Strong signal, terrible bandwidth

[Skalamanga]

Afternoon all. 

I've tried contacting ee about this and reporting an issue multiple times, but they always respond saying there's no problem. 

I get a strong signal, between -85 & -90dB but it hops around between 5g, 4g+ and 4g. Bandwidth is often abysmal, with youtube dropping to the lowest possible resolution, and freezing even at that. Apps freeze, whatsapp complains about poor signal, other apps say there are network issues.

I have two different SIMs, both the same unlimited data and fastest speed, different devices, different locations in the house. Both act the same.

200 yards down the road I get 10x the speed, manchester city centre I get 40x the speed.

From my understanding this basically points to oversubscribed cell towers if I understand correctly. 

I live in a new build, edge of town, 5 years old. Other networks are just as bad. Is there anything I can do?

[Minkey1]

@Skalamanga 

If it’s a new(ish) build, what are your fixed line broadband/fibre options? Would that solve your problems in the home? You’d connect to that.

A recent speedtest result to my phone.

 

[bristolian]

You're right to conclude that coverage & capacity are two different concepts. Coverage measures the quality of the received signal, capacity decides what spectrum has been deployed and is thus available for all users to share.

Data speeds do slow down when the available capacity is all being utilised, your comment of bandwidth "often" being absymal suggests variation.

The ultimate fix would be for additional capacity to be made available - be that either via capacity adds to existing sites, or ideally new-build sites. The latter often faces local opposition via the planning process.

Out of interest, where are you?