New 5G Home Broadband - Upload speed query

[craigs85]

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

[craigs85]

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

How do I cell lock so it uses 5G?

[bulldog555]

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

[craigs85]

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! 🙂 )

[bulldog555]

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.

[bulldog555]

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!

[craigs85]

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?

[bulldog555]

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:

[bulldog555]

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

[craigs85]

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

[bulldog555]

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/