Apple updates iPhone with MicroCell files

Posted:
in iPhone edited January 2014
A recent carrier update delivered to U.S. iPhone users through iTunes contains two small files for use with AT&T's future MicroCell signal-patching device.



The update to the iPhone's carrier settings arrives on the heels of AppleInsider's report on AT&T's 3G solution to patch iPhone dead zones just last week.



Apple's Knowledge Base offers few details on carrier settings updates, saying only that patches contain small files with changes to the default APN (which is how the iPhone connects to the cellular data network), special dialing codes, and default settings for web apps like Stocks, Maps, Weather, and others.



However, MobileCrunch has explored the package contents of the latest update and discovered that it consists largely of two images named "Default_CARRIER_ATT M-Cell.PNG" and "FSO_CARRIER_ATT M-Cell.PNG".







The images are simply carrier logos to replace the default "AT&T" logo at the top of the iPhone's screen whenever connected to the MicroCell.







Additionally, commenters at TUAW point out that Apple has added carrier settings for Mobily (Saudi Arabia) and Etisalat (United Arab Emirates) as well. This seems to coincide with reports that the iPhone will be available on those networks before the close of the month.



iPhone 3G users stuck in an AT&T dead zone at home or at work will be able to
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 40
    So, let me get this straight. I pay monthly for access to a voice and data network for my iPhone, but the coverage is so bad I have to buy, set up and power a device in order to get the service I should already paid for? Why doesn't ATT just provide sufficient coverage?
  • Reply 2 of 40
    teckstudteckstud Posts: 6,476member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by afreemanmd View Post


    So, let me get this straight. I pay monthly for access to a voice and data network for my iPhone, but the coverage is so bad I have to buy, set up and power a device in order to get the service I should already paid for? Why doesn't ATT just provide sufficient coverage?



    Because they're an incompentent player and rated at the bottom of Consumer reports?
  • Reply 3 of 40
    How hard would it have been to replace this:
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    A recent carrier update delivered to iPhone users through iTunes ...



    With either this:
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    A recent carrier update delivered to iPhone users in the USA through iTunes...



    or this:
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post


    A recent carrier update delivered to iPhone's AT&T customers users through iTunes ...



    ... thus being, you know minimally polite to the majority of the world who are not actually living in the USA?
  • Reply 4 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by afreemanmd View Post


    So, let me get this straight. I pay monthly for access to a voice and data network for my iPhone, but the coverage is so bad I have to buy, set up and power a device in order to get the service I should already paid for? Why doesn't ATT just provide sufficient coverage?



    I'll get you straight, this IS how AT&T is providing sufficient coverage. You don't actually think that any cell phone carrier actually owns all their cell towers do you? Many of them share and many of them lease towers from others, you could put a tower up in your backyard if you want and lease it to a carrier. (Providing you get all the proper permits) Sprint and Nextel do not own a single 3G tower (notice their ads say they provide ACCESS to the "fastest 3G network in the country" ) what you are paying for in your contract is access to the network AT&T have setup, your payment goes to paying the contracts AT&T has leases with as well as service on their own infrastructure. In this case, AT&T was required in their contracts with these additional carriers to change how their equipment connects to them, this update allows you to do that. No biggie, it happens all the time, I'm actually surprised this is even news really. only reason it is is because the update is being done through iTunes instead of being delivered to your phone from the wireless network.



    Could you imagine what it would look like is instead of one tower in a location you see 3 or 4 because each carrier had to put up their own?
  • Reply 5 of 40
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    How hard would it have been to replace this:With either this:or this:... thus being, you know minimally polite to the majority of the world who are not actually living in the USA?



    Yeah but we all WISH we lived in the US. Ummm... don't we?
  • Reply 6 of 40
    [snipped]



    [ed: let's nip this one in the bud. If you have political statements to make, go to AppleInsider's Political Outsider forum]
  • Reply 7 of 40
    I realize that the 3G iPhone is the latest and greatest, however, many of us still own the original 2G iPhone. (Maybe because we bought AppleCare and are waiting for 1) AppleCare to expire, and 2) waiting for the next generation iPhone)



    Most stories like this one never address whether this software update is for all iPhones. Any idea if this is for everyone or only 3G models.
  • Reply 8 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by roehlstation View Post


    I'll get you straight, this IS how AT&T is providing sufficient coverage. You don't actually think that any cell phone carrier actually owns all their cell towers do you? Many of them share and many of them lease towers from others, you could put a tower up in your backyard if you want and lease it to a carrier. (Providing you get all the proper permits) Sprint and Nextel do not own a single 3G tower (notice their ads say they provide ACCESS to the "fastest 3G network in the country" ) what you are paying for in your contract is access to the network AT&T have setup, your payment goes to paying the contracts AT&T has leases with as well as service on their own infrastructure. In this case, AT&T was required in their contracts with these additional carriers to change how their equipment connects to them, this update allows you to do that. No biggie, it happens all the time, I'm actually surprised this is even news really. only reason it is is because the update is being done through iTunes instead of being delivered to your phone from the wireless network.



    Could you imagine what it would look like is instead of one tower in a location you see 3 or 4 because each carrier had to put up their own?



