My experience with the Mcell? It's not even worth it for free honestly. It works, yes but there are major "side effects" with it. Garbled calls, laggy voice times and sporadic issues. AT&T has no idea how to fix it either. It caused me so much headaches I took it back (for the second time, first time was an exchange).
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How I just scored a free AT&T Microcell, and how you (probably) can too
- Thread starter Mellofello808
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I agree - they shouldn't be charging nearly so much for the device, if not giving it away for free. The problem is, if it was free, everyone would want one. I think they have to price these at a point where they are expensive enough that only people with serious signal issues will buy them (because it is worth it to them) or, as per this thread, they may give them away to good customers with signal issues. They can't just make them available to everyone for free though.
Just to be yang to your yin......
I've had my MicroCell for around two weeks, and I've had zero problems with it. It has performed as advertised for me.
Oh, and I got mine for free by calling AT&T, citing the free MicroCell program, and telling them that I'm a loyal customer that deserves better service.
Honestly, if you are having problems like that, it pretty much has to be an issue with your internal network, or your ISP. AT&T can't fix it because they have no control over those things. VOIP is difficult to configure to work properly, unless you control the network from end to end. This just reinforces why AT&T wouldn't want to give away Micro-cells for free. Within days after doing so, the Internet would be flooded with people complaining about the crappy device when it is actually their home network or ISP causing the problem
The problems that AbSoluTc had with his MicroCell has been well-documented among many users. He is not the only one. It is not an ISP issue.
http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/A...6;jsessionid=E2B05927D20C07EA392D506B12BD22FB
I got one of those letters a couple of weeks ago. I spend less than 100 a month with AT&T I called to complain about my service about 4 months ago and the credited my account 75 (at that point they wouldn't give me the microcell for free). Over the past year I have used the mark my spot app constantly (at least once per week) to report my dropped calls etc. I even received a text message yesterday saying that they would be upgrading the towers in my area with the next 60 days.
I can recommend 2 things. Like the OP, call and complain politely. But before you do that make sure to report your horrible service through the mark my spot iPhone app or call AT&T directly
By the way the 3G microcell works fantastic for me. It is the difference between night and day. I also don't see an impact at all on my Internet service 20 Mbps down 1 Mbps up.
I can recommend 2 things. Like the OP, call and complain politely. But before you do that make sure to report your horrible service through the mark my spot iPhone app or call AT&T directly
By the way the 3G microcell works fantastic for me. It is the difference between night and day. I also don't see an impact at all on my Internet service 20 Mbps down 1 Mbps up.
I would love an M-Cell for use at work, where I get no signal. I think I'll craft a careful E-mail and see where it gets me.
Picked up a Microcell last night at my local AT&T store. Spoke to the manager, rang it up as $0.00, and I was out the door. No additional monthly minutes, but I'm already tapped out with a 5-line family plan with all iPhones (three 2Gs and two 4s).
Now, if I can only get the damn thing activated properly. The whole "no more than 3 feet from a window in order to get a GPS lock" is a challenge. My window is opposite the side of all the network connections and components!
Oh well, I'll try repositioning again tonight.
Thanks for the thread, it did the trick.
Now, if I can only get the damn thing activated properly. The whole "no more than 3 feet from a window in order to get a GPS lock" is a challenge. My window is opposite the side of all the network connections and components!
Oh well, I'll try repositioning again tonight.
Thanks for the thread, it did the trick.
So they still charge you minutes even though you are NOT using AT&T's network
You still use AT&T's network.
Just because it connects to that network with Wifi doesn't mean you're not using it. How do you think you reach other phones that aren't connected to the internet? It's because you're on the AT&T network.
My MicroCell is around 20-25 feet away from any window because of the location of my modem. At first, it took a little longer (around 30 minutes longer than the instructions said it would take) to lock onto the GPS, but ever since then I've had no problems.
You don't need it to be 3 feet from a window, they just recommend it.
I'm in Hawaii too but I'm curious about your perfect reception part.
I almost never get full signal and I average about 2-3 bars at home, a strong 3 on campus. Overall 2-3 and the occasional 4 driving around. Using the speed test app I avg 7-800 down, 100-120 up. This is with a 3g phone with 4.0.1. Less than stellar numbers to me
I almost never get full signal and I average about 2-3 bars at home, a strong 3 on campus. Overall 2-3 and the occasional 4 driving around. Using the speed test app I avg 7-800 down, 100-120 up. This is with a 3g phone with 4.0.1. Less than stellar numbers to me
So after reading some of the above posts and dealing with next to no service where I work I called ATT to look into the microcell options. I am new to ATT as of June 24, have two iphone 4 16gb on my account. I explained my problem concerning the lack of service and gave the woman both my home and work zip codes (service at home is fine). I mentioned that I would be interested in getting a microcell if there was some sort of credit or rebate I could put towards my account.
