RedGage

As expected, on Sunday Verizon Wireless rolled out its "Network Extender" femtocell. Also as expected, the price is $249.99, free from monthly fees.

A femtocell is basically a signal booster for cell phones. It works through the user's broadband connection. Of course, in these days when many ISPs seem to be embracing broadband caps, I'd really like to know just how much of my cap is sucked away by these miniature cell phone towers.

All sarcasm aside, it certainly could help those in marginal areas.

Verizon's femtocell does not support EVDO (3G), VCAST or Location Based Services.

Sprint already has their own femtocell under the Airave brand, for $99.99 monthly charges. Sprint's femtocell also does not support EVDO. Unlike Sprint and Verizon, AT&T is testing femtocell service that supports 3G. I'd much rather pay more up front and forego monthly charges (hint, hint, AT&T, for when you finally do join the party and offer your own femtocell).