T-Mobile releases Personal CellSpot to erase dead spots
The carrier launches a new tool aimed at enabling Wi-Fi calling in places where network coverage is spotty.
T-Mobile released on Wednesday the Personal CellSpot , a router that enables customers to make calls outside the reach of the company's network by tapping into Wi-Fi.
The Wi-Fi router, which is available for free to the company's Simple Choice customers, requires that people have a high-speed broadband connection available. Customers will be required to provide a $25 refundable deposit on the router, which they get back if and when they return the router.
Upon connecting to router, users can place HD calls over Wi-Fi as long as their phone has the ability to make Wi-Fi calls.
T-Mobile has been making a significant push on Wi-Fi calling. The "Uncarrier," as it has called itself, ""="" shortcode="link" asset-type="article" uuid="5750342e-7078-40c1-abb6-3e319b7d622a" slug="t-mobile-makes-big-wi-fi-push-on-heels-of-iphone-6s-wi-fi-calling" link-text="launched a program last week called " section="news" title="T-Mobile makes big Wi-Fi push on heels of iPhone 6's Wi-Fi calling" edition="us" data-key="link_bulk_key" api="{"id":"5750342e-7078-40c1-abb6-3e319b7d622a","slug":"t-mobile-makes-big-wi-fi-push-on-heels-of-iphone-6s-wi-fi-calling","contentType":null,"edition":"us","topic":{"slug":"mobile"},"metaData":{"typeTitle":null,"hubTopicPathString":"Tech^Mobile","reviewType":null},"section":"news"}"> to get more of its customers onto smartphones that are able to make calls and exchange text messages over a Wi-Fi network.
"Wi-Fi Un-leashed is a game changer," T-Mobile CEO John Legere said in a statement last week. "This is like adding millions of towers to our network in a single day."
CNET Review: T-Mobile Personal Cellspot -- a top performer, for free
At the iPhone 6 unveiling last week, Apple announced that its upcoming smartphone supports Wi-Fi calls, prompting T-Mobile to highlight its own support for the feature. However, the feature is also designed to shore up lingering concerns from consumers about the quality of T-Mobile's network. The company has been investing heavily in strengthening its network over the last two years, but there are still coverage gaps in rural areas and deadspots in homes -- a problem not exclusive to T-Mobile.
T-Mobile made the argument on Wednesday that the launch of its Personal CellSpot mitigates the impact of dead spots.
In addition to its Personal CellSpot, T-Mobile also launched on Wednesday free in-flight texting, picture messaging, and visual voicemail through GoGo in-flight Wi-Fi. Over 2,000 commercial aircraft in the US support the technology.
CNET has contacted T-Mobile for additional comment on the Personal CellSpot launch. We will update this story when we have more information.