Imagine you're a tech junkie (for some of you this will be a very easy exercise). You picked up a brand-new iPhone 3GS at launch because it was the hottest young filly in the stable. Unfortunately, now you're hobbled to AT&T's network for the next two years. What good is having a balls-to-the-wall awesome smartphone if you've got 3G service that barely qualifies as anemic on its best days?

Your problems may seem insurmountable but, thanks to the magic of femtocells, there is a solution. AT&T has just announced the launch of the 3G MicroCell on their network. According to Boy Genius the MicroCell will allow you to use your land-based broadband connection to power your phone's 3G, instead of using your carrier's cell network. Basically, your own Internet signal fills the gaps in your carrier's coverage.

Using your own bandwidth won't save you any money though, quite the opposite in fact. AT&T intends to charge users $20/month for the privilege of using the MicroCell. That's a little irritating, but for some people actually having a reliable connection will be worth the extra $240 per year. Are you one of them?