Microcell performance (Data)

**thxdude** · 03-08-2012, 10:01 AM

So I did the iOS 5.1 update and was curious if anyone had any information on why this behavior is occuring.

Setup: Microcell on 100Mb/s cable connection. iPhone 4S.

So turning off WiFi, 4G lights up in title bar.
Running speed test, getting: 200-400ms latency, 1.5 - 2.5Mb/s down, 0.09 Mb/s up.

This seems strange to me. Assuming it's a VPN tunnel to ATT's network I would assume their infrastructure would be showing decent 3G/4G performance. That would be 100ms or less latency, 3+ Mb/s down and 1+ Mb/s up.

Anyone see this or know why the performance is so bad for data through put?

**i0wnj00** · 03-08-2012, 11:45 AM

Because the Microcell was originally intended to for voice usage and light data use. Furthermore, it's a limitation of either the hardware or software of the Mircocell itself.

Currently the MCell works at 3.6 Mb/s down and 256 Kb/s up (was 56 Kb/s).

**Nucleartx** · 03-08-2012, 12:10 PM

I would leave wifi on, data used on the mcell counts towards your data usage.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

**GSMinCT** · 03-08-2012, 02:32 PM

There is absolutely no reason to use MCell data, except for MMS, which often doesn't work at all. And it does count toward your data. Just turn Wifi on.

**DRC72** · 03-08-2012, 04:03 PM

I disconnected my mcell... It was more of a hassle than what it was worth.

**zephxiii** · 03-08-2012, 06:20 PM

I wonder how cheap I can get one to play with... I could use it at work since it is a giant faraday cage.

Sent from my HTC Surround via the HowardForums WP7 App

**rapidturtle** · 03-08-2012, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by DRC72

I disconnected my mcell... It was more of a hassle than what it was worth.

I was thinking of getting a microcell for the weak signal here at my house. What kind of problems did you have with it?

**DRC72** · 03-08-2012, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by rapidturtle

I was thinking of getting a microcell for the weak signal here at my house. What kind of problems did you have with it?

It had connection issues with my iPhone 4..... There's some kind of software bug in the microcell that makes it difficult for the iPhone to connect to an outbound call. It was more of a novelty for me, if anything. Signal from the macro networks works just fine for me.

**jseah** · 03-08-2012, 10:19 PM

Doesn't everyone thinks it is strange to rely on a microcell for data usage? The microcell has to be connected to broadband to operate and then you are going to connect your smartphone to the microcell for data. Why don't you just cut out the "middleman" and just connect your smartphone to your broadband connection directly for data?

**ggore** · 03-09-2012, 05:43 AM

Two different friends of mine here received microcells from AT&T, but AT&T refuses to turn them on because they live too far from existing 3G coverage! They were both sending in LOTS of Mark the Spot reports about coverage gaps, so AT&T out of the clear blue sky sent them both microcells, but won't activate them, AT&T saying since they don't live IN an existing 3G area that it can't really help with 3G coverage. What a crock!

**ItnStln** · 03-09-2012, 06:11 AM

None of the phones that I've used were able to access data when connected to the MicroCell unless it was also connected to WiFi.

**thxdude** · 03-09-2012, 09:08 AM

So I think that answers the question in that AT&T is hard limiting the performance of the devices for up/down. It's curious because with the iOS 5.1 update now, it actually shows '4G' on the connection.

I've been happy with my MC since January this year. AT&T apparently finally fixed the issues with it (esp. with call failed with iPhones) and it works very well. I no longer have call fails when dialing out and quality is excellent. Of course it's WiFi when in the house with the use of the Microcell. The speed tests on Microcell data was just curious since the speeds were so bad. But if ATT is limiting them on purpose then I guess it makes sense. The latency seems a bit high to me but as long as it's under 500 ms I wouldn't expect too much of an issue for voice quality.

AT&T also added a feature to manage the device where you can set it to not flip over to an external signal if you are in a situation where perhaps you need coverage with a MC but in other parts the external signal is actually stronger.

In terms of activation, 3G areas should have no input on the activation. In fact, I'm in an Edge coverage area and I've had my Microcell since they were released. Granted I wasn't too happy with the performance initially but as I mentioned, I'm quite happy with it now. So I would recommend escalating it up at AT&T. Basically as long as they have spectrum in your GPS area (or at least rights to use it) then it should be fine to activate and use the Microcell. I even put one at my parents farm out in the sticks with no AT&T signal at all and it works perfectly well. It took a week or two get it straightened out for the GPS issue (it's a large farm so they basically had to override the GPS to address) and get the local telco ISP to open the correct ports on the connection but it works no problem.

