Comments on: Wireless Subsidies Reversed: Verizon’s $249 Femtocell Arrives http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/ Using mobile devices since they weighed 30 lbs. Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:32:39 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Ivan Y http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46809 Ivan Y Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:58:13 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46809 It looks like the femtocell is the same Samsung model (except shell is a different color). Just to recap the differences between Verizon & Sprint: SPRINT: $99 for the unit, $5/mo for service; if you want unlimited minutes - $10/mo for 1 line and $20/mo for family (not sure about the last fact) VERIZON: $250 for the unit, no monthly fee, no ability to add unlimited units. Anyway, as a Sprint AIRAVE owner, here's my story: I have excellent reception outside, but it's terrible inside my apartment (even next to a window). As any Sprint customer probably knows by now, the good thing about Sprint is that you can usually talk them into giving you discounts or better deals. I was able to get FREE unit and FREE service (offsetting credit to be exact) with no problems. With regards to performance, it's been pretty good. The coverage range is awesome, it works through multiple brick walls even outside. I think, there are may be issues with handover from AIRAVE to tower while talking, but SprintUsers is probably the best place to check up on that. I also missed some incoming calls a few times in the beginning but it seems to be stable now. The only other issue was Tivo's support line not understanding my [touch tone] input, but that's very unique as it worked with all other companies. Bottom line -- if your reception sucks, this is a no-brainer! Well, at least on Sprint's end. P.S. When AIRAVE was first released, I think the word around SprintUsers was that a 3G version was going to come down the pipe. I'd bet Sprint releases it first as it took Verizon half a year to get 2G version. It looks like the femtocell is the same Samsung model (except shell is a different color). Just to recap the differences between Verizon & Sprint:

SPRINT: $99 for the unit, $5/mo for service; if you want unlimited minutes – $10/mo for 1 line and $20/mo for family (not sure about the last fact)

VERIZON: $250 for the unit, no monthly fee, no ability to add unlimited units.

Anyway, as a Sprint AIRAVE owner, here’s my story:
I have excellent reception outside, but it’s terrible inside my apartment (even next to a window). As any Sprint customer probably knows by now, the good thing about Sprint is that you can usually talk them into giving you discounts or better deals. I was able to get FREE unit and FREE service (offsetting credit to be exact) with no problems.

With regards to performance, it’s been pretty good. The coverage range is awesome, it works through multiple brick walls even outside. I think, there are may be issues with handover from AIRAVE to tower while talking, but SprintUsers is probably the best place to check up on that.

I also missed some incoming calls a few times in the beginning but it seems to be stable now. The only other issue was Tivo’s support line not understanding my [touch tone] input, but that’s very unique as it worked with all other companies.

Bottom line — if your reception sucks, this is a no-brainer! Well, at least on Sprint’s end.

P.S. When AIRAVE was first released, I think the word around SprintUsers was that a 3G version was going to come down the pipe. I’d bet Sprint releases it first as it took Verizon half a year to get 2G version.

]]> By: John M http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46738 John M Tue, 27 Jan 2009 13:12:04 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46738 @Oliver - I did complain to the manager of an AT&T store and got an interesting response: you are in a dead zone between towers which is the same problem my parents have. When asked when it was going to be fixed she said that there were no plans for a new tower. These companies are oligopolies who do not respond to customers. Sure I could cancel both accounts (after paying big fees) and give up cell service (there is not a viable alternative in my area). Or I could buy one of these boxes and solve my problem. You can say it is their problem but i am the one without cell service. I bought a Macbook and bought Applecare for almost the same amount as this product costs. But I could have said that I am not going to buy a Macbook until Apple makes one that will last for three years. @Oliver – I did complain to the manager of an AT&T store and got an interesting response: you are in a dead zone between towers which is the same problem my parents have. When asked when it was going to be fixed she said that there were no plans for a new tower. These companies are oligopolies who do not respond to customers. Sure I could cancel both accounts (after paying big fees) and give up cell service (there is not a viable alternative in my area). Or I could buy one of these boxes and solve my problem. You can say it is their problem but i am the one without cell service. I bought a Macbook and bought Applecare for almost the same amount as this product costs. But I could have said that I am not going to buy a Macbook until Apple makes one that will last for three years.

]]> By: Oliver http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46711 Oliver Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:25:19 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46711 @John M -- so that's brilliant for your neighbors: instead of complaining to their carriers and/or canceling their accounts, thus putting pressure on them to actually provide the service they are already being paid for, you're advocating paying them more money? @John M — so that’s brilliant for your neighbors: instead of complaining to their carriers and/or canceling their accounts, thus putting pressure on them to actually provide the service they are already being paid for, you’re advocating paying them more money?

