Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

The AT&T 3G MicroCell Owner's Thread

AbSoluTc said:
I just packed up my Mcell to take back but I might give this one last try. With cellular data ON, do ALL your calls have garbled issues or just sometimes? With cellular data OFF, you have NO issues?
Click to expand...


It could be me, seeing as how I can't stand the thought of spending $150 plus my own cell plan minutes (unless I want to pay $20 month for unlimited usage at home), but doesn't the above essentially describe the limitations touted by AT&T against Verizon?

If I turn off cellular data, I can't use that data while on a call, correct? I tend to use Google Maps a lot for my non-iPhone friends who call because they are lost (silly, I know).
 
I was having an issue where 3/5 of my calls were going directly to voicemail. (I tested it by calling myself from a LAN line multiple times.)

I called AT&T and they put in a support ticket. Someone was supposed to call me by last Friday. Nobody called me but magically the problem disappeared. (*knock on wood*)

Now my mCell works great. I get all my calls, the quality is clear and I'm very happy with it.

(Uverse internet and router, 12mb down, 1.5 up; iPhone 4, iOS 4.0)
 
banderson6793 said:
It could be me, seeing as how I can't stand the thought of spending $150 plus my own cell plan minutes (unless I want to pay $20 month for unlimited usage at home), but doesn't the above essentially describe the limitations touted by AT&T against Verizon?

If I turn off cellular data, I can't use that data while on a call, correct? I tend to use Google Maps a lot for my non-iPhone friends who call because they are lost (silly, I know).
Click to expand...

If you have wifi at home, you should be using that so you won't be using cellular data. At least, you shouldn't be unless there are some background items going on that I am unaware of.

I gave it a go today but found out I only had one day left to return it. I mulled it over and it was a hard choice but I took it back and received a refund. I just wasn't happy with having purchased something that was suppose to fix/help alleviate an issue yet caused me more problems and headaches. Plus, there is no resolution.

When they fix it or I hear people are no longer having problems, then I will give it another go. For now, I will stick with my one bar of service where I can actually hear people who call me and those that I call. No latency problems either.
 
Picked up a MicroCell today. I got it free, including service, after explaining about my lack of reasonable service at home and asking for it nicely (and spending around an hour on the phone with AT&T).

I had a little trouble activating it, but it's been working well for the past few hours.

Hopefully I don't experience any of the problems that some of you have had, but I'll be sure to report them here if I do.

It's amazing how varied the experiences seem to be with this thing.....
 
Ok I'm too lazy to read the whole thread, but is there a monthly fee w/ this thing, or is it just a one time-buy-it-and-you're-done kinda deal?

Thanks. :)
 
SophiaLee said:
Ok I'm too lazy to read the whole thread, but is there a monthly fee w/ this thing, or is it just a one time-buy-it-and-you're-done kinda deal?

Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

Since you self admit to being lazy I'll happily answer:

Its $150 w/ no strings attached save using your monthly minutes and data (if not on Wifi).

There is a $100 rebate on it if you choose to add a $20/mo unlimited minutes (while on M-Cell) to your service.
 
S1njin said:
Since you self admit to being lazy I'll happily answer:

Its $150 w/ no strings attached save using your monthly minutes and data (if not on Wifi).

There is a $100 rebate on it if you choose to add a $20/mo unlimited minutes (while on M-Cell) to your service.
Click to expand...

Thank you!!! :)
 
For me I'm not so impressed.

I got a voucher for a free MicorCell in the mail went down to the local at&t store and they were out of stock. Returned a few days later and got my free unit.

Couldn't register it when I got home and then finally the next day tried again and it registered fine.

1st call I called my wife from work and she is on a 3g and says it sounds great. she walked outside and then handover to edge dropped our call.

2nd call I called her from my i4 in the house to the home phone and the delay was noticeable to a little annoying (at least it was still clear).

I'm on the fence since I usually have a couple of edge bars most places in the house but nothing in the basement.

I definitely need more testing. I don't think I would pay for this but part of me is still ecstatically happy that I should be able to make calls from anywhere in the house.
 
