AT&T Home Cell Tower or MicroCell

For many households, staying connected through reliable cellular service is essential, but cell reception can sometimes be spotty at home, especially in remote or densely populated urban areas. AT&T’s solution for boosting weak signals in your home is the AT&T MicroCell, sometimes called a home cell tower. By creating a stronger, more stable signal, this device helps you avoid dropped calls and slow data speeds. Here’s what you need to know about AT&T’s home cell tower options, how they work, and if they’re the right choice for your needs.

What Is the AT&T Home Cell Tower (MicroCell)?

Why is AT&T's MicroCell Dropping Calls?

AT&T's Mini Home Cell Phone Tower

There could be several reasons why an AT&T MicroCell, also known as a femtocell, is dropping calls. A MicroCell is a device that uses your internet connection to provide enhanced cellular coverage in areas with weak signals. Here are some possible causes for dropped calls with a MicroCell:

Internet Connection Issues: The MicroCell relies on a stable and reliable internet connection to function properly. If there are issues with your internet service, such as intermittent connectivity, slow speeds, or high network congestion, it can result in dropped calls or poor call quality on the MicroCell.

Interference: The MicroCell operates on specific radio frequencies, and if there is interference from other devices or neighboring wireless networks, it can impact the performance of the MicroCell and lead to dropped calls. Interference can be caused by electronic devices, wireless routers, or other wireless signals in close proximity to the MicroCell.

Location and Signal Strength: The placement of the MicroCell within your home or office can affect its performance. If the MicroCell is positioned in an area with poor internet connectivity or where the cellular signal is already weak, it may struggle to maintain a stable connection, resulting in dropped calls.

MicroCell Software or Firmware Issues: Like any technology, MicroCell may experience software or firmware issues that can impact its functionality. It's recommended to ensure that your MicroCell's software and firmware are up to date to minimize potential issues.

Device Compatibility: Some older or incompatible devices may not work well with the MicroCell, leading to dropped calls or other connectivity problems. Checking the compatibility of your device with the MicroCell and ensuring it meets the necessary requirements can help prevent issues.

If you are experiencing consistently dropped calls with your MicroCell, it is advisable to contact AT&T customer support for assistance. They can help troubleshoot the issue, check the device's settings, and provide further guidance on resolving the problem.

Read more at the AT&T Wirless Forum

Related Posts:
Call Failed or Dropped Calls?

How Many AT&T Microcells Have Been Sold?

In just 2 years AT&T now has 350,000 Microcells on their network compared to 256,000 cell phone towers.   Sprint has 250,000 femtocells on their network as well.  Microcells are growing a lot faster than cell phone towers despite the poor reviews from customers.  Many AT&T customers experience the Microcell dropping calls which is distributed by Cisco (Nasdaq: CSCO) & designed by IP Access.  Microcells sell for $150-$200, however, many people are learning how to complain to AT&T and get a free Microcell. 

It is also going to be interesting to see how the T-Mobile customers will be affected by the merger and the change in culture towards femtocells.  T-Mobile does not believe in the femtocell concept and has stuck with WiFi calling which works great.  T-Mobile has always maintained the position that they will have their customers use WiFi to make phone calls onto the network when cellular reception is non-existent.  

AT&T has 256,000 traditional cell phone towers which AT&T claims to have and says is growing to 500,000 but I don't believe them.  This would only happen if they would acquire T-Mobile and thus would be many overlapping sites.  AT&T would likely divest many of these towers in the process.  So why all the hype about 4G infrastructure when connectivity is getting fragmented onto WiFi?  Why are carriers hyping 4G  when G still stinks and that WiFi is not secure and therefore you should always connect through their network?  The costs of a Microcell vs Cell Phone Tower makes you think that there could be other alternative forms of unlicensed communication in the future through WiFi for free. 

10 Funny Femtocell Product Brand Names

AT&T's New Sponsor Sudafed - "Congestion Relief for Our Network"

SudaCell - Congestion Relief for the Network

SinuCell - Relief for your Network Congestion

MicroHell - Because we know your outdoor cell coverage is actually getting worse

Wi-For-Free - Why would we want to use a free back-haul service like Wi-Fi?

Never Drop - Or we pay for the call

Extenna - Extension for your iPhone 4 antenna that won't reach the cell tower

Ubiquity - Your phone should work everywhere our coverage maps claim

Auto Re-Dial - Because we know you will have to do it at least once

Show Me the Money - Just pay us and stop complaining about your poor service quality

Cell You Crap - When your $150 + $20 Per Month AT&T MicroCell drops calls

What are femtocells?  - They are 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE or Wi-Fi wireless device that has been specifically designed for cell phones and used it is used to enhance cell phone reception indoors and lower cell phone costs at the same time.  Femtocells are typically used to relieve network congestion, dropped calls and areas that have no cell phone reception.  

