AT&T has officially announced its plans to roll out their 3G Microcells nationwide in mid April.  While no actual date was announced, they did make mention of price, and if you play your cards right you could score one for $0, yup zero dollars.

So here’s the deal: AT&T is charging a one time fee of $149.99.  But with that said, you’ll have to use your prexisting plan’s minutes even though the call is being rerouted through your home’s broadband connection.  But as a favor – more like extortion – AT&T is offering 3G Microcell customers an individual or family talk plan with unlimited minutes through their Microcell for an extra $19.99 a month without using any of their anytime minutes.  And to be clear, that is only through the Microcell, not any phone call over AT&T’s network.  If you so choose this option you will be eligible for a $100 mail-in-rebate for your Microcell device.  If you want another $50 back, which gets you to the aforementioned $0, you’ll need to also purchase a broadband plan through, none other, than AT&T.  But here is the kicker: YOU ONLY NEED TO BE A CUSTOMER FOR 30 DAYS TO RECEIVER THESE REBATES!

And there you have it.

Full press release after the ‘leap’

AT&T* today announced that AT&T 3G MicroCell plans to begin its national roll out beginning in mid April, with new markets activating in cities across the continental U.S. for the next several months.  AT&T 3G MicroCell is an innovative solution that allows residential customers to route wireless phone calls and data connections (or sessions) across a home broadband connection. This solution is designed to benefit customers who live in homes that have coverage impediments that consistently interrupt wireless spectrum, such as dense wall and roof construction or unfavorable terrain.

AT&T 3G MicroCell is the only femtocell to support both 3G data and voice services.  Developed in conjunction with Cisco and in a public trial in select markets since September, AT&T 3G MicroCell is available for a one-time cost of $149.99.

Consumers with AT&T 3G MicroCell will be able to easily activate the device the same day it is purchased, thanks to easy, self-install instructions. Technical support is available for customers who need it.

Consumers manage AT&T 3G MicroCell though their online MyWireless account at www.att.com/mywireless. Through this online management, only those phones chosen by the customer may use the MicroCell. Customers may define up to 10 lines to have access and up to four may operate on it simultaneously. Minutes used through the MicroCell affect only the account of the phone making the call – there is no requirement to purchase separate service for the 3G MicroCell.

In addition, AT&T 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.

Consumers who select 3G MicroCell calling plans at purchase are also eligible to receive a $100 mail-in-rebate toward the purchase of AT&T 3G MicroCell – effectively making the device about $50. Customers who also purchase a new line of broadband service with AT&T (DSL or U-verse 1.5MB or higher) are also eligible for $50 via mail-in-rebate– effectively making the device about $100.  If a customer is eligible for both rebate options, the customer will be able to get the device for $0, after mail-in rebate.

For more information on AT&T 3G MicroCell, visit www.att.com/3gmicrocell. For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

*AT&T imposes: a Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge of up to $1.25 to help defray costs incurred in complying with obligations and charges imposed by State and Federal telecom regulations; State and Federal Universal Service charges; and surcharges for government assessments on AT&T. These fees are not taxes or government-required charges.

1 Promotional Card from AT&T: Price of 3G Microcell is $149.99.  Receive $100 mail-in rebate via AT&T Promotional Card with enrollment in AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling, and $50 mail-in rebate via AT&T Promotional Card with new AT&T DSL 1.5 Mbps or greater subscription or U-Verse High Speed Internet Access subscription.  Allow 60 days for fulfillment. Card may be used only in the U.S. and is valid for 120 days wherever major credit cards are accepted. May be used to pay wireless bill. Not redeemable for cash and cannot be used at ATMs or gas pumps. Some restrictions and other charges apply. See terms at store or at att.com/wirelessrebate. Card request must be postmarked within 45 days of activation and you must be a customer for 30 consecutive days to receive card.  Cannot be combined with promotions or discounts other than those described here.  Offer available while supplies last.

2 Limited-time offer. Other conditions & restrictions apply. See contract & rate plan brochure for details. Subscriber must live & have a mailing addr. within AT&T’s owned wireless network coverage area.  Equipment price & avail may vary by mrk & may not be available from independent retailers.