AbSoluTc said:
I just packed up my Mcell to take back but I might give this one last try. With cellular data ON, do ALL your calls have garbled issues or just sometimes? With cellular data OFF, you have NO issues?
Click to expand...

Sorry for the late response.. I know you took your M-Cell back already. I have been out of town and have not been able to make many calls from the M-Cell. The calls that I have made with cell data off have been clear/ ungarbled. I would say I have made a total of 6 to 10 calls.
 
Makes No Sense

Got a follow up call from my local ATT store that they now have units that can be ordered/shipped to my home and to bring in my certificate. I responded I don't have a cert and would not be interested in paying for a unit given all I read about difficulties.

I simply don't see this as a viable solution. Their service is spotty throughout my home. Yet I cannot see paying for a Micro Cell which seems to offer little improvement and plenty of headaches. They offered it at $50 with no rebates and no service requirements, still... Can't see paying for flawed technology to fix their issues.


So, I told her unless she could get me on the list for a free unit like many of my neighbors were given, that I would be switching carriers at the next opportunity. She seemed unimpressed to say the least. I guess ATT really does not want my $200+ per month business.
 
^^That's what i did also and then returned to the local Store where they gave me one. What a huge difference for me in my area. I don't have 3G unless I drive a mile down the road and in my home I have Edge but in many places it's very weak. After setting up the Micro Cell I get full bars everywhere in the house and calls are much better than ever.

AT&T could really make a lot of unhappy people happy by giving these out for the home. So far I'm happy with mine, it's been working great.
 
srl7741 said:
^^That's what i did also and then returned to the local Store where they gave me one. What a huge difference for me in my area. I don't have 3G unless I drive a mile down the road and in my home I have Edge but in many places it's very weak. After setting up the Micro Cell I get full bars everywhere in the house and calls are much better than ever.

AT&T could really make a lot of unhappy people happy by giving these out for the home. So far I'm happy with mine, it's been working great.
Click to expand...

Would you mind telling us all how you have yours setup? What kind of router do you have? What kind of cable or DSL modem do you have?

I have heard from AT&T that it only works well with certain routers and modems... The Motorola modem that Cox uses does NOT work well with the Micro Cell.. UGH....

Also Apple routers aparently don't work well with it according to the AT&T guy...

I'm frustrated beyond all belief!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My iPhones (3gs and 4) disconnect frequently (i.e. they don't say M-Cell on it they say 3G or EDGE from the tower giving me all the problems!!)... When it works, the calls are garbled... very frustrating... Some dropped calls too!!

But I am starting to think that the device is such a piece of crap that it only works well with certain routers and modems.
 
AT&T 3G MicroCell Support Structured to Frustrate

Bought a 3G MicroCell on 7/10. Couldn't activate it because my address wasn't in their database (even though its in Google). This took a couple of days, but the microcell wouldn't activate. Talked to two support people who also couldn't activate it. The support people's tools aren't much more than what you can do online. They then start chatting with a 2nd-level team. Between the 90 min waits and several days for them to wok on a ticket, nothing gets done. Moreover, their activation site was down for two days over he weekend and again yesterday. I got a Linksys wireless router, thinking it should work with the Cisco-AT&T 3G MicroCell. Another go round with AT&T support told me to change settings on the wireless router. Still no activation. Nor can I even disconnect it to try the activation again through the 3G MicroCell website. They've suggested connecting the MicroCell between the cable modem and the wireless router.

The problem is you cannot talk with anyone who can actually solve the problem. AT&T has put a firewall between the user support people and the team that actually knows something and has access to the real system. All they can do is make requests through a chat line. Consequently turnaround times are several days. It's been 10 days now and I'm no closer to activating the MicroCell than I was when I bought it.

So, because of AT&Ts poor coverage, I drove 120 miles and paid $150 for a device which I had hoped would give me reception in the rural area where I live; but have only wasted many, many hours trying to get the MicroCell activated. After reading other postings, its not clear that it will work, even if I can activate it.
 
djrobsd said:
Would you mind telling us all how you have yours setup? What kind of router do you have? What kind of cable or DSL modem do you have?

