topic Re: Newby with variable Broadband Service in Broadband

Newby with variable Broadband Service

Bobcat901 — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:22:56 GMT

I signed up with Three for a mobile broadband contract and they sent me an indoor router (MC888AD). Powered it up and connected easily with a strong 5g signal and very acceptable download and upload speeds. I’ve positioned it upstairs on a windowsill facing the nearest mast which is just over half a mile away which it locked onto. I should say that both my neighbours have Three mobile broadband and are extremely happy with it.

The problem is that every few weeks, the signal drops to 4g and weakens drastically. Download speed drops to around 4 mbps which is hopelessly unacceptable. I’ve confirmed that it’s locked on another mast goodness knows where? Power off / power on repeatedly and reposition the router but it stays locked on until it suddenly changes its mind and finds the closest mast again and normal service is resumed. What is going on and can I force it to lock onto the nearest 5g mast?

Re: Newby with variable Broadband Service

MichaelP — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 10:11:45 GMT

Hello @Bobcat901,

That's unusual to hear that your hub drops to 4G and locks onto a different mast.

Please have a chat with our Home Broadband team, as they'll need to run some tests with you and the hub.

This will help to clarify why the 5G connection drops, and also why you're connecting to a different mast.

Thanks,
Michael

Re: Newby with variable Broadband Service

Bobcat901 — Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:15:42 GMT

The router has two network options: Auto(5G & 4G) or 4G. I changed it to 4G and it locked on to the nearest mast and is giving me perfectly respectable download and upload speeds. Rock solid so far as well.