4G Router woes

[SurreyKnight]

So I was only getting 15mb download w Vodafone in my area so got rid of it and just used my travel Myfi Dongle in the living room (25mb)

I thought if I upgrade to a property 4g router and hardwire it to Firestick I should be cruising

Well, somehow the opposite happened. I hardwired the Mercusys MB110 next to the Firestick 8mb Download..

I then set it up where my dongle was and went wireless.. 11mb

Tests were done on Analyti app on the Firestick

What am I missing and how can I improve this?

 

[SurreyKnight]

But after testing a couple of 4k films it doesn't seem to be buffering like before??

 

[pabloescaban]

But after testing a couple of 4k films it doesn't seem to be buffering like before??

I'm sitting in the middle of a field in France.
There's a transmitter within 300m of me, I can see it, it's one of those humongous ones with red flashing lights to deter aeroplanes.
I can watch anything I like on iptv on my phone.
I did a speed test, Google said it was 6mb DL and 21mb upload.
Three other speed tests said 35, 40 and 38 mb DL. Connect your phone or laptop to it and check four or five speed test sites. Some of them are miles off, I can understand the difference between 35, 38 and 40 but to report only 20% of this, over four tests, is ridiculous

 

[SurreyKnight]

I'm sitting in the middle of a field in France.
There's a transmitter within 300m of me, I can see it, it's one of those humongous ones with red flashing lights to deter aeroplanes.
I can watch anything I like on iptv on my phone.
I did a speed test, Google said it was 6mb DL and 21mb upload.
Three other speed tests said 35, 40 and 38 mb DL. Connect your phone or laptop to it and check four or five speed test sites. Some of them are miles off, I can understand the difference between 35, 38 and 40 but to report only 20% of this, over four tests, is ridiculous

I am on WiFi on my phone and using fast.com on the browser, I put my phone next to Firestick. Or should I be doing this exercise next to the router? (They are 5 feet apart)

4k seems to be playing without buffering which it was definitely doing with my dongle in the same place so not sure why?

 

[pabloescaban]

I am on WiFi on my phone and using fast.com on the browser, I put my phone next to Firestick. Or should I be doing this exercise next to the router? (They are 5 feet apart)

4k seems to be playing without buffering which it was definitely doing with my dongle in the same place so not sure why?

Do tests on different devices and at different speed test sites.
Don't take one result as gospel.
Google told me 6mb
Every other site said above 30mb, this is within 20 minutes and 4 or 5 tests on each website

 

[kegnkiwi]

Have to tried putting the modem/router in a window from the pictures it does not look as though its located in a window. If you locate the router near a window usually the connection speed it much stronger. I have tried a number and my 5g router could get 600mb and my 4g router could get 100mb.

 

[SurreyKnight]

Have to tried putting the modem/router in a window from the pictures it does not look as though its located in a window. If you locate the router near a window usually the connection speed it much stronger. I have tried a number and my 5g router could get 600mb and my 4g router could get 100mb.

It's close to a window actually but will try closer. When I test the speeds do I need to have my phone as close to the router (connected via WiFi)? Will use Analyti and fast.com

 

[kegnkiwi]

It's close to a window actually but will try closer. When I test the speeds do I need to have my phone as close to the router (connected via WiFi)? Will use Analyti and fast.com

It's depends what WiFi it's has in the router like WiFi 6. A few feet away should be fine. Is Vodafone the strongest cell signal where you live? Try up stairs rooms as well to get the strongest cell signal. Also try lift your router up a little to clear the window frames. It can make a big difference. Once you have found the strongest signal then try connect the firestick via WiFi again.

 

[Scufferoo]

It doesn’t sound like WiFi is the problem it’s your location , you can’t get a decent connection to the 4g mast. The router you bought probably isn’t go in to improve anything . You could get an external antenna but it looks like your router has a single external antenna connection , if you got a router with 2 external aerial connectors this would in theory double your speed , also get an external aerial with 2 antennas Like the poynting xpol . Put the aerial up as high as you can in the direction of the mast . It will state that omni directional aerials don’t matter which way they face but in my experience they do. This set up might not improve your speeds toomuch but hopefully it will be enough and be more stable. Also be aware of cable length and no. Of connections between aerial and router as this will affect speed , I have a 10m cable with one connection in the middle and there is no noticeable difference in speed. I always use ookla speed test for no particular reason.

 

[Aristotle]

Poynting xpol

 

[SurreyKnight]

It doesn’t sound like WiFi is the problem it’s your location , you can’t get a decent connection to the 4g mast. The router you bought probably isn’t go in to improve anything . You could get an external antenna but it looks like your router has a single external antenna connection , if you got a router with 2 external aerial connectors this would in theory double your speed , also get an external aerial with 2 antennas Like the poynting xpol . Put the aerial up as high as you can in the direction of the mast . It will state that omni directional aerials don’t matter which way they face but in my experience they do. This set up might not improve your speeds toomuch but hopefully it will be enough and be more stable. Also be aware of cable length and no. Of connections between aerial and router as this will affect speed , I have a 10m cable with one connection in the middle and there is no noticeable difference in speed. I always use ookla speed test for no particular reason.

I don't know much about this but there is a mast a few hundred yards away not sure whether it's just for phone reception? Is there a site to check which network will have better 4g coverage? I just spent £2 on a Vodafone SIM to see how that compares to current 02. My Mercusys MB100 has two ports for aerial connection

Google Image Result for https://static.mercusys.com/product-image/MB110-4G_EU_2.0_overview_02_large20240111060915.jpg

 

[Scufferoo]

Try here Best mobile network coverage in the UK - Uswitch
If it is a phone mast in line of sight with no obstruction then get a poynting xpol-2 , these are directional so point it at the mast , if not get the xpol-1 these are omni directional.
They are best put outside as high up as possible, you could try it from a window .
If you are going with Vodafone , have a look on uswitch for talkmobile deals , they use vodafonenetwork.