AT&T 3G MicroCell Setup: An Exercise in Persistence July 18, 2010
Posted by jimintriglia in AT&T, Home Networking, iPhone.trackback
When I received my letter in the mail recently, advising me that I qualified for a free AT&T 3G MicroCell, I knew that getting the device up-and-running on my home network would be an exercise in patience and persistence.
I had been hearing about the difficulty in getting the device setup and working, ever since AT&T announced the product would be available for $150 retail. A Google search showed numerous people having all manner of issues in their attempt to make use of the device.
As my iPhone is basically useless when I am at home here in Conifer, I decided it was worth investing some time toward getting my MicroCell up-and-running on my home network. If I was successful, I would then have the full use of my iPhone (voice and data applications) when I am at home. Neat.
To cut to the chase, here’s what I needed to do to get my MicroCell working with my iPhone via my home network:
1. Locate the MicroCell within three feet of a window. This is NOT an option! The MicroCell has a built-in GPS, which must acquire a position “lock” before the device will function. Both the MicroCell Quick-Start Guide and Users Manual fail to mentioon that this is a requirement for the product to work at all.
2. Once you have the MicroCell located by a window and connected to an open port on your router, you will need to power-down your router. This too, is not an option. Once your router is powered-down, power it up and then power-up the MicroCell. You will then have to wait for 90 minutes or more, for the MicroCell to download software and configure itself. If the MicroCell completes this step successfully, you will get an email from AT&T confirming successful MicroCell Activation.
3. If you are employing MAC addressing filtering as a security precaution on your router, be sure to add the MAC address of the MicroCell to the approved device list for your Router. Fail to do this and the MicroCell will convey “all green and good” status indicators, and you will remain “dead in the water” respective of your MicroCell connection to the ‘Net.
4. Once the MicroCell is working with your home network and shows a good GPS lock, Internet connection and solid “Green Bar” indicator, it’s time to get your iPhone communicating with the MicroCell. use the iPhone’s Setup application to temporarily disable Bluetooth and Wifi capability. Ensure that the 3G Networking capability is enabled, as that’s how the iPhone connects to the MicroCell. When all of this is done, power-down the iPhone. After a few seconds, power your iPhone up. If you are in luck, your iPhone will display the “AT&T M-Cell” indicator in the top-left of the display (next to the signal strength indicator). Make a test phone call and access a data application to confirm that all is working between your MicroCell, your iPhone, your home network and AT&T.
Special thanks to Marcus, the AT&T Customer Support Representative, that took me the last mile (Step 4) and got my iPhone running with the MicroCell.
I now can use my iPhone and all of the applications when I am at home– more value for my dollar.
[...] Some tips on MicroCell setup. [...]
You had it easy. I have now spent 5 hours on the phone with AT&T. The first time, they tried to blame my modem since everything was activated on AT&T’s end. Eight hours after that, I got an email from AT&T announcing the microcell had just been activated. Sure enough, it worked — it is almost like blaming the modem was their way to deflect blame. Anyway, after three weeks of working, the microcell lost its 3g connection. I have spent the last four days having AT&T say the problem is my modem. Of course, the fact that their website states that my device is now “Activation Pending” (which can take up to one hour, a pop up window helpfully advises — I am now in hour 30) does not stop them from blaming some other device, even though it all worked for three weeks. What an awful experience.
Hi Tim, Indeed, I did have a rather easy time as compared to other MicroCell users, from what I have read. It took me basically an entire Saturday and part of Sunday to get the MicroCell operational. Since then, it has worked rather well, respective of voice calls out and access to data services. I do want to analyze some of the traffic that is on the MicroCell’s leg of the network, as I am concerned about the impact it may have on my son’s Internet access when I am using the MC to make a call. I hope AT&T can resolve the issue with your MC.
I too got an MC for the same reasons, but I got mine setup pretty quickly. It worked for days just fine, but then we lost power and it hasn’t connected right since then. Surely I don’t have to reactivate it do I?
I wouldn’t think so. I’ve disconnected my MC from the ‘Net and also powered it down for 1-2 days. It came back online once the power and ‘Net connections were restored.
I do have to connect the MC direct to my Internet feed however (AT&T refers to this configuration as Priority Mode), as people I am talking with say I am breaking-up and cannot be understood.
There is a work around for the microcell needing to be near a window. The microcell “remembers its location for a short period of time. I have my microcell located in the center of my house not near a window where there is no GPS coverage.
1. Plug in the microcell near a window. Let it do its stuff until it comes on line.
2. Verify your phone says 3G microcell.
3. Unplug and move your microcell to the desired location. Plug it back in. Within ~15 minutes, it will resynch and you will have better coverage in your house.
If you leave the microcell unplugged for a longer period of time (> day?), it “forgets its location and needs to be resynched near a window.
i work for a dept that set’s up micorcells- Im not sure i recommend what Jamie is stating but I do recommend the extender for the microcell.
Your router settings can play alot into the setting up off the microcell these things need to be set on all routers!
DHCP is on
Port Blocking is either turned off or allowing ports 4500 and 500
MTU size is set to 1492
MAC address filtering is either turned off or allowing the MAC address of the AT&T 3G MicroCell
IPSec Pass-Through is Enabled
Block Fragmented Packets is Disabled
If using multiple routers, the 3G MicoCell must be connected to the first router connected to the broadband modem
If the 3G MicroCell is connected to a router that is connected to a modem and both the router and the modem have NAT (Network Address Translation) enabled, disable NAT either in the router or the modem.
Ensure the modem / router is using the latest software (firmware). Please see the manufacturer’s documentation.
TCP/UDP Ports
NOTE: All ports listed need to be configured for inbound and outbound connections.
123/UDP: NTP timing (NTP traffic)
443/TCP: Https over TLS/SSL for provisioning and management traffic
4500/UDP: IPSec NAT Traversal (for all signaling, data, voice traffic)
500/UDP: IPSec Phase 1 prior to NAT detection (after NAT detection, 4500/UDP is used)
4500/UDP: After NAT detection, 4500/UDP is used
Jim, thanks so much for the info on the MicroCell! You did in a few minutes what AT&T could not do through multiple phone sessions and hours wasted. I literally plugged in my MicroCell in the backyard, followed your simple steps, and had a text message on my phone within 15 minutes notifying me that the activation was successful! Hats off to you!
Mark, Glad the information was of help!