After a few minutes of hold time she comes back with the good news. ATT will give me a $200 credit immediately after I go and purchase a microcell at one their retail stores. Sounded almost too good to be true but she reassured me and made a note on my account and instructed me to have the store rep call them when I made the purchase to confirm everything.
I headed right the store, paid $150 for the microcell, waited for the guy to place the call and confirm that my account had been given the $200 credit. Just like that I am on my way, smoothest process ever.
The town in which I work has notoriously poor service which may have worked in my favor, I did not hide the fact that my service at home was not a problem. Thanks to all who have posted in this thread.
After a few minutes of hold time she comes back with the good news. ATT will give me a $200 credit immediately after I go and purchase a microcell at one their retail stores. Sounded almost too good to be true but she reassured me and made a note on my account and instructed me to have the store rep call them when I made the purchase to confirm everything.
I headed right the store, paid $150 for the microcell, waited for the guy to place the call and confirm that my account had been given the $200 credit. Just like that I am on my way, smoothest process ever.
The town in which I work has notoriously poor service which may have worked in my favor, I did not hide the fact that my service at home was not a problem. Thanks to all who have posted in this thread.
youd have much better luck calling. when you call, the rep is forced to address the issue. when you send an email they are able to dodge the bullet and avoid the issue at hand.
What number and what departments are you calling to get the free MicroCell?
I just called 611, asked to speak to cancellation department. They can't help me with a free microcell. I went to the store and the guy looked at me funny.
Maybe its because customer service already gave my wife a $100 credit because of a major screwup that they caused her over her upgrade eligibility date. But I get like 1 bar with her iphone 4. I was on the phone with 611 and dropped the call (how ironic). I took a screenshot of the 611 call with the big "call failed" on it. Going to email that to ATT.
I just called 611, asked to speak to cancellation department. They can't help me with a free microcell. I went to the store and the guy looked at me funny.
Maybe its because customer service already gave my wife a $100 credit because of a major screwup that they caused her over her upgrade eligibility date. But I get like 1 bar with her iphone 4. I was on the phone with 611 and dropped the call (how ironic). I took a screenshot of the 611 call with the big "call failed" on it. Going to email that to ATT.
I'm the same way. I get very bad reception in my office. In the IT guy so I too think I'll write an email, mentioning receptions, sales guys call me on the road on my phone and can't get me, company guys have Verizon and was told I could get an Incredible or DroidX on the company account which is true and my cell is my only line, no home phone so I'm going to see if I can get credited for one with a well worded email.
Heck it can't hurt
SOOO glad i found this thread. ever since the microcell was announced i had been trying to figure out how to get my hands on one. i've never been able to get reception in my house (been an iphone user/att customer since the 3g). i waited patiently for it to be available in my area. funny thing is at the same time it became available, news of the letters for free microcells was showing up online. so i called and tried to get one free. the csr's i spoke to at that time claimed they hadn't heard anything about the program but i was able to get a $75 credit for the "inconvenience". but that still didn't cover the full amount so i've taken the last couple weeks to figure out what i was going to do. then i find this thread
i called tonight and explained everything again. the csr puts me on hold to talk to his manager. he comes back a few minutes later and says he'll give me a $165 credit - woohoo! he even sent me an email confirmation:
Thank you for choosing AT&T for your business wireless needs!
This e-mail is a follow-up to our previous conversation on 8/5/2010 to ensure your needs were serviced correctly.
On 8/5/2010, XXXXX processed the following changes to your account:
1. Other
2. This is to confirm that on 08/05/2010 I have applied a $165 credit to your wireless account to go toward the purchase of a 3G microcell, your new account balance is $XXXX.
Please allow 1-2 bill cycles for this transaction to reflect on your next bill and account summary. If you have further questions about your AT&T business needs, please refer to http://www.att.com/business or by calling us at (800) 331-0500.
Sincerely,
XXXXX
but unfortunately there's not a happy ending, at least not yet. i call every store within 5 miles and they're all out! 3 of the stores said they expect to get them on the 15th. one of them said that att was updating software which is why all the local stores are out and that they'll all be getting the next batch on the 15th.
i'm actually going out of town for vaca so i'm going to see if any of the att stores there have them in stock.
for those of you who were unsuccessful, keep calling. i think a lot of it has to do with the combo of the csr and their manager.
i called tonight and explained everything again. the csr puts me on hold to talk to his manager. he comes back a few minutes later and says he'll give me a $165 credit - woohoo! he even sent me an email confirmation:
Thank you for choosing AT&T for your business wireless needs!
This e-mail is a follow-up to our previous conversation on 8/5/2010 to ensure your needs were serviced correctly.
On 8/5/2010, XXXXX processed the following changes to your account:
1. Other
2. This is to confirm that on 08/05/2010 I have applied a $165 credit to your wireless account to go toward the purchase of a 3G microcell, your new account balance is $XXXX.
