Microcell Tower Devices?

[Culverin]

Too bad wind didn't come up with this option.
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

Do you guys know of any other devices around that could let us use our internet bandwidth to make phonecalls?

[bcrdukes]

It's called a FEMTO cell and unfortunately, it has to be supported by your network provider.

[Nismo200SX]

isnt that what fido is using for the $10 unlimited calling when your at home feature?

[Tim Budong]

nope
fido/rogers uses wifi..or its called UMA..its a little bit different
correct me if im wrong

[Graeme S]

Doesn't this thing just give us a more reliable connection if we were in say...a basement? It seems to me it's an AT&T cell tower that goes through your home internet. So if you use your cellphone for data and your internet has a bandwidth cap, you're just using up data at a double rate?


That having been said, I live in a basement and it might be nice to have something like this just to make sure my calls never get dropped. Kind of useless though 'cause you need to be near a window for GPS for initial startup. Lame.
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[bcrdukes]

Originally Posted by darthchilli

nope
fido/rogers uses wifi..or its called UMA..its a little bit different
correct me if im wrong

You're correct. UMA is a little bit different in which it lets you rove in and out of your WiFi hotspot. I believe developments are in place to support 3G UMA whereas only GSM UMA is supported.

Graeme S,

AT&T has deployed FEMTO cells primarily because their coverage sucks (based on my own experience and independant 3rd-party studies.) FEMTO cells, while they do provide a solution to customers who suffer from poor coverage such as yourself, have pros and cons. While the idea of a FEMTO cell may benefit the consumer, in some says, it hurts the provider from a network optimization/marketing standpoint. If and when FEMTO cells are deployed and available in Canada, you should look into it because all you really need is to have the unit deployed in a spot which can at least pickup a GPS signal.

We may have discussed this in the past but perhaps look into getting the SpotWave z1900 as a solution to your problem. At $111 USD, it is a tried, tested and true product. Just make sure your phone supports 1900Mhz GSM/UMTS or CDMA. (Weird fact - SpotWave is a Canadian company but no longer sell the product in Canada. Go figure.)

Edit: PC Mall has 2 left going for $86.99.