14 DAY TRIAL // Sprint, the third largest North American mobile operator, has just announced the future commercial availability of Samsung Airave - which is not a new handset, although some of you might want a new South Korea-made phone.
Available in few US states since last year, Samsung Airave (or "Sprint's Airave by Samsung", how the carrier calls it), is a mini cell tower (or femtocell) that can significantly boost your wireless coverage on a range of 5,000 square feet around your house or office.
In addition, Sprint's users can also subscribe for the Airave voice plan, which offers them unlimited calls within the range of the Samsung femtocell. The Airave plan costs $10 per month if you use only one phone with it, or $20 for more phones.
Kevin Packingham, senior vice president of product and technology development for Sprint, stated, "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."
Tom Jasny, vice president of wireless systems and broadband for Samsung Mobile, added, "People want ubiquitous cell service on their wireless phones everywhere they go, and that includes their homes and offices. The Airave makes it even easier to get enhanced coverage, no matter where you live or work."
The Airave works with any of Sprint's handsets (except the Nextel ones) and will be on sale all across the US, starting August 17, for the retail price of $99.99. In order to actually use the mini cell tower, consumers also have to subscribe to a monthly $5 Airave enhanced coverage plan.