The Cellular magicJack Femtocell

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Gadget Show MagicJack
Licensed photo by AP/Paul Sakuma

While racing around Vegas during CES, I received a few inquiries regarding magicJack’s new cellular femtocell. Unfortunately, I missed them at ShowStoppers and the rep on the convention show floor was uninformed. Fortunately, post-show, I’ve been able to dig up some details (and a photo) via their PR firm. And magicJack’s solution is pretty wild.

Like the existing magicJack VoIP solution, a small USB widget is attached to your computer to route phone calls over the Internet for about $20/year. Unlike the traditional solution, used in conjunction with a POTS-style telephone or PC headset, the magicJack femtocell essentially intercepts registers your cellphone signal — allowing you to bypass your carrier’s network at home, saving minutes and potentially improving “reception” by routing cellphone calls through magicJack’s network.

I’m trying to get additional detail on supported frequencies, as all we know at this point is that the magicJack femtocell will provide at least some GSM coverage (think AT&T and T-Mobile handsets). But I’m also wondering if their solution is voice-only, or does it also handle SMS and data like the carrier’s own femtocell solutions? Lastly, we could use some pricing and timing details. Stay tuned, this one is hot. (And it should also be entertaining – as I doubt the CTIA appreciates these guys encroaching on their licensed turf and may have something to say to the FCC about it.)

17 thoughts on “The Cellular magicJack Femtocell”

  2. I somewhat doubt that SMS is going to work, possibly outbound but even that would require some form of authentication I believe and that probably isn’t going to happen. Basically, you could probably get the same thing with a bluetooth enabled magicjack (and it might be easier to get FCC approval) That is the route that ooma will be going in the not too distant future.

  3. Ooma’s solution is slightly different in that it allows you to answer your cell using a home or Telo phone. Your home phone system essentially becomes a Bluetooth headset, but you’re still on the hook for cell minutes. If I’m understanding it correctly.

    Regarding, SMS – there are many services now that I think spoof your number. So maybe you could send via magicJack (for less?) and get incoming messages via your carrier.

  5. I think the ooma “solution” would just allow a cell to connect via bluetooth to the ooma base, in that case I don’t think it would use the cell connection, the cell phone would essentially be a bluetooth headset connected to the ooma platform. Not sure really, it isn’t out yet and could change between now and whenever.

  9. A few more magicJack femtocell details have come my way… We’re looking at Q2 for timing, and the pricing will be similar to the existing magicJack (which runs $40 for the hardware and first year of service, followed by $20/yr for service). I’ve also confirmed the service will be voice only but I haven’t been able to nail down which GSM frequencies will be supporter.

  13. I don’t know of anyone using Magic Jack who is very happy with it.

    I’m using Ooma personally and very very happy with what I’m getting for my dollars.

    Will be interested to see how this stuff pans out over the next 12 months.

  14. Dave, did you confirm if this has an inbound solution; or outbound only? The carrier femtocell solutions also allow you to register specific handsets that work with these devices.

    I’m not sure there is such an issue here to be honest. It’s not even clear if the carrier femtocell comply with the CTIA/FCC rules on spectrum allocation. And those solutions are clearly in place without causing real network issues so it’s pretty hard to argue.

    My biggest hope is that this puts the pressure on ATT and others to roll out their femtocell solutions on a wider basis as I would probably use the magic jack solution to supplement the horrible service I get in my new house.

  15. For T-mobile customers, in some instances, using their uma solution is easier. As long as you have a phone that supports uma, you can use any WiFi signal (at home or not) to make and receive calls, SMS, MMS, email etc.

    It’s freeif you have the WiFi minutes count against your subscrition, $10/month for unlimited calling etc.

    Bonus:
    I used it on local WiFi connections while visiting family in Europe, allowing me to effectively use my phone as if I were in the US, circumventing expensive roaming and international rates charges.

  16. I get where all of you are coming from, I really do.. but if I can conserve a few minutes here and there, by paying $20/year, isn’t that enough?

    I don’t expect SMS to work.. or anything else data, but if it can save me more than I’m paying, the magic jack will certainly be worth it to me, once they come out with the new version.

  17. Magicjack is only good if you’re calling cell numbers or metro areas. If you need to call rural landlines, you may be S.O.L. There’s some sort of turf war between Magicjack/YMAX (YMAX is the related CLEC which handles the calls) and rural carriers over chargebacks from the locals to MJ/YMAX for call completion.

    Many rural areas are unreachable/fast-busy signal, continuing problem for couple months.

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