The Sprint AIRAVE

UPDATE: I’ve changed my tune on the AIRAVE… read more here.

Image: www.krunker.com

I recently stopped by my neighborhood Sprint Store to check out a phone I was interested in and decided to mention the abysmal signal quality I get at my house. I live less than 5 blocks away from this Sprint Store and signal strength there is through the roof. In fact, walk just 2 blocks north of my house, signal strength increases rapidly. Which is funny because if you look at Sprint’s coverage map, I should have Grade A signal quality.

So, being the good salesman that he is, this Sprint employee tried to sell me the AIRAVE.

“Wow! A mini cell-tower right in my house??? Now that’s cool! How does it work?”

“Just plug it right into your home broadband router and away it goes!”

“Wait… it uses my broadband? How much does this thing cost?”

“$99.99″

“Hmm… not too bad I guess…”

“Plus $10 per month per line. Plus a $4.99 per month Enhanced Coverage Charge.”

“What?! But I’m already paying $129 per month for 2 lines and the service doesn’t work at my house! And you want to utilize my broadband connection which I am already paying $70 per month for? Shouldn’t you want to GIVE me this box and service so I don’t leave your network for one that works?”

I actually had that last part of the conversation in my head as I walked away laughing.

And according to this article about a similar product from AT&T, these devices actually help take load off of their system and will there by enhance their service for other customers in my area.

You’re killing me Sprint…. I’ll buy the box, but you should want to bend over backwards to enhance my user experience without raking me over the coals for it.