ATT MicroCell

I live in the hilly SF Bay Area, and when I had analog, it worked fine.
When ATT went digital, it turned crappy, really crappy. I really don't
use my cell phone at home anymore, nor do the other members of my home.
Haven't for many years.

When traveling, I'm ok with ATT, as it has coverage where I need it (but
not at home!)

I don't know if Verizon would work better for me, or any other carrier,
but I'm ready to cancel ATT and try anyone else.

I called ATT and they said the MicroCell is available in my area. I went
to one ATT store where they were out, and then to a second store where
they had it in stock, but the only thing the rep knew about it was how to
ring it up at the register.

I've read independent reviews, and generally they are good. But, I still
have unanswered questions, and thought someone here may be able to help.

1) If I have lousy GPS signals at my house, how will this thing connect
for E911 registration/location during setup? Could be out of luck?

2) Once GPS connection is made, I understand I can then move the unit to
another room in the house, and GPS is no longer needed. Yes?

3) Registering my family ATT account members authorizes the Microcell to
hand incoming calls over to their cell phones, and to hand over any
outgoing call signals they make to the Microcell. Yes?

4) I can register other (up to 10) ATTWS users for use when they are in
my home?

5) I assume that when anyone calls from outside (1 mile away or 2000
miles away, and from ANY? carrier), to any registered Microcell user that
it senses is within range of the Microcell, the ATTWS knows to route
that incoming call to the internet, so that it can reach the Microcell.
Is this correct?


Thanks

---

› See More: ATT MicroCell

On Mon, 24 May 2010 18:25:14 +0000 (UTC), Boris <[email protected]>
wrote:

>I live in the hilly SF Bay Area, and when I had analog, it worked fine.
>When ATT went digital, it turned crappy, really crappy. I really don't
>use my cell phone at home anymore, nor do the other members of my home.
>Haven't for many years.

Maybe you could put a cell tower on your roof, and then charge
everyone around you to use it.

I don't have your answers, but I think the key is to make sure you can
return it. If you have 30 days to evaluate it, give it a shot. IMHO

I usually do cell company (Verizon) stuff on the internet or over the phone.
I'd let them ship it to me....

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] says...
> 1) If I have lousy GPS signals at my house, how will this thing connect
> for E911 registration/location during setup? Could be out of luck?
>
> 2) Once GPS connection is made, I understand I can then move the unit to
> another room in the house, and GPS is no longer needed. Yes?
>
>
There is some question on the forums as to whether the GPS is even
*used* for E911 service since your physical service address has to
entered into the system registration screens and changed anytime you
move to a new address. The builtin GPS may be just to allow ATT to limit
the unit to approved areas.

One reviewer I read tried moving the unit after the inital fix and
wasn't able to do so. If you power it off it's going to need to redo the
GPS fix at the next power-up initialization. The later fixes may require
less time due to saving some location info somewhere (most handheld GPS
devices do that also) but are still required. So every time you loose
power back to the window. Or use a UPS and move it along with the MC :-)

Ultimate option--there is an MCX GPS antenna port on the microcell. You
could mount an external GPS antenna and run a coax cable to the device.
More $$$. AT&T really should include an external antenna if they're
going to require a GPS fix. GPS signals are very weak. I've got 3
handheld GPS devices and NONE of them will lock onto a signal away from
a window in my single floor house.
--
Jud
Dallas TX USA

QN <[email protected]> wrote:
> I usually do cell company (Verizon) stuff on the internet or over the
> phone. I'd let them ship it to me....

The Microcell is not available via web order, only in company stores, not
even affiliates.

http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/why/3gmicrocell/

--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5

On Mon, 24 May 2010 17:24:12 -0500, Jud
<[email protected]> wrote in
<[email protected]>:

>Ultimate option--there is an MCX GPS antenna port on the microcell. You
>could mount an external GPS antenna and run a coax cable to the device.
>More $$$. AT&T really should include an external antenna if they're
>going to require a GPS fix. GPS signals are very weak. I've got 3
>handheld GPS devices and NONE of them will lock onto a signal away from
>a window in my single floor house.

