AT&T MicroCell, 3G MicroCell User Manual

AT&T 3G MicroCell™

User Guide

Getting Started

Requirements 4
Getting To Know Your Device 4
Frequently Asked Questions 5
Overview 7
Step 1: Connect your device to the Internet 8
Step 2: Power on your device 10
Step 3: Activate your device online 10
Step 4: Wait while your device connects 10
Step 5: Confi rm your success 11

Troubleshooting

Help With Activating Your MicroCell 12
Help After Activating Your MicroCell 15
Alternate Connection 18

Other

Decoding The Lights On Your MicroCell 20
Important Safety Instructions 22
Firewall Settings 25
Specifi cations 25
RF Exposure 26
FCC Compliance 26
Index 28
One-Year Limited Warranty Back Cover

Table of Contents

AT&T 3G MicroCell User Guide | Getting Started

4 5

Getting To Know Your Device

Requirements

To use the AT&T 3G MicroCell™, you will need:

» High-speed Internet service over U-verse®, DSL, or cable.

For best performance, download speeds of at least 1.5 Mbps
and upload speeds of at least 256 Kbps are recommended.
There are no restrictions on broadband service providers.

Satellite Internet service is not supported.
» Modem or optional wireless router.
» Computer with Internet access to activate your device.

Package Contents

» AT&T 3G MicroCell™
» Yellow ethernet

cable
» AC power adapter
» Quick Start
» User Guide

STATUS INDICATORS

Your MicroCell uses indicator lights on the
front of the device to show service status.

HARDWARE PORTS

Color coded connection ports are located
on the back of the device.

Computer

Ethernet

Power

Power

Ethernet

GPS

Computer

3G

Frequently Asked Questions

I completed my MicroCell online
activation at the AT&T store. Do I have
to do it again?

No, you can skip Step 3 and proceed to
Step 4 of the setup process.

What’s the best location for the
MicroCell?

Your MicroCell works best within three
feet of a window and not in a basement
or closet. You will improve the chances
of receiving a GPS signal when you install
your MicroCell:

» On fi rst fl oor or above basement level.
» Next to a window with a clear,

unobstructed view of the sky.

» At least one foot away from other

wireless broadcasting devices.

» When the weather is clear (no clouds

or rain).

Will all cell phones work with my MicroCell?

All 3G and 4G cell phones that receive
wireless service from AT&T will work with
the MicroCell if they are added online to
the MicroCell’s approved user list.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When adding a
wireless number to your approved user
list, that handset will need to be restarted
(turned off and back on again) when in
range of your MicroCell. This is a one-time
occurrence and only needs to be done the
fi rst time you add the wireless number to
your approved user list.

Do I need to change any settings on
my AT&T cell phone to make it work with
my MicroCell?

No, you don’t have to change anything on
your phone. If your AT&T cell phone
number

is on your approved user list, it

should work.

What is an approved user list?

The approved user list contains the
phone numbers of friends, family and
associates that you allow to use your
MicroCell while they are at your home or
offi ce. You can only add people to this list
who have an AT&T wireless service plan.
When they make phone calls, they will use
their own minutes and service plan. To
add an AT&T 3G or 4G wireless cell phone
number to your approved user list, go to

att.com/3GMicroCell and manage your

settings.

IMPORTANT NOTE: When adding a
wireless number to your approved user
list, that handset will need to be restarted
(turned off and back on again) when in
range of your MicroCell. This is a one-time
occurrence and only needs to be done the
fi rst time you add the wireless number to
your approved user list.

What type of Internet service does the
MicroCell need?

The MicroCell uses high-speed Internet
service over AT&T U-verse, DSL, or cable.

AT&T 3G MicroCell User Guide | Getting Started

6 7

For best performance, your service should
have download speeds of at least 1.5 Mbps
and upload speeds of at least 256 Kbps.
You can use any high-speed Internet
service provider. Satellite Internet service
is not supported. Contact your Internet
Service Provider if your Internet service is
slower than minimum requirements.

Why did my MicroCell lights go
off during activation?

Your MicroCell automatically checks
for software updates each time you
turn it on. If necessary, the MicroCell
downloads updated software and then
restarts.

Will my MicroCell slow down my network?

The MicroCell takes up very little of your
bandwidth. Downloading music, videos, or
other large fi les may impact the bandwidth
available for your MicroCell and affect
voice quality.

How do I improve the voice quality?

Use the Alternate Connection on page
17 to ensure that you’re getting the best
possible voice quality for phone calls
made using the 3G MicroCell signal.

Should I use my MicroCell for data
instead of Wi-Fi?

The MicroCell supports data usage.
However, it is not intended to be a
replacement for your wireless network

(Wi-Fi). Data over Wi-Fi doesn’t affect
your wireless plan and provides best
performance for Wi-Fi capable cell phones
and other devices. The MicroCell is a
great supplement for data on cell phones
that aren’t Wi-Fi capable.

How do I move my MicroCell to a new
location?

