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

[plusone]

Having same issue here, keep dropping everyday!!!!

[techsavvy]

I've seen a few comments on this topic where a different router is compatible - notably the Huawei CPE models.
Is it just a matter of inserting the SIM and entering the gateway etc?
I'm seriously considering purchasing maybe a second hand one, because the dropouts are incredibly annoying at the moment.

[russdaz]

So far a CPE Pro 2 has been totally stable, but doesn’t have the same flexibility as the Mc801a’s which can be theoretically faster, the CPE Pro cannot use 3G for example.

Where I stay in hotels a lot it’s cheaper for me to use broadband routers rather than hotel Wi-Fi. So I have ended with up with a couple I take with me, and one that I use in the car as it more reliable then a phone connection.

CPE Pro 2 seems fine. Normally 200-700meg down, with 60-120meg upload. No 3G support, no gsm support.

Private none three issue ZTE MC801a working as expected. Where there Three branded one is having issues.

Mine hitting 500-700meg down with 90-120meg upload, where the three unit at present maxing at 150meg down and 60upload. Which is pretty much a 4g max speed, of the iPhone SE gen 2

no band B28 support that Three are using in places. Supports 3g. But not gsm.

Zyxel NR5101 which is the by far the best, as it can use B28 where the CPE Pro’s and ZTE Mc801’s cannot, which is helpful in B28 areas. External antennas on it make it much more stable than both the rest. 600-700 dowm, with 120-upto 250meg upload, with external antenna. Supports band b28, and can use fdd and Tdd bands together neither the above can. Supports 3g but not gsm.

For me the Three is back up for 1gb wired connection, but when on the road, they give me the flexibility to use mobile connections, but you’ll be amazed to hear that all three perform differently in different areas depending on the local network. HUAWEI Prime 4g+ believe or not is the most stable out of all of them all when using combined internal and external antennas It can achieve 250meg down with 60meg up reliably, it supports all the bands, and GSM too. Three do not have GSM so isn’t a big deal, but is very handy if your getting a back up device, as you can make calls when you very poor internet speeds via the GSM connection, if you have a sim handy for another network, the Prime is essentially a very big 4g+ plus phone.

[hobnobrob2000]

I am also having many dropouts a day too. The 5G download speed just goes to 0 but the upload is still working. I gave up my fibre connection for this connection to save money as it was very reliable and fast when I first started using it. Now I wish I had not as I’m really fed up already, and I’m still in my half price 6 months offer. Seems like another 18 months of this will be unbearable, as I can’t even enjoy my streaming services anymore 😔

[russdaz]

Hi all, I am having some issues to with the MC801, but also had the exact same thing with the Three branded nr5301 that's gone back to Three now and cancelled as it was a new device and not working at all as expected. 

I hadn't notice the issue with the ZTE MC801 until trying the new version start of November, I was using the MC801 in early October away from home with no issue. I had always been impressed with coverage where I am. But I noticed the NR5301 wouldn't connect to the 5g network, then I realised the speeds from the MC801 had dropped so low I was actually only using my other line pretty much all the time. ( I run 2 connections via a load balancer for fail over at home)

Then I started to look into the device and can see the wifi is crashing, too as described here, I normally disable the wifi at home, but the unit is completely losing 5g connection to the mast, the db reading has gone from -78 up to over -110db at best. A nr5101 and older Cpe pro2 my phone and android tablet see the mast at -60 to -80db. (recorded using Cellmapper information)

As this isn't first time I have heard Three's branded hard ware doing this I have actually gone and got a none Three firmware ZTE and that is working as expected, and is helpful for other areas as I travel a lot. So for me personal I suspect there's a Three specific firmware issue, or its a case of Three maybe introducing a firmware to throttle back there units connection speeds. I.e reducing the antennas power maybe as I have notice the wifi crashing seems to be when the 5g connection drops of completely. So could even be a process where Three are disconnecting the units from there network in areas and its then causing the units to crash.

Based on the the fact I have had issues with the Three branded nr5301 and the Three branded ZTE mc801 I am thing its a wider issue then just the ZTE mc801 that maybe worth looking into.

I have put back in my older 4g+ Huawei none Three router for now that is connecting faster and is very stable while awaiting to hear from Threes tech support, that even told me I didnt live in a 5g area.... so not holding much hope really..

I have also experienced Three making network changes to some mast, that prevents some devices connecting to there network properly when you close to specific mast types, that use specific bands, so I wouldn't rule out a network alteration that's kicking things of then requiring a router reset. is so common with Threes equipment where I live now I have the device connected to bluetooth switchable socket so I can reset the power to it with out having to go to the plug anymore. Very hand device.

[JonathanB]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the delay on updates about this issue.

As I mentioned last time, ZTE are assisting with an investigation. Unfortunately due to these drops being very random/intermittent they haven't been able to reproduce this issue yet. They are carrying out extensive tests though, and I'm checking for updates regularly, so as soon as there's any cause or solution identified, I'll update the thread.

I'm sure there's no coincidence that you're all having this similar experience, but it does not seem to be affecting all customers using the MC801A with that particular firmware version. It's most likely one of a combination of factors.

I really appreciate everyone's patience, and I'll share any further information or advice as soon as I can.

Thanks,
JonathanB

[techsavvy]

It's not just the dropouts either .. it's the knock on effect.
I have a raft of "smart" gadgets that need an internet connection - Mesh wifi units,  camera's, doorbell cam, thermostats, smart plugs, smart lights etc etc.
After a dropout, a lot of them do not reconnect automatically, so you end up switching on and off again multiple times until it all connects again. Very, very annoying
This may/may not be Three's fault, but I don't recall ever having this problem with my previous provider.
Does anyone else have the same issue?

[mikem2te]

Glad to see it's not just me.

My MC801a was working well, then about 8 weeks ago it started dropping multiple times a day. It appears the mobile connection is still up, but it won't pass any traffic. It might only be for 30 seconds or so, but when you are working from home holding meetings it's not good enough.

And yes, this issue started just after B12 installed itself.

I'm going to dig out my old ZTE 4g router to see if that's any better.

[feersum_endjinn]

I was wrong. I thought the issue had gone away. It has not. The connection has dropped 3 to 4 times in the last 36 hours. This is so frustrating and Three doesn't seem to have any clue on how to fix the issue. 

@JonathanB can you give us an update??

[antingham]

I have just been on the phone for half an hour trying to get this resolved.  The technical team told me they hadn't been told of any issues since the latest firmware update and tried to send me a new device - on the same firmware - which would no doubt cause me the same issues.  @JonathanB I haven't received a response from your DMs, can you please give everyone an update as I can't work this way.