DIY 4G Internet Install

[Ukjay]

Hi,

If anyone is stuck for something to do and you have sh!t internet like we had when we moved in here and the installers on lock down, you may find this useful.

I ordered these items from the internet for home delivery (you can get a cheaper Router, but I opted for one that is hopefully a bit more future proof):

4G Sim Only (unlimited - although it does state 1,000 GB in the small print. (we are using EE @ £34 / month)

Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0002 Cross Polarised High Gain 4G Panel LTE Directional Outdoor Antenna: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

www.amazon.co.uk

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Generic-Fe...s-9+adaptor&qid=1586188180&s=computers&sr=1-3 See note below!

Following the install I will be ordering these rather than the above as they have an angled input for the router to make locating it easier due to the low flex in the Antenna cable:

Eightwood 4G Antenna SMA to TS9 Cable 4G LTE Antenna Extension Cable SMA Female Bulkhead to TS9 Plug Right Angle Cable RG174 6inch 15cm 2pcs for 4G Router 2G 3G 4G LTE Antenna UMTS Mobile: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Eightwood 4G Antenna SMA to TS9 Cable 4G LTE Antenna Extension Cable SMA Female Bulkhead to TS9 Plug Right Angle Cable RG174 6inch 15cm 2pcs for 4G Router 2G 3G 4G LTE Antenna UMTS Mobile at Amazon UK.

www.amazon.co.uk

Huawei B618 2020- Unlocked 4G/LTE 600 Mbps Mobile Wi-Fi Router- Genuine UK Warranty stock (non network logo) -White: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy

www.amazon.co.uk

I used an old legacy mounting pole from the building to mount the antenna

Used this site to locate the EE Phone Masts to help with giving me a clue of where the masts are for directing the antenna towards the direction of the masts as near as I could without having the tech kit to measure signals:

Cellular Tower and Signal Map

CellMapper is a crowd-sourced cellular tower and coverage mapping service.

www.cellmapper.net

Took 30 minutes to install antenna and drill holes for wires to come through the wall, then connected antenna, added the sim card to the router, turned power on and the system worked out the box.

Went into the Router to change all the security log ons etc, then tested speed.

Straight out the box we got the below speeds which I didnt think were bad at all for first attempt:

Ran the speed test this morning and seen this:

Router Signal full 4G

Edited to add the cell mapper site on as I missed it off.. You select a provider to check the area for masts.

 

[upnortheast]

Whatever Mr Trump & others think, this Huawei kit always does what it says.
Just be careful it`s not keeping a check on how many times you go to the bog

Out of interest how much signal do you loose if you disconect the aerial ?

 

[Ukjay]

Whatever Mr Trump & others think, this Huawei kit always does what it says.
Just be careful it`s not keeping a check on how many times you go to the bog

Out of interest how much signal do you loose if you disconect the aerial ?

I have not tested that yet - but I assume it will drop a lot as the house is stone walled and the phones struggle anywhere in the house other than in one bedroom or the conservatory.

 

[Kidds]

I did very similar about 12 months ago. My download speed was good to start with but is absolute pants now to the point it is quite normal not to connect at all.
Further to that I am convinced my Huawei router is restricting content. Seems to be adult content which includes the knife collecting/buying pages I browse. Randomly refuses to connect to those sites for a week or so at a time. I have not got to the point of replacing my router but I certainly won't buy Huawei again.

Mine was with Three, if I use my phone as a hotspot it works fine, also with Three.

 

[Ukjay]

I did very similar about 12 months ago. My download speed was good to start with but is absolute pants now to the point it is quite normal not to connect at all.
Further to that I am convinced my Huawei router is restricting content. Seems to be adult content which includes the knife collecting/buying pages I browse. Randomly refuses to connect to those sites for a week or so at a time. I have not got to the point of replacing my router but I certainly won't buy Huawei again.

Mine was with Three, if I use my phone as a hotspot it works fine, also with Three.

Personally I have had no issues with my Huawei P20 pro since I bought one after it launched, so I would be inclined to feel it is not solely linked to the router, as a lot if the recommendations for 4G routers out there are for unlocked Huawei gear.

You sure your network card is fully open and not set to moderate parental controls, as that will allow some age restricted sites through but not others from what I have seen?

Also, has the router firewall been modified to prevent locking it down for age restrictions?

Also, I'm hoping that the fibre company do actually get the cable fitted in our little area soon, as they have written to the residents to say they will be installing it soon...

 

[upnortheast]

You sure your network card is fully open and not set to moderate parental controls, as that will allow some age restricted sites through but not others from what I have seen?

When we were on EE 4g there were settings on the EE account web page to put kiddy blocks on or off

 

[Ukjay]

When we were on EE 4g there were settings on the EE account web page to put kiddy blocks on or off

that is why I asked if kidds had checked all those settings on both the provider site and router settings.