Use the Quick Start for setup instructions
and then update your account online
with the new address by visiting

att.com/3GMicroCell and manage your

settings.

NOTE: The new location must be in an area
where AT&T is licensed to provide service.

How do I purchase the Unlimited
MicroCell Calling feature?

G o t o wireless.att.com. Log in to your
online wireless account and click “Manage
Features” and select “AT&T Unlimited
MicroCell Calling.”

Is there a 3G MicroCell Mobile App?

Yes, you can download the free 3G
MicroCell iPhone App at the Apple App
Store. The app allows you to activate and
manage your MicroCell settings, including
adding a new approved user, changing your
location, and updating your email address.

I have more questions.

For more information about your MicroCell,
visit att.com/3GMicroCell.

Frequently Asked Questions (continued) Overview

This guide will take you step-by-step through confi guration,
activation, and confi rmation.

STEP 2

Power on your device

STEP 3

Activate your device online

STEP 5

Confi rm your success

STEP 1

Connect your device to the Internet

STEP 4

Wait while your device connects

www

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AT&T 3G MicroCell User Guide | Getting Started

8 9

STEP 1

Connect your device to the Internet

Select the confi guration option that’s right for you to connect your
device.

PLACEMENT TIPS

Your MicroCell works best within three feet of a window and not in
a basement or closet.

You will improve the chances of receiving a GPS signal when you install your MicroCell:

» On fi rst fl oor or above basement level.
» Next to a window with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky.
» At least one foot away from other wireless broadcasting devices.
» When the weather is clear (no clouds or rain).

1. Disconnect the existing Ethernet
cable from your modem and
connect it to the “Computer” port
on your MicroCell.

I do not have

a network.

I have a network.

2. Connect the yellow Ethernet cable
to the “Ethernet” port on your
MicroCell and the Ethernet port on
your modem.

E911 SERVICE

The location address you provide during online activation is sent to local emergency
responders and must be kept up to date if you move your device. To update your
location address information, visit att.com/3GMicroCell and manage your settings.

1. Connect the yellow Ethernet cable
from the “Ethernet” port on your
MicroCell to your router.

AT&T 3G MicroCell User Guide | Getting Started

10 11

Proceed to Step 4 if you completed online activation at
the AT&T store.

Visit att.com/3GMicroCell-Activate and follow
the instructions on the screen.

You’ll need the following

» Serial Number (S/N)–it’s on the bottom of the device or

the box label.

» Your AT&T wireless phone number/user name or AT&T

Access ID, as well as your password.

» If you haven’t set up an AT&T online wireless account,

you’ll need to do so.

Take a break!

You will receive a text message and email once activation
is complete.

Visit att.com/3GMicroCell to learn more on how to get the
most out of your MicroCell.

STEP 2

Power on your device

STEP 3

Activate your device online

STEP 4

Wait while your device connects

Connect your MicroCell to a power outlet with
the AC power adapter.

The Power light on the front of the device will come on
immediately. Within a few minutes, other lights will fl ash
as a GPS signal is located and software is updated.

NOTE

:

Hold on to this manual;
you’ll come back to it
after you activate your
device.

NOTE

:

It can take up to 90
minutes to complete
activation. Your device
may update and restart
during this time.

www

STEP 5

Confi rm your success

Your device is confi gured and working
properly when:

» You receive a text message and an email confi rmation.
» The 3G light on your MicroCell is solid and green.
» Your cell phone shows “AT&T MicroCell” or “AT&T M-Cell”

instead of “AT&T” as the network provider (as shown below).

Cell phones may take some time to
switch to the MicroCell

Your cell phone may not immediately
switch to your MicroCell when you enter
its coverage area. Depending on the
signal strength of the AT&T cell tower, the
time for your cell phone to switch to the
MicroCell can vary. It may take seconds or
up to fi ve minutes.

Connecting to the MicroCell doesn’t
always mean unlimited calling

You can purchase AT&T Unlimited
MicroCell Calling for an individual phone
number, your whole account or use your
existing wireless plan minutes. Other
3G or 4G cell phone owners on your
approved user list also use their existing
wireless plan minutes unless they
purchase the Unlimited MicroCell
Calling feature.

Calls transfer out, but don’t transfer in

Calls transfer from the MicroCell to
the strongest available AT&T cell tower
signal. However, calls initiated on the cell
tower do not transfer to the MicroCell.

NOTE: With the optional Unlimited

MicroCell Calling feature, calls that
originate on the MicroCell and transfer to
a nearby AT&T cell tower continue on as
unlimited.

Restarting fi xes most problems

Like many electronic devices, the
MicroCell and your 3G or 4G cell phone
may occasionally need to be rebooted
(turned off and back on again) to
reestablish their connection to each
other.

Things To Know

NOTE

:

You may need to
restart your cell
phone for “AT&T
MicroCell” or “AT&T
M-Cell” to appear.

AT&T AT&T MicroCell AT&T M-Cell

or

NOTE: Some mobile devices will display items differently.

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