Never understood why people just don't cut the contract and move on. Sure it may cost you a month or two of your monthly costs, but why continue on with the agony or non-functioning service?? Heck, sell the 2G to pay for your ETF.
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The AT&T 3G MicroCell Owner's Thread
- Thread starter pcguru83
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Never understood why people just don't cut the contract and move on. Sure it may cost you a month or two of your monthly costs, but why continue on with the agony or non-functioning service?? Heck, sell the 2G to pay for your ETF.
Microcell Dropped Calls
I have had a Microcell here in Charlotte, NC market since inception. We maintain 5 phones on our account with the $20 /mo. unlimited plan which I'm ok with since our application is mainly home based business. But we have never been able maintain a call for more than a min. or 2 without it dropping.
We still consider it better than our alternative which s 0 signal in our home offices... At least we can now receive calls and call back on our Vonage home office service which is great as long as bandwidth is not compromised for other usage considerations.
After months of talking back and forth with AT&T support, which although they have been prompt and apt to serve, has been lacking in a solution.
I've tried everything I knew but to no avail., including setting the MCell in a prioritized config. which disabled all our internet access for all other devices... I could not get the MCell to route thru to the router...
At this point I wish AT&T would simply recommend a QOS capable router and I'll purchase that one, but hopefully I wont have to rely on that as just today after dropping a dozen calls, I got angry and made some network changes which surprisingly seem to have helped...
I installed an old Sonicwall TZ 170 and placed the MCell on the Optional Port and then setup a DMZ Zone.
Then I configured the zone to guarantee 512k to 1024k for bandwidth to that zone. (I know excessive, but...)
Finally I turned off WAN MTU Packet Fragmentation completely. While this may affect the rest of the network, so far my internet speeds and reliability seem unaffected. And, I have since been able to maintain 2 calls with zero voice quality degradation and neither call dropped. One was for 3 min. and the other 6.
Cross your fingers this may be an answer! The only downside is that Sonicwall firewalls are not cheap. But this may be a new market open for eBay.
I'll keep you posted on our ongoing results.
I have had a Microcell here in Charlotte, NC market since inception. We maintain 5 phones on our account with the $20 /mo. unlimited plan which I'm ok with since our application is mainly home based business. But we have never been able maintain a call for more than a min. or 2 without it dropping.
We still consider it better than our alternative which s 0 signal in our home offices... At least we can now receive calls and call back on our Vonage home office service which is great as long as bandwidth is not compromised for other usage considerations.
After months of talking back and forth with AT&T support, which although they have been prompt and apt to serve, has been lacking in a solution.
I've tried everything I knew but to no avail., including setting the MCell in a prioritized config. which disabled all our internet access for all other devices... I could not get the MCell to route thru to the router...
At this point I wish AT&T would simply recommend a QOS capable router and I'll purchase that one, but hopefully I wont have to rely on that as just today after dropping a dozen calls, I got angry and made some network changes which surprisingly seem to have helped...
I installed an old Sonicwall TZ 170 and placed the MCell on the Optional Port and then setup a DMZ Zone.
Then I configured the zone to guarantee 512k to 1024k for bandwidth to that zone. (I know excessive, but...)
Finally I turned off WAN MTU Packet Fragmentation completely. While this may affect the rest of the network, so far my internet speeds and reliability seem unaffected. And, I have since been able to maintain 2 calls with zero voice quality degradation and neither call dropped. One was for 3 min. and the other 6.
Cross your fingers this may be an answer! The only downside is that Sonicwall firewalls are not cheap. But this may be a new market open for eBay.
I'll keep you posted on our ongoing results.
I have had a Microcell here in Charlotte, NC market since inception. We maintain 5 phones on our account with the $20 /mo. unlimited plan which I'm ok with since our application is mainly home based business. But we have never been able maintain a call for more than a min. or 2 without it dropping.
We still consider it better than our alternative which s 0 signal in our home offices... At least we can now receive calls and call back on our Vonage home office service which is great as long as bandwidth is not compromised for other usage considerations.
After months of talking back and forth with AT&T support, which although they have been prompt and apt to serve, has been lacking in a solution.
I've tried everything I knew but to no avail., including setting the MCell in a prioritized config. which disabled all our internet access for all other devices... I could not get the MCell to route thru to the router...