3 Sales tax calculated based on price of unactivated equipment.

4 Standard usage rates apply to text messaging and Internet browsing, depending on your plan.

5 High Speed Internet service and AT&T post-paid wireless plan of $39.99 or higher required. Unlimited talk option available for additional monthly charge. Device must be operated in a location where AT&T is authorized to provide wireless service. It is not compatible with other wireless systems. The maximum coverage of the AT&T 3G Micro Cell™ is approximately 5000 square feet. Actual coverage will be limited by the density of obstructions.  Device may not support all location based wireless services or video share services.  In the event of a service disruption, you will not be able to access E911 service using the Microcell. Internet access serviceand usage generated by 3G MicroCell are subject to applicable charges from your ISP. Normal charges apply for mobility data plans and features when using the AT&T 3G MicroCell™.  AT&T Unlimited MicroCell Calling talk feature includes inbound anytime minutes and outbound anytime minute domestic calls made to the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands.

6 Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

The price structure has been announced for the AT&T 3G MicroCell, a line of femtocells, devices designed to help AT&T customers get better reception inside buildings, as well as faster overall speeds.  Described as being “like having a cell phone tower in your home”, the 3G MicroCell is the first such publicly-tested device of its kind.

But the web community’s getting pretty torqued about the fact that you have to shell out monthly cash for this little beauty–about twenty bucks a month for unlimited use and ten if you subscribe to AT&T wireless and home phone.  Include the internet service in that last and you get the MicroCell free of charge.

It’s sort of a low blow, offering a device that’ll let you use the device you pay to use in all situations but then requiring people to pay for it.  For crying out loud, they’re already subscribers–why not just send everyone a free one to keep your base interested?

Read

AT&T is set to rollout their femtocell technology by the end of this year. They will be expanding the current trial into a marketing trial to a handful of cities in the coming weeks. A full national launch should be in place by the end of 2009.

So what is this femtocell technology? Basically, you plug in a AT&T-branded 3G…

You can read the rest of this post at PhoneDig

Generally speaking I turn a blind eye to late night infomercials and products that make guarantees that are just too good to be true.  Magic Jack appeared to be one of those products, but apparently the company has turned itself around since launch and sold over 3 million devices.

If you’re not familiar with Magicjack it’s a small device that lets you place VoIP (like Skype) calls from a regular landline phone through your computer’s broadband connection. It plugs into your computer’s USB port and for $40 includes unlimited calls to the US and CA with no monthly charges or minutes for up to 1 year.   After that it’s just $20 a year.

Now the company has plans to expand and perhaps even take on the big guys, such as AT&T.  Arriving sometime between Q3 of 2009 and Q1 of 2010 the company will introduce a femtocell product that lets you wirelessly reroute your cell phone calls through the MagicJack.  Apparently, the Femtocell MagicJack will be slightly larger than the current device and cost only a few dollars more.  AT&T and others carrier have plans to roll out a femtocell device sometime later this year (Verizon already released theirs), but their devices are said to be retardedly expensive but lack a monthly fee.

You can also expect the company to roll out number porting in the next 60 days, which will enable consumers to port preexisting numbers over to the MagicJack.  They’ve also got plans make the MagicJack Linux compatible by Q3 of this year and possibly roll out a mobile phone application similar to Skype that appeared on the iPhone recently.

Read

So AT&T has yet to officially take the wraps off their 3G Microcell (aka Femtocell).  As we originally reported, the device will utilize the homes (or office’s) broadband connection to assist 3G devices in making calls or sucking down data.  In the event that the user is amid a call and leaves the designated 5000 foot radius, the AT&T service will seamlessly hand the call over to the network.  Although AT&T’s 3G Microcell is designed to support up to 10 devices, only 4 users can simultaneously utilize the device.  Additionally, the Microcell uses GPS for initial setup.

Sorry, but there is still no word on price, release date or official specs.  If you’re one of the lucky customers who is testing the device please drop a comment or email us some pics.

[AT&T]

According to reports, AT&T is asking some of their customers to test out a home cell base station a.k.a femtocell. This device uses a broadband connection to extend and enhance a cell phone signal. So if you’re the type that lives in the deep, dark depths of a secluded underground bunker where no cell phone signal can possibly reach, this is for you.

At this point, they’re only testing so who knows when or if it’ll be available.

[Arstechnica]