AT&T 3G MicroCell unboxing and impressions
By Darren Murph 
posted Sep 28th 2009 1:19PM
posted Sep 28th 2009 1:19PM
It's sort of tough to believe that Sprint's own femtocell hit the national scene over a year ago, and just as we were impressed with that Samsung-sourced device, we're equally impressed with this Cisco-built box. We've already heard reports that the unit simply works, and without getting all long-winded on you, the long and short of it is this: yeah, it really does work.
Upon unboxing the 3G MicroCell, we were immediately struck at just how large this thing is. It's nearly twice as big as our WLAN router, and it's shockingly white. In other words, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Of course, it provides a nice blanket of AT&T 3G for your phones, but there's really no hiding this thing. AT&T also recommends that you place it near a window and over a foot away from your wireless router, though an incredibly short Ethernet cable is included (go figure). Initial setup was a breeze; you simply head to AT&T's setup website, login to your AT&T account, punch in your device's serial number and then add or delete AT&T mobile numbers that can be used on the device. Got a friend that comes over often and likes to make calls? Adding him / her is no problem, and numbers can be added or deleted at any time after the initial setup, too.
Once the online portion is complete, you're instructed to plug the device into your router (or broadband modem) and power it up. From there, the manual states that a 90 minute initialization period is needed before you can actually use it. Thankfully, our setup only took a half hour, and immediately after it was ready, a text message was sent to our iPhone 3G notifying us that a) our phone was connected to the 3G MicroCell and b) we could now make calls / access 3G data over the device.
Once it's connected (which happens automatically), the only difference you'll notice when using your 3G handset is clearer calls and stronger 3G reception. Our web surfing and emailing was buttery smooth over 3G, and calls were as clear as ever. We huddled down in a corner that's notorious for killing our signal and made a few test calls, all of which maintained signal throughout and garnered praise from everyone on the other end. Of course, you'll still feel the pain if your ISP tends to drop from time to time, but as long as your internet connection remains strong, you should be good to go. Just so you know, we tested our calls on a basic, no frills cable internet connection that sees uploads capped at around 40Kbps. Oh, and we did test two simultaneous calls (up to four at once are supported), and both of 'em went over great.
All told, AT&T's 3G MicroCell works exactly as advertised, though we were slightly disturbed by how toasty the top got. We generally saw anywhere between 1 and 4 bars of 3G at our testing facility, and after the MicroCell installation, we never saw it dip beneath 5 bars of 3G. One huge benefit of the 3G MicroCell over Sprint's AIRAVE is data support; the latter still doesn't provide EV-DO data, meaning that you'll still be forced to struggle through emails and web surfing at home if your handset doesn't handle WiFi. With AT&T's solution, users can expect strong 3G downloads anywhere in their home, which may or may not be a deal-maker. So, is this thing worth the coin? If you're dying to have an iPhone 3G / 3GS (or any of AT&T's 3G handsets), and you get horrible coverage at home, sure. Yeah, you could bicker that users shouldn't be paying to patch holes in AT&T's coverage areas, but that's exactly what your monthly payments go to (in theory) anyway. For those out there who are hard-up for an iPhone 3G or 3GS, another $150 from the savings account probably won't stop them. Oh, and for those of you dreaming of taking this overseas for a bit of gratis international calling, fuhgetaboutit. As with Sprint's AIRAVE, the internal GPS chip has to certify that you're within US borders before it'll work. Lame, but impossible to avoid.
We dig that AT&T will let users buy the box and then keep using it sans any monthly fees (unless you opt for a $20 per month unlimited calling plan), and we're hoping that the pricing gets increasingly more attractive as new test markets are rolled out. You see, the 3G MicroCell was priced at $150 regardless of plan selections in Charlotte, but in Raleigh, AT&T is testing out something a little different. Customers can purchase the device for $150 straight-up, but if they choose a $20 monthly plan to get unlimited calling, they can look forward to a $100 mail-in rebate bringing the grand total to $50. Additionally, Raleigh-area AT&T DSL and U-verse users (new subscribers only, though) get an extra $50 rebate, bringing the net cost of the femtocell to $0.00. It's not perfect, but it's progress, and we could definitely envision these flying off shelves at a breakneck pace should the MSRP stoop below the magical $100 mark.
Update: AT&T pinged us to say that the $100 rebate for choosing the $20 / month unlimited calling option is in effect for both Charlotte and Raleigh, though the extra $50 rebate is for Raleigh-area users only. And no, you can't buy this in Charlotte or Raleigh and take it back to San Jose; right now, AT&T will only enable MicroCells to operate in its test markets.
Ok, it supports 3G, but what about 2G? we still have a phone or two in our house that are Edge/GSM, so does this thing support that? Or is is strictly 3G only?
The device is strictly for 3G-enabled phones. I believe it had something to do with the complexity of handing 2G calls over to the microcell that made it extra complicated and unstable. Also, probably a good way for them to push 3G phones. While I hate the fact that this doesn't give you unlimited minutes, at least there is no monthly service charge (except for the electricity I suppose). I only have one non-3G phone left in the house, time to hit up craigslist. :P
Any word on when they'll start selling nationwide?