Much depends on the receiver, and some of the latest chips are far
better than earlier ones. My latest GPS (Garmin Foretrex 401) is much
more sensitive indoors than the ones it replaced (Garmin Foretrex
101/201).
--
Best regards,
John

If the iPhone is really so impressive,
why do iFans keep making excuses for it?

AT&T's MicroCell is 3G only (no GSM). 3G, a.k.a. UMTS a.k.a. W-CDMA is a
CDMA technology. CDMA technology requires that the cell must know the
precise time.

GPS provides both the time and the location for operation validation.
Although it does not "need" to validate location during operation once it
has done so on power up, it does need to keep its clock synchronized; and
it does so via GPS.

I do not know about AT&T's MicroCell, but Verizon's network extender has a
quite sensitive GPS that works with even a limited sky view. If I recall
the GPS specification correctly, a fix is needed on just two satellites to
maintain time.

-- Mark --

http://panda.com/mrc
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to eat for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.

Boris <[email protected]> wrote in news:Xns9D82742D7AE09blahblahcom@
81.169.183.62:

> I don't know if Verizon would work better for me, or any other
carrier,
> but I'm ready to cancel ATT and try anyone else.
>
>

Let's test Verizon for $10 using Pageplus prepaid, which is on Verizon
nationwide.

Find someone who has a decommissioned Verizon or Alltel CDMA phone that
still works and charges. Look under the battery for the Electronic
Serial Number (MEID it's called). Write it down.

Boot up the phone on whatever system it accesses and let logon to the
system. Dial #737 and it will connect to Pageplus from anywhere.
Follow the prompts to install it onto Pageplus for $10 off your credit
card. It will ask you for the MEID, just key it in. $10 will get you
service and 100 minutes, giving you plenty of time to check out Verizon
on the new number on Pageplus to see if Verizon has good, reliable
service where you want to use it, like from home. There IS a whopping
50c/month service charge that will come off your balance each month.

Whoever gave you the phone will probably tell you to keep it (I have 4)
as they have a new, more glitzy superphone that takes military quality
recon photos, 4G internet and Boze stereo so won't want it back.

If you want a Verizon superphone, just let the Pageplus phone use up the
minutes over the next 4 months and it will stop working....or, if you
like to save money, just recharge the phone with a discount PIN number
from Callingmart.com. $50 Pins are $45-47 for 1000 mins. $80 Pins are
now 2000 minutes, or 3.6c/min with no funny business. No monthly bill
is kinda fun after you get used to it......or you can just give the
phone back to your benefactor and become a Verizon Contract Slave to
hand over your paycheck every month for 2 years so you can play WebTV on
a Glitzphone 8000 to impress the girls.

Gives you a really cheap, no hassle way to test Verizon's system where
you live without that resistance of taking back the phone and trying to
beg them to cancel your contract....which they just don't want to do, of
course......

Better PP instructions for really cheap Verizon service is on:
http://nordicgroup.us/prepaid/pageplus.html
Where it says 5.3c/min think 3.6c/min
Where it says 1400 mins think 2000 mins.
The webpage numbers need updating but the ideas are quite valid.


--
Creationism is to science what storks are to obstetrics.

Larry

In ba.internet Boris <[email protected]> wrote:
> 1) If I have lousy GPS signals at my house, how will this thing connect
> for E911 registration/location during setup? Could be out of luck?

I've had to keep mine on the window-sill to maintain a signal. The GPS is
used for timekeeping, and also to validate that it's in an area where AT&T
can use the frequency.

> 2) Once GPS connection is made, I understand I can then move the unit to
> another room in the house, and GPS is no longer needed. Yes?

No, apparently not.

> 3) Registering my family ATT account members authorizes the Microcell to
> hand incoming calls over to their cell phones, and to hand over any
> outgoing call signals they make to the Microcell. Yes?

Yes.

> 4) I can register other (up to 10) ATTWS users for use when they are in
> my home?

