AT&T 3G Microcell will not activate

[sefs]

I am on here as a last resort. I purchased a AT&T 3G Microcell 3 weeks ago and was excited a femtocell was finally available in my area. I went home and set it up following the directions provided in the box. I went on the website and registered, then plugged in the device behind my router. (I have Cable Internet service with Armstrong cable hooked up to a Motorola Surfboard 5100 DOCSIS 2.0 modem, which is plugged into my Netgear WNDR3700 router (with latest firmware), and plugged into a couple Netgear gigabit switches for extra ports.) I let it take the full 90 minutes and no go. The Power, Ethernet, and GPS lights were solid; 3G blinking. This never changed. I unplugged it and replugged it in. No change, same process. I called tech support and they suggested plugging it into the modem directly. I tried this, power cycling accordingly, and no go. They then suggested that maybe it had to be behind the router to work. So I tried setting MTU packet size to 1492, and disabling all firewall like services on the router. No go. I tried using a Linksys WRT54G version 6 with latest firmware. No go. Same everything solid except 3G blinking. I then told tech support that I had pressed the Reset Button later on in testing, and the guy (very rudely) said that this is tampering with the device, and it was in the manual not to press the Reset button. I could never find that, but whatever; IMHO don't put a button on the device that will brick it. So I went to the store and got a replacement unit. The sales reps were very nice and happily replaced the unit. I tried the modem connection setup, and router setup, and the Linksys setup; no go. I have nothing else to try. Anyone have any ideas? If not, I don't think I will be able to use a Microcell until they improve the product. Every other internet enabled device has worked fine on my nework. (17 in all.) I know Microcell uses VPN connections, but come on, it should work; this isn't beta.

Thanks for reading.

[baylorgal]

I have posted on here several times regarding the exact same problem.  I had the microcell for a month, tried both option A and option C.  Never could get a steady 3G light to complete the activation.  I was on the phone with an AT&T tech for a total of about 5 hours (even had his direct line), and was told that something was blocking ip fragments.  I had several conversations with tech support for my cable company (Northland Cable), who assured me that they did not block ports and had no firewalls on.  I tried two different microcells, three different cable modems, and two different routers, all to no avail.  The cable company even took my microcell to their office, we activated their address on the web page, and they hooked it up to several of their modems.  No go.  At least two other people here in my city who are using the same cable internet company have reported success with setting the thing up with no issues.  It is a problem that seems to make no sense.  I finally gave up and took the microcell back for a refund.  If you ever find a solution, please post it and I will try again.

[sefs]

Sorry man. I never did find a solution. I've tried everything on these forums to no avail. I am returning the unit tonight. 

[divided-sky]

I cannot get the microcell to activate either.  AT&T has set up a case for me and am waiting to hear back.  I have power, internet, GPS all solid green.  Computer is rapid flashing and 3G is flashing slower green. The microcell is connected to my modem and the router behind. I have tried all configurations.  I have sent the last 8hrs trying to figure this out  I am hoping that there is a solution

[eisenb11]

My microcell used to work. While making some changes to my config, AT&T had me deactivate and reactivate my unit. It now won't activate anymore. According to their tech, it appears that they're having a nation-wide problem with backlogged activations.

Hopefully everything is fixed by the morning.

[jayman49NC]

Having the same problem. I have a Linksys WRT 54G router connected to a 2wire Gateway modem connected to Windstream DSL. Since a week ago ATT says that everything is good on their end and maybe my IProvider is having a problem. They tell me the signal is good and maybe the router is a problem.

I've config the router to a link I found on the forum and the 3G light is still blinking. I have connected it directly to the 2wire modem and still no change. I will be taking it back next Sat. along with the 3G phones unless anyone has a fix. Does anyone know what kind of configuration 3G microcell is looking for???

[CloudyI]

Interesting--I am having the same activation problems.  I have done everything that you have done.  Been trying for 2 weeks now.  AT&T tech support is useless.

The most interesting thing is....I have Armstrong cable as well.  Interesting coincidence...I wonder--  I too have multiple internet devices (Roku, DirecTV, iPhones, PS3's, Wii, etc., etc.)--they all work but MicroCell?  NO LUCK!!

[eisenb11]

It's now been 19 hours since I got the blinking 3G light. I think something is seriously wrong on their end. I'd call CS and bug them a bit, but I have an appointment that I need to go to. Perhaps, I'll bug them when I get back. Will post here if I find anything out.

[MyDogHasFleas]

All the activation servers are down now, AT&T recommended to me to wait until Monday.  

[divided-sky]

I just got a text from AT&T stating that "the microcell issue has been resolved. Please retest and allow 90 min for activation/changes. If you have questions please call 1-877-970-6660."  I just did it and keeping my fingers crossed! 

[HXGuy]

Same here but so far nothing. And their website still doesnt work to remove the device from the account and start all over.

[divided-sky]

Same here HXguy.  Let us know if you get through.  Thank

[vettrus]

Same for me it will not activate.

I had it activated when I was in Michigan and it worked great.   I purchased this primarily for my cabin in Colorado which I get very little signal.   I have been on the phone several times with tech support and the lastest they told me was that they had a nation wide activation problem and just to keep trying to activated it.

Still waiting....

[sefs]

I'm glad to hear that you guys are having problems as well. (Glad? Really? Maybe not.) At any rate, if anybody finds a universal fix to this problem, or hears from AT&T that they have made some update I'll buy the Microcell again and try it again, but it really should just be plug and play; and when it requires more configuration, it really gets sticky because there is no diagnostic you can use to try to resolve your issue. The box is locked down, by design. Before I returned it I used DD WRT to try and see how many connections it was making. The thing never really utilized any bandwidth and had 0-4 connections, when my PC had 80-120 network connections while idling. If I ever get a fix I'll post it here, but customer support seems like a dead end. I ended up exchanging three weeks of phone calls with them to no avail.

