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The AT&T 3G MicroCell Owner's Thread

Update

So I have made a number of posts here detailing my trials and tribulations with the Microcell, so here is an update on all of them.

I bought the Microcell on launch day in Charlotte, and I had a number of voice quality issues on my end of the phone call. These were resolved with a software update to the Microcell that was pushed out last week. Then, I had issues with putting the Microcell in priority mode, as the Microcell cannot log into a PPPoE server, and a router in back of the Microcell cannot log in for it. This was solved by telling my DSL modem to log into the PPPoE server instead of the router.

Additionally, I was having issues with the phone switching off of the Microcell while there still was good coverage. This was solved by putting the router and Microcell in a different room. I actually had to try every room in the house before I found one that would give the whole house an even signal. The only problem was that I had two ethernet devices that no longer had a place to get an internet connection, so I had to create a wireless bridge using an old router and DD-WRT.

However I'm still having problems, the main one being that two of the people I've talked to have said that during portions of the phone call, I sounded extremely garbled to them while talking on the Microcell, even though they sounded crystal clear to me. However two more callers said that I sounded fine. As of now I'm not sure what to do. The Microcell is in the best possible location, it is in priority mode, so it seems that there must be an issue with the Microcell or on AT&T's end. The only thing is I do have my WiFi router close to the Microcell, but I'm not thinking that this should create interference as the Microcell runs on 1900MHz and the WiFi on 2.4GHz.

This thing is killing me...I have put more hours into troubleshooting it and trying to figure out what is wrong. Is anybody having problems like I am, or am I just incredibly unlucky?
 
sdlevi27 said:
What is your setup (priority mode, router type, etc). Sounds like you have a QoS issue. I just ordered one of these (http://www.hawkingtech.com/products/productlist.php?CatID=36&FamID=80&ProdID=216) as my Airport Extreme doesn't support QoS and I don't want to move the Microcell to put it in priority mode from it's current location in my house.
Click to expand...

I just have the Microcell attached directly to the DSL, at the first point in the chain possible.

I was pulling some major bandwitdh so I'm not really surprised. I was also recording an HD broadcast on the DVR (U-Verse) so that was taking higher priority anyway.

I have had one of those Hawking QoS speed boosters about 4 years ago and it seemed to work fairly well when I was on my slower speed cable modem.

Unfortunately I fried it by plugging it into the wrong power supply cord and just never bought another one. When it was working, it did seem to help.

-Benster
 
Microcell and location based service

Has anyone with an iPhone checked the location being supplied by the MCell with applications that use LBS (location based services) (Maps, Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc).

Even though I am in Raleigh, NC the Maps app and other apps that use LBS show the current location is Concord, NC.

AT&T MCell tech support is telling me that LBS is not supported and no word as to whether it will be. Seems strange that it cannot report the location accurately when there is a built-in GPS.
 
That's probably cause since it's connected to your router/modem It's probably basing it off your IP address which depending on your circumstances and ISP could be anywhere in your area.
 
wcsnc said:
Has anyone with an iPhone checked the location being supplied by the MCell with applications that use LBS (location based services) (Maps, Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc).

Even though I am in Raleigh, NC the Maps app and other apps that use LBS show the current location is Concord, NC.

AT&T MCell tech support is telling me that LBS is not supported and no word as to whether it will be. Seems strange that it cannot report the location accurately when there is a built-in GPS.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I had the exact same problem this weekend (Google Maps thought I was somewhere off I-85 in Charlotte). I called support and reported it as an issue.
 
After traveling over the weekend, my daily call to ATT indicates they will submit a GPS 'override' . . . which I thought was done last Thursday when I gave them my coordinates.

We'll see . . .

Just as a side note, was at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia and the coverage was better than I have here in north Charlotte!! Of course it was E band and we could see the tower on the mountain.
 
Unlimited Pricing

Has anyone been able to get pricing other than the 19.99 per month for unlimited minutes? I know there was document showing a 9.99 price and free depending on if you had AT&T Home Phone and AT&T Internet Service. However, the two stores I have talked to said the only option was the 19.99 price.
 
dennisj00 said:
After traveling over the weekend, my daily call to ATT indicates they will submit a GPS 'override' . . . which I thought was done last Thursday when I gave them my coordinates.

We'll see . . .

Just as a side note, was at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia and the coverage was better than I have here in north Charlotte!! Of course it was E band and we could see the tower on the mountain.
Click to expand...

I live in South Charlotte in the Ballantyne area and the coverage down here sucks. The other carriers aren't perfect either. There are two problems: one being the area is relatively new and the carriers now have to cover all these new neighborhoods that popped up in what used to be just farmland. The other reason is the planners of Ballantyne didn't want the place covered with cell towers because it would "ruin the image."

Between that and the fact that At&t doesn't have an 850MHz license in Charlotte (said the network engineer I've been working with), coverage in Ballantyne sucks. I've gotten great service everywhere else I've been besides Charlotte.
 
Reboot Time?

Has anyone power cycled their Microcell after activation? I just power cycled it to relocate it and it's been flashing 3G for almost 1/2 hour now (power, internet and GPS are all solid green). How long does it usually take to reboot?
 
I have been following this thread daily.
Thanks to everyone who continues to post their findings on how well their device is/isn't working.:D
I really need one of these when it comes to So. Cal.
Hope they get the bugs fixed by then.
 
thelatinist said:
Could someone please give me an idea of the effective range of the MicroCell? Is it comparable to a WiFi router? A cordless phone? Worse? Better?
Click to expand...

