ACE - Expert
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24.9K Messages
MicroCell Service To Be Discontinued
Feb. 2022 is the final date for the complete shutdown of AT&T's 3G service. Some service areas will start very soon to begin shutting down 3G devices. The MicroCell is a 3G device so if you all of a sudden lose connectivity to the AT&T Mobility Servers, that could be why. I've been asking AT&T for years to send out a text message to all active MicroCell accounts warning their customers that the sunset for the MicroCell is coming. So far, they have sent out messages notifying folks that their service will be terminated soon due to lack of activity , but that's about it so far.
The myAT&T MicroCell Settings page is still broken and there are no plans to repair it because those folks have moved on to other projects within AT&T.
Start preparing now because you may get very little notice, or no notice at all, that the service is shutting down. AT&T will not be offering a replacement other than WiFi-C (WiFi Calling) which myself and others have been mentioning for a couple of years now. You will either need to upgrade your phone to one that is WiFi-C capable, purchase a cellular booster, or switch carriers. Those are the three main options for improving in-home coverage once the MicroCell is gone.
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*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
*I am not an AT&T employee, and the views and opinions expressed on this forum are purely my own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party.
lackofcommunication
New Member
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1 Message
3 years ago
just to clarify that first option - not only does your phone need to be hardware capable of WiFi-C but it needs to be on the AT&T list of phones for which they will enable WiFi-C via the AT&T software. The list of phones includes only those phones which they sell.
I purchased a WiFi-C capable phone several years ago - the Moto G6. There was no option for turning on WiFi calling because AT&T doesn't support that phone. (They do support the Moto G6 Play because they sell that model.)
When I called yesterday to ask about AT&T's solution after they stop service for the micro cells in February 2022, I was told that I'd need to upgrade to an AT&T phone (at full cost). My solution is that I'm going to try a different carrier.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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118.4K Messages
3 years ago
Not true:
This list of unlocked, non AT&T phones (aka, phones they did/do not sell) work on AT&T, and will after 3g shut down. The list includes those which are fully compatible with 5G and Wi-Fi calling
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.att.com/idpassets/images/support/wireless/Service-Capabilities-Unlocked-Devices-ATT-Network.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwj2ksDcv5_yAhVvTt8KHXpAAcIQFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1C5znQishzVLbCB1H7kNIA
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SophieMack
New Member
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2 Messages
3 years ago
Not to worry. Verizon will offer a 5G compatible network extender. AT&T wants to be a media company.
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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24.9K Messages
3 years ago
What does a 5G network extender have to do with the MicroCell service being discontinued. The MicroCell has nothing to do with WiFi.
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SophieMack
New Member
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2 Messages
3 years ago
Not to worry. While AT&T is evolving into a media company, Verizon plans to have a 5G network extender.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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118.4K Messages
3 years ago
I'm a Verizon customer. And this is hogwash.
Verizon has an LTE network extender, not 5g. It's $250.
At this time voice calls cannot be placed over the 5G Network, so why would they have a 5G network extender?
WiFi calling is free, included with any compatible phone.
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marcg1
Contributor
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42 Messages
2 years ago
I received a notice from AT&T that they will be sending me a 4G "cell booster" to replace my 3G microcell. We live in an area with poor coverage, and rely on our microcell for connectivity at home.
Looks like AT&T is providing 4G replacements at no cost to at least some customers.
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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24.9K Messages
2 years ago
@marcg1 That is true. However, currently there are lots of issues with the new Cell Booster (which is still a femtocell like the MicroCell) with registration/activation/usage. I'm hoping that by the time you receive yours, it will be plug and play but if not, you'll just have to be patient while AT&T figures out what is wrong.
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marcg1
Contributor
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42 Messages
2 years ago
@OttoPylot , thanks. The new device will arrive next week. I'll post my experience here.
The old one worked well, coverage in particular. I'm hoping the new one does, too. For those interested in geeking out on specs, here are the FCC test results.
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OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
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24.9K Messages
2 years ago
@marcg1 I've seen those documents and will be incorporating some of them in my updated Cell Booster Tech Guide, which be an updated version of my MicroCell Tech Guide which is linked in my sig line. The idea of the Guide is a one-stop document for all things Cell Booster related with contributions from users for troubleshooting tips and info from AT&T. Support, at least with the MicroCell, was very inconsistent and quite often wrong so that's why I put together the Guide years ago.
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