AT&T on Monday unveiled an unusual, privately available remote cell site. The Remote Mobility Zone is designed for companies, governments, and emergency crews to guarantee GSM cell service even in situations where traditional power or a vehicle would be impractical. A special “Fly-away” model can fit inside a suitcase but can unpack to allow calls within half a mile’s radius for firefighters, police, and others who need service.
Other options are usually larger and include a fixed model intended both for backup and permanent options as well as a “Park and Use” version that can mount in a government vehicle and activate on the spot. All three work with any AT&T phone and can prioritize certain calls or data over others to prevent a bottleneck from affecting emergency calls.
The options are available from between $15,000 and $45,000 depending on the choice and have their own separate monthly fees. As such, the sites aren’t intended for small businesses or individuals.
AT&T’s availability is the first in the US and could have a significant impact on cellular coverage outside of its own network. The option to pay for a private cell site isn’t likely to reach a wide number of sites but could see larger companies fill in coverage that wasn’t previously an option.