I have heard from AT&T that it only works well with certain routers and modems... The Motorola modem that Cox uses does NOT work well with the Micro Cell.. UGH....

Also Apple routers aparently don't work well with it according to the AT&T guy...
Click to expand...

I use the Apple TC which is hard wired to my Cable Modem (Motorola) I did not give the M-Cell priority in how it was connected. I did read if you having issues that it may help to give the M-Cell priority and see if that helps?
Giving it priority would mean plugging in the M-Cell to the cable modem and then plugging your WiFi or Router into the M-Cell.


It did take about an hour to activate and work. The GPS had a solid light within a few minutes but the Cell signal took an hour. I also received an email when it was completed letting me know it was ready to use and setup. I think I even received a text message also.
 
Anyone noticing decreased battery life on their iphone 4 with the microcell? It's now on par with my 3gs. And yes, I did a clean install and was getting close to 7 hours of usage. Now I'm back down to 4-5 hours since using the microcell.
 
FTR:

My ISP is Time Warner Cable, which provided a Motorola modem. I use a Netgear dual-band wireless router, which is what my MicroCell is attached to. I also have a Vonage VOIP Gateway in there somewhere, which might be between the modem and the router, but I just don't feel like moving my furniture to look and confirm where exactly it is.

I have had no issues with my MicroCell since I installed it.
 
drill423 said:
Anyone noticing decreased battery life on their iphone 4 with the microcell? It's now on par with my 3gs. And yes, I did a clean install and was getting close to 7 hours of usage. Now I'm back down to 4-5 hours since using the microcell.
Click to expand...

Opposite for me, as I had barley 1 bar in the house and that would suck my phone dead by morning. With the MicroCell, I have 5 solid bars and the battery can last for days now.
 
rsnaider said:
Opposite for me, as I had barley 1 bar in the house and that would suck my phone dead by morning. With the MicroCell, I have 5 solid bars and the battery can last for days now.
Click to expand...

My reception switches from 2-5 bars at times, which makes me think that the microcell is competing with what minimal signal i get in my house. I wonder if that is causing it to drain faster. I think I rather be able to make a call and not drop it than have outstanding battery life, however.
 
I have to say, I have been much happier WITHOUT the Mcell installed. Making and receiving calls with no garbled, out of sync issues is so much nicer. I really wish I could have the device but until they fix it, no thanks.
 
Tilt said:
For me I'm not so impressed.

I got a voucher for a free MicorCell in the mail went down to the local at&t store and they were out of stock. Returned a few days later and got my free unit.

Couldn't register it when I got home and then finally the next day tried again and it registered fine.

1st call I called my wife from work and she is on a 3g and says it sounds great. she walked outside and then handover to edge dropped our call.

2nd call I called her from my i4 in the house to the home phone and the delay was noticeable to a little annoying (at least it was still clear).

I'm on the fence since I usually have a couple of edge bars most places in the house but nothing in the basement.

I definitely need more testing. I don't think I would pay for this but part of me is still ecstatically happy that I should be able to make calls from anywhere in the house.
Click to expand...

where did you get a voucher from? Mail? internet?

i get no reception, spend $180 a month (2 lines) and couldnt get them to budge on the price ($150 total, or free with $20 per month). I told them that i was considering returning my iphone and inquired about my ETF for me and my wife. They told me that they couldn't do anything. bummer.
 
I had a horrible experience with the microcell. I was only getting 1-2 bars of 3G coverage in my house. When I brought the microcell home and hooked it up, I was getting 2-3 bars of microcell coverage only. There were times when I would only get 1 bar of coverage. I called AT&T and spoke to one of their reps. The rep told me that they do not guarantee 5 bar coverage with the microcell. She said that since the coverage increased by 1 bar (from 1-2 bars to 2-3 bars) that the microcell did it's job and I have nothing to complain about. I informed her that they need to change their advertising for the microcell because when I walked into the AT&T store, all I saw was 5 bars, 5 bars, 5 bars! Needless to say I will be taking it back tomorrow and getting a refund.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back