Network Coverage Support in SY13

[cotonestate]

I have been a Small Business customer in the SY13 area for about 2 years, and ignoring the fact I cannot manage my account online (EE still haven't fixed the issue), I constantly have network issues.

My setup is Dyfed Telecom installed a Satellite on the roof with an EE 4g SIM. The satellite is aimed at the new 5g cell tower mast near Prees Heath.

My partner and I work from home full time, and we have airbnb guests, so reliable network is important to us.

Some hours we can get between 20-30mb download and similar upload. This is way better than BT or Sky broadband (6-8mb), but then mid-day until 9/10pm the speeds bounce between 6-15mb download.

We are not a busy city, yet traffic on the mast consumes the network, and I'm at a loss what to do. Joining Teams calls becomes painful and sounds like we are R2D2. Streaming TV shows takes forever.

Does anybody out there have any guidance they can provide on how to ensure our network doesn't get impacted by this ridiculous clog of traffic?

Dyfed tried testing pointing the satellite towards Wem, Shrewsbury and even 2 in Whitchurch. The Prees Heath gave the best signal but it's entirely unreliable on speeds.  It's 100% not the equipment as that's all been replaced by Dyfed thinking that was the cause.  It's 100% EE and traffic on the mast.

[bristolian]

I presume your reference to satellites and 5G is a terminology thing, all of EE's sites are multi-technology and carry combinations of 2G, 4G & 5G across different frequency bands. Low-bands provide better coverage whilst high-bands provide more capacity.

The speeds you describe should be quite capable of video-streaming upto 1080/HD standard, which broadly requires perhaps 3-4Mb/s depending on source. You're otherwise just at the mercy of varying traffic levels.

The resolution for slow data speeds is to either reduce the load on your serving site/sector, or to increase the capacity available from it it.

[cotonestate]

I apologise for not knowing the right technical jargon. I'm a customer who is only using the terms EE and Dyfed have referenced.

Streaming isn't my main issue. We work from home, and 3mb doesn't suit a Teams or Zoom call.

Do you have a solution or just commenting for the sake of commenting?

[bristolian]

Does an EE handheld phone achieve similar speeds to your in-home setup?

That would further demonstrate whether the variable speeds are due to network-side loads, or an in-home issue. If they're network-side, then the fix is network-side also.

[cotonestate]

That is an unknown. I do not have EE mobile for any other device. Our personal mobiles are Vodafone and Three.

Dyfed, however, stated they constantly have to battle traffic load issues with EE who say they won't investigate or upgrade masts because they claim it is too expensive. I am told users just have to accept the inconsistency, despite the fact we aren't even near any major cities.

[bristolian]

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@cotonestate wrote:

EE who say they won't investigate or upgrade masts because they claim it is too expensive.

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There's a breakdown in communication here, or some misinterpretation.

Capacity uplifts on radio sites are a BAU process for EE and all operators. Some upgrades are simpler than others, and lengthy delays are often caused by site-specific issues.