Signal boosting options

[Rawzer]

Hi

I have a very unreliable broadband connection (long run distance from the exchange so its not that fast and fails regularly) and a very weak mobile signal where I live in Staffs. I have an EE Osprey MiFi unit that gets me 1 bar of 4G signal if I hang it out of the window but I really could do with a reliable fast internet connection.

EE is the best signal here, its not good but its the best.

I am wondering if i have any options for improving the situation, eg a better MiFi unit with much better capacity to pick up a weak signal or installation of an an antenna that will pick up the signal better?

i have tried to find out more about the latter but without much luck so any pointers gratefully received

[XRaySpeX]

Do you have Fibre BB? If so, the run from the exchange doesn't matter' only from your cab.

If you would like help with your BB speed or connection issues, please would you carry out the following steps for starters, which will enable us to diagnose the problem and advise you further. Do not restart your router to do these tests:

1. Post your full router stats:

• For a BrightBox: login and go to Advanced Settings/ System/ DSL Status. Also post 'System Uptime' from top of System Log page.
• For a SmartHub: login and go to Advanced Settings/ Technical Log/ Information. Obscure your names & any numbers in the BB Username & also the SSIDs.

Full router stats are key to any speed & connection issues.

2. Try a wired speedtest, using an Ethernet cable supplied with the router, here http://www.thinkbroadband.com/speedtest.html . Click on the "Results Page" button at the bottom of the graph you first see and then copy to here just the "Link to this result:" link that you see below the next main graph.

3. What does BT Wholesale Broadband Availability Checker estimate for your phone number? Post just the whole table and the line above it, blanking out your phone number. If it doesn't recognise your phone number or you don't have one, use the Address Checker, not the Postcode Checker.

[Rawzer]

thanks for the reply, loose language on my part, we are a long way from the cabinet (>2k i think). yes its fibre but the run is long so we get at best performance around 10Mb, more usually 6 or 7 and OpenReach say we are luck to get that. We can probably get by on 7-10mb but the problem is the run tot the cabinet is unreliable so its regularly going awol due to physical faults and then we are without any connection. Our Broadband is Plusnet, not that that matters really as the underlying issue is the OpenReach one.

so i use the Osprey box with an EE Sim as a sub on these occasions but because our 3G/4G signal is not good its also unreliable unless its dangling out of the window. Strangely i get more bars (though a slower connection) on my iPhone XR than i get on the Osprey.

i dont think i can fix my broadband situation unless we can get OpenReach to do cabling work to provide a closer cabinet (not much hope there) but assumed there would be ways to boost my local 4G reception eg via an antenna so my mifi solution would be reliable and fast when the Broadband drops out again 

Rawzer

[bristolian]

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@Rawzer wrote:

Hi

I am wondering if i have any options for improving the situation, eg a better MiFi unit with much better capacity to pick up a weak signal or installation of an an antenna that will pick up the signal better?

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An external (roof-mounted) antenna with professionally installed feeders to internal units would certainly do the job, but is a serious undertaking!

[Rawzer]

Thanks for the reply - i was hoping to find out the more up to date MiFi units might do better at signal acquisition but doesnt sound that way.

if i did want to investigate an aerial how would I raise with EE or is it a non EE thing?

Rawzer 

[Christopher_G]

Hi @Rawzer

Our Tech Gurus will be able to give you more information about external antennas if you call them on 0800 079 0131.

Chris