]]> By: DaveTN http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46710 DaveTN Tue, 27 Jan 2009 01:24:44 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46710 John, My problem was quite interesting and may be similar to what your neighbors are experiencing. The foamboard insiulation underneath my siding is foil backed and attenuates wireless signals quite effieciently. I have 100% wifi coverage throughout my house but almost zero outside...even a few feet. If I stand in front of a window, I get good cell reception and good wifi - from the outside, but move a couple feet away and zero. Same holds true for my airave with a few exceptions. I can get good reception outside the rear of my house because I have large windows and sliding glass doors. In front of the house in the yard, my airave drops off quickly but I have decent tower reception anyway. In spite of it all, I have good airave coverage inside where I need it and good cell coverage outside. I use a wifi repeater for wifi outside when I need it during the warmer months. David John, My problem was quite interesting and may be similar to what your neighbors are experiencing. The foamboard insiulation underneath my siding is foil backed and attenuates wireless signals quite effieciently. I have 100% wifi coverage throughout my house but almost zero outside…even a few feet. If I stand in front of a window, I get good cell reception and good wifi – from the outside, but move a couple feet away and zero.
Same holds true for my airave with a few exceptions. I can get good reception outside the rear of my house because I have large windows and sliding glass doors. In front of the house in the yard, my airave drops off quickly but I have decent tower reception anyway.
In spite of it all, I have good airave coverage inside where I need it and good cell coverage outside. I use a wifi repeater for wifi outside when I need it during the warmer months.
David

]]> By: John M http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46695 John M Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:18:10 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46695 I have read several posts by the tech community panning this device because it does not this or that. I wish they could visit my neighborhood and see my neighbors outside talking into their cell phones because they cannot get a signal inside the house from either Verizon or AT&T. I know because I have accounts with both. For people like us, it will be a good device, and perhaps even a great one for the folks who finally cancel their land-line and use their cell service for voice communication. I love 3G on my iPhone but I do not need it inside my house. Devices such as this one need to be evaluated by what they do, not what they do not do. I have read several posts by the tech community panning this device because it does not this or that. I wish they could visit my neighborhood and see my neighbors outside talking into their cell phones because they cannot get a signal inside the house from either Verizon or AT&T. I know because I have accounts with both. For people like us, it will be a good device, and perhaps even a great one for the folks who finally cancel their land-line and use their cell service for voice communication. I love 3G on my iPhone but I do not need it inside my house. Devices such as this one need to be evaluated by what they do, not what they do not do.

]]> By: Sumocat http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46689 Sumocat Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:18:33 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46689 I like how they advertise a range of up to 5,000 square feet, because we measure transmission range in square units of area. BTW, that's 40 feet from the unit for you non-nerds out there (assuming there is one somewhere). I like how they advertise a range of up to 5,000 square feet, because we measure transmission range in square units of area. BTW, that’s 40 feet from the unit for you non-nerds out there (assuming there is one somewhere).

]]> By: Dave Zatz http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46684 Dave Zatz Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:53:44 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46684 I'd rather just pay $200 to switch carriers to one that provides decent coverage through-out the house. A new gig I'm contemplating has poor AT&T coverage, which may line up nicely with moving to a Palm Pre. ;) I’d rather just pay $200 to switch carriers to one that provides decent coverage through-out the house. A new gig I’m contemplating has poor AT&T coverage, which may line up nicely with moving to a Palm Pre. ;)

]]> By: TateJ http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46682 TateJ Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:41:31 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46682 The idea of paying for this device does not bother me to much. To me its a really useful phone accessory. I do think the $249 is to expensive for me. Also, access to the device had better be for me and mine only!! The idea of a monthly service is very much a deal breaker for me. This as a $50 to 100.00 device for me. The idea of paying for this device does not bother me to much. To me its a really useful phone accessory. I do think the $249 is to expensive for me. Also, access to the device had better be for me and mine only!!

The idea of a monthly service is very much a deal breaker for me.

This as a $50 to 100.00 device for me.

]]> By: gmazin http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46677 gmazin Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:12:17 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46677 Was Verizon ever fair? :) I have unlimited data(for normal phones) yet I can't even tether without paying an additional 30$ monthly and 40$ for USB cable (since bluetooth on my phone has no DUN... and it was marketed as a business phone (vx8700)). srsly. Was Verizon ever fair? :)

I have unlimited data(for normal phones) yet I can’t even tether without paying an additional 30$ monthly and 40$ for USB cable (since bluetooth on my phone has no DUN… and it was marketed as a business phone (vx8700)).

srsly.

]]> By: DaveTN http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46676 DaveTN Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:11:59 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46676 I had been battling poor coverage inside my house vs decent coverage outside with Sprint for a long time. I finally called sprint service to cancel my account and go with "more bars" when I was transferred to "Retentions" who offered me an Airave. I asked them "why should I pay more for something you are already selling me (service)?" After a few minutes of discussion between me and the CSR, I was told that I "qualify" for a free Airave and no monthly service fee. The Airave arrived about 5 days after the phone call and after setting it up I am quite pleased. Coverage throughout my home is excellent even in my basement and in a known deadzone in my back yard. I haven't noticed any degradation of my broadband speeds either when calls are in progress. All-in-all, I'm quite happy with it. It was a win win situation for both me and Sprint. David I had been battling poor coverage inside my house vs decent coverage outside with Sprint for a long time. I finally called sprint service to cancel my account and go with “more bars” when I was transferred to “Retentions” who offered me an Airave. I asked them “why should I pay more for something you are already selling me (service)?” After a few minutes of discussion between me and the CSR, I was told that I “qualify” for a free Airave and no monthly service fee.
The Airave arrived about 5 days after the phone call and after setting it up I am quite pleased. Coverage throughout my home is excellent even in my basement and in a known deadzone in my back yard. I haven’t noticed any degradation of my broadband speeds either when calls are in progress.
All-in-all, I’m quite happy with it. It was a win win situation for both me and Sprint.
David

]]> By: Oliver http://jkontherun.com/2009/01/26/wireless-subsidies-reversed-verizons-249-femtocell-arrives/#comment-46673 Oliver Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:32:04 +0000 http://jkontherun.com/?p=28352#comment-46673 I'd rather change my carrier than pay for this. I’d rather change my carrier than pay for this.

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