topic Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query in Broadband

New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 12:33:21 GMT

Hi everyone.

New customer on the 5G Home Broadband service here, just wanting to ask a few questions.

I was amazed when the website told me I could get 5G in my area, so had to give it a try. Currently coming to the end of my Plusnet landline broadband, and don't want to commit to 18 months or more as FTTP is meant to be available soon, so thought I would try Three's offering.

I am blown away by the download speed. 300mbps+ some times.

However, the upload speeds are more worrying and possibly the deal breaker for me.

Sometimes I get a 4 or 5mbps upload speed, which compares to what I get down the landline with plusnet (but i only get 27mbps download on the land line, as opposed to 300mbps+ at the best times on three).

Throughout the day though, the upload speed drops to less than 2, which gives me some issues.

I have just now ran a speed test and here are the results, and the info from the Cellular page of the Hub iself.

Speedtest: The download was 280, upload was 1.79.

Cellular Tab:

Access Technology - NR5G-NSA
Band - B1,B3,n78,n78
RSSI - -96
Cell ID - 815689
Physical Cell ID - 238
UL Bandwidth (MHz) - 10M,100M
DL Bandwidth (MHz) - 10M,15M,100M,30M
RFCN - 99,1392,640548,632666
RSRP - -110
RSRQ - -14
SINR - -3
RSRP-NSA - -99
RSRQ-NSA - -2
SINR-NSA - 17
TAC - 2102

I have moved it to an upstairs window sill that I think gives the best placement. Would I benefit from an external antenna? The thing that puzzles me is that I can get 5mbps upload speed at certain times, so I think the placement is ok..

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Craig

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

sc1999 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 13:20:43 GMT

Check with Plusnet as BT will upgrade you to fibre as part of your current contract.

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

Anvil_Iron — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 14:13:54 GMT

I've found the Three 5G Broadband app useful in determining the best location for the router. It provides live signal strength. Connect your phone to the router via Wi-Fi. Move the router to different locations to get a better signal. Lower the RSRP value... better the signal strength.

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

asmm65 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 15:50:00 GMT

SINR value is worth noting aswell. I used the external omni antenna, while it improves signal strength and RSRP value, it gives me poor SINR value compared to built in antennas hence awful upload speeds.

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:09:49 GMT

Appreciate the replies everyone.

Regarding Plusnet/BT, FTTP isn't available in my area yet. Only FTTC which I currently have (although its coming to an end in 30 days). They won't offer rolling monthly contracts (unless I pay double the price), hence me trying this as an alternative.

In the exact same spot, sometimes I get up to 5 download, which will be fine for me. But other times, I get less than 2 which does cause an issue. So I don't think its entirely down to the location of the hub, as that hasn't moved.

Does the upload get throtted at certain times?

I'll still have a walk around with the hub and see where I get the best results. So lower RSRP = better, and lower SINR = better?

I could sacrifice some download speed for a bit better upload if this is possible 🙂

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 20:48:42 GMT

It's happen to me as I ended up put the 5G Hub in the loft as the upload getting better now

Before was: 450 to 625 / 5 to 8

Now in loft was: 525 to 700 / 11 to 20

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 20:53:46 GMT

You need to read below

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

lakhash — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:42:51 GMT

How did you pull out cellular tab?

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

martcoug1 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 02:24:55 GMT

The issue is, you need a good 4g signal too, it uses this for upload unless you can cell lock... Three 5g uses NSA not SA... yet

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:52:38 GMT

Ah, so upload uses 4G, of which I do have a much weaker signal.

How do I cell lock so it uses 5G?

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:52:55 GMT

Think I just copy and pasted it from the hub login, why?

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 07:56:31 GMT

Is it worth tinkering with any of the settings on the hub itself?

Such as Access Technology on the Cellular Band setting tab. Currently its set to 'NR5G-NSA/4G (Auto Switch)'.

Would a different option in here make a difference (positive one! 🙂 )

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:44:59 GMT

There is no cell lock on this router sadly with current firmware B12

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:46:50 GMT

You have to remember 5G only work with 4G alongside it because Three use NR5G-NSA (none stand alone) at present time mean have to use both 4G and 5G to get 5G working properly.

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:48:54 GMT

You on cell edge (RSRP - -110) that's why u might see very poor speed in upload and the 5G will flick switched between 4G and 5G at all times. Not great!

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 17:01:08 GMT

Understood, thanks for that.

I think I'm basically better off going back to my landland to keep the upload speeds stable, and sacrifice (a LOT) of download speed.

It seems as though I am on the very edge of being able to get a signal here, so its going to be hit and miss isnt it?

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Fri, 10 Mar 2023 23:28:58 GMT

U need one of these antenna and put higher up in the pole on your outside wall and you will see improvement in 5G.

https://router-mods.co.uk/product/bluespot-4g-5g-antenna-698-4000mhz-bi-directional/

For 4G plugged into top two ports in your hub router:

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 00:19:02 GMT

My download and upload are great all day as I put Hub in direct line where I can see the 5G cell tower.

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

craigs85 — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 07:51:58 GMT

Thanks for the replies.

I was looking at this one but then i was asking myself if i want to risk that amount of money and it not making much difference.

https://www.broadbandbuyer.com/products/42644-poynting-5g-xpol-1-v2-41/specifications/

I think I'll have to switch back and cancel this. Gutting, as when it's good, it's very good, but I can't have a 70% ish service as i work from home

Re: New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

bulldog555 — Sat, 11 Mar 2023 12:57:02 GMT

This one is crap as I try that as 5G hardly picking up!

The new version shoould be lots better with higher gain! New 3400MHz-3800MHz, 5G band with 11dBi gain

https://www.netxl.com/directional-antennas/poynting-xpol-2-5g-directional-mimo-antenna/