Web screen segment courtesy of AT&T

So, let's say you have an extremely weak AT&T wireless cell phone signal somewhere important (like your home or office) and would like to actually make a phone call with your AT&T phone (what a concept!). What do you think AT&T solution for you might be? How about paying more for a service (making cell phone calls) that you already pay for? Yep, that's the ticket according Mashable and Engadget...

AT&T Offers $150 Adapter to Improve Service Quality

AT&T's 3G MicroCell does unlimited calling, but it ain't cheap

The MicroCell hardware will set you back $150. And, depending on your wired broadband situation, you can pay nothing (if you subscribe to both AT&T's landline phone and Internet services) to $20 per month ($240 per year in addition to your existing cell phone fees).

So, let's say I was willing to pay for the AT&T MicroCell. What would be next? Well, as you can see from the message above, it is not available yet in my area.

Here's a much cheaper solution to a weak AT&T wireless signal.

- First, stop giving out your AT&T cell phone number
- Second, get a Google Voice account (free)
- Route calls from Google Voice to both your cell phone and your landline home phone (assuming you have one).

That's it! You're done. Now calls to your Google Voice number will reach you on your cell phone when you have a signal. And, since it rings your home phone too, you can answer your calls on that phone when you are home. You can use Google Voice's custom schedule to manage which phone your calls get routed to for specific days and times during the day. Nice!

AT&T 3G MicroCell (product page)