There have been complaints of the iPhone 4 experiencing audio problems when connected to AT&T’s 3G microcell. Specifically, the incoming sound will skip, making it nearly impossible to understand the person you’re talking to. There does not appear to be a relation to signal strength and the skipping does not affect outgoing audio. It also only seems to only be a problem with the iPhone 4.

I have owned a microcell for a few weeks now and have experienced this issue on multiple occasions. It has only occurred in one spot of my house – at my desk. Once I move, the call clears up and I can hear everything fine. Not once has this skipping resulted in a dropped call.

What about you? Have you noticed skipping audio when using an iPhone 4 on your AT&T microcell? What about another device?

Video demonstrating the problem after the break!

[AT&T forums - thanks Allen for the tip!]

Our good friend George Ponder has just posted a full AT&T 3G Microcell review over at sibling site WMExperts.

Sure, George is still rocking the Mic(rocell, sorry!) with a Windows device, but our iOS fare — iPhone and iPad alike — won’t care as long as they get more bars in more places (and the actual network backhaul behind them).

The AT&T Microcell isn’t for everyone. If you’re satisfied with (or can live with) your current signal reception, then you shouldn’t bother with the Microcell. However, if your home or office location sucks wind with regards to signal reception, the Microcell is a good way to go about improving things.

There’s a lot more to it than just that, obviously, so check out the complete setup, initialization, performance, and impressions over at WME and then come back here and tell us what you think about the Microcell.

Business Insider claims that AT&T is going to count Micro Cell usage against your data limits. Go ahead, curse like you’re in a Tarantino pic, we’ll wait…

Here’s the nut: AT&T will sell you an iPhone (or any phone) and sign you up to an expensive, tiered, capped, service contract even if they have lousy reception in your home or office. Then, if you want better reception, they’ll sell you a $150 Micro Cell dongle that attaches to your broadband cable or DSL modem (which you pay for) and route your calls over your ISP instead. Then, if the reports are correct, they’ll deduct the data you use over your wired network from your wireless plan. Use 1GB over Micro Cell, you only have 1GB left on your 2GB plan.

AT&T explains the practice by saying there is a cost to handle the data transmission once it hits AT&T’s network, after it goes through your broadband pipe. (Likewise, it charges you for the voice minutes that you use over the Micro-Cell. But that’s a different service.)

Perhaps this is true, that a cost exists, but there’s NO WAY that transmitting data over AT&T’s massive fiber network is nearly as expensive or laborious as transmitting data over its wireless network, which was the whole point for the wireless data caps and overage fees.

[Business Insider, thanks to everyone that sent this in!]

Hopefully this is an “error” and AT&T will “correct” it asap.

AT&T has announced that their femtocell-based Microcell service, previously in limited testing, will roll out nation-wide this April:

AT&T 3G MicroCell is available for a one-time cost of $149.99.

[...] In addition, AT&T will offer a companion rate plan option for MicroCell customers – especially customers on Family Talk plans — who want to supplement their existing voice plans. For $19.99 a month, individual or Family Talk customers can make unlimited calls through a 3G MicroCell, without using minutes in their monthly wireless voice plan.

Consumers who select 3G MicroCell calling plans at purchase are also eligible to receive a $100 mail-in-rebate toward the purchase of AT&T 3G MicroCell – effectively making the device about $50. Customers who also purchase a new line of broadband service with AT&T (DSL or U-verse 1.5MB or higher) are also eligible for $50 via mail-in-rebate– effectively making the device about $100. If a customer is eligible for both rebate options, the customer will be able to get the device for $0, after mail-in rebate.

So any iPhone owners with zero bars at home or at work contemplating a shiny new Microcell next month?

George Ponder over at sibling site WMExperts brings word that AT&T’s Microcell — the device you plug into your home cable/DSL connection to boost your phone reception — is being rolled out to Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, San Diego, and Las Vegas.

If you are lucky enough to live in these areas, all you need to do is visit AT&T’s 3G Microcell website and enter your specific zip code to see if the Microcell is available. If you are in one of these trial areas, you will be provided with a list of retail locations where you can purchase the Microcell. There was no mention on the pricing for the Microcell itself but it appears, in reading the fine print, the service will run $19.99 per month. There are still rumors that bundled discounts will be available to lower the monthly cost.

UPDATE: Per wxbrad in the comments, here’s what those discounts looks like:

You buy the Micro-cell for $150 if you buy a calling plan you get a $100 rebate. The plan allows you and up to 10 3g devices to make unlimited calls off your Micro-cell. IF you have other AT&T services this plan rate drops to 9.99 a month.

While many might gaff at the idea of paying AT&T for the privilege of using their home internet connection to fix AT&T’s coverage, for others — especially in business who just. need. a. signal — this rollout likely can’t come fast enough.

If you’re in one of those markets and take the Microcell for a whirl, let us know how it works for you. If you’re not, how eager are you for it to get to your market?

We all new AT&T’s MicroCell was coming, and we all knew the pricing was likely to be (what’s a more insane word for insane than insane?). Now Sascha Segan from Gearlog has word on the Charlotte, North Carolina launch, and just what those insanely insane prices are:

According to an AT&T rep in Charlotte, the MicroCell costs $150 and service is free (heck, you’re saving AT&T money by using it) unless you sign up for AT&T’s “unlimited talk” option, which gives you unlimited minutes of calling over your microcell. That costs an extortionate $20/month, though it also gets you a rebate on your device.

It uses GPS to verify your location during setup, so don’t try to use it out of AT&T coverage zones or internationally (you know, where the pricing may actually be worth it).

Is it just us or is this like going to MacDonald’s, not getting fries in your combo meal, and then being told if you really want them, bring your own potatoes and for a couple bucks extra they’ll let you cut and fry them up yourself?

Update: Engadget Mobile just got word from AT&T that the MicroCell and it’s pricing structure are only in “public trial” at the moment in Charlotte, North Carolina. So sit tight folks as AT&T has “no other announcements to make at this time”.

So you say you have horrible AT&T coverage in your home and you are about to leave your beloved carrier? Hold that thought for just one moment as AT&T’s 3G MicroCell website just went live with a launch right around the corner. We all knew this was coming when Apple released the carrier file that added MicroCell support for our iPhones. Unfortunately, unless you have AT&T internet or landline service you must pay more, rumored to be $19.99 a month for unlimited use, to have the service you should already expect to have.

This is a great option for those of you stuck with a garbage signal in your home or office but without a doubt this should be a free solution as you already pay good money for the AT&T service. Even Sprint has been known to give their MicroCell away for free to customers who have no other choice but to ditch the carrier for another because of subpar service. Is it possible for AT&T to be just as forgiving?

If you decide to give this a try please let us know how it goes!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]