Yes.

> 5) I assume that when anyone calls from outside (1 mile away or 2000
> miles away, and from ANY? carrier), to any registered Microcell user that
> it senses is within range of the Microcell, the ATTWS knows to route
> that incoming call to the internet, so that it can reach the Microcell.
> Is this correct?

Well, only for AT&T 3G phones that are registered with the device.

--
Dane Jasper Sonic.net, Inc.
(707)522-1000
mailto:[email protected] http://www.sonic.net/

Key fingerprint = A5 D6 6E 16 D8 81 BA E9 CB BD A9 77 B3 AF 45 53

Dane Jasper <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> In ba.internet Boris <[email protected]> wrote:
>> 1) If I have lousy GPS signals at my house, how will this thing
>> connect for E911 registration/location during setup? Could be out of
>> luck?
>
> I've had to keep mine on the window-sill to maintain a signal. The
> GPS is used for timekeeping, and also to validate that it's in an area
> where AT&T can use the frequency.
>
>> 2) Once GPS connection is made, I understand I can then move the unit
>> to another room in the house, and GPS is no longer needed. Yes?
>
> No, apparently not.
>
>> 3) Registering my family ATT account members authorizes the
>> Microcell to hand incoming calls over to their cell phones, and to
>> hand over any outgoing call signals they make to the Microcell. Yes?
>
> Yes.
>
>> 4) I can register other (up to 10) ATTWS users for use when they are
>> in my home?
>
> Yes.
>
>> 5) I assume that when anyone calls from outside (1 mile away or 2000
>> miles away, and from ANY? carrier), to any registered Microcell user
>> that it senses is within range of the Microcell, the ATTWS knows to
>> route that incoming call to the internet, so that it can reach the
>> Microcell. Is this correct?
>
> Well, only for AT&T 3G phones that are registered with the device.
>

Dane, you're not saying that outside callers have to be authorized
microcell users?

If a Verison user calls, will the call be routed through the internet to
the microcell, to an authorized ATTWS (3G phone) microcell user?

If yes, does the Verizon caller have to be 3G, or is the 3G requirement
only on the authorized users end?

Thanks, Dane

In article <[email protected]>, Boris <[email protected]> wrote:

I've had a Microcell since the day they became available in
the Bay Area.

>1) If I have lousy GPS signals at my house, how will this thing connect
>for E911 registration/location during setup? Could be out of luck?

No GPS lock, no workie.

>2) Once GPS connection is made, I understand I can then move the unit to
>another room in the house, and GPS is no longer needed. Yes?

I don't think so. It seems to want the check the GPS from time
to time.

I placed mine on a window sill for the initial lock. Then moved
it to a more convenient location 2 or 3 feet away. As best as
I can tell, it's been able to maintain a continuous lock in a
far-from-ideal location.

As someone else mentioned there is provision for an external
antenna.

I think AT&T were fearful that hackers would have a ball
with this device and everything has been bolted down real
tight with encryption, the GPS lockout and even anti-tamper
alarms. Yup, if you try and open the box, AT&T will call you!

Assume you need a GPS signal. However, the sensitivity of
this receiver is pretty good and it does get a signal
indoors.

>3) Registering my family ATT account members authorizes the Microcell to
>hand incoming calls over to their cell phones, and to hand over any
>outgoing call signals they make to the Microcell. Yes?

>4) I can register other (up to 10) ATTWS users for use when they are in
>my home?

Yes, you can register up to 10 numbers with AT&T. These are
"authorized" to use your Microcell (up to 4 simultaneously).

The Microcell works well when I am at home. However, call
handover to/from the conventional towers as you enter/leave
the Microcell coverage area is total crap. It usually drops
the call.

This handoff is a very complex process and I'm not at all
surprised it doesn't work as advertized.

>5) I assume that when anyone calls from outside (1 mile away or 2000
>miles away, and from ANY? carrier), to any registered Microcell user that
>it senses is within range of the Microcell, the ATTWS knows to route
>that incoming call to the internet, so that it can reach the Microcell.
>Is this correct?

