AT&T vs. T-Mobile Hotspot@Home

[Doug CT]

Hi:

I have been with Cingular for two years. I have no service at my house (no other carrier serves this dead zone either).

T-Mobile just introduced "Hotspot@Home" which will allow you to make cellphone calls over the internet, switching the phone from GSM via a WiFi connection. This will effectively change my dead zone to five bars at my house (and any other WiFi location).

Does anyone know if AT&T plans a similar technology soon? I can't find anyone at either Customer Service or an AT&T store that has any idea.

I'd prefer not to change carriers, but I'm ready to switch to T-Mobile to get coverage at home.

Thanks

[TehJoE234797]

Originally Posted by Doug CT

Hi:

I have been with Cingular for two years. I have no service at my house (no other carrier serves this dead zone either).

T-Mobile just introduced "Hotspot@Home" which will allow you to make cellphone calls over the internet, switching the phone from GSM via a WiFi connection. This will effectively change my dead zone to five bars at my house (and any other WiFi location).

Does anyone know if AT&T plans a similar technology soon? I can't find anyone at either Customer Service or an AT&T store that has any idea.

I'd prefer not to change carriers, but I'm ready to switch to T-Mobile to get coverage at home.

Thanks

I'd never heard of anything like that, sound pretty awesome though. Maybe with this acquisition of Dobson you'll get better service pretty soon. Coverage map for Dobson

[Fire14]

I have not heard of AT&T planning on this at this time, I think if a repeater won't help you then this would be your better way to go for service.

Where in CT are you located?

[Doug CT]

I'm in Danbury and there is actually plenty of coverage in the area - if I go down the block I get five bars - but my house is on a hill and the signal isn't reaching me (one to two to zero bars outside - just about every call over two minutes gets dropped). I tried a repeater, but there wasn't enough signal even for that.

So while I've been happy with Cingular/AT&T overall - the ability to place calls from home (unlimited via the WiFi connection) is going to make me switch.

If I knew that AT&T were going to offer a similar system in a couple of months - I'd wait - but that doesn't look likely.

[nKrypteD1]

When the @home service was first announced as something that was being researched (the thread is here just search for it) there was discussion over the fact that AT&T (at that time cingular) was researching it as well. For what it's worth though, if T-Mobile is in your area and you aren't under contract, switch, t-mobile right now still has a lot more "bang for your buck."

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by Doug CT

I'm in Danbury and there is actually plenty of coverage in the area - if I go down the block I get five bars - but my house is on a hill and the signal isn't reaching me (one to two to zero bars outside - just about every call over two minutes gets dropped). I tried a repeater, but there wasn't enough signal even for that.

So while I've been happy with Cingular/AT&T overall - the ability to place calls from home (unlimited via the WiFi connection) is going to make me switch.

If I knew that AT&T were going to offer a similar system in a couple of months - I'd wait - but that doesn't look likely.

Yeah it sounds like you will be better off going to a different carrier then, especially if the repeater didn't work.

When you go for this, let us know how it works out, other then the batteries draining quicker on the phones, I haven't heard how well it works & I believe that is one of the drawbacks that AT&T had on the system.

Maybe if it does well for T-Mobile, they will look into it more, but to me I would rather seem them put more towers up & improve everyones coverage.

[Andy]

Like others suggested, if you are out of contract now or soon, switch to T-Mobile. If AT&T were planning to release this feature anytime soon, there would be rumors on the web about this and people would know. Try to get a one year contract with T-Mobile and, maybe by then, AT&T has something similar or coverage in your area has improved, or you may just be really happy with T-Mobile

[Doug CT]

Thanks for the input everyone. I figured if AT&T was thinking about this, someone on this forum would know.

I think I will go with T-Mobile and will let everyone know how it works after a couple of weeks.

Thanks Again.

[efparri]

Originally Posted by Doug CT

Thanks for the input everyone. I figured if AT&T was thinking about this, someone on this forum would know.

I think I will go with T-Mobile and will let everyone know how it works after a couple of weeks.

Thanks Again.

Be aware that there is a limited number of phones which can switch back and forth between wireless and Wi-Fi during a call. They are the Nokia 6086 and 6136 and the Samsung t409 and t709. Add to this the cost of the wireless router recommended by T-Mobile plus high speed Internet service. If you already have Internet telephone service at home, why not use it?

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by efparri

Be aware that there is a limited number of phones which can switch back and forth between wireless and Wi-Fi during a call. They are the Nokia 6086 and 6136 and the Samsung t409 and t709. Add to this the cost of the wireless router recommended by T-Mobile plus high speed Internet service. If you already have Internet telephone service at home, why not use it?

I did notice when I was in the store that both routers were free, with around a $30-$40.00 mail in rebate but yes the phone selection is actually limited to 2 per their news release.
And having the high speed internet is very important & I forgot to mention that.

[Matt]

Correct - both routers are free after rebate and the only two phones available right now are the Nokia 6086 and Samsung t409

[BillRadio]

Don't look for AT&T, or any of the carriers with a wireline division, to offer a wi-fi replacement for home phone use. They would not kill off what wireline business they have now.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by BillRadio

Don't look for AT&T, or any of the carriers with a wireline division, to offer a wi-fi replacement for home phone use. They would not kill off what wireline business they have now.

The only reason I can see AT&T doing it is to boost their VoIP system, especially in non AT&T landline areas.
And even Verizon with their Fios system and internet calling could do the same thing.
Yes it would do more to damage to their slowly bleeding landline business, but it would be a way to compete in this area.

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

yes......T-Mobile does give you more bang for your buck......now keep in mind that you should have internet that might want to start with at least 1.5Mbps so good DSL or something.........Cable is good too...........a good router.......probably a Linksys cuz they are the best quality.........also keep in mind that you have to have at least a pln of 39.99 or more..........then you will be charged the fee for the @Home service

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by SmArTeStChIlD421

yes......T-Mobile does give you more bang for your buck......now keep in mind that you should have internet that might want to start with at least 1.5Mbps so good DSL or something.........Cable is good too...........a good router.......probably a Linksys cuz they are the best quality.........also keep in mind that you have to have at least a pln of 39.99 or more..........then you will be charged the fee for the @Home service

Now you do realize that you have to buy the router from T-Mobile for this service right? or maybe not since you posted this reply.

I also believe you need highspeed internet service since it won't work with dial up service.

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

oh yeah cuz it is like any VoIP service..........although i thought you might be able to use any router..........does the phone make the connection to the T-Mobile servers or does the router cuz i know Tmo does sell routers but it would be cheaper possibly to get your own from Staples or Office Max or Circuit City or Best Buy or something

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by SmArTeStChIlD421

oh yeah cuz it is like any VoIP service..........although i thought you might be able to use any router..........does the phone make the connection to the T-Mobile servers or does the router cuz i know Tmo does sell routers but it would be cheaper possibly to get your own from Staples or Office Max or Circuit City or Best Buy or something

Have you looked at this plan from the T-Mobile site or store? They have 2 seperate wireless routers designed for this plan you need to buy.

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

yeah........i noticed in the service notification that they sent me..........i signed up to receive an email when the service became available...........but what would they need to have 2 routers available for?

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by SmArTeStChIlD421

yeah........i noticed in the service notification that they sent me..........i signed up to receive an email when the service became available...........but what would they need to have 2 routers available for?

To give people choices, guess some people prefer 1 over another.

[SmArTeStChIlD421]

yeah........i checked it out and it looks like the only difference is brands