Multiple connections now runing at 3G HSDPA not LTE

ineedbr · ‎09-12-2023

We have multiple connctions all over the UK that have been runing for over 2 years, using external modems, (mikrotik) with no isusses, but since the 7th of Dec over 10 Sites have dropped to useing 3G HSDPA, constant drops in connections, run a scan and not LTE showing.

Have run checks on the ee status page, and all report no issues, EE you are hiding somthing please tell us the truth so we can inform our end users.

Adrian

ineedbr · ‎11-12-2023

Hi Guys

I have a fix.

So this looks to only be affecting Mikroltik SXT R variants.

Its a pretty painful fix as you do have to visit sites. Remote fix will not help it just disconnects the devices.

1: get a sim from another provider such as Three etc.

2: Visit the client, swap the ee sim to the three sim and use three.co.uk as the APN.

3: Then once registered to the three networks, got to system, package and update to testing ROS7.

4: Once updated you see your LTE device is telling you to update the modem driver. CLick the update and and follow the process, this may be slow ( do not power off or reboot and if any watch dogs on , turn off) rebooting at this point may brick the unit.

5: The Tik will download the modem driver and will reboot the modem on its own.

6: once connected back to the three networks the message to update the driver should have gone.

7: power off, put ee sim back in and power back on, your modem should now connect to the ee LTE network.

You can try the command line method to update the modem driver , but thats just a pain , but if you have a complex config that could change in ROS7 then try the manual mode first.

in command line to view your current driver run the below

/interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1

to update it

/interface lte firmware-upgrade lte1 upgrade=yes

The whole upgrade process can take up to 10 minutes depending on the speed of your LTE connection – do not disconnect or power of the device during this time.

After the upgrade has successfully completed you should issue a USB power-reset (under the menu System -> Routerboard -> USB Power Reset) or reboot the device:

View solution in original post

bristolian · ‎09-12-2023

Have you tried restarting each of the modems to ensure the behaviour is consistent?

Do you have any EE phones at the same sites and do they exhibit the same?

Briskona · ‎09-12-2023

We are exactly the same , tried a few settings but no joy only 3G although if we install the same sim in an IPad or phone there are no problems

if you have any success please let me know

cheers

ineedbr · ‎10-12-2023

Briskona are you using mikrotik units to?

I have looked through all our sites, and a few are still ok geting LTE and the drivers and firmware are the same as the one that are having issues, this has to be a EE sim setting issue or something core. EE we need a core network engineer to contact us ASAP, we have many end users that are affected, we need answers.

Adrian

Briskona · ‎10-12-2023

Yes we are using Mikrotik dishes , running perfect until changes made by
EE --

*Jamie Parsons*

Director

[Mod edit: Please do not post personal information such as your phone number in this public forum. Thanks]

ineedbr · ‎10-12-2023

Hi James Nice to meet you.

This very frustrating , im currently on the phone with ee support and getting them to send a sim update to all affected sims.

i will update you if this works.

Adrian

ineedbr · ‎10-12-2023

So they have done a sim refresh on all affected sims and this did not help. If we scan on the Tiks, we are not seeing any b1 b3 b20 or EAR 522, 1617 only 10761 which is 3G HSDPA.

They checked a number of sites and they say all are fine on 4g and no network issues.

I have checked the modem firmware and we ahve a mix of firmwares from v8 to v21 and the latest v25, ones affcted can have the same firmware as ones that are not affcted. this is very strange, it all started on the dec6th , we had a new CAT18 ALT installed running fine then it dropped, went on site vist and found it says no sim, we are not seeing this on SXT LTE devices, but somthing changed on EE's network DEC 6th 18:30.

Adrian

swac3 · ‎10-12-2023

Same here for us on the mast near Cullen, microtik dish. Connecting to this odd unbanded frequency and no internet, phones work but speeds are poor which is new.

Ee did have a nessage that the mast was being worked withvan 8 hour window. But thats dropped to a problem with no information/timescale now

Very frustrating

Gary

swac3 · ‎10-12-2023

Why is this marked as a solution ? Im confused.

bristolian · ‎10-12-2023

@ineedbr wrote:

If we scan on the Tiks, we are not seeing any b1 b3 b20 or EAR 522, 1617 only 10761 which is 3G HSDPA.

Are you saying the device is not even reporting visibility of the alternate bands? My instinct suggests that's a SW issue if so - network priority changes would cause full visibility but active steering to preferential carriers.

@swac3 The reason that a particular post is marked as a solution is that the OP (ineedbr) has marked it as such. If you have a different issue, you may be better starting a new post with details explained. "Me too" posts such as yours can sometimes cause this confusion.