Unusable Mobile & Broadband!

[Geordie_Steve]

This is FYI, so informed decisions can be made.

It isn't the first time I've posted about this, but nothing has changed, in fact things seem to have gotten worse. I've ran upload / download speed tests and they both come back as VERY low. (.... before you ask, yes, the router IS positioned as per Three's recommendations - in Newbury)

A couple of months ago I regrettably  moved to Three's network and broadband (financially driven) BOTH have been absolutely TERRIBLE. Not even giving a basic, general service.

I can't have MOBILE calls or use broadband. Calls keep breaking up and dropping out. 

Regarding BROADBAND: I am supposed to have online meetings, including yesterday via MS Teams. The picture was very pixilated and kept freezing, so much so, we had to turn off the video.. Not professional or a good image. (To try and improve the connection, I based myself next to the router!

OPTIONS?. Will the Vodafone merger improve things!?.... but probably not for a long time!

OR. I spend unplanned, extra money on EERO that hopefully boosts my signal to an usable level!!?

OR; I have no choice but to wait until my contract expires!

[PeteG]

Hello, Geordie. 

Ah, that sounds frustrating. I'm one who gets super annoyed when my home broadband or network isn't working as expected, so I get where you're coming from. 

You mentioned that you had moved to improve the connection to the Hub, can you confirm if this issue is a Wifi issue rather than a cellular issue? It's unclear as you also mentioned your mobile was having issues with calls too. 

Pete.

[Geordie_Steve]

Hi Pete,

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I use Three's network to provide my broadband, so rightly I wrongly I find it difficult to seperate the two. But I also use Three for mobile phone service and again, this is the same network as is used for the broadband. Either way, as you can read, both the broadband and mobile phone networks are extremely poor... ps. I found out after moving to Three that the do not have a 5G mast in Newbury (They applied to install 3 (ironic), but got turned down!). 

[JonathanB]

Hi @Geordie_Steve,

Sorry for any confusion here, but I think there's just a bit of misunderstanding about what the root issue is, and we want to give the best advice we can. Hopefully we can clear this up though.

Eero, and other mesh systems, help boost the coverage of a Wi-Fi network between your router and connected devices, but from what you're describing, it sounds like you're having trouble with the 4G coverage from Three for both your phone and Broadband services?

If the mobile signal isn't good locally, unfortunately I doubt that Eero is likely to have much impact on the speeds, this is more likely to help with a larger property, where you have devices that aren't in range of the router. That being said, a 5g router may get a better connection in high spaces, upstairs, loft spaces, or on window sills, which isn't always the best for connecting devices by ethernet or Wi-Fi.

I'd recommend to experiment with where the router is positioned first, and if there's nowhere you can find to place it where the speeds are improving for devices near the router, it's probably best not to invest in a mesh solution.

Have you been in touch with customer services to discuss your concerns about the coverage and that you don't think it's fair to wait till the contract expires given the quality of service you've been receiving? If so have they provided any other help or options?

Thanks,
Jonathan