on high levels of data stream why are they funneling it all through this one crappy network? living in nyc is the worst. everyone has iphones, and everyone's trying to connect through just a few crappy towers posted around the city. iphone needs to allow users to disburse this data through multiple networks and open the flood gates already. nobody wants to buy this stupid little star wars Tydirium ship replica

Theresa · 2 months ago

If it meant I could get rid of my $40 a month land line, yes! I live in a small pocket of spotty reception. Up the hill from me - fine. Down the hill from me - fine. My house - comes and goes, and when it is here it is weak. So, yes. It would be worth it to me.

Jennifer Dick · 2 months ago

Why should I pay an extra $150 for something that AT&T service ought to already include? Utterly ridiculous and why I will be leaving as soon as my contact is up.

thedeveloper · 2 months ago

We iPhone users are just counting the days until Verision picks up the server and it's BYE BYE AT&T. Paying 150.00 more + 240 / year for service we should have anyway.

Adam Covati · 2 months ago

Ok, so they are charging all this to give you VOIP? So is that why they banned the google voice apps?

BTW, my first thought when I saw your title was: "A 150 adapter to improve AT&T service? A verizon phone"

Name · 2 months ago

Has anybody heard of MicroCells being avaiable in Atlanta, San Antonio, or Seattle, as some accounts claimed last week would happen today?

Scott Menzer · 2 months ago

why should I have to pay for a device and service to give me better cell coverage? i thought AT&T brags about having such great service...why not offer this to me free if i can prove i get shitty cell coverage at home? $20 a month? i can get vonage for that much if i want a phone at home that just works.

bestispoffers · 2 months ago

I don't know how well this is going to go over with customers. They are already paying enough for the service to begin with. They should get good cell reception without the need for an adapter. AT&T should give the adapter to people who they cannot provide good service.

Chris Jones · 2 months ago

Another reason NOT to get the Apple phone!

Joe Doe · 2 months ago

Apple will be pi$$ed !!! AT&T is FINALLY acknowledging connectivity and service issues with the iPhone. And now they want to screw their customers. Verizon thinks they just died and went to heaven.

Broette · 2 months ago

Gee I thought my phone would work as a phone. I never know if I have a message and if I wish to check for one I have to call my phone. Somewhere along the line my phone decided to require a password to check my voicemail. I know I never picked one and it will not reset. At least I have an iPod that works. The 3G network is the pits. How about fixing the problem not charging more for a service that works only through a computer. I want my Razor back that worked everywhere in the states.

Steve Carpenter · 2 months ago

Are you joking? No, seriously, did I read that some clown just said that it's no secret that at &t's 3 G is slow. WOW!!! Why don't you come to upstate NY and see if your "theory" holds water. AT & T service is like lightning here. MUCH faster than Verizon. Please stop with idiotic comments because you have stock in Verizon. There is a reason Apple chose to be exclusive with
AT & T.

Steve Carpenter · 2 months ago

AT &T service rules. Are you kidding?? Look at Verizon Wireless. They have been overcharging for their network for decades. Customer service SUCKS!!!!!! At least at &t has quality people and products. Give me one device that verizon has come out with that does not SUCK...... The BlackBerry storm, you know the one to compete with the I Phone, has a 50% return rate-

Alan · 2 months ago

I read a related article from CNet on dropped calls, delayed text and voice mail messages on the AT&T network. I have poor reception in my home as well (PA), but generally while traveling throughout the country (recently in San Diego), it worked extremely well (no dropped calls). My wife & I communicate via Texting when we are unable to call one another, and I have been frustrated with the delay in receiving text messages and even voice mail messages which are critical to my business. As I do work from home (in the Basement office), reception stinks, so yes I would absolutely like to get the Micro cell if one is available for me.

bobgpinhead · 2 months ago

From what I understand Verizon is not much better anyways. Dropped calls......If cars, both foreign and domestic were as bad as cell phones there would be a major recall.

carla · 2 months ago

NO, absolutely not, ATT go to______! They told me 3G was here. ATT is a money makin joke, not a phone service. I pay enough, I will switch carriers first. I have a thow away now, it is better than ATT service.

Name · 2 months ago

Let me see - to pay $150 on top of what I'm paying just to get the service I should be getting in the first place? Forget about...

James Moore · 2 months ago

Boo. For someone like me who is an at&t customer (both wireless and ISP), this makes no sense whatsoever. I live in a cell "hole" and would love to have a femtocell in my house, but not at that price. Let's try -- FREE!! This is the same company who won't run fiber to my house so I can take advantage of U-verse.

Carla · 2 months ago

$150. +$20 a month But why? Because we are ATT. An American money making machine. Just pay us more, and we might give you actual service. Then, if that doesn't work, we can find something else to charge you for. I remember a fight with Comcast, ATT said coverage would be excellent and everywhere. Opps lied again. I would just like 2 bars, they said 3G was here. Opps no service = 3G evidently.

Bob · 2 months ago

Don't many of us already have a device that allows us to make voice calls over hard-wire using bandwidth that we already pay for? I believe it's called a "home phone". Maybe AT&T can improve its service by offering a bracket that allows users to bolt their iPhone to their regular home phone so that users can look at the $$$ paperweight they bought while dialing for ATT dollars.

beley · 2 months ago

Signal repeaters are about $150-200, don't have a limit on the number of connections, and work with any carrier. And they don't require a high-speed internet connection. As long as you get a signal somewhere outside (which is pretty likely), they'll work. I think they're a much better option for most people than MicroCell.

xxxciter · 2 months ago

Great news -- that a device is coming soon to provide better cell coverage in my home (I seem to be in a gully and only get 0 to 2 bars, 3 if I lean over my patio fence!)

BUT why do I have to pay extra for service I'm already paying for? So, I'm rewarding their BAD cell network?!?! Doesn't make sense...

Which reminds me... I'm gonna call ATT and complain...they will usually give me a account credit a couple times a year!

mechanesthesia · 1 month ago

This is pissing me off. I've searched for hours looking for a wi-fi phone solution, then I remembered this article. You can get Skype for a few dollars a month and make unlimited phone calls on your computer. You can get a USB phone for a little over $20 which needs for you to have your computer on or a wireless phone, similar to a cellphone for about $120, which just needs wi-fi, computer doesn't have to be on.

I can just get that, and spend about $9 a month on skype to make and receive phone calls in my house.

AT&T makes you pay $150 PLUS $20 a month! That is ridiculous. It would be good if it didn't have the monthly fee.

The $20 a month is what I WOULD BE saving by getting the device in the first place!
Right now my plan is $60 with free nights and weekends. I can just get skype during the day when I'm at home and use my cell at night and change to a $40 plan.

ram · 2 weeks ago

This adapter increases the signal strength of our 3G phone by allowing us to make calls using the Internet connection.So, we get full bars of service in our home, regardless of our cell-tower proximity.
Thanks.