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

[Hovertree]

Just to say, I'm still getting dropouts here where downloads stop completely. Rebooting the router fixes the problem, at least until the next dropout.

[bethanrex]

I am also still getting consistent dropouts. Had about 4 today!

[Gagandeep]

Hi again all

I am now at my wits end with this router randomly dropping connections. I thought it was bad enough that bridge mode stopped working on B12, but the dropouts are really getting on my nerves.

Does anyone know of a way to directly contact 3 to discuss replacing the device as opposed to wasting my time with standard customer service?

Shameful that there has been no acknowledgement of 8 pages of concerns. Then again, what ISP seems to care these days.

[JonathanB]

Hi everyone,

I'm sorry this issue is still ongoing. As I mentioned before, it doesn't seem to be affecting all users on the B12 firmware, and we've not been able to reproduce the issue either, so it is proving difficult to track down the root cause, 

I have escalated concerns about this though, and I'm hoping to have more information and advice soon. Thanks again for your patience everyone.

[Gagandeep]

Hi @JonathanB 

I think most people would be interested in some kind of solution, even if it means exchanging their routers for a different device. Is there any way for us to do this with a minimum of headache - i.e. not wasting ages on the phone going through "troubleshooting"?

As for issues / looking for ways to recreate the problem, since the B12 firmware push there are plenty of similar stores here
(https://www.ispreview.co.uk/talk/threads/zte-mc801a-review.37993/page-95)

Mostly the same these - loss of internet connectivity, router then needs a reboot either manually or from the web interface to restore connections.

I hop there is some progress soon.

[TC64]

Hello JonathanB,

I suppose there must be some common factor for those affected. I'm using wired devices such as Nas drives, and PC. Using WiFi for standard stuff and ring alarm and blink CCTV. Are some of the affected using only WiFi? Is it related to certain postcodes? Mines BD22 . Specific batches of router? I renamed my WiFi broadcast name.

Can three not swap out some routers and then test them?

[ashleyj]

I am also having this issue, download data just drops to zero, upload still appears to be okay. 

To get it back I use my phone to login into the router settings (192.168.0.1) and switch the 5G/Data toggle to off. I count to 20 and switch it back on again. The download then starts working as normal. 

I also work from home so a fix for this would be great. 

[RK1]

Same issues as many of you are describing. Same router model no., same firmware update. It's mildly infuriating, and not something I'll be able to abide long-term. If it's a problem that the Three/ZTE teams cannot recreate/problem-solve, then surely a formalised router swap/exchange initiative needs to be implemented. 

For further info, SIM words fine in a TP-Link 4G MiFi (significantly reduced speeds aside).

[jayward011]

Phoned Three today complaining about the same issue and was told it's not the router but the mast in my area is having problems, i said that was the same answer you gave me when i complained in December 2022.i asked when this issue was going to be fixed and he replied very soon, i said people all over the uk are having the same problem since the firmware was upgraded to B12, he said the update issue has been resolved and the mast is the problem,  if it's not fixed within 2 weeks i will be cancelling my contract as the service is not fit for use, pity really as when it's working ok it's very good

[itsbebbo]

I was having exactly the same issue with the router (no data but all indications showed connected to 5G). I saw on ispreview forums that someone had identified IPV6 as the issue and since setting to IPV4 I've not had a freeze for 3 days (would normally get at least one or two a day)