Basically yes.

In short, if you are generally okay with AT&T's cellular
service but have a major reception problem at your home
location, the Microcell is well worth considering.

--
|~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~|
| Malcolm Hoar "The more I practice, the luckier I get". |
| [email protected] Gary Player. |
| http://www.malch.com/ Shpx gur PQN. |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In article <[email protected]>,
[email protected] (Edward A. Falk) wrote:

> My understanding is that because of AT&T's poor coverage in some areas,
> they make the MicroCell available to improve your personal coverage
> inside the immediate area of the device. The device attaches to the
> broadband you already have.
>
> In other words, they're giving you the privilege of paying them money so
> you can expand *their* inadequate infrastructure for them, using network
> bandwidth you're also paying for.

And my further understanding is that ANYONE within range of the
microcell can use it as well. So...not only do you pay to improve AT&T's
miserable coverage for YOU (by paying them and also providing the
bandwidth), but for anyone else who happens by.

That's the cooperative Internet for you: you pay AT&T and then you share
your resources.

--
John Higdon
+1 408 ANdrews 6-4400
AT&T-Free At Last

On 5/25/2010 4:28 PM, John Higdon wrote:
> In article<[email protected]>,
> [email protected] (Edward A. Falk) wrote:
>
>> My understanding is that because of AT&T's poor coverage in some areas,
>> they make the MicroCell available to improve your personal coverage
>> inside the immediate area of the device. The device attaches to the
>> broadband you already have.
>>
>> In other words, they're giving you the privilege of paying them money so
>> you can expand *their* inadequate infrastructure for them, using network
>> bandwidth you're also paying for.
>
> And my further understanding is that ANYONE within range of the
> microcell can use it as well. So...not only do you pay to improve AT&T's
> miserable coverage for YOU (by paying them and also providing the
> bandwidth), but for anyone else who happens by.
>
> That's the cooperative Internet for you: you pay AT&T and then you share
> your resources.
>

Your understanding is wrong. As part od the setup you set to allow only
certain wireless numbers to use the cell.

On Tue, 25 May 2010 23:10:51 +0000 (UTC), [email protected] (Edward
A. Falk) wrote in <[email protected]>:

>My understanding is that because of AT&T's poor coverage in some areas,
>they make the MicroCell available to improve your personal coverage
>inside the immediate area of the device. The device attaches to the
>broadband you already have.
>
>In other words, they're giving you the privilege of paying them money so
>you can expand *their* inadequate infrastructure for them, using network
>bandwidth you're also paying for.

Your understanding is wrong. Cellular is designed for *outdoor*
coverage. Indoor coverage may or not exist due to a multitude of
factors, especially building construction. MicroCell is a way to give
you *more* than what you're paying for with standard service.
--
Best regards,
John

"Never attribute to malice that which can be
adequately explained by stupidity." [Hanlon's razor]

In article <[email protected]>, John Navas
<[email protected]> wrote:

> >My understanding is that because of AT&T's poor coverage in some areas,
> >they make the MicroCell available to improve your personal coverage
> >inside the immediate area of the device. The device attaches to the
> >broadband you already have.
> >
> >In other words, they're giving you the privilege of paying them money so
> >you can expand *their* inadequate infrastructure for them, using network
> >bandwidth you're also paying for.
>
> Your understanding is wrong.

he's right.

> Cellular is designed for *outdoor*
> coverage.

maybe originally, but it works just fine indoors and has for a decade
or two. i even get a good signal inside a metal elevator.

> Indoor coverage may or not exist due to a multitude of
> factors, especially building construction.

rarely an issue, and it may not exist outside due to a multitude of
factors too.

> MicroCell is a way to give
> you *more* than what you're paying for with standard service.

nope. a microcell is a way to milk the user to make up for weakness in
the carrier's infrastructure.

they should put up another cell tower if it's needed. unfortunately,
that's not always feasible or cost effective, especially when too many
idiotic residents complain and if the user is willing to pay for a
microcell, why even bother?