AT&T's 3G Microcell, along with other such devices for other carriers, is used to improve signal quality in areas with poor reception. Many believe that's the entire nation, but the company itself has been test marketing free Microcells in really bad areas, and its about to expand that program nationally.Beginning on January 23, AT&T will be sending out mailers inviting customers determined to be qualified for the program to sign up for a free Microcell. AT&T has selected the "top 7.5 percent of 3G wireless customers identified as likely to experience poor in-building coverage at home or in small offices."
The catch is that you are committed to AT&T service for a year. If you exit before then you have to either return the MicroCell or pay the Microcell's upcoming new (and raised) price of $199.99 minus $16.67 for every month that you've had it.
This verbal agreement to keep the Microcell a year has no effect on your current service plans or your eligibility for an equipment upgrade.
A femtocell like AT&T's Microcell uses your home of office's broadband to give you a better signal. To the device, it's as though it's attached to a tower, but it's attached to the femtocell instead. For places with marginal coverage, it can be the only way to get a good signal.
In a way, this is a great deal for those who get it. In another way, it's not, as it tells you AT&T considers you in their worst 7.5 percent in terms of coverage.
