As I understand it, the router is $50 with a 2 year contract -- pretty sure you pay $150 if you want to avoid the contract. Pity, though, that this service didn't become available before hotspot@home: if you get the router for t-mobile@home (landline) you can continue to use that same one for hotspot@home -- just not the other way around.
Although Comcast doesn't charge for an extra router, the difference in per-line price comes to $120 per year -- by the end of year two I'll have saved money over going with Comcast. I'm gambling that I'll like the service, but if my experience matches most of the others that I've read about, it should be fine.
I've been with T-Mobile for a decade as well, and also wish there would be some more consideration of that when I'm opting for plan changes, etc. But overall, I'm still happier with what they're offering me for the price than the alternatives, so I'm staying there for now.
@Jonnyxedge (or anyone else who might know): I'd be very interested in finding out about the VMWI lights on the handsets -- if T-Mobile@home's voicemail system uses industry-standard FSK or stutter tone to trigger it, that opens up a world of handset alternatives.
Thx!
- Jon