At this point I wish AT&T would simply recommend a QOS capable router and I'll purchase that one, but hopefully I wont have to rely on that as just today after dropping a dozen calls, I got angry and made some network changes which surprisingly seem to have helped...
I installed an old Sonicwall TZ 170 and placed the MCell on the Optional Port and then setup a DMZ Zone.
Then I configured the zone to guarantee 512k to 1024k for bandwidth to that zone. (I know excessive, but...)
Finally I turned off WAN MTU Packet Fragmentation completely. While this may affect the rest of the network, so far my internet speeds and reliability seem unaffected. And, I have since been able to maintain 2 calls with zero voice quality degradation and neither call dropped. One was for 3 min. and the other 6.
Cross your fingers this may be an answer! The only downside is that Sonicwall firewalls are not cheap. But this may be a new market open for eBay.
I'll keep you posted on our ongoing results.
Call the AT&T Microcell support line and ask them to note on your account that all impacted iPhones need new SIM Cards. Once this is done, go to your nearest AT&T store, pick up the new SIM Cards (network updates will download automatically) and then your Microcell issues should be much better.
This is at least what helped for me. I use the Microcell at home all the time now and can sustain conference calls for hours at a time.
-Ben
I've had my Microcell in the Greensboro area for a month or so now. I do occasionally have dropped calls. But more frequently, when I dial a #, I will get a "call failed". It's annoying, but not as annoying as having zero bars in my house. And my iPhone battery doesn't drain constantly because it's searching for a signal anymore. Hopefully software/firmware improvements will continue to make it more stable.
Well it appears that the network changes worked! As in the above post #327.
We are now able to have multiple iPhones talking across the MCell without many dropped calls and for as much as 15-20 min. durations.
Next I'm going to take the advice of the post #328 by Benster and get new sim cards... I look forward to those hour long calls without dropping as well.... Then that $20 month will be worth it.
Looks like light at the end of the tunnel...
We are now able to have multiple iPhones talking across the MCell without many dropped calls and for as much as 15-20 min. durations.
Next I'm going to take the advice of the post #328 by Benster and get new sim cards... I look forward to those hour long calls without dropping as well.... Then that $20 month will be worth it.
Looks like light at the end of the tunnel...
Is anyone else having data problems?
I am a new microcell user. Setup went fine. But my iPhone & my wife's keep losing the microcell and we get dropped back to the closest 3G tower.
It seems that data seems to trigger the drop - be that a web page, e-mail check, etc. Calls seem fine & stay connected. But as soon as I try to load a web page (for example), I drop to zero bars within a few seconds, then it comes back with full bars and "3G" - meaning connected to my local tower. If I leave the iPhone(s) alone, in a few minutes it picks u the m-cell again.
What really weird with what I just said is that this same thing happens whether or not I have the iPhone's wifi turned on or off. I would think that by having wifi on, the microcell wouldn't use any data?
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?
For what it's worth, I have a direct line from my microcell into a Siemens Speedstream 4200 DSL modem. Windstream is my DSL provider.
I am a new microcell user. Setup went fine. But my iPhone & my wife's keep losing the microcell and we get dropped back to the closest 3G tower.
It seems that data seems to trigger the drop - be that a web page, e-mail check, etc. Calls seem fine & stay connected. But as soon as I try to load a web page (for example), I drop to zero bars within a few seconds, then it comes back with full bars and "3G" - meaning connected to my local tower. If I leave the iPhone(s) alone, in a few minutes it picks u the m-cell again.
What really weird with what I just said is that this same thing happens whether or not I have the iPhone's wifi turned on or off. I would think that by having wifi on, the microcell wouldn't use any data?
I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this?
For what it's worth, I have a direct line from my microcell into a Siemens Speedstream 4200 DSL modem. Windstream is my DSL provider.
Good news / bad news
Have posted previously in this thread that I was not receiving ~40% of incoming calls when attached to Microcell. After having the unit off for weeks, and no changes to my network config, I turned it on today and it pulled down a new software update. The good news is, all my incoming call tests worked great today. First time that's ever happened.
The bad news is that I see similar issues as the previous poster <edmartin> where I intermittently lose Microcell access when using data.
Have posted previously in this thread that I was not receiving ~40% of incoming calls when attached to Microcell. After having the unit off for weeks, and no changes to my network config, I turned it on today and it pulled down a new software update. The good news is, all my incoming call tests worked great today. First time that's ever happened.
