4G connection dropping every few minutes ZTE MF286D

[Frustrated3]

Hi. I recently upgraded my plan as old router broken. 3 sent a ZTE MF286D. I put my SIM in and everything seemed fine, but after approx 1 day, the internet connection started dropping out. Running an internet connection monitor shows 1-2 second disconnects every few minutes (occasionally goes up to 20 minutes without disconnecting)  See extract below:   Any ideas? Thanks. Good LTE signal strength, up and down speeds OK...

03/29/2025 10:39:43 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0
03/29/2025 10:31:30 AM	Online	0:08:13
03/29/2025 10:31:28 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0:00:02
03/29/2025 10:10:53 AM	Online	0:20:35
03/29/2025 10:10:52 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0:00:01
03/29/2025 9:33:45 AM	Online	0:37:07
03/29/2025 9:33:43 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0:00:02
03/29/2025 9:21:22 AM	Online	0:12:21
03/29/2025 9:21:22 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0
03/29/2025 9:15:11 AM	Online	0:06:11
03/29/2025 9:15:10 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0:00:01
03/29/2025 9:09:02 AM	Online	0:06:08
03/29/2025 9:09:01 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0:00:01
03/29/2025 9:00:50 AM	Online	0:08:11
03/29/2025 9:00:49 AM	No Internet connection. Wi-Fi/LAN OK	0:00:01

[PeteG]

Hello there. 

That's quite a few drops in a short period of time. Are you able to perform a check for data integrity/packet loss as well? 

Pete. 

[Frustrated3]

Hi Pete.  I used an online packet loss app -  However, during the test the modem did not disconnect according to the connection monitor. Been observing behaviour and it can go for an hour or more without disconnecting, but then it will do it every few minutes for a few seconds.  Seems random, not related to who's using wifi either....

[Frustrated3]

More severe test not so good (but no disconnects during)

[PeteG]

The odds are that the disconnects are due to packet loss. It's unclear what would be causing that, but it's likely to be a hub issue or a cellular network issue. 

If you head over to the Service Checker, it'll let you know if there's an issue locally. If there is, it could explain why you're having the issue. If there isn't, I'd recommend speaking to the Support Team to let them know you're having this issue. They'll double check the network just in case the tool missed something, and they will investigate the device side of things too. 

Pete. 

[Frustrated3]

Unfortunately the indian support team are not much help. They ran tests on the network and specific mast I am using and say all is fine, I disconnected everything form my hub except the laptop running just the internet monitor. Still disconnecting. Interesting it stayed on for 5 hours from 1am...  When checking on the network service checker it says this (even though tech guy said everything was OK) :

"There is, at times, heavy usage in this local area.
As a result, you may experience varying data speeds depending on how many customers are connecting to our network via your closest mast.
We’re always working to improve our network and aim to provide the best experience possible.
See below for other factors that may affect your signal"

Its not the Dn or Up speed that is the issue, and It is definitely happening since I changed router - unless its a coincidence with 'heavy usage in the area' - as I lose audio on my teams calls now which I never did before.