New Member
•
121 Messages
How does microcell work?
Does it use broadband or satellite or fiber? Or does it use att cellular?
New Member
•
121 Messages
Does it use broadband or satellite or fiber? Or does it use att cellular?
Accepted Solution
Official Solution
OttoPylot
ACE - Expert
•
24.2K Messages
3 years ago
As mentioned, the MicroCell is a femtocell (mini-cellular tower) that broadcasts a 3G signal that your phone connects to, and then uses your internet connection to transfer that signal to the AT&T Mobility servers. You need a land-based internet service (DSL, cable, or fiber) and a post paid AT&T cellular account.
The service will be discontinued no later than Feb. 2022 so if you need to improve in-home cellular service, WiFi-C (WiFi Calling) is what is recommended now.
0
Accepted Solution
sandblaster
ACE - Expert
•
64.7K Messages
3 years ago
A microcell is a mini cell tower that connects to the ATT network through the internet. It uses whatever home internet connection is available. There is no satellite involved. Microcells were discontinued years ago and are no longer supported. Those still in use will work until February, 2022 when ATT shuts down their 3G network.
0
Juniper
ACE - Expert
•
32.1K Messages
3 years ago
Microcell will no longer work. They have been discontinued and existing ones will not work after the 3G shutdown in a few months (Feb 2022).
Was essentially a mini-cell tower, using both 3G and internet. As such the equivalent replacement is WiFi calling (on phones that will still be supported after the 3G shutdown).
0
0
HopeMcCloud
New Member
•
121 Messages
3 years ago
WiFi calling is great if you can get internet service. The only internet service I can get (other than cellular) is satellite. You see cows you don’t see cable. How well does WiFi calling work over satellite?
0
0
formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
•
117.1K Messages
3 years ago
@HopeMcCloud since the micro cell does not work without wired internet, wifi over satellite works a whole lot better than not at all.
The bandwidth required is minimal.
0
0
Juniper
ACE - Expert
•
32.1K Messages
3 years ago
Satellite has too much latency. Not intended for WiFi calling, gaming, or anything else that requires good back and forth transmission of data.
Though seeing cows doesn't automatically mean you can't get service (grew up on a horse ranch near a dairy farm myself), I get the point. Hopefully the increased work from home and such during the pandemic caused enough of a stress-test on the infrastructure nationwide for both ISPs and government to take a hard look. We need wider coverage of a good baseline, not just boosting the max in select areas.
0