Verizon iPhone Ad Targets AT&T Reception, AT&T Giving Out Free Microcells to Some Cu

[gehrbox]

You forgot that they still count data use over Microcell 3G against your data allowance even though that data is being routed over your broadband connection.

Nope. When you have a wireless connection available the iPhone firmware uses it to connect to the Internet, not the 3G.

To prove the point I just ran the Speedtest.net app on my phone at home with both the Microcell and wireless connected. I got download speeds of 10.37Mbs and uploads of .33Mbs.

Next I turned off my wireless connection and relied only on the 3G Microcell signal for data. My download speed dropped to 1.87mbs and upload dropped to .05mbs.

 

[kdarling]

Nope, I'm correct. The GPS chip in the iPhone is not enough by itself to let the iPhone function as a GPS device. It relies upon cell tower support; read, it pulls off your data plan.

Incorrect. The iPhone's GPS, like most of today's smartphones, can act in a standalone mode.

What will happen on the Verizon phone is that the app will shut off when a call comes in and you'll have to restart it after you hang up.

Incorrect. Navigation apps continue as long as they have their own map data.

And another thing. If you're using the Verizon iPhone as a personal hotspot for your computer when a call comes in it will go straight to voice mail,

Incorrect. Voice always takes priority and you get a choice of answering or not.

Not quite. The iPhone uses assisted GPS. The phone's location services uses cell tower triangulation to maintain a rough fix and time of day information (and probably the GPS almanac as well), which allows the otherwise quite limited GPS receiver to obtain a fix without doing all of the steps normally required of a standalone GPS receiver.

"Assisted GPS" means the phone gets the current satellite info from a GPS assistance server on the internet. This is far quicker than downloading the initial status and orbit info from the satellites at 50 bytes per second, which can take over twelve minutes.

After that, or if assistance was not available, it operates in standalone mode.

 

[maccompaq]

Nope. When you have a wireless connection available the iPhone firmware uses it to connect to the Internet, not the 3G.

To prove the point I just ran the Speedtest.net app on my phone at home with both the Microcell and wireless connected. I got download speeds of 10.37Mbs and uploads of .33Mbs.

Next I turned off my wireless connection and relied only on the 3G Microcell signal for data. My download speed dropped to 1.87mbs and upload dropped to .05mbs.

Lucky you. I only get a download speed of 134kbps on my iPhone4. Good thing I do not use it for Internet.

 

[nsayer]

Hey if it's free I'll take it!!!!!!!!

Watch out. "Free" is a four letter word.

 

[Surely]

No, it's another part that's NOT mentioned in the e-mail. $20/ month service fee for the device!

I was given a free MicroCell, and I don't pay any monthly service fee. It's 100% free. I'm not on the unlimited plan, we're on the 450 minute family plan.

Oh, and kdarling pwns.

 

[nsayer]

Originally Posted by nsayer
Not quite. The iPhone uses assisted GPS. The phone's location services uses cell tower triangulation to maintain a rough fix and time of day information (and probably the GPS almanac as well), which allows the otherwise quite limited GPS receiver to obtain a fix without doing all of the steps normally required of a standalone GPS receiver.

"Assisted GPS" means the phone gets the current satellite info from a GPS assistance server on the internet. This is far quicker than downloading the initial status and orbit info from the satellites at 50 bytes per second, which can take over twelve minutes.

Redundant comment is redundant.

 

[maccompaq]

I was given a free MicroCell, and I don't pay any monthly service fee. It's 100% free. I'm not on the unlimited plan, we're on the 450 minute family plan.

What has been your experience with the Microcell?

 

[cmaier]

What has been your experience with the Microcell?

I've had one for quite awhile. Mixed results. Without the microcell I have 1 bar in some places in my house, and 0 bars in other places. It's a two story house, and my DSL (AT&T) modem and networking equipment are upstairs, so I first put the microcell up there. A couple problems - it disconnects quite often, and it took a VERY long time (hours) to get the needed GPS lock each time. Sometimes phones wouldn't see the microcell and I needed to deactivate the microcell from AT&T's website and re-activate it to make it work again.

