Apple iPhone users have joked that Apple’s gadget can do everything but make phone calls. That’s partly because of congestion on AT&T’s wireless network. Now, AT&T is selling a $150 mini cell tower for the home. AP Technology Writer rachel metz takes a closer look.
AT&T and Cisco have worked together to develop a femtocell solution for the home and home office: the AT&T 3G MicroCell. The AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower right in the home. It connects to AT&T’s network using existing broadband Internet service. With AT&T 3G MicroCell, customers receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications.
Uses your own broadband network and creates a mini-cell network with a radius of about 40 feet.
Pi x 40 x 40 = 5026.54 square feet
Cisco 3G MicroCell (femtocell) costs $150.
If you don’t want to use your monthly plan minutes, you have to pay an extra $10 to $20.
Does not switch seamlessly 100% of the time from your home mini-cell network to the AT&T 3G network.
See also …
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/ns341/ns973/att_microcell.html