I live in what’s called a “fringe coverage area” for AT&T. I get one or two bars on my iPhone 4 when I’m home. Calls sometimes drop, and callers often complain about the connection quality. Outside of moving or hoping AT&T builds a cell tower nearby, the best option to improve call quality is AT&T’s 3G MicroCell. Made by Cisco, the 3G MicroCell is a “femtocell”--a cellular base station that covers up to 5,000 square feet, according to AT&T. The device connects to your home broadband network, and it can tremendously improve cell phone reception in your house.
Improve your spotty AT&T service--on your own dime.
It only works with 3G-capable AT&T phones (so no dice if you have a first-gen iPhone), and it can’t create AT&T coverage in an area that has none. You specify which phones can use the 3G MicroCell (it supports up to four calls simultaneously, though you can provision up to 10 numbers), so you don’t have to worry about neighbors or passers-by using your MicroCell. Once you’ve registered the device, setup is plug and play--or at least it’s supposed to be. First, you plug the device into your router using an included Ethernet cable, then it registers on your network, gets a GPS lock from a satellite, and tries to connect to AT&T’s network, which can take up to 90 minutes. This seems to be where users are most likely to encounter problems--as I did. My 3G MicroCell couldn’t get a GPS lock in its original location (near my basement office). If you have trouble getting a GPS connection, the 3G MicroCell supports external GPS antennas, though AT&T stores don’t stock one. Luckily it’s an industry-standard connector, so a third-party antenna will work. In my case, relocating the MicroCell to a spot closer to a window did the trick.
As for the device itself, the 3G MicroCell is bulky, plastic, and ugly. It’s shaped like an upside-down Y, colored with a gray spine and AT&T’s trademark white-and-orange piping. Compared to Apple’s Airport Extreme, it’s large, measuring 8.5 inches tall, 1.25 inches thick, and about 6.25 inches wide. Besides its status-light activity, you know the 3G MicroCell is operational because the iPhone carrier ID switches from “AT&T” to “AT&T M-Cell” whenever it’s in range. The signal-strength indicator on my phone immediately jumps from one or two to four to five bars. If you start a call on your MicroCell and leave your house, the device will switch you to a tower once you’re out of range, so you’ll get seamless coverage when you’re mobile--sort of. Unfortunately, calls that initiate on a tower won’t transfer to the MicroCell when you get home.
And though the MicroCell improved call quality, it isn’t perfect. Since it uses your broadband connection to transmit voice data, you’re now subject to the limitations of your internet pipe. I still get garbled transmissions on occasion, which clear up after a few seconds, and there’s a perceptible lag when the call is first established, but it usually evens out quickly. While there’s no monthly fee to use the 3G MicroCell, AT&T bills calls against your AT&T voice plan, unless you opt for a $20 per month “unlimited” MicroCell plan. That injects an element of double jeopardy to the whole thing because you’re losing both broadband bandwidth and cellular minutes when using it.
In a perfect world, AT&T would have better network coverage and the 3G MicroCell would be unnecessary. If your coverage at home sucks, the 3G MicroCell fills a need--although the idea of paying a service provider even more cash to fill in gaps in their service via your own infrastructure feels a little maddening.
3G MicroCell
COMPANY: AT&T
CONTACT: www.wireless.att.com
PRICE: $149.99
REQUIREMENTS: Broadband internet connection, GPS accessibility, AT&T 3G phone
Improves call quality and signal strength. Easy to set up. Works seamlessly.
Ugly. GPS needs window access or external antenna. Dependent on your broadband network. Uses phone-plan minutes unless you opt for fee-based unlimited plan.
viscara
October 13, 2010 at 2:54am
Are you kidding me pay more for a service to a company that should be providing that service for what you are already paying for? Should I pay for cable TV service for 150 channels and then only receive 50 channels and then be asked by the cable company to pay for another box to get those 100 channels I already pay for in addition? Again we just bend over and say to ATT "Thank you sir may I have another"
Tin Ear Tom
October 12, 2010 at 12:33pm
...regarding the statement "it can’t create AT&T coverage in an area that has none." Since mid-summer, I've had it in place in a rural canyon with absolutely no cell service. We've lived here over 20 years, and had resigned ourselves to the reality that service would never happen for us - tower signals simply can't get down to our property. But the Microcell works perfectly through our DSL connection.
Also, if you have more than one 3G phone on your account, you can probably get a discount on a Microcell (possibly even get it for free). Never hurts to ask.
Loup407
October 11, 2010 at 1:23pm
Doesn't everyone live in a "fringe area" for AT&T? But I digress....I've had one of these since they first became available in the Front Range of Colorado. It worked pretty much as you described until iOS4. Since then, there have been a number of issues with the MCell, as evidenced by the active thread on AT&T users forum.
(http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/AT-T-3G-MicroCell/3G-Microcell-calls-rapidly-quot-skip-quot/m-p/2011567)Since iOS4 there are a number of issues with dropped calls and "skipping" of the voice signal. AT&T replaced my M-Cell once, which made no difference whatsoever. If you visit the thread on their forum, you'll see how calling their c/s does little good.
When it works, it's great; but you'd better get used to being very frustrated.
Print