I eventually moved it downstairs (so the connection goes: DSL modem->gigabit switch->CAT 6->gigabit switch->microcell). There were also a couple iPhone updates along the way, and supposedly a microcell firmware update. Anyway, it works much better now, but it sometimes (a few times a week) loses its connection to AT&T's backend and it takes about a half hour to recover. AT&T support likes to blame my internet provider, until I each time point out that my internet provider is AT&T.

Anyway, when it does work it works fine. I get a solid 5-bar connection through half of my house, but it falls off to 1 bar rapidly upstairs. Call quality is decent. There used to be a long lag from when you dial someone until it actually dialed, but that seems to have been fixed.

 

[maccompaq]

I've had one for quite awhile. Mixed results. Without the microcell I have 1 bar in some places in my house, and 0 bars in other places. It's a two story house, and my DSL (AT&T) modem and networking equipment are upstairs, so I first put the microcell up there. A couple problems - it disconnects quite often, and it took a VERY long time (hours) to get the needed GPS lock each time. Sometimes phones wouldn't see the microcell and I needed to deactivate the microcell from AT&T's website and re-activate it to make it work again.

I eventually moved it downstairs (so the connection goes: DSL modem->gigabit switch->CAT 6->gigabit switch->microcell). There were also a couple iPhone updates along the way, and supposedly a microcell firmware update. Anyway, it works much better now, but it sometimes (a few times a week) loses its connection to AT&T's backend and it takes about a half hour to recover. AT&T support likes to blame my internet provider, until I each time point out that my internet provider is AT&T.

Anyway, when it does work it works fine. I get a solid 5-bar connection through half of my house, but it falls off to 1 bar rapidly upstairs. Call quality is decent. There used to be a long lag from when you dial someone until it actually dialed, but that seems to have been fixed.

From what you and others have said, it does not appear to be a good solution.

 

[Surely]

What has been your experience with the Microcell?

Mixed results. When it worked, it worked very well.

I posted this earlier in the thread:

It worked quite well at my last address. My only complaints are that when I arrived home, sometimes it took its time switching to the MicroCell from 3G. Also, when calling out, there was at least a 5 second delay before my iPhone started ringing out. That was pretty annoying, especially when I was calling radio shows trying to be the 10th caller to win that free trip to Hawaii. Besides those issues, the call clarity was good.

I moved to a new address a few weeks ago, and have decided to stop using the MicroCell (at least for now). A handful of the first number of calls that I made dropped, and I just couldn't trust it anymore. Fortunately, the 3G reception here is much better and I don't really need the MicroCell. However, the MicroCell would still be better than the regular 3G inside.

I may go back to trying the MicroCell out again, but that would probably involve a long call to their customer service. I just don't have the time for that now.

 

[cmaier]

Mixed results. When it worked, it worked very well.

I posted this earlier in the thread:

It worked quite well at my last address. My only complaints are that when I arrived home, sometimes it took its time switching to the MicroCell from 3G. Also, when calling out, there was at least a 5 second delay before my iPhone started ringing out. That was pretty annoying, especially when I was calling radio shows trying to be the 10th caller to win that free trip to Hawaii. Besides those issues, the call clarity was good.

I moved to a new address a few weeks ago, and have decided to stop using the MicroCell (at least for now). A handful of the first number of calls that I made dropped, and I just couldn't trust it anymore. Fortunately, the 3G reception here is much better and I don't really need the MicroCell. However, the MicroCell would still be better than the regular 3G inside.

I may go back to trying the MicroCell out again, but that would probably involve a long call to their customer service. I just don't have the time for that now.

You should be able to re-activate it at a new address from the web portal.

 

[maccompaq]

I should hear from AT&T Mon or Tues about my request for a Microcell. Maybe I will just pass on it.

 

[Surely]

You should be able to re-activate it at a new address from the web portal.

I know. I did. I even updated it to my new address.

It just wasn't acting reliably, so I decided to disconnect it for now.

