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How to find out if the 5G is enabled on a mast.

Blu3fire

Pro Member
Trying to figure out how to see if 5G is enabled on my closest LoS cell mast, but don't know where to start, the eNB ID is 4208, for Three UK.

The Three website shows coverage in the area of the mast, and I get a good 4G connection to this mast due to having LoS on high up position above all the other houses etc.

Signal data:
Cell_ID 1077250
RSRQ -14.0 dB
RSRP -81.0dBm
RSSI >=-51.0dBm
SINR -1.0dBm

If I opt to get a 5G modem, will I get a signal or not? I am open to getting a directional XPOL-2-5G antenna if that would help ensure that I can receive a stronger signal. There are no closer masts that I can see.

What is the best 5G modem to look for, is it the Huawei? And what are the best prices on these?

Sorry for all the questions, but I just secured some money back from my previous provider so can afford to splash out a bit. :)
 
5G doesn't have to come from the same mast as the 4G connection - it could be from a different mast in the area.

The easiest way to check is to go and take a look at the antennas installed on it, you're looking for squat rectangular ones with minimal wiring going into the bottom, like these in a photo from Peter's site


max_config_three_huawei_5g_ee_5g.jpg
 
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5G doesn't have to come from the same mast as the 4G connection - it could be from a different mast in the area.

Thanks for that, and the pictures.

Looking more closely at the Three UK website and coverage maps, it clearly shows the strongest signals centre right where the current 4G mast is on top of a large tower block, so I kind of just assumed that it would make sense that the 5G cells would be on there too, if there were any.

I'll try and get a closer look, if I can figure out how, and maybe post some pictures up here. I don't have a 5G device at hand to test with either so that is annoying.

What is the maximum speed that Three support on 5G at the moment? If that is even possible to answer.
 
I think this is also a 5G mast


101235440_10220220024145250_8993073742959607808_n.jpg



and here's my local mast ... 5G hiding in the trees lol... at least so i'm told..

boo.png
Yeah. The monopoles still use the same squat, boxy antennas though, just in a vertical configuration at the top of the pole, rather than to the side like you'd find on something like a rooftop
 
Thanks for that, and the pictures.

Looking more closely at the Three UK website and coverage maps, it clearly shows the strongest signals centre right where the current 4G mast is on top of a large tower block, so I kind of just assumed that it would make sense that the 5G cells would be on there too, if there were any.

I'll try and get a closer look, if I can figure out how, and maybe post some pictures up here. I don't have a 5G device at hand to test with either so that is annoying.

What is the maximum speed that Three support on 5G at the moment? If that is even possible to answer.

Then yes it sounds like that site is 5G enabled then!

Speeds are subject to configuration and load, but there have been plenty of speedtests of over 1Gbps that I've seen
 
Then yes it sounds like that site is 5G enabled then!

Speeds are subject to configuration and load, but there have been plenty of speedtests of over 1Gbps that I've seen

Do you know what the best 5G home style router is? As you are probably aware from the other thread I bought the B818-263, but since my 3-SIM is 5G ready I figured that if I could get a decent enough signal on the newer 5G router then I'd spend the cash on it, and just sell on the 4G model.

Worst case scenario it drops back to 4G speeds until the signal is better or I get a nice directional antenna. :)
 
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If you're happy being in the Huawei camp then probably the CPE Pro 2, but there are others from Oppo, Netgear and ZTE, which likely have different features that might be of interest. Depends what fits your needs.

I will caveat my previous comment and say I've also seen some 'indoor' 5G speedstest speeds in the high-100's/low-200's, so your milage may (read: will) vary.
 
Well I've just done some investigating, and it seems that Three have an offer where you can get a Huawei 5G router, on a 12 month contract, with no upfront fee, 6 months half price (£17) and then 6 months at £34, so all in a total of £302 for a full year of unlimited data and the router thrown in.


The only thing it does not mention is the actual model of the router, and I can't seem to see this mentioned anywhere, Ideally I'd like to have the option to add an external antenna just in case we are on the fringe area and can't achieve the best signal. Although my current router sits in front of a large glass door with direct line of site to the mast/cells and I get the stats you can see at the top of this page with the internal antennas.

I think it may be worth the risk, I still have time to send back my current SIM only deal if I want, and as said I guess it will just drop back to 4G if all else fails, right?
 
Do you know what the best 5G home style router is? As you are probably aware from the other thread I bought the B818-263, but since my 3-SIM is 5G ready I figured that if I could get a decent enough signal on the newer 5G router then I'd spend the cash on it, and just sell on the 4G model.