See my post above. In my house it's roughly 40-60 feet through sheetrock, although I noticed I get a few bars outside in the backyard, so maybe as much as 80 feet for 1 bar.
 
sdlevi27 said:
See my post above. In my house it's roughly 40-60 feet through sheetrock, although I noticed I get a few bars outside in the backyard, so maybe as much as 80 feet for 1 bar.
Click to expand...

Thank you. I somehow missed your post above. That gives me rough idea. I may invest in one when it becomes generally available. Here at work I have no coverage of any kind (the only place for miles around with that problem).
 
Today's daily call and no progress. The CSR said she would be happy to call me on the 9th to be sure it was working.

I guess they're tired of me calling everyday.
 
So my problem from 2 nights ago is now solved. I purchased that Hawking Broadband Booster and since installing it my Microcell is broken. I called AT&T last night to report the issue and got a call this morning from an engineer directly on the Microcell team. He said they're fielding complex problems directly to the engineering team (talking to a guy who knows about SoIP and TCP is rather refreshing). Anyway, we determined the issue was that the Microcell couldn't establish the VPN tunnel back to AT&T due to the MTU setting on the HBB (HBB hard codes it at 1514 but the Microcell expects it at 1492). He was looking at logs on his system live as we troubleshooted the issue.

Anyway, the support from AT&T with the problem was fantastic. I had the guy's direct number and we spent a good deal of time chatting about the device.

dennisj00, have you checked your MTU settings? The behavior I had was that the top 3 lights (Power, INternet and GPS) were all solid but the 3G light was blinking. Ask for your ticket to be transfered to the Microcell team and they will call you directly.
 
It was transferred (escalated) to them LAST Monday. He called and I verified that MTU was 1492 -- dd-wrt default.

Never heard back from him - or anyone else - and I've called daily except Saturday / Sunday when I was out of town.

Needless to say, it's not ready for prime time - or at least support isn't ready.

sdlevi27 said:
So my problem from 2 nights ago is now solved. I purchased that Hawking Broadband Booster and since installing it my Microcell is broken. I called AT&T last night to report the issue and got a call this morning from an engineer directly on the Microcell team. He said they're fielding complex problems directly to the engineering team (talking to a guy who knows about SoIP and TCP is rather refreshing). Anyway, we determined the issue was that the Microcell couldn't establish the VPN tunnel back to AT&T due to the MTU setting on the HBB (HBB hard codes it at 1514 but the Microcell expects it at 1492). He was looking at logs on his system live as we troubleshooted the issue.

Anyway, the support from AT&T with the problem was fantastic. I had the guy's direct number and we spent a good deal of time chatting about the device.

dennisj00, have you checked your MTU settings? The behavior I had was that the top 3 lights (Power, INternet and GPS) were all solid but the 3G light was blinking. Ask for your ticket to be transfered to the Microcell team and they will call you directly.
Click to expand...
 
-noob question ahead-
What is the cost of this thing? I know the unit itself is like $150 or whatever.. but are there any monthly fees?

I have an iphone with the standard data plan, unlimited texts and 450 minutes. Would there be any additional cost if I were to put the microcell in my house? Other than the cost to buy it in the first place.

Thanks!
 
bjelder said:
-noob question ahead-
What is the cost of this thing? I know the unit itself is like $150 or whatever.. but are there any monthly fees?

I have an iphone with the standard data plan, unlimited texts and 450 minutes. Would there be any additional cost if I were to put the microcell in my house? Other than the cost to buy it in the first place.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Retail price is $150. The rebates vary by pilot market. In Raleigh they offered 3 rebates: $50 with new DSL or UVerse contract, $100 if you subscribe to unlimited microcell calling (but you can cancel at any time....hmm), $150 if you do both unlimited calling and new DSL or UVerse.

Unlimited calling from any microcell (yours, your friends, etc) is $19/month.

You do not have to purchase the unlimited calling plan, so worst case for $150 you get 5 bars in your house and use your regular minutes.
 
wcsnc said:
Has anyone with an iPhone checked the location being supplied by the MCell with applications that use LBS (location based services) (Maps, Yelp, Yellow Pages, etc).

Even though I am in Raleigh, NC the Maps app and other apps that use LBS show the current location is Concord, NC.

AT&T MCell tech support is telling me that LBS is not supported and no word as to whether it will be. Seems strange that it cannot report the location accurately when there is a built-in GPS.
Click to expand...

The engineer confirmed with me today that LBS does not currently work but may in future software updates.
 
sdlevi27 said:
The engineer confirmed with me today that LBS does not currently work but may in future software updates.
Click to expand...

Not sure if I am verifying this correctly or not, but at home now, connected to microcell and Google Maps, Motion-X GPS and Navigon all have me pinpoint right at my house.

Interesting.

-Benster
 
Anyone else notice the microcell responds to ssh? Not sure what the login is but it is prompting. Tried a bunch of default cisco logins but no luck.
 
webtoker said:
Anyone else notice the microcell responds to ssh? Not sure what the login is but it is prompting. Tried a bunch of default cisco logins but no luck.
Click to expand...

Last Saturday, during activation, the unit responded to Telnet, but no longer.

After activation, (mine thinks it completed - got text message verifying that it did) it must have flipped to SSH.
 
dennisj00 said:
Last Saturday, during activation, the unit responded to Telnet, but no longer.

After activation, (mine thinks it completed - got text message verifying that it did) it must have flipped to SSH.
Click to expand...

Very interesting! Did you attempt to log into it? Do you remember what the prompt looked like if you did? I've heard these units are made by cisco so trying the default cisco password set was a good idea. Have you tried things like the serial numbers on the box? Perhaps an nmap OS fingerprint would be useful...

Just a few ideas ;)
 
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