Review: AT&T 3G Microcell

The AT&T Microcell went into examination markets a footling over a yr ago and has been slowly rolling out the units nationwide before this year. In a nutshell, the Microcell uses your broadband/high speed internet access to connect your telephone to the AT&T network. The upshot is having 5 bars of reception where you may have none.

There'due south been some criticism over AT&T Microcell polices that has overshadowed what the Microcell brings to the table. Some practise non agree that AT&T should charge minutes and data used through the Microcell against your package minutes or information. At that place are as well concerns that the hardware is priced as well high.

While these concerns have merit, if y'all are in a location that has poor reception, the Microcell is a welcomed sight. The Microcell rolled out to my surface area recently and having poor signal coverage at the house, I jumped at the opportunity to get five bars of coverage.

Follow the pause for more than details on the installation of the Microcell and how it performs.

UPDATE: There is some relief for those concerned nigh the price. AT&T is currently offering a $100 mail-in rebate on the Microcell. The 1 catch (and yous knew there would be a take hold of) is that you accept to sign up for the unlimited vocalization package ($20 a month) to be eligible for the rebate.

What's in the box

The Microcell comes conservatively packaged with the unit itself, power cord, an actress long Ethernet cablevision and easy to follow set-up guides.

The Microcell was surprisingly large. Easily twice as large as my Belkin Wireless Router, the Microcell stands about 8.5" alpine, ane.25" thick and 6.25" wide.

Completing the design, yous have five indicator lights to the front and the connexion/ability ports to the rear.

Setup

Setting up the Microcell was easy and well laid out in the set-up guide. The Microcell does require a broadband/loftier-speed cyberspace connection and set-up requires access to your AT&T online account manager (AT&T MyWireless Account).

Your first stride is to go online to att.com/3gmicrocell and get-go the activation wizard (found under the "Microcell Owner pull down menu).

You lot will so sign in to your online business relationship managing director and enter the Microcell's serial number, verify your accost, verify the authorized numbers (secondary devices). You can authorize upward to 10 numbers on the Microcell with the main number (main number on your wireless account) requiring the MyWireless account.  Simply authorized numbers will have access to the Microcell.

From there you lot can either connect the Microcell directly to your high-speed modem or to your wireless router. Power everything downwards, wait a minute, then power everything back leaving the Microcell for last.

The Microcell tin can exist moved to another location but you have to update your account information.  While it'southward non mentioned in the documentation, I would imagine that if the address registered in your Microcell Set-upward conflicts with the GPS gear up, the Microcell may not work properly.

Initialization

After activating and setting up your Microcell, you have to initialize the device.  It can take up to 90 minutes for the Microcell to initialize, larn a GPS fix (required for E911) and get active. AT&T recommends setting the Microcell upwards near a window to improve improve GPS bespeak acquisition.

It took my Microcell simply under thirty minutes to get active. AT&T volition send you an automate email and SMS message confirming total activation. For those running stock ROMs, you'll see the "AT&T" read out on your phone change to "AT&T Microcell" once the Microcell is fully functional.

Performance

Without the Microcell, I could go to certain upstairs windows and go two bars of reception, otherwise I was lucky to get i bar.  The main level of the house yielded ane bar consistently.  In the basement, reception was non-real.

With the Microcell, I am getting five bars of reception throughout the upstairs and primary levels of my house. In the basement, I am now receiving iii bars of reception.

Call quality has improved as the bespeak reception improved. The signal is advertised every bit being upwards to 5,000 square feet. I can see the influences of the Microcell most twenty-five yards from the firm and and then the cell-tower takes over. The transition betwixt the Microcell and cell belfry is seamless.

I experienced no interference with my home wi-fi or cordless telephone. While I can't explicate it, information technology seems every bit if the Microcell may have slightly improved the wi-fi network'south range.

The Microcell tin can handle up to iv simultaneous calls or data sessions. Calls initiated through a cell tower practise not transition to the Microcell. Strangely though, calls initiated on the Microcell will transition to a prison cell tower when yous leave the Microcell's range. In these instances, if yous're on the unlimited Microcell program, you'll stay on the unlimited minutes programme and your regular minutes packet won't be used.

A few things to remember

It bears worth repeating that the minutes you use through the Microcell get against your monthly package minutes. Any information fed through the Microcell volition as well get against your information packet minutes.  The information aspect of this becomes a gene if you are on ane of AT&T'southward new limited data packages.

AT&T does offer an unlimited feature for the Microcell that runs $twenty a month. This feature gives you unlimited minutes through the Microcell. There is not a similar feature for data.

Also proceed in listen that the Microcell is but for 3G enabled phones from AT&T. Information technology is not compatible with the Kindle, Nook, Sony Reader, Que or GoPhone devices (can be used as secondary devices).

Overall Impressions

The AT&T Microcell isn't for anybody. If you lot're satisfied with (or tin can live with) your current bespeak reception, then y'all shouldn't bother with the Microcell. However, if your abode or role location sucks wind with regards to signal reception, the Microcell is a proficient way to go about improving things.

Ideally, wireless providers would blanket their coverage areas with a consequent bespeak but with limitations created by topography, buildings, etc,  dead spots or low signal areas are hard to avoid. For such areas, the Microcell steps in to balance things out.

At that place is a savings attribute to the Microcell.  With an improved signal, y'all are more than likely to use your Windows Phone for long distance calls as opposed to a hardlined phone.  The savings on long distance calls may off-set the cost of the Microcell.  If you've wanted to relieve money by canceling your hardline phone but accept been hesitant due to poor wireless reception,  the Microcell resolves that issue.  The price of a hardline phone may be greater than the $20 unlimited package, some other potential cost savings.

AT&T's policies with regards to the Microcell could be better especially with regards to data usage. I would like to see AT&T internet subscribers receive the unlimited minutes without the need for a $20 package or the package rate be lowered significantly.  Free data would besides exist squeamish.

Regardless, if you need better reception at home or the function, AT&T's Microcell is the answer you lot're looking for.  Merely go to att.com/3gMicrocell and choose the "Availability" option to run into if the Microcell has landed in your neck of the wood.

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Larn more.

Source: https://www.windowscentral.com/review-att-3g-microcell

Posted by: nelsonspermild.blogspot.com

Share this post