**ggore** · 03-09-2012, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by thxdude

So I think that answers the question in that AT&T is hard limiting the performance of the devices for up/down. It's curious because with the iOS 5.1 update now, it actually shows '4G' on the connection.

I've been happy with my MC since January this year. AT&T apparently finally fixed the issues with it (esp. with call failed with iPhones) and it works very well. I no longer have call fails when dialing out and quality is excellent. Of course it's WiFi when in the house with the use of the Microcell. The speed tests on Microcell data was just curious since the speeds were so bad. But if ATT is limiting them on purpose then I guess it makes sense. The latency seems a bit high to me but as long as it's under 500 ms I wouldn't expect too much of an issue for voice quality.

AT&T also added a feature to manage the device where you can set it to not flip over to an external signal if you are in a situation where perhaps you need coverage with a MC but in other parts the external signal is actually stronger.

In terms of activation, 3G areas should have no input on the activation. In fact, I'm in an Edge coverage area and I've had my Microcell since they were released. Granted I wasn't too happy with the performance initially but as I mentioned, I'm quite happy with it now. So I would recommend escalating it up at AT&T. Basically as long as they have spectrum in your GPS area (or at least rights to use it) then it should be fine to activate and use the Microcell. I even put one at my parents farm out in the sticks with no AT&T signal at all and it works perfectly well. It took a week or two get it straightened out for the GPS issue (it's a large farm so they basically had to override the GPS to address) and get the local telco ISP to open the correct ports on the connection but it works no problem.

They gave up on it & told AT&T to fly a kite. LOL AT&T tried to stop them with the sob story that they were going to convert everything to 3G and eliminate all coverage holes last year (I'm telling this story a year later and nothing has changed), etc etc blah blah, but they still cancelled. Vote with your wallet.

**i0wnj00** · 03-09-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by thxdude

So I think that answers the question in that AT&T is hard limiting the performance of the devices for up/down. It's curious because with the iOS 5.1 update now, it actually shows '4G' on the connection.

I've been happy with my MC since January this year. AT&T apparently finally fixed the issues with it (esp. with call failed with iPhones) and it works very well. I no longer have call fails when dialing out and quality is excellent. Of course it's WiFi when in the house with the use of the Microcell. The speed tests on Microcell data was just curious since the speeds were so bad. But if ATT is limiting them on purpose then I guess it makes sense. The latency seems a bit high to me but as long as it's under 500 ms I wouldn't expect too much of an issue for voice quality.

It's either AT&T limiting it at the software level on the MC or backend for various reasons or Cisco skimmped on the radio chips and got the cheapest ones which don't support HSPA+. Either way, the MC sucks rocks for HD video, downloading large files or full html websites. It's fine for wap or some audio streaming, but that's it.

I'm hoping for a 2.0 version of the MC which can actually support HSPA+, as I believe that the initial version is limited to HSDPA. It feels like that the MC is still a beta product, but it will probably end up like stuff like their Cingular Video Share, PTT, etc..products. They release it like it's the coolest thing on the block and forget about it.

Sadly, the MC is something that just goes meh so they won't do anything like offer an HSPA+ version.

AT&T also added a feature to manage the device where you can set it to not flip over to an external signal if you are in a situation where perhaps you need coverage with a MC but in other parts the external signal is actually stronger.

Good idea. I tired using the MC in an area with a strong AT&T macrocell signal and dropped calls like crazy or the conversation was garble garble.

**GSMinCT** · 03-10-2012, 11:33 AM

Who cares what it supports? The original UMTS would be plenty enough, as all it's for is voice/text. Data would be done through Wifi, with the exception of MMS.

How do you force devices to stay on the MCell? Is that an option in OLAM? There seems to be no other way to configure the device.

I wish AT&T would just get with the program and do wifi calling on the devices.

All that being said, next time I have a coverage issue, I'm going to fix it the right way with a Wilson Electronics dual-band repeater system, not the crappy M-Cell. Sure, it will be 2-3x as expensive, but it won't flake out or not work all the time like the MCell, and it would work with any carrier's phone, including prepaid. And then I would have native HSPA+ as well, and not have to go back to using the phone in certain rooms when Comcast craps out.