Can you see whether you can move the microcell outside of the test area?
Simple answer - no.
I just bought a Microcell and asked at the store if I'd be able to take it with me when I travel. I was told "yes" ...as long as I registered each new location online. Back at the office I put in an upcoming destination and it gives me an error message in nice red lettering: "FTC122 : The location provided for the AT&T 3G MicroCell device does not appear to be within an area AT&T is authorized to provide service. Re-enter the address to ensure it is correct, or please relocate the device. If you are unable to resolve, please call 888-334-3787 and enter PIN Code for assistance."
Service rep tells me that GPS limits use to markets that are approved for the Microcell. In other words, if I travel within the Triangle area or drive to Charlotte then it'll work. But when I go anywhere else, GPS will disable the unit.
I checked AT&T's Microcell FAQs page before buying and it said:
Question:
Can I move my AT&T 3G MicroCell device and use it in another location?
Answer:
Yes, your device can be moved to another location provided it is within the Wireless from AT&T authorized service area. A device move requires an update to your location address in your AT&T 3G MicroCell account profile for the device to function and for 911 purposes. Please go to www.att.com/3GMicroCell and select "Manage Your AT&T 3G MicroCell".
Turns out "authorized service area" does not mean an area where there is spotty AT&T service. And of course, they can't tell you when or where service will be added next.
Thanks, AT&T.
Thanks for the info! That sucks :(
Gee why don't they offer it to people like me stuck in Orange County NY with crappy coverage and no hope of 3G in the near future? AT&T is so very very stupid.
you're right, it makes no sense to do it in Raleigh and Charlotte. I've been to both places many times and the 3G coverage there is amazing.
greggsmith says att is so very stupid. I say everyone who buys this thing, then pays a monthly note for it's usage is stupid. att has a 3g network, that can be found at times. So they offload what 3g they can't supply - yet say it's the fastest out there ( I guess so now that it'll get pumped through cable or att DSL), charge for it OVER what we're paying for that required 3g data service and can't fully use, and load up someone elses cable service - nah, att is brilliant. You folks buying it are stupid, well, let's say desperate. I have that iPhone 3g - what a joke. Drops calls every day, so I force it to Edge - I mean, what do I get with voice on 3g over Edge other than the call dropped? Every other week I stay in a trailer outside any att 3g area - but ya know - that Verizon MiFi kicks in a full 5 bar 3g there. So I'll pay the competitor before supporting att. Yeh, I'm in that stupid/desperate group but I'm already paying for 3g data and att isn't getting more money. WOW - that rambled on!
i wonder if i call an att store in raleigh would they ship one to me in southern california?
Ah yes, the Charlotte vs. Raleigh debate exemplified in the first sentence of Mr. Murph's commentary. Just remember which one is the largest (by far) and contributes the most to the state's overall well-being (hint: it starts with a C).
Well you guys need to think, this is a test market of course they are going to get people to test it. They want to make sure it works smooth with no problems before they do something big. What I mean by big is if they started out in NY like NYC or other places where coverage is bad, you are going to get so many people sign up on the day its released, take it home... if there's a problem or something goes wrong you got that many angry customers. Trust me those people with signal problems there are on there last straw, you want to make sure if you own a company like this that you do not piss them off anymore. So that is why they test it somewhere else make sure its good and then release it for a smoother transition for the people in bad/overloaded areas ex( NYC ).
All I wanted to say, the device looks cool.
I have been one of the trial users since spring and have had the retail unit since early July (in Atlanta). Mine has been rock solid, so I think AT&T is being exceedingly deliberate about how they roll these out and I can only guess they just don't have the support staff in place yet as they even outsourced the trial management (to a company in you guessed it: Raleigh)
So this thing does VoIP over my internet connection? Why not allow AT&T customers to make calls over WiFi? Oh yeah, cause you want to be able to rape us for making calls abroad, and to accomplish that you need tighter control that you can't get with WiFi.
I can't wait till cellular telecoms are required to allow third-party VoIP services over a customer's pre-paid/post-paid connection, then we'll see some real competition. Our phone will automatically connect to the best wireless network connection, be it WiFi, cellular, whatever, and our VoIP calls will run to and fro across the internet without boundaries, the way it should be. Comsumer choice will skyrocket. Net neutrality can't come soon enough.
Picked mine up yesterday in Raleigh and haven't been able to get it to register. Waiting on AT&T support to get back to me. So perhaps there is something to this "testing."
I was with AT&T and got bad reception at my house. I switched to T-Mobile because they allow Wi-Fi calling on certain phones (I have Blackberry 8900). What is funny is I get get Wi-Fi phone and internet service on my T-Moblie Blackberry 8900 using my AT&T UVERSE Gateway. :) Funny how that worked out.
tHE Wi-Fi calling is free by the way. Forgot to mention that.