MicroCell Availability

[sdlea]

When will AT&T fully roll out the 3G MicroCell?  My service is so bad in my home office I am considering cancelling my service and going back to Verizon.

[jawbreaker]

As usual, not available first/for trial in the greater Houston area.

You can put your email in on the site and they'll notify you when it's available in your area.

[FredW]

I have seen some unofficial reports that say it will roll out nationwide in December.  I have seen other, older, reports that quote at&t sources that say they are committed to a nationwide rollout by the end of the year.  But then with at&t, you never know for sure.  They are very secretive.  

[jawbreaker]

Just curious, is this their *fix* for spotty signals...instead of doing something more broad?  Ever since they did the 3G iPhone, I've had problems indoors where I never did before.  And of course, this little service will not be free.

[pleaseturnonmym…]

I'm right there with you.  I went out and purchased an AT&T 3g Microcell at a AT&T store.  After repeated calls to local and corporate offices they refuse to turn it on because I'm over  the border of the "test area." 

What makes the situation very frusterating is that my Verizon phone worked great.  I went out and bought an ATT iPhone and it is dead as a door nail.   I went out and purchased the AT&T 3g Microcell which is designed to patch AT&T's network problems and they won't turn it on?  @#$%^&*!

http://digg.com/d31BZEv 

I cannot believe AT&T won't turn on my Microcell.  I should have reviewed Consumer Reports service ratings before I bought into AT&T.  

[d00mz]

It should have been explained to you when you bought your MicroCell that you had to live in the trial area for it to work.  Unless you want to wait for your area to be turned on, you should probably return the device for a refund.

[Wireless_Guru]

^^ They won't necessaily let you know when it's available in your area according to this comment on an Engadget MicroCell post "How would you change AT&T's 3G MicroCell?"

[Justanother]

It is available in Albany, GA. I signed up with at&t Nov 29, their coverage map indicated i may have service issues in my home. I bought one out right for $150 (there is a rebate if you add to your plan so that all calls made in range of the microcell are not using your monthly minutes). I chose to just pay the $150 but got home and i'm content with my service at home. The data speeds aren't super fast but i can just switch on wifi or you know, use my laptop ;-) I returned it. I was told i could only use it where i register it and can include up to 10 numbers to allow to use the Microcell. Needless to say, we shouldn't have to pay for it if we are not getting the service we already pay for. I'm fine with 3 bars right now but then i don't like to talk much so maybe at&t is a blessing for me ;-)

[LCT]

---

Justanother wrote: 
Needless to say, we shouldn't have to pay for it if we are not getting the service we already pay for.

---

This statement is echoed in blogs as well, but it isn't always as this black and white.  I'm a great example.  I live in a wooded area, so I chose to install a metal roof.  This makes where I live the cellular equivalent the proverbial tinfoil hat.  I get great coverage standing on my deck, but I go inside and I drop to a single bar.  The MicroCell fixed this problem and I'm happy with the $150 price tag.  Sure AT&T's network isn't perfect, but in my case I wouldn't expect them to subsidize an environmental factor that they have absolutely no control over.  I dislike having to pull out my AT&T soapbox and that its familiar layer of dust has gone away due to use as of late, but expecting a wireless signal to penetrate everything is just naive (sorry Justanother, that wasn't directed at you.  Just a comment in general).  Finally, let's not forget that other company touting its maps saw a need to sell one of these things too.  They also have the gaal to charge 249.99 for it and don't even have the option for unlimited calling on it. 
 
Cue the statements about living in an open field with great coverage on the maps, a house made out of cardboard, and horrible indoor coverage.  

[trlrguy69]

So just a thought back to the original post. When will at&t make the microcell available to those of us who actually live in the country and need it.

[sdlea]

Thanks for bringing this thread back on point.  I am anxious to learn if anyone is aware of the nationwide launch date.

[ryan182]

No kidding, its pathetic.  My local store told me back in October they were told by December, went in today and was told "some time in the next YEAR".  Its beyond frustrating, its bad enough that my phone works BETTER in third world countries, for example: Indonesia on a BOAT by remote islands, in remote areas of Thailand or the Maldives than it does in major US cities like NYC, Boston or OC and to add insult to this not only does ATT come last to the party on fentocels but they wont allow people outside a few small cities to get decent cell service.  Get with the program, save the money on the fancy actors in your commercials and the lawyers suing Verizon and FIX your darn network and if your not going to do that at least allow us to pay extra to get some decent service at home.

[LCT]

---

trlrguy69 wrote:
So just a thought back to the original post. When will at&t make the microcell available to those of us who actually live in the country and need it.

---

That's a great question, and one I'm sure only AT&T knows.  Right now, it seems rather limited to where they already offer DSL/U-Verse service.  I wonder if it has anything to do with the FCC.  It is a cell tower after all.

