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Starting today in Charlotte, North Carolina, AT&T Wireless customers will be offered the chance to get a femtocell to boost indoor coverage.  The device, which AT&T is calling MicroCell, is their version of Sprint’s Airave.  Both devices connect to the user’s high speed Internet connection (DSL or Broadband) to improve in building coverage.  They use VoIP technology to handle calls rather than local cell towers and cover a range of up to 5,000 square feet.  Charlotte will serve as a test market for the device, which may eventually be offered to all their customers if response is good.  The company is considering two pricing plans.  Plan one would offer the MicroCell for $150 with no further fees while the other would offer it with a $100 rebate but a $20 monthly charge.

Up to 4 devices can use the MicroCell at once.  AT&T recommends a data connection of at least 1.5Mb per second upstream and 256Kbps downstream and says satellite broadband is not recommended for use with the MicroCell.

I have an Airave, which works just like the MicroCell, and I’m very happy with it.  Where once we used to get poor signal, dropped calls and lots of roaming we get 5 bars of solid coverage now.  Our EVDO data is solid now as well.  AT&T customers, especially those with iPhones, have been complaining loudly about the poor network for awhile now and the MicroCell just may be the answer!

Read [PCWorld]