Micro cell from ATT dropping connection sometimes

Dump your MicroCell and switch to Wifi Calling. It simply works better and like I said, AT&T is truly shutting the service down in the near future. I was having major issues with the MicroCell when I got my iPhone X. I wound up having to have Apple and AT&T on a call and that's when a senior engineer at AT&T asked me why, if I had a phone capable of Wifi Calling, I was still using a MicroCell? He's the one who confirmed AT&T will be discontinuing the service and advised I should switch to Wifi calling. It really does work great. And what's even better is the MicroCell only supports your cellular signal in your home. It doesn't help you if you're out and in an area with poor cellular service. As long as you can access a network, you'll never miss a call as Wifi Calling is network agnostic.

I use a microcell at home from AT&T and have for years. I have an iPhone X now, and have used iPhones from the beginning. The only thing that I have noticed occasionally is that after leaving home and then coming back, if I have the iPhone set for LTE, it fails to connect to the microcell. However, that happens so infrequently, I just forget about it. I'm curious what you are referring to when you say there is no dial tone, since there never is a dial tone on a cell phone. If the iPhone is displaying full bars and the AT&T M-Cell indicator, then it is connected, and the error could very well be in the internet connection. If you look at the front of the microcell, is the signal bar on that flashing when you have problems? That indicates that the microcell is attempting to connect to the AT&T network through the internet, and is currently not connected. However, under those circumstances, you should not see the M-Cell indicator on the phone.

What troubleshooting did AT&T provide you? You can reset the microcell by unplugging it, waiting about 30 seconds and then plug it back in again. That may fix it. You can also try log into your AT&T account on their website and remove your phone number from the system, and then add the number back again.

AT&T is completely discontinuing support for MicroCells in the very near future. In fact, I have already gotten rid of mine and have since switched to Wifi calling. My new home came with very thick concrete walls (Hurricanes and Florida are unfortunately good friends), which prevents me from getting good cellular signals in my home, even though I'm in a high density population area with cell towers near me. It was AT&T who convinced me to ditch the MicroCell in favor of Wifi calling and it's been a wonderful thing not having to reboot the stupid MicroCell every time the power goes off or the ever wonderful, resync with the satellite for location services.

I've been using Wi-Fi calling for a couple of years. It's a great boon when traveling; I was able to call for free from Paris to the US using the hotel's Wi-Fi connection last month. And at home the connection and the quality is way better than the fairly weak LTE signal that I get indoors.

The only issue I've had with Wi-Fi calling is when I'm on a call and moving about the house where I go from zero cellular service (so communicating over Wi-Fi), to a part of the home where there is enough cellular service for a call (where the iPhone changes to a cellular call). During those transitions, sometimes the call is dropped (this is Verizon, BTW). So I've learned to stay put where there's little or no cell service, or turn on Airplane mode and flip Wi-Fi back on so I can venture outdoors a bit during a call.

Interesting information. I know that AT&T offers Wi-Fi calling, but I've never opted to it. I have the microcell because the City strung up some high voltage power lines down the street next to mine to support a new factory south of where I live. That disrupted the LTE I used to get here at home. I've really enjoyed the way it worked, and have no complaints. Guess I may have to look at that wi-fi calling now if I have to disconnect the microcell. I've not heard anything from AT&T.

rbrylawski, and Lawrence, I will give it a try. One question, since the college where I work requires a separate login, will that make a difference until I get to log in. It takes me a bit to get to the classroom once I get into the building, although I don't really expect to get a call. But they have installed boosters for the cell signal, and most places I'm at have good cell signal. Will it default to the cell, or to the wi-fi calling since I'll be connected to the wi-fi once I log in?

It's probably very location-specific, where cellular coverage may fluctuate if you're on the fringe -- good enough signal to switch to cellular under some conditions, but if signal degrades there isn't enough time to switch back to Wi-Fi. My wife says I'm on the fringe, so I guess that fits

I even offered to return my MicroCell and AT&T wouldn't take it back. They said to simply throw it away. So I did!

If you don't have a Wi-Fi connection through to AT&T's servers it will use the cell signal.

Thanks. 🙂

Thanks to you as well. I appreciate the time and effort. 😉