[sitnsidewayz]

I was in a corporate store three weeks ago and decide to query them about it, since word was December of this year. I was told there that it would not be launched nationwide till spring of next year, maybe April.

[lancer0123]

Has signed up for the Microcell in New Jersey, Nothing happening here though. No Microcell ! AT&T please launch the Microcell !

[mrmeyertx]

Some information on the delay would be nice.

I get maybe 1 bar in my townhome.  I get two bars in one of the upstairs bedrooms.  What frustrating to me is the postcard I received last year from AT&T certifying that I had exemplary coverage.  Pfft.

The other carriers have worse signal in my home, that's why I chose AT&T.  I'm in Houston and should have good coverage, but there's a dead spot around my townhome complex.  I tried to verify a credit card last night and never got through, the signal dropped each time.

I've been waiting for this femtocell for over a year.

[bubbatex]

I have been following the microcell on other forums and there have been problems.  But there was a software update around Thanksgiving that seemed to make the thing run as intended.  I bet they are waiting a few weeks to make sure it runs consistently.  Maybe this means a Q1 rollout to more markets.  I had rather it work than have one with problems - and a lot of the Charlotte/Raleigh early users have had problems.

I was in a ATT store last week here in Austin and asked a rep if they had heard anything - he said he had not and he is waiting on it himself for his grandparent's ranch. 

[pleaseturnonmym…]

This must be the epitome of faulty reasoning on behalf of AT&T.  If there are persons with no service, like me, any service at all is preferable.  If a software patch may be issued in the future to create perfection great.  I for one would be happy to have calls drop when I leave my home versus getting no service.  Get the MicroCells out now!  AT&T your devoted clients are suffering.  I'm talking about myself.  Aren't there thousands or possibly millions like me out there?  Saturday Night Live  is now joking about the quality of AT&T service

Here is the Joke video Fast Forward to 37:20: 

http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/12/21/atts-cellphone-service-is-a-joke/ 

[LCT]

---

pleaseturnonmymicrocell wrote:

This must be the epitome of faulty reasoning on behalf of AT&T.  If there are persons with no service, like me, any service at all is preferable.  If a software patch may be issued in the future to create perfection great.  I for one would be happy to have calls drop when I leave my home versus getting no service.  Get the MicroCells out now!  AT&T your devoted clients are suffering.  I'm talking about myself.  Aren't there thousands or possibly millions like me out there?  Saturday Night Live  is now joking about the quality of AT&T service

Here is the Joke video Fast Forward to 37:20: 

http://brainstormtech.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2009/12/21/atts-cellphone-service-is-a-joke/ 

---

Actually, I interpreted that to be a commentary on how bad the iPhone is.  Haven't you ever wondered why that AT&T BlackBerry can make calls RIGHT NEXT TO YOU at Starbucks when your iPhone can't?

http://gizmodo.com/5431644/is-it-the-iphone-or-the-network

[ryan182]

I've had three ATT phones before the iphone, my service is no worse or better with the iphone than it was with my previous phones (Treo 650, 750, and the Epix) and I know several people with BB that have serious issues with call fails/drops/otherwise crap service.  Maybe the phone is a very small % of the problem, but the bulk of the problem is the network or lack thereof

[mrmeyertx]

My experience mirrors pleaseturnonmymicrocell's.  I have very good service everywhere, but all cell phones have a problem in my townhome.  I chose AT&T because it had the better signal, but most areas of the house have 0 bars and dropped calls are constant.  Many days I cannot complete a call at all.

I've been waiting a year for the microcell to address this, and I'd rather get it now, buggy and all, and get the software patch later.  Buggy is better than nothing at all.

[schmegs]

I'm just getting frustrated with the dropped calls in my apartment.  Supposedly, I have 4-5 bars a lot of the time in my apt., but the calls still drop multiple times. it's gotten to the point that, when I'm talking to my family, after dropping the call a few times, we just give up & don't call each other back...  I've been anxiously awaiting the microcell; waiting until the spring is not good for my blood pressure...

[pleaseturnonmym…]

I have to agree.  My many years of experience tell me it's the network and not the phone.  Sorry, yes it's the network.  It is my belief AT&T is applying marketing spin to distract the public from the poor network quality reality.  More delay, diffuse, diminish, confuse and everything but spend the money to improve the network.  Consumer reports says Verizon has the best network hands down.  AT&T is last:

http://digg.com/d31BZEv 

I wish I checked Consumer Reports before I invested.  I miss my Verizon service. 

AT&T I have no service inside and within some distance of my home.   I went out and purchased a 3g Microcell at your retail store to fix the situation.  

Why will you not turn it on?  Would you please turn it on for me?  It's been weeks.    

