Broadband/4g

[Colin]

Currently have bt broadband down the phone line, however my wife has been working at home and the service is getting worse and worse, she does a lot of video conferencing, Had BT out to look and they say the lines ok. The various speed tests I've run have said 2 to 4 mpbs.
Any reliable alternative ways to get signal?

 

[vinnie123]

We have 4g broadbands through EE here and it’s literally ten times better than what bt could provide on copper.

Obviously fibre is the ultimate-is there any local schemes about?

 

[upnortheast]

A seach in the computer section will bring up info on 4G broadband

 

[Ukjay]

Currently have bt broadband down the phone line, however my wife has been working at home and the service is getting worse and worse, she does a lot of video conferencing, Had BT out to look and they say the lines ok. The various speed tests I've run have said 2 to 4 mpbs.
Any reliable alternative ways to get signal?

Hi

Use this mast checker (link below), to see which provider you could get for 4G broadband. It is very easy to install yourself, and the kit is not massively expensive. I did not know your postcode obviously - so I could not check, but various providers have masts around - just depends where you are exactly.

All you do is add your location into the location search box, then select the providers from the list (make sure you are in UK section from the list). 3 Mobile appears to have the most coverage from a quick search (and you can bin BT and its line rental):

https://www.cellmapper.net/map?MCC=...COnly=false&showBand=0&showSectorColours=true

 

[Lincs Lass]

The service is only as good as the supply network,,much depends on how far you are from the main exchange .

 

[upnortheast]

Simple way is to check your mobile phone signal. If you are getting 2 bars of a 4G signal you will get a decent speed using a 4G router.
If your mobile is poor at home check the other networks, using either friends phones or the online coverage checkers.
Maybe necessary to put the router in a bedroom window, for example, to get the best signal, once you have that sorted easy to get the service throughout the site using cat6 cable/ wifi extenders etc
All you need is a 4G (sometimes called LTE ) Router & a mobile data sim
EE do an unlimited data sim for £25 / month, less 10% if you are an existing customer.
Other networks will do similar.
If you take out a contract they will probably provide a basic router, it will be "locked " to that network.
Worth spending circa £90 for your own unlocked router. It will be better quality & gives you the option of putting in a different network sim if you find a better signal / deal.
One with antenna sockets allows you to use an external ariel if your local signal is iffy.
As long as you have 2 - 3 bars of signal you should get speeds way over 20 & probably up to 60.
Change over will be seamless. Just take out any cables in your BT router & plug em in your new one, & log into the wifi signal

 

[scottrac]

Simple way is to check your mobile phone signal. If you are getting 2 bars of a 4G signal you will get a decent speed using a 4G router.
If your mobile is poor at home check the other networks, using either friends phones or the online coverage checkers.
Maybe necessary to put the router in a bedroom window, for example, to get the best signal, once you have that sorted easy to get the service throughout the site using cat6 cable/ wifi extenders etc
All you need is a 4G (sometimes called LTE ) Router & a mobile data sim
EE do an unlimited data sim for £25 / month, less 10% if you are an existing customer.
Other networks will do similar.
If you take out a contract they will probably provide a basic router, it will be "locked " to that network.
Worth spending circa £90 for your own unlocked router. It will be better quality & gives you the option of putting in a different network sim if you find a better signal / deal.
One with antenna sockets allows you to use an external ariel if your local signal is iffy.
As long as you have 2 - 3 bars of signal you should get speeds way over 20 & probably up to 60.
Change over will be seamless. Just take out any cables in your BT router & plug em in your new one, & log into the wifi signal

Hi
I'm going to try this but seen mixed reviews on routers and some saying external aerials are better?
Do you know of a good router please?
Thanks

 

[upnortheast]

You only need an external aerial if the router is struggling for signal & your tests have show a decent signal on an outside position. We got 3 bars in the house which gave download speed +60 mbs
All depends on the local situation.
As regards LTE routers. We had a Huawai for 5 years which worked great, but not the flavour of the month just now acording to Mr president !
No experience of these but look ok

The TPLINK TL- MR 6400 gets good reviews & is £74 on amazon. though does not have external antenna sockets

TP-Link TL-MR6400 300 Mbps 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Router, SIM Slot Unlocked, No Configuration Required, Removable External Wi-Fi Antennas, UK Plug: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

www.amazon.co.uk

Huawei B311 2020 good reviews & has external antenna socket £60 on amazon.

Huawei B311, CAT 4, 2020-4G/ LTE 150 Mbps Mobile Wi-Fi Router, Unlocked to All Networks- Genuine UK Warranty STOCK (Non Network Logo)- Black,B311-221: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

www.amazon.co.uk

The TP link has 4 Lan sockets whereas the Huawei only has one. Depends what your set up is if that is relevant
Loads of choice out there.
Use your mobile phone to check the 4G signal strength in different parts of the house will give you a good idea of the situation

 

[scottrac]

You only need an external aerial if the router is struggling for signal & your tests have show a decent signal on an outside position. We got 3 bars in the house which gave download speed +60 mbs
All depends on the local situation.
As regards LTE routers. We had a Huawai for 5 years which worked great, but not the flavour of the month just now acording to Mr president !
No experience of these but look ok

The TPLINK TL- MR 6400 gets good reviews & is £74 on amazon. though does not have external antenna sockets

TP-Link TL-MR6400 300 Mbps 4G Mobile Wi-Fi Router, SIM Slot Unlocked, No Configuration Required, Removable External Wi-Fi Antennas, UK Plug: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

www.amazon.co.uk

Huawei B311 2020 good reviews & has external antenna socket £60 on amazon.

