5G Broadband dropouts

[MacDavidson]

Hi folks,

So I got Three’s 5G broadband and get great speeds, with great coverage around the house. But at various times each day (for no apparent reason), it just disappears from being available as a wifi device for around 10 minutes, or until reset. The Mac connected by CAT7 cable is unaffected, and all lights remain as they should.

I’ve positioned the router in various places, tried changing the APN from 3internet to three.co.uk, and reset several times. 

Am I doing something wrong? Should I have 2.4 and 5 GHz on at the same time? 2.4 GHz is slower, but I need that for the smart gadgets in the house, but speed is what it’s all about…

Thanks in advance for your time

[jayward011]

I filled out a online complaints form last week regarding dropouts on my ZTE (B15 firmware) after the usual run around i got when phoning customer service. in my complaint about dropouts i asked for the ZTE router to be replaced with a Zyxel. Today i had a phone call from Three complaints department who told me that they did not have any of the Zyxel model and almost denied that they existed until i pointed out that customers on this forum have been successful in having the ZTE replaced with a Zyxel and then had no problems with dropouts.  He then said that they have no more Zyxel to swap with and suggested that for me to overcome my problems i should look for a second hand router and put my three SIM into it and would give me a refund of £40 on my account to compensate me. i'm now going to look around for a second hand router but i don't think i will get one for £40. i will put up with these dropouts until my contract ends and then look for better options.

[grabo1530]

@jayward011  thats the story they gave me none in stock .

Going back to complaints and getting them to end my contract was the best way ,then ordering a new contract that gives the choice of the bad firmware zte (named hub) or Zyxel (named Home broadband)

I went through all this over the weekend  today the Zyxel arrived and complaints are sending a returns box .

[grabo1530]

I've just received the zyxel but can't get the sim to click into place. Is there a knack .

I'm trying with the 3 logo to the bottom and the bit with the corner to the right .

[WCAT-15]

Don't push it in too hard. I found if I pushed in too far it just popped out again.

[techsavvy]

We’ve all been there lol lol

[grabo1530]

@WCAT-15  Yes a softer approach worked .

I'm up and running same location and angle of the zyxel as the zte gives me solid 5g and around 400 down 50 up so quite pleased .

Just got to get it in bridge mode now so the Ax88 does what it needs to .

The set up interface is a bit of a  mare 

[WCAT-15]

With my ZTE MC801 I was getting several dropouts each day. Lasting a couple of minutes, then the 5G came back on. Moving the hub around the house to a better position improved things to no dropouts during daytime; but for the past few days the 5G was off for tens of minutes in the middle of the night (last night off 45 minutes around 4am). The hub also updated itself to B15 firmware a few days ago.
It is hard to compare speeds because in 5 minutes it can vary from 15 Mb/s to 450 Mb/s.

What I would really like to know is if the Zyxel hub would be better than the XTE hub.

[TC64]

Yes. My zyxel NR5103E is . It's on b12 firmware . Had to purchase from eBay. Superior router and WiFi and of course currently no internet loss.

[grabo1530]

My zyxel gives me the same speeds as zte ,it was a little harder to find a position to get the best signal than the zte but tilting over left or right got me all the signal bars for 5g lit up .the Zte would drop out in 24hrs  up to 5 times .the log from my asus router shows this .Since putting the zyxel in on Tuesday and getting bridge mode (passthrough on the zyxel)sorted this router has been connected solidly with no dropouts at all.

Its just a shame I had to go through hoops to be able to fix something that Three deliberately broke .

[WCAT-15]

Compare ZTE MC801A and Zyxel NR5103e routers.

I recently joined Three 5G broadband and despite asking for the Zyxel router I was given a ZTE MC801. I am within (almost) sight of the mast, and 5G signal is good in any location in house. From the start the internet dropped out several times a day. (after a few minutes it came back on).  After reading this excellent Forum, I bought a used Zyxel NR5103e router on eBay (there are usually several, prices from £150).  Fitted the Three SIM and have not had a dropout since (only 3 days so far....).

The Zyxel router is about 3x the size of the ZTE, and heavier. 5G signal and download speed seems the same as the ZTE. It has less features than the ZTE (eg. I can't turn off the bright LEDs for night time) but nothing I need. The WiFi range seems about the same.  (these are not scientific tests :-). All devices in the house connected to the ZTE or the Zyxel without problem.

This Zyxel (badged Three) was supplied with 4 external antenna arms. When I try these the signal is about 20db worse, and signal/noise ratio goes from about 5 to -1 (ie. worse). So for the moment I am just using the internal antenna.