[AnClar]

It's really quite pathetic that AT&T, in addition to providing a non-existent signal in my house, to also not be able to tell me when this Micro Cell, which only a fortunate few have access to, will be available in my area.  Funny how the competition has managed to roll out a similar product while AT&T seems incapable.  AT&T has been talking about this product since early last year, and it's just another indication of their substandard operation that they can't seem to bring it to market for everyone suffering from their miserable coverage.  Bad enough they have the audacity to charge for this little electronic miracle, which sort of address their problem by charging us more for service we are already paying for, and then on top of it to use my ISP for their backhaul.  They ought to provide this for free to customers who are paying exorbitant prices for non-existent service.  Replace landlines with cell service????   HA!!!!

[clowry]

---

AnClar wrote:
It's really quite pathetic that AT&T, in addition to providing a non-existent signal in my house (NO carrier insures indoor coverage), to also not be able to tell me when this Micro Cell, which only a fortunate few have access to, will be available in my area.  Funny how the competition has managed to roll out a similar product (I thought this competitor was so great?  why the need for a microcell box???) while AT&T seems incapable.  AT&T has been talking about this product since early last year, and it's just another indication of their substandard operation that they can't seem to bring it to market for everyone suffering from their miserable coverage.  Bad enough they have the audacity to charge for this little electronic miracle, (yep, $150 vs the competition charging a reported $249.99) which sort of address their problem by charging us more for service we are already paying for, and then on top of it to use my ISP for their backhaul.  They ought to provide this for free to customers who are paying exorbitant prices for non-existent service.  Replace landlines with cell service????   HA!!!! 

---

[sitnsidewayz]

---

clowry wrote:

---

AnClar wrote:
It's really quite pathetic that AT&T, in addition to providing a non-existent signal in my house (NO carrier insures indoor coverage), to also not be able to tell me when this Micro Cell, which only a fortunate few have access to, will be available in my area.  Funny how the competition has managed to roll out a similar product (I thought this competitor was so great?  why the need for a microcell box???) while AT&T seems incapable.  AT&T has been talking about this product since early last year, and it's just another indication of their substandard operation that they can't seem to bring it to market for everyone suffering from their miserable coverage.  Bad enough they have the audacity to charge for this little electronic miracle, (yep, $150 vs the competition charging a reported $249.99) which sort of address their problem by charging us more for service we are already paying for, and then on top of it to use my ISP for their backhaul.  They ought to provide this for free to customers who are paying exorbitant prices for non-existent service.  Replace landlines with cell service????   HA!!!! 

---

---

I am also patiently waiting on this device. For me, it's not just a lack of signal inside the house, but out in the yard as well. These devices are actually targeted for areas where a good signal is not to be expected, like out in the boonies. With AT&T though, many customers, like myself, are wanting this for use in areas where there should already be a good signal.

[pleaseturnonmym…]

I cannot make this stuff up.  Please turn on my my ATT 3g Microcell:

http://digg.com/d31EFQf

[garosche]

I am fortunate to have the 3G Microcell in Augusta, Ga... However, incoming calls are going straight to voicemail and not ringing my phone.  $150 to miss calls?  I could do that before!

[pleaseturnonmym…]

ALERT!  Good News 

AT&T has finally just turned on my 3g Microcell in Irvine California  

[AnClar]

---

clowry wrote:

---

AnClar wrote:
It's really quite pathetic that AT&T, in addition to providing a non-existent signal in my house (NO carrier insures indoor coverage) (Well, they better start since AT&T is now moving to kill landline phone service as we know it.  I'm sure you'll be really happy if and when you ever need emergency services, your only phone is a cell phone, and you have no signal indoors.), to also not be able to tell me when this Micro Cell, which only a fortunate few have access to, will be available in my area.  Funny how the competition has managed to roll out a similar product (I thought this competitor was so great?  why the need for a microcell box???) (I never said the competition was great...that's your own invention.)  while AT&T seems incapable.  AT&T has been talking about this product since early last year, and it's just another indication of their substandard operation that they can't seem to bring it to market for everyone suffering from their miserable coverage.  Bad enough they have the audacity to charge for this little electronic miracle, (yep, $150 vs the competition charging a reported $249.99)  (I didn't discuss relative pricing here.  Frankly, I think no carrier ought to charge for these devices, since all they are doing is filling in gaps in coverage areas that the cell companies need to have.)  which sort of address their problem by charging us more for service we are already paying for, and then on top of it to use my ISP for their backhaul.  They ought to provide this for free to customers who are paying exorbitant prices for non-existent service.  Replace landlines with cell service????   HA!!!! 

---

---

OK...so you've proved yourself to be an AT&T {please keep it courteous} ...when you have some useful comments to make let me know, kthxbai!

Message Edited by AnClar on 01-05-2010 06:31:22 PM

Message Edited by Glomag on 01-06-2010 01:31:53 PM