How to Get a Free AT&T 3G MicroCell

AT&T's "most valuable customers" are now receiving free MicroCells or mini-cell phone towers to boost their home or office cell phone signals.  

AT&T MicroCell Customers Complain Here

I have started receiving numerous emails from frustrated AT&T Wireless customers about their new MicroCell (aka Mini Cell Phone Tower or Femtocell for your home). Thousands of frustrated AT&T Wireless customers are starting to emerge who have been tricked into buying the MicroCell for $150 that does not work in some areas. We want to find out where?

As we have seen in the past the only way to get the attention of the telecom giant is to complain about service as a group.  Think of Deadcellzones.com as the Groupon of complaints about cell phone coverage and poor service.  Here are some sample emails I have received from customers around the US.  Please send me your emails or post your experiences in the comments section below.

From a San Diego AT&T Customer - "I found your website after fighting on the phone with AT&T about their coverage here at my house located at ______, San Diego Ca 92117. Started having problems with my iPhone for the past 3 months.  I called AT&T and they told me to go buy one of their cell phone reception boosters for $150.00! So now I paid them $160.00+ tax for service + a monthly fee that doesn't work.  Is there a problem with the AT&T network because my TV provides is AT&T U-Verse as well? Sorry for the rant but I am livid, anyways you can add that address to your map."

From a San Francisco Customer - "I love your website because it gives me the ability to vent my frustration with AT&T's ineptitude and overhyped coverage.  I live in the city and would like to use my iPhone at home but AT&T's network is always congested near my apartment.  I went out and purchased the AT&T MicroCell and currently, I am very disappointed with the amount of dropped calls.  It seems like the macro network is looking to interfere with the microcell network and they are fighting for control.  What will fix the problem because I am thinking about going back to Wi-Fi and Skype for voice."

Related Stories:
Is Cell Reception Getting Worse?
Steve Jobs Cronies Hype: AT&T Getting Better
Why is AT&T's MicroCell Dropping Calls?
AT&T to Spend $1B on Free Femtocells
AT&T's Microcell U-Verse Set-Top Box
AT&T Home Cell Tower or MicroCell

Home Cell Towers
AT&T Customers Will Soon Be Happy
AT&T Service Plans and Coverage Review

AT&T to Spend $1B on Free Femtocells

AT&T To Give Away 10 million Microcells (Femtocells)

AT&T plans to spend $4B to enhance its network and $1B of this to be allocated at giving away 10 million  Microcells at $100 each.  This is only 12% of their entire customer base and we speculate that its' loyal small business customers who desperately need home or business coverage will get priority.  We are simply foreshadowing the inevitable news that AT&T seems to be avoided as they can sell early adopters this first iteration of the Cisco manufactured AT&T Home Cell Tower or MicroCell for $150.

AT&T has rolled this out in about a half dozen markets and claims they will go Nationwide later this spring or summary.  I think they are testing the market to see how early adopters are just willing to pay $150 and $20 per month for enhanced in-building coverage.  We speculate they are going to be forced into giving away a minimum of 10M femtocells (Microcell mini cell phone towers) to its' customers that cost them $100 each because of pressures from the cable operators and the smaller operators.  These mini cell phone towers will fix the horrible coverage more than 40M of AT&T's customers have indoors. 10M microcells would only be a fraction of their customer base of 80M that actually needs the product or may switch to another dump pipe operator in the near future.

See our related posts about the Microcell:  AT&T Customers Will Soon Be Happy,

AT&T's Microcell U-Verse Set-Top Box

AT&T's Microcell U-Verse Set-Top Box

AT&T is reportedly working on a U-Verse IPTV set-top box that will include a Femtocell, claims an anonymous employee. This unit will cover TV, telephone, internet and improve your cellular reception with its Microcell technology included to route cell phone calls through broadband. Owners of iPhones, Blackberry's and 3G phones will be excited to hear any news but will it be enough to get you to switch from Fios, Time Warner, Comcast, Cox or Cable Vision?  The all-in-one box is said to launch in 2010, while U-Verse continues to expand throughout the U.S. However, in addition to this news comes the 3G Microcell, AT&T's stand-alone Femtocell, which is out in limited locations throughout the US.  Features include:

* Full bars indoors - supports voice and data up to 5000 square feet.
* Available unlimited minute plans - Individual or Family Plan.
* 3G handset compatible - works with any AT&T 3G Phone.
* Up to 4 simultaneous voice or data users supported.
* Device is secure - cannot be accessed by unauthorized users.
* Seamless call hand-over between Microcell and cell towers.

It has also been speculated by insiders and lightly reported in the media that AT&T will Spend $1 billion dollars on Free Femtocells for its customers or approximately 10M customers.  This accounts for only 12% of its 80 million customers who could likely see a free Microcell if they complain loud enough and are high ARPU customers.