AT&T is Offering Extended 3G Coverage with the 3G MicroCell

AT&T is offering the 3G MicroCell to extend its service coverage indoors, especially where access would be limited or unavailable.  This is not yet available nationwide in the US but only in selected markets.  This is similar to the GSM femtocell but the MicroCell fully supports 3G connectivity.  A femtocell is a small cellular base station, designed for home or SOHO (small office/ home office) applications.  It connects to the telco provider’s network via broadband (either DSL or cable) and typically can support up to 4 active mobile phones in a home or SOHO setting.  The femtocell extends the 3G functionalities of the base station to the connected mobile devices.  The telco operator not only benefits from the improved capacity and coverage provided by the MicroCell but also allows them to reduce capital expenditure and operating expense.  But what’s in it for the mobile phone user?  There are arguments from some quarters that the burden of expanding coverage and capacity should be on the operator.  So, they should at least subsidize the cost of the femtocell or MicroCell and also its broadband connection to the provider’s network.