Chalk up another user with Microcell connection problems. I purchased a Microcell yesterday as AT&T reception at our house went from mediocre to practically nonexistent a few months ago. I set it up as instructed, only to find that our phones (iPhone 3GS models) will only intermittantly connect to it. Most of the time they connect to the regular AT&T network even though we only get 1 bar at our location.
I spent a fair amount of time on the phone with AT&T tech support today. The guy had a set troubleshooting list that he wouldn't deviate from, so I walked through the suggested steps. Despite the fact that the Microcell indicates that it has good GPS and network connections, the troubleshooting script walks you through redoing your network connection into what I believe the support guy called "priority mode". Basically, this means wiring the Microcell between the cable modem and the router rather than connecting it after the router. Presumably this is to get your other, unrelated network devices out of the way to make sure they aren't causing problems. When cabled up in this fashion, the Microcell failed to establish a network connection at all (and yes, I gave it the full 90 minutes they suggest).
I rewired the network back to the original configuration (cable modem<->router<->Microcell) and it establishes the network connection quickly but we're back to extremely intermittent connections to the phones. I guess I'll call them back tomorrow to find out what the "Plan B" is for troubleshooting, but I'm not holding out a lot of hope -- with them expecting you to wait up to 90 minutes to determine if the Microcell can establish a connection, this could be a really drawn out process.