Huawei B311, CAT 4, 2020-4G/ LTE 150 Mbps Mobile Wi-Fi Router, Unlocked to All Networks- Genuine UK Warranty STOCK (Non Network Logo)- Black,B311-221: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

www.amazon.co.uk

The TP link has 4 Lan sockets whereas the Huawei only has one. Depends what your set up is if that is relevant
Loads of choice out there.
Use your mobile phone to check the 4G signal strength in different parts of the house will give you a good idea of the situation

thanks,i'll check tonight

 

[Chae1]

I use this in office. 100gb £50/month. 3 phones, plus this router. Miles faster than bt broadband.

 

[colhonk]

Tinternet been off today ,seems to be getting weekly now as lots of new houses being built up near exchange. generally 3 to 4 thingys, got EE masts surrounding me,3 bars on phone,would it be worth the hassle of changing?(ps..I know nothing of fitting up routers ect. Do not use wifi in house as I want it to work all the time)

 

[upnortheast]

No hassle at all. Would expect about 60 mbs speed from 3 bars.

 

[Ukjay]

Tinternet been off today ,seems to be getting weekly now as lots of new houses being built up near exchange. generally 3 to 4 thingys, got EE masts surrounding me,3 bars on phone,would it be worth the hassle of changing?(ps..I know nothing of fitting up routers ect. Do not use wifi in house as I want it to work all the time)

The right 4g kit is simply plug and play.. as you are not technically setting up the router, only changing admin codes for more secure passwords

 

[upnortheast]

thanks,i'll check tonight

This has summary of available 4G routers

The best routers for mobile data using LTE/4G or 5G for working at home without broadband – ADSL / VDSL alternatives

With most of us either working from home or furloughed until further notice due to Covid-19, we now have a massively increased demand for fast broadband. If

mightygadget.co.uk

The best routers for mobile data using LTE/4G or 5G for working at home without broadband – ADSL / VDSL alternatives

With most of us either working from home or furloughed until further notice due to Covid-19, we now have a massively increased demand for fast broadband. If

mightygadget.co.uk

Some options to look at -
Do you need sockets for external aerial
Do you need rj45 network sockets, some just have one, some have 4
Do you need seperate Wifi channels, Useful if you do B & B for example so you can have guests on a seperate channel to your office, (Security )
"Unlocked " Means you can put in any network sim card if a better signal, / deal becomes available.

 

[scottrac]

This has summary of available 4G routers

The best routers for mobile data using LTE/4G or 5G for working at home without broadband – ADSL / VDSL alternatives

With most of us either working from home or furloughed until further notice due to Covid-19, we now have a massively increased demand for fast broadband. If

mightygadget.co.uk

The best routers for mobile data using LTE/4G or 5G for working at home without broadband – ADSL / VDSL alternatives

With most of us either working from home or furloughed until further notice due to Covid-19, we now have a massively increased demand for fast broadband. If

mightygadget.co.uk

Some options to look at -
Do you need sockets for external aerial
Do you need rj45 network sockets, some just have one, some have 4
Do you need seperate Wifi channels, Useful if you do B & B for example so you can have guests on a seperate channel to your office, (Security )
"Unlocked " Means you can put in any network sim card if a better signal, / deal becomes available.
[/QUOTE
Thanks
will check signal tonight
only a small holding,no b&b etc,but no fibre in village and I might of dug the cable up once (repaired by bt man but never been the same since) and generally rubbish in whole village so I think this might work for me.

 

[Ukjay]

To test your house - the easiest method is to use your mobile phone as a hotspot (if you have data available on your sim and it can allow hotspot), then connect your laptop to that phone.
It is a quick thing to test your house out via, then you can see if it improves your situation - better if you have friends with different providers to give different service providers a hit up

This is our current speed with everyone in the house on the system, the wifey doing Zoom Zoom calls, daugher with Sky Q TV going, Laptop, Ishite etc, and me on me laptop and wifi calling.

Real shitty day outside too, and our speeds have only dropped slightly.

 

[farmerm]

I use this in office. 100gb £50/month. 3 phones, plus this router. Miles faster than bt broadband.

£50/month think they saw you coming.... you are paying £300 a year to hire the router then....

 

[Chae1]

£50/month think they saw you coming.... you are paying £300 a year to hire the router then....

I'm quite happy. That includes 3 mobile phones unlimited calls and texts. Sim only. Data shared between 4 devices. Option to add another.

 

[bobk]

I use this in office. 100gb £50/month. 3 phones, plus this router. Miles faster than bt broadband.

EE are doing 80gb for £20 / month

Best SIM Only Deals and Pay Monthly SIM Contracts | EE Shop

Pay monthly phone SIM only plans

shop.ee.co.uk

 

[farmerm]

I'm quite happy. That includes 3 mobile phones unlimited calls and texts. Sim only. Data shared between 4 devices. Option to add another.

Sorry that doesn't sound so bad after all, I didnt read the post properly our 2 mobiles and fixed line/broadband would come to more than that... I must find a 4G hub to try, network is patchy at the house though.. not sure if a good high gain antenna would be enough to overcome it. My phone rarely finds a 3G or 4G signal in or around the house, my wifes phone seems to fair a little better but it isn't consistent. Our landline is 2-4MB but works surprisingly well, even for streaming, it can be iffy for video calls. That being said I hate video calls