Please allow 1-2 bill cycles for this transaction to reflect on your next bill and account summary. If you have further questions about your AT&T business needs, please refer to http://www.att.com/business or by calling us at (800) 331-0500.
Sincerely,
XXXXX
but unfortunately there's not a happy ending, at least not yet. i call every store within 5 miles and they're all out! 3 of the stores said they expect to get them on the 15th. one of them said that att was updating software which is why all the local stores are out and that they'll all be getting the next batch on the 15th.
i'm actually going out of town for vaca so i'm going to see if any of the att stores there have them in stock.
for those of you who were unsuccessful, keep calling. i think a lot of it has to do with the combo of the csr and their manager.
Well I just called and no dice. My CSR was super nice and helpful but the manager she had me talk to must have been on her period. Said AT&T couldn't do anything about the price and only those who got a letter were the ones who got a free Microcell and no one else. I've worked with too many vendors and other managers to know that price is always negotiable.
She was snobby sounding too. I don't mind being told no, but don't sound arrogant. I like my iP4 but I don't love it. She just rubbed me the wrong way and being the IT guy who lives at work 5 days a week for 8hrs and some weekends I was close to going down to HR and telling them to port my number to our Verizon plan. Then I wouldn't have to pay anything. Boss already told me I can have unlimited text, data plan,pick out what phone I want and use the phone as I like(cool ass boss). I could probably get them to spring the $150 for a MicroCell but when people seem to be getting them free or a $50/$75 credit I rather not. Especially after reading people are still having problems with the device.
I still have one more fall back. Cousin works for AT&T land line side and is a Mgr. I'm going to see who she knows that's a manager on the wireless side and put me in contact with them or get her to see if she can get it done for me.
Oh well rant over..It's Friday and payday Friday @ that....
She was snobby sounding too. I don't mind being told no, but don't sound arrogant. I like my iP4 but I don't love it. She just rubbed me the wrong way and being the IT guy who lives at work 5 days a week for 8hrs and some weekends I was close to going down to HR and telling them to port my number to our Verizon plan. Then I wouldn't have to pay anything. Boss already told me I can have unlimited text, data plan,pick out what phone I want and use the phone as I like(cool ass boss). I could probably get them to spring the $150 for a MicroCell but when people seem to be getting them free or a $50/$75 credit I rather not. Especially after reading people are still having problems with the device.
I still have one more fall back. Cousin works for AT&T land line side and is a Mgr. I'm going to see who she knows that's a manager on the wireless side and put me in contact with them or get her to see if she can get it done for me.
Oh well rant over..It's Friday and payday Friday @ that....
If you called back 2-3 more times and asked different CSRs for an M-cell you'd probably get one for free or heavily discounted. I got mine for $50 flat (no MIR, no "unlimited" M-cell plan) without trying very hard. I was out of contract at the time and told them I'd have to leave AT&T otherwise.
That being said, the device doesn't work too well - at least not with iP4 & 4.01. Calls get handed off to the main cell tower when I'm 15 feet from the M-cell and sometimes they drop during the hand off. Once the call is on the main cell tower, it's not possible to ever have it go back to the M-cell while the call is in session.
Not sure it's worth your time - depends on just how bad the signal is in your area I guess.
I'm not gonna stress it. Congrats to those of you who were able to get one free or at a reduced price.
Been on a few other boards and seems like more people are having problems with the MicroCell than success.
The Mgr just rubbed me the wrong way that's all. Heck it didn't even have to be free I would have took half off I do know HR asked me about switching to the company to AT&T when our contract with Verizon ends in a few months. I will be telling him to reup with Verizon. Signal problems in the building and our sales guy use their WinMo phones to transmit orders into our system. As much as I'd like to have them pay my AT&T bill the crying I'd hear from the sales guys and other managers is not worth it at allllllllll well that and the Mgr I spoke with today
Been on a few other boards and seems like more people are having problems with the MicroCell than success.
The Mgr just rubbed me the wrong way that's all. Heck it didn't even have to be free I would have took half off
I do know HR asked me about switching to the company to AT&T when our contract with Verizon ends in a few months. I will be telling him to reup with Verizon. Signal problems in the building and our sales guy use their WinMo phones to transmit orders into our system. As much as I'd like to have them pay my AT&T bill the crying I'd hear from the sales guys and other managers is not worth it at allllllllll well that and the Mgr I spoke with today After a moth or so going back and forth with AT&T Corporate, I was able to get a credit on my account, but just like the poster above, none of my local AT&T stores have them in stock. All of them tell me they were all removed and will have new ones on August 15th.
I wonder if that's a new version or they're just sold out until then?
I wonder if that's a new version or they're just sold out until then?
why would you get this when you could just pay the $36 for skype for the year and have the same thing?