Sprint offers femtocells nationwide


Sprint is expanding its femtocell offering nationwide, including cheaper unlimited voice plans. The Airave by Samsung hooks up to your home broadband connection to improve indoor wireless coverage for any Sprint phone (Nextel handsets are not compatible yet). Customers can also opt in for the unlimited in-home calling plan starting at $10 per month. Sprint says the Airave creates a “licensed spectrum CDMA network signal…providing enhanced wireless coverage up to 5,000 square feet.”

Sprint initially launched its ‘mini cell tower’ solution in Denver and Indianapolis in September, the femtocell cost $50 and service was $15 per month for individuals and $30 a month for family plans. Starting August 17, the Airave will be available nationally for $100, with unlimited in-home calling for $10 per month or $20 per month for family plans.

Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product and technology development for Sprint, said: “Customers are using their wireless phones at home more than ever, and with the AIRAVE, Sprint is making it even more convenient for customers to rely on their Sprint phones while in their home or office. For customers who want to reduce their monthly communication expenses by using their wireless phone as their only phone, the AIRAVE offers enhanced coverage that works with all Sprint phones, plus the option of a low cost and worry-free unlimited in-home calling plan.”

Check out the full press release here.