 

[cmaier]

I know. I did. I even updated it to my new address.

It just wasn't acting reliably, so I decided to disconnect it for now.

Did you install it in front of or behind your router?

 

[Rich C.]

micro cell = happy at home

I was told that I could have a free micro cell last fall, but finally got down to the local store during Christmas. Waited for 20 minutes, talked to the manager, walked out with my micro cell.
Piece of cake to install, just plug in, log on to their site, enter the phone numbers allowed to use the device and I now have five bars in the house. Used to go from sometimes two at the front of the house to usually zero in the family room.
Haven't had a dropped or missed call at home since. Of course the reception is still crappy everywhere else.

 

[plinden]

Forgive me, I haven't read all of the replies.

I went to ATT with my 'free' MicroCell e-mail. I copied the whole e-mail below. Note that it says nothing about a $20/ month MicroCell service fee.

The e-mail references 'free' with regards to the equipment agreement (option to return if you cancel your contract and such) but fails to mention that there is a mandatory $20/ month service for the unlimited calling feature that comes w/ the device. If you don't agree to pay the $20/month (or already have unlimited calling), they won't give you the MicroCell. Go to your local AT&T and prepare to get aggravated!

No, it's another part that's NOT mentioned in the e-mail. $20/ month service fee for the device!

I, surprisingly enough, got a free Microcell offer this morning (via mail, not email.) I say surprisingly since i have an iPhone 4 and have 17 months left to run on the contract.

Note: I have the lowest 450 minute voice plan.

I went to my local AT&T store this evening, fully prepared to fight my corner and demand the free Microcell without being forced into an unlimited voice plan. The girl behind the desk checked my phone number and ID, checked I had DSL, reminded me there's a "verbal agreement" to keep it for a year, handed me the box, and I walked out without signing anything.

I drove home, set it up, waited about 15 minutes before the signal light stopped flashing, and I now have five bars, up from "Searching ..."

 

[ShredderClay]

I have been wanting one since before they starting testing it. I hope they get around to sending me one. I have had 3 iPhones.

 

[keno127]

I, surprisingly enough, got a free Microcell offer this morning (via mail, not email.) I say surprisingly since i have an iPhone 4 and have 17 months left to run on the contract.

Note: I have the lowest 450 minute voice plan.

I went to my local AT&T store this evening, fully prepared to fight my corner and demand the free Microcell without being forced into an unlimited voice plan. The girl behind the desk checked my phone number and ID, checked I had DSL, reminded me there's a "verbal agreement" to keep it for a year, handed me the box, and I walked out without signing anything.

I drove home, set it up, waited about 15 minutes before the signal light stopped flashing, and I now have five bars, up from "Searching ..."

Lucky! After receiving a letter in the mail (in addition to the e-mail from last week), I decided to give it one more shot and called customer service. After 15 minutes and two reps, they reiterated that a $20 per month 'MicroCell plan' would be required. After significant complaining about their bait-and-swich offer, I was offered a consolation prize of a $25 statement credit.

AT&T reps still haven't been able to explain why the $19.99/$20 plan is not mentioned anywhere on the offer documents. So...either the people I'm speaking to are complete idiots or...?

I give up. I'll live without it and switch to Verizon iPhone5.

 

[maccompaq]

Lucky! After receiving a letter in the mail (in addition to the e-mail from last week), I decided to give it one more shot and called customer service. After 15 minutes and two reps, they reiterated that a $20 per month 'MicroCell plan' would be required. After significant complaining about their bait-and-swich offer, I was offered a consolation prize of a $25 statement credit.

AT&T reps still haven't been able to explain why the $19.99/$20 plan is not mentioned anywhere on the offer documents. So...either the people I'm speaking to are complete idiots or...?

I give up. I'll live without it and switch to Verizon iPhone5.

I complained to AT&T about my service, and I received an email giving instructions how to proceed, both by Internet and by phone. I followed the instructions via Internet, and it did not work. If they are going to charge $20 a month for the Microcell, I just will not bother to pursue it any further.