The bad news is that I see similar issues as the previous poster <edmartin> where I intermittently lose Microcell access when using data.
Just curious - have you guys reset your network settings? I always heard that helps align you with the closest tower - and thus might make your Microcell "tower" settings stick a little better?
ive been waiting for this thing to hit boston but now with the news of an Iphone for verizon I dont know if I'd jump on this if it hits before that pans out cause I don't know if its my phone or what but for the last few months ive had horrible service. where as before that it was always perfect.
MicroCell stopped working
I got a MicroCell on 3/23/10, as soon as I knew they were available in Arizona.
Because I have a covered porch around my house, I had to set up the MicroCell in my back yard, so it could lock into the GPS signal. One it synced, I unplugged it and connected it to my Time Capsule which is connected to Motorola cable modem and Comcast. I had to call tech support to explain that once inside my house, there is no way the MicroCell will get a GPS signal again. The tech was able to configure the MicroCell so it would work. Fast forward to this morning at 0730, the GPS and 3G lights are flashing, with power and Ethernet lights on steady. I power cycled the cable modem, Time Capsule and the MicroCell in that order, waiting for each one to sync before turning on the next. Still have flashing GPS and 3G lights. I called AT&T's special number and they said it was escalated to a network engineer. Now, about 13 hours later, no resolution. First they said the case would be resolved within 24 hours, the next time I called they said by April 5th.
When it worked I had 5 bars, no dropped calls, everything was fine.
I thought Comcast had done something over night that changed the IP address. That happened the day after I installed it and AT&T tech was able to get it working.
I got a MicroCell on 3/23/10, as soon as I knew they were available in Arizona.
Because I have a covered porch around my house, I had to set up the MicroCell in my back yard, so it could lock into the GPS signal. One it synced, I unplugged it and connected it to my Time Capsule which is connected to Motorola cable modem and Comcast. I had to call tech support to explain that once inside my house, there is no way the MicroCell will get a GPS signal again. The tech was able to configure the MicroCell so it would work. Fast forward to this morning at 0730, the GPS and 3G lights are flashing, with power and Ethernet lights on steady. I power cycled the cable modem, Time Capsule and the MicroCell in that order, waiting for each one to sync before turning on the next. Still have flashing GPS and 3G lights. I called AT&T's special number and they said it was escalated to a network engineer. Now, about 13 hours later, no resolution. First they said the case would be resolved within 24 hours, the next time I called they said by April 5th.
When it worked I had 5 bars, no dropped calls, everything was fine.
I thought Comcast had done something over night that changed the IP address. That happened the day after I installed it and AT&T tech was able to get it working.
Surprised no one mentioned it yet, but Anandtech did an interesting review/evaluation of the Microcell: http://www.anandtech.com/show/3626/att-3g-microcell-a-comprehensive-exploration
Have you read through this entire thread? I believe folks with Time Capsules had problems. Also - have you tried modem > Microcell > Time Capsule
MicroCell stopped working follow up to #335
AT&T tech support had said that the MicroCell would be fixed by April 5th. I woke up at 0139MST and checked and the MicroCell is now working.
My guess: the engineers who really know what to do were off for Easter.
AT&T tech support had said that the MicroCell would be fixed by April 5th. I woke up at 0139MST and checked and the MicroCell is now working.
My guess: the engineers who really know what to do were off for Easter.
Not exactly sure, but I believe it is for new DSl & landline customers, not existing ones. But I am certainly going to ask when the Microcell arrives here in Austin as I have both.
That would be a bunch of B.S., if only for new customers.Maybee some peeps who allready have it could chime in..Thanks
so cmassa,any word on pricing this is what i have read online. for the unlimited service i am speaking of --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well from the article the pricing,$20/month unlimited calling
$10/month with AT&T DSL
$0 with AT&T landline.
Will i be able to get the unlimited for free since i have att landline
Well from the article the pricing,$20/month unlimited calling
$10/month with AT&T DSL
$0 with AT&T landline.
Will i be able to get the unlimited for free since i have att landline
I pulled the plug. Broke down and bought the MicroCell this evening. The AT&T rep set it all up for me on my account in the store. All I had to do was connect everything at home(in order) and wait. It took a good 30-45mins for it to connect and get all activated. I went from "searching for service" to FULL 3G! Not bad, not bad at all! Attached is a pic of my iPhones home page showing the MicroCell is connected, "M-Cell"