 

[Kidds]

I have checked all those things repeatedly. It hasn't done it for a while now but I expect it will.
I also have a P20. Not a bad phone apart from me being unable to stop the damned thing pinging without telling me why it has.
The above paints me as a bit dumb when it comes to tech, I am not claiming to be a wizzkid but these are things I should easily be able to sort. The P20 thing is probably a result of the move from a series of iPhones. My opinion of iPhones is they are much more user friendly but too expensive.

 

[Ukjay]

I have checked all those things repeatedly. It hasn't done it for a while now but I expect it will.
I also have a P20. Not a bad phone apart from me being unable to stop the damned thing pinging without telling me why it has.
The above paints me as a bit dumb when it comes to tech, I am not claiming to be a wizzkid but these are things I should easily be able to sort. The P20 thing is probably a result of the move from a series of iPhones. My opinion of iPhones is they are much more user friendly but too expensive.

The pinging is probably the signal strength dropping and coming back. It is the known fault that you cannot silence.
It does it on mine, but I got used to it.
I hope the sort it for the next one I buy.

As for tech, yes - I'm probably in the same boat ?

Oh, and as for Huawei listening in etc, let's factor in how your choice brand have been highlighted as potential candidates for that too.

 

[Tullyvernon]

Good little project there, I wanted to do the same here but unfortunately we cant get EE coverage, and i believe them to be the only company to offer unlimited (fair use) deals on 4G or at least the most competitive.

All i get here is 3.2 mb Download and 0.34 Upload on copper broadband, what i cant understand is that my parents house is 1/2 mile further from the exchange and they get 5 mb.

I have a point to point setup from the home farm to the dairy 400m away I might see if i can get network there, add the router and antenna at that side of the network and have an access point at home for wifi

 

[Kidds]

I wanted to do the same here but unfortunately we cant get EE coverage, and i believe them to be the only company to offer unlimited (fair use) deals on 4G or at least the most competitive.

Three do them if that's any help to you

 

[Ukjay]

Good little project there, I wanted to do the same here but unfortunately we cant get EE coverage, and i believe them to be the only company to offer unlimited (fair use) deals on 4G or at least the most competitive.

All i get here is 3.2 mb Download and 0.34 Upload on copper broadband, what i cant understand is that my parents house is 1/2 mile further from the exchange and they get 5 mb.

I have a point to point setup from the home farm to the dairy 400m away I might see if i can get network there, add the router and antenna at that side of the network and have an access point at home for wifi

Use the cell map I linked to and change network provider to see if any have coverage.

EE, O2, Vodafone and Three do unlimited data, and costs are dropping. ?

 

[hollister]

Anyone tried a smarty SIM? Thinking about doing similar and they have a "unlimited" data SIM.

 

[Tullyvernon]

Three do them if that's any help to you

Use the cell map I linked to and change network provider to see if any have coverage.

EE, O2, Vodafone and Three do unlimited data, and costs are dropping. ?

Thanks must look into that again, its approaching a year since I last looked into it so things must have changed a bit since.

 

[upnortheast]

Anyone tried a smarty SIM? Thinking about doing similar and they have a "unlimited" data SIM.

Looks like they use the "3" network so depends if you have a decent coverage for that network

 

[Bloders]

the maps suggest to me it MAY work in our area
Is there is a method to establish of the 4G signal will be sufficient before buying the equipment.

 

[upnortheast]

the maps suggest to me it MAY work in our area
Is there is a method to establish of the 4G signal will be sufficient before buying the equipment.

See how many bars of signal your phone shows.
A router in the right place should do better, especially with an external antenna

 

[Kidds]

The bars of signal is a very poor indicator of if 4G is going to work. Get a PAYG sim and try it, do a speedtest on your mobile phone.

As an example I had a Three mast in my field so I got 5 bars of signal, the mast was only 3G. (very recently too, sold the mast and field so don't know for sure if it is still the case).

 

[Bloders]

phones are fairly rubbish - I assume a antennae would improve it as it could be placed higher up etc, though id want some comformation befeore buying

 

[upnortheast]

The bars of signal is a very poor indicator of if 4G is going to work

Better than nowt.
Most phones indicate whether they have 3 or 4G signal. So if it was showing 1 bar of 4G I would be pretty confident a carefully placed router would work.
Checking the phone as you walk round the house would show good spots/ bad spots.
Know where your local mast is & put your router & if necessary an external antenna on that side of the house would help.

To be sure can you borrow a 4G router for a couple of hours & see what you get.
Get cheap PAYG sims for all available networks & see which gives the best result.
If you can get 2 bars or better of signal your speed should be 20 - 50 mbs