[brangran]

I purchased one for my parents on June 24th and took it to my house because I wanted to make sure it would be an easy setup. The activation completed and all lights were solid on the box but the only problem I was having was it not working with my iPhone. I have read about this being a problem and since neither of them have an iPhone I didnt worry about it much.

So then on Friday nigth the 25th I made it to my parents and re-registed the device and attempted to activate it to their location. The next morning I woke up to find it still at activation pending with all lights solid except the 3G light was blinking nonstop. I called tech support 3 different time and opened a case for level 2 support (which they still having contacted me back). I even did all the configuring on the router that people had said to do, even directly hooking it up to the dsl modem (Windstream). When I would try to disconnect the device and start completely over the website would not work. On Sunday I had to come back to my house so I brought the microcell along to see if just maybe I could get it working again on my network. I hooked everything back up Sunday night and this morning I woke up to an email stating Activation complete and all lights were solid although my iPhone still will not pick it up even after a network reset.

I am wondering if it activates at my place because of network configurations, ISPs (mine is ATT Uverse, theirs is Windstream) or if it was because their system was down this weekend. I cant just run back down there to test it because its 2 hours away. I will post later when I find out more. Why cant they make this easy!?!?

[vettrus]

Mine works fine with the iPhone, we have 4 in our family and they work great, my only problem is that I purchased it Michigan with the plan of using it in colorado at my cabin.   I worked great in Michigan but it won't active here in Colorado...Still trying to get it to work.

[eisenb11]

@vettrus

Did you add the CO address to your microcell management page and switch that to the active location?

If so, I wonder if perhaps AT&T is limiting the microcell to certain geographic locations which would cause it to not activate due to the GPS coordinates.

[eisenb11]

brandgran,

The system was borked most of the weekend. I was down until Sunday night.

[Hooch27804]

Mine in NC just came up.  When trying to view status now on website, it givens an unavailable error.  But it is working now, from what I can tell.

[KennyB_VA]

I left mine with the 3g light blinking last night. It finally activated at 1am this morning.

[vettrus]

GREAT NEWS !!!!

It started working yesterday I was sitting on my deck using my iPhone and I noticed the bars jump to full and the m-cell logo appear.   I made a few calls to test it and I had someone call me and everything worked great.

For the person trying to get his iPhone working with the Microcell,  I have 4 iPhones and they all work with the Microcell

[brangran]

eisenb11,

I thought that might be the case so once I brought it back up to my place I was able to get it activated and working.

So I then Disconnected the Microcell and had my mother take it home and walked her through hooking it up while I activated it online. Within 2 hours it said it was activated but the 3G lights were still blinking. This morning the lights were STILL blinking although it said activated online.

Does anyone know why it would said it was activated even though 12 hours later the lights are still blinking away?

[jmatero]

We're all seeing this problem...

Read this:

http://forums.wireless.att.com/t5/AT-T-3G-MicroCell/ACTIVATION-SYSTEM-IS-THE-PROBLEM-NEW-MICROCELL-O...

[Primbarbi]

I just had the same problem....was without service at all for about 24 hours....for some reason the 3Gs phones are being sent out with bad sim cards.........my guess...there was probably a bad batch of sim cards that were supposed to be destroyed and not reused...and Lord knows how many went out the door....just take your phone to your nearest ATT store....and have them put in a new Sim Card......Easy Peasy )

[rpcassidy28]

This 3g Microcell is a piece of crap.  I have spent a month trying to get tech support to do something to make the unit work.  I finally found a technical bulletin on the internet written by AT&T that lists a set of solutions for internet problems with the 3g Microcell.  In my case, I am using Time Warner with an IBEE/Ambit router.  You have to go into the setup to reconfigure the router to disable "Block IP fragments".  There are a number of conditions your router must have in order for the device to work.  I contact Time Warner level 3 support and had them confirm that all of the conditions were met by the router.  I deactivated and then reactivated the Microcell and tried again to activate the unit.  This time I do not get any update in the status of the unit when I logon to the website.  Calling Customer Service is a joke.  My last call got me transferred to Connectech where they told me that all they do is support modems.  I see a bunch of posts from 2010 is there any newer information available?  As a side note, I got a Verizon network extender at the same time as the AT&T Microcell.  The Verizon unit set up in 30 minutes and has not given me an ounce of trouble and has no problem working with the Time Warner router.  

[ronaldw152]

I am having similar problems.  I bought a used microcell off ebay and tried to activate it and the 3g light still flashes and there is no status on the att website.  I have talked to tech twice and they keep saying that my device is defective.  It was however sold as a working device on ebay.  I have contacted my internet service provider that made changes to my service to allow the device to work.  I have it connected through a router with the firewall disabled to see if it will activate.  it has been hooked up for over 12 hours and no change.  Does anyone know if att's servers for activating are down.  Based on all I read in the forums this seems to be a common problem and no one at att seems to be alerted to this for a long time afterwards.  Any insight would be appreciated.

[Otto Pylot ACE - Czar]

Unfortuntely buying the MicroCell from eBay does not always result in a functioning MicroCell. Did the original owner deactivate his/her account? The MicroCell's sn is tied to the account holder's information (name, address, phone number, etc). If the MicroCell is not deactivated, then it can't be registered to the new owner (one of the many cuases that results in a blinking green 3G light), and only the original owner can deactivate it.

What changes did your ISP make for the MicroCell? They are usually plug and play, unless the ISP is blocking a port, which is unlikely. Check the link in my sig for the MicroCell Setup and Troubleshooing Guide and see if that helps. If not, come back and we'll look further into this.