    I did miss something here, what they are talking about are MicroCells, which are devices that AT&T can drop into an office building which has enough interference and what not to prevent you from getting a decent signal inside, it isn't that AT&T doesn't have proper coverage it is just that you may be located within a building with walls too thick to allow signal through. I know you can write it into the business contract to have AT&T provide the MicroCell at no additional charge, if your office has a business contract with them.



    My previous statement still applies though.
  • Reply 9 of 40
    So if your coverage is so bad, stop paying them and move to another carrier which you think has better coverage. Problem solved.

    Quote:
    Originally Posted by afreemanmd View Post


    So, let me get this straight. I pay monthly for access to a voice and data network for my iPhone, but the coverage is so bad I have to buy, set up and power a device in order to get the service I should already paid for? Why doesn't ATT just provide sufficient coverage?



  • Reply 10 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by afreemanmd View Post


    So, let me get this straight. I pay monthly for access to a voice and data network for my iPhone, but the coverage is so bad I have to buy, set up and power a device in order to get the service I should already paid for? Why doesn't ATT just provide sufficient coverage?



    This device although improves your cell signal at home it's pretty much aim at a different cause, for example AT&T want's you to Dump your rip-off Verizon land line and they will give you unlimited calling for about $10 a month while your home so you don't have to be switching from one phone to the other. They make will $10 per subscriber a month while at the same time they also will be taking a-lot strain of the main towers, and screwing the competition, for them it's a win, win.
  • Reply 11 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by roehlstation View Post


    I did miss something here, what they are talking about are MicroCells, which are devices that AT&T can drop into an office building which has enough interference and what not to prevent you from getting a decent signal inside, it isn't that AT&T doesn't have proper coverage it is just that you may be located within a building with walls too thick to allow signal through. I know you can write it into the business contract to have AT&T provide the MicroCell at no additional charge, if your office has a business contract with them.



    My previous statement still applies though.







    Great. With all this talk of micro cells, cell phone towers, etc. do you think any scientists in At&t or Apple for that matter are studying the cumulative effects these radiation sources have on our brains, soft tissue, organs, etc.?



    Painful deaths- first deafness from MP3 players- are in store for future generations!
  • Reply 12 of 40
    virgil-tb2virgil-tb2 Posts: 1,416member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    Yeah but we all WISH we lived in the US. Ummm... don't we?



    No offence (I know you were joking), but no. I would not live in the USA if you paid me to.
  • Reply 13 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    No offence (I know you were joking), but no. I would not live in the USA if you paid me to.



    You sure? Because they are - no if's about it!
  • Reply 14 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by freethinker View Post


    Great. With all this talk of micro cells, cell phone towers, etc. do you think any scientists in At&t or Apple for that matter are studying the cumulative effects these radiation sources have on our brains, soft tissue, organs, etc.?



    Painful deaths- first deafness from MP3 players- are in store for future generations!



    No, that is what Mythbusters is for. Although I do have a theory of all of this affecting the honeybees
  • Reply 15 of 40
    paxmanpaxman Posts: 4,729member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by bigmc6000 View Post


    You sure? Because they are - no if's about it!



    Fix Health Care and I'd move to NYC in a heart beat. I love that place. In fact, pay me enough and I'll forget about the Health Care. There is much to hate and despise about the US but equally there is much to love about the place. There are many places in the US I would never move to even if you paid me large amounts of money, but ditto places in many other countries I have been to.
  • Reply 16 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by roehlstation View Post


    No, that is what Mythbusters is for. Although I do have a theory of all of this affecting the honeybees



    If it is affecting the honeybees it is most likely affecting our species and other species as well.
  • Reply 17 of 40
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by paxman View Post


    Fix Health Care and I'd move to NYC in a heart beat. I love that place. In fact, pay me enough and I'll forget about the Health Care. There is much to hate and despise about the US but equally there is much to love about the place. There are many places in the US I would never move to even if you paid me large amounts of money, but ditto places in many other countries I have been to.



    Health Care is fine in the USA. You just have to pay out of your pocket if you don't have insurance.



    Nothing to fix- just needs different funding. I assume thats what you mean.



    I live in NYC and believe me, I wouldn't move to your country, where ever that may be.
  • Reply 18 of 40
    boogabooga Posts: 1,082member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by freethinker View Post


    If it is affecting the honeybees it is most likely affecting our species and other species as well.



    Nuh uhhh!



    See, I can play the "I have no evidence but I like to argue anyway" game, too.
  • Reply 19 of 40
    razorpitrazorpit Posts: 1,796member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    No offence (I know you were joking), but no. I would not live in the USA if you paid me to.



    You sure about that, because our government is handing out money to people left and right. In a few months you won't be able to tell the U.S. from any other socialist nation. Plus, right now we are in the fun stages of socialism where everyone thinks the government really can provide you with anything you want, all you have to do is ask. \
  • Reply 20 of 40
    virgil-tb2virgil-tb2 Posts: 1,416member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by razorpit View Post


    You sure about that, because our government is handing out money to people left and right. In a few months you won't be able to tell the U.S. from any other socialist nation. Plus, right now we are in the fun stages of socialism where everyone thinks the government really can provide you with anything you want, all you have to do is ask. \



    Get thee behind me, Troll.
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