AT&T is enforcing the Data Cap on in-home femtocells, says Light Reading, although WiFi usage does not count towards a subscriber’s monthly data limit.
AT&T’s in-home Microcell (connected via DSL), connects to your phone via 3G. But it counts towards a user’s monthly data limits, just as making voice calls over the Microcell counts towards a user’s monthly bucket of minutes.
It is possible to get unlimited calling on the Microcell for $19.99 per month, but this is only for voice calls, not data.
Here is AT&T’s position on the Microcell:
“The 3G MicroCell complements Wi-Fi by providing enhanced in-home voice coverage and reliable data when Wi-Fi may not be available — but it is primarily intended for voice calls,” said the AT&T spokeswoman in an email to Light Reading Mobile.For consumers, the femto price model means that they will pay AT&T for the Microcell to get better indoor 3G coverage, pay for the backhaul connection to AT&T’s core network, and pay AT&T to use that indoor 3G base station.
LightReading says Vodafone UK also counts voice and data traffic on its femtocell towards a subscribers’ monthly voice plan and data limit.
