[Kyle Matthews]

An iPhone Carrier Settings Update was pushed out by iTunes recently. What's in it? Among carrier images for some new carriers like the UAE's Emirates (iPhone should be coming to them in a week or so), carrier images for AT&T's MicroCell (site under maintenance at time of story writing) service are now included. MicroCell is essentially a tiny cell tower which gets 3G signal from broadband internet.


(image from MobileCrunch)

Here's AT&T's description of MicroCell:

AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business environment. It connects to AT&T's network via your existing broadband internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to 10 3G capable wireless phones in a home or small business setting. With AT&T 3G MicroCell, you receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications, like picture messaging and surfing the web for up to 4 simultaneous users.

Pricing and release date have not been released for the MicroCell. An AT&T spokesperson told ModMyi only that "we have not yet announced this product." Sprint and Verizon (both CDMA providers, not GSM like AT&T) have similar devices - the AIRAVE by Sprint and Verizon's Network Extender. Sprint charges only $99 for the box, but adds a $4.99 monthly fee. Verizon charges a one-time $249 fee for the box. The MicroCell will allow for full 3G UMTS voice AND data.

Commercial devices for extending your cell reception can often run $300-600, so neither of these prices are too bad. We'll see how AT&T competes.

tuaw

[gameviper]

idk man... thats a good bit of money to just get better signal, arent we giving att enough?

[him121213]

Does this update effect any of our software for changing carrier strings like mim or is it just adding new carriers to apples list

[gameviper]

Originally Posted by him121213

Does this update effect any of our software for changing carrier strings like mim or is it just adding new carriers to apples list

no. mim still works

[btung]

hmmm. so we shell out more money towards an iPhone that already has a hundred dollar plan just o get coverage in an area where there is supposed to be coverage in the first place? AT-T phail.

[Kyle Matthews]

Or... no network is perfect, and instead of saying "too bad fools, move out of the boonies or get thinner walls," carriers offer an alternative as well.

[itsjustlenny]

im not sure i understand. so you pay more money to use your dsl line as a 3g?? eff that. if im at home i'll stick to my wifi. wtf is the point of this?

[Kyle Matthews]

Think of it this way - you have an office in a building. You have 10 employees. You need your phones, but you're deep in some concrete building, and AT&T hasn't actually BUILT A TOWER inside your building (how rude of them). Reception is spotty at best. You buy one of these for $100 or 250 or 300 or wtvr it costs, and hook it up to your router. Suddenly, all your employees have full bars.

[ghandioncesaid]

Why is it that everyone here is always pissed off? AT&T is offering an optional solution and suddenly it becomes a shooting range. If you all feel so raped by your carrier, switch.

[MikePA]

Originally Posted by ghandioncesaid

Why is it that everyone here is always pissed off?

Because they are losers.

[imilad]

Does this affect people who are on T-Mobile... Can I do this update without loosing my yellowsn0w

[gameviper]

Originally Posted by imilad

Does this affect people who are on T-Mobile... Can I do this update without loosing my yellowsn0w

yes

[shaharyar]

What if you take one of these "mini towers" to another country....
it does work off of wi-fi... so .... oversees att coverage? haha

[dallasnights]

might be wrong forum to post this sorry, but I did the update for Carrier APN via Itunes, well now I cant change my carrier logo anymore, I have the new ATT logo from Boss but now its gone, anyone have any idea how to fix, sorry again if this is in the wrong forum

[Rescuer]

I have actually been waiting for this.

the cell coverage inside my home sucks and it's not good enough to talk on.

I have a normal AT&T landline that I pay $40~ a month for, and the only time I use it is when somebody calls my cell phone, I answer it and tell them that I'll call on my landline. Or sometimes I forward my calls to the landline.

but if I had perfect cell coverage, I would be able to cancel my landline and save that $40 a month.

Originally Posted by itsjustlenny

im not sure i understand. so you pay more money to use your dsl line as a 3g?? eff that. if im at home i'll stick to my wifi. wtf is the point of this?

Details on AT&T's 3G MicroCell: everything but the date and price - Engadget

What is an AT&T 3G MicroCell™?

AT&T 3G MicroCell acts like a mini cellular tower in your home or small business environment. It connects to AT&T's network via your existing broadband internet service (such as DSL or cable) and is designed to support up to 10 3G capable wireless phones in a home or small business setting. With AT&T 3G MicroCell, you receive improved cellular signal performance for both voice calls and cellular data applications, like picture messaging and surfing the web for up to 4 simultaneous users.

Device Features:

* Enhanced coverage indoors - supports both voice and data up to 5000 square feet.
* Available unlimited minute plans - Individual or Family Plan.
* 3G handset compatible - works with any AT&T 3G Phone.
* Up to 4 simultaneous voice or data users supported.
* Device is secure - cannot be accessed by unauthorized users, easy and secure online management of device settings
* Seamless call hand-over - start calls on your 3G MicroCell and continue uninterrupted even if you leave the building.

Originally Posted by shaharyar

What if you take one of these "mini towers" to another country....
it does work off of wi-fi... so .... oversees att coverage? haha

AppleInsider | AT&T's 3G MicroCell to patch iPhone dead zones
"The device's location must be registered with AT&T to verify that it lies within the company's authorized service area, so it won't work overseas or in states where AT&T isn't licensed to supply mobile phone service."