Worst case scenario it drops back to 4G speeds until the signal is better or I get a nice directional antenna. :)

I wrote a thread on this here



If you want one for 5G that covers most of the bands, but also has good 4G band coverage it looks like the Huawei 5G CPE pro 2 is the best to go for, but as mentioned by @TheWeeBear it does not accept external antennas so you need to be sure you get a good signal indoors (Amazon, return it haha) but there are also modifications that you can make if you really need an external antenna. There is also the Oppo omni that covers the most 5G bands but has poor 4G band coverage. You should really check what's on the masts in your area (for me, on 4G there's only band 3 so I dont really care about massive numbers of 4G bands)

A forum person on here and ebay will modify them for you but personally I think £100 for it is asking a bit too much, I haven't seen any RF tests, no insurance, no guarantee etc... it's a risk and of course the warranty on your new (almost £400) router is gone.

I went for the CPE pro 2 in the end, but I get a reasonable signal indoors on 5G, it might be better with an external antenna and probably also stop me getting 4G sometimes instead of 5G but that happens maybe once or twice a week for me. I only really notice it downloading games etc. Most places can't even give me the 300+ I get on 5G except for maybe steam (I dont torrent)

I've been reading on some Malaysian forums that it's not that hard to do the modification yourself. Certainly not rocket science, if you are so inclined to do it. I can live with what I get (300mbit+) but I think after the warranty expires, I'll probably have a crack at it myself.
 
Well I've just done some investigating, and it seems that Three have an offer where you can get a Huawei 5G router, on a 12 month contract, with no upfront fee, 6 months half price (£17) and then 6 months at £34, so all in a total of £302 for a full year of unlimited data and the router thrown in.


The only thing it does not mention is the actual model of the router, and I can't seem to see this mentioned anywhere, Ideally I'd like to have the option to add an external antenna just in case we are on the fringe area and can't achieve the best signal. Although my current router sits in front of a large glass door with direct line of site to the mast/cells and I get the stats you can see at the top of this page with the internal antennas.

I think it may be worth the risk, I still have time to send back my current SIM only deal if I want, and as said I guess it will just drop back to 4G if all else fails, right?

The three 5G hub is a Huawei 5G CPE Pro. It's got antenna ports on it.
 
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antenna makes no difference in urban area unless your living in a rural area then you will see a difference.

For example im in east london buying an antenna will make no difference cause regardless as there is only one three netowrk 5G mast in my area which im 10 to 15min away from it.

Problem with 5G its shorter range then 4G that's why networks need to install and upgrade existing masts to 5G more.
 
antenna makes no difference in urban area unless your living in a rural area then you will see a difference.

For example im in east london buying an antenna will make no difference cause regardless as there is only one three netowrk 5G mast in my area which im 10 to 15min away from it.

Problem with 5G its shorter range then 4G that's why networks need to install and upgrade existing masts to 5G more.

While I appreciate your input, East London and where I live are worlds apart, in terms or urbanisation. I live on the edge of no where, and population density here is way lower than anywhere in Londinium.

Also I am pretty sure that an antenna works by allowing it to detect/receive and amplify lower strength signals that you would otherwise be unable to use with just the device itself and the internal antenna array.
 
Problem with 5G its shorter range then 4G that's why networks need to install and upgrade existing masts to 5G more.

Just to correct this... its not a 5G vs 4G problem, its the physics of radio wave frequencies.

The currently deployed 5G frequency (3500Mhz) used by providers are of a higher frequency, which at a given distance will result in lower signal levels than a lower frequency (e.g. one used by 4G, such as 1800Mhz) while also the higher frequencies are more easily blocked by obstacles in their path.

You are right that mast densification of the is one way of ensuring that more population would be able to receive a 5G signal, or alternatively refarming other frequencies for 5G (such as Vodafone are doing with 2100Mhz for DSS) or by buying spectrum in lower frequencies in the upcoming Ofcom 700Mhz auction and using that for 5G purposes would be two other ways.


Also I am pretty sure that an antenna works by allowing it to detect/receive and amplify lower strength signals that you would otherwise be unable to use with just the device itself and the internal antenna array.
It depends on the design of the antenna and what frequencies it is targeting for gain. In some frequencies gain might be zero, which becomes negative when factoring in cable loss. In my opinion main the benefit of an antenna is seen when your building is made of material that blocks a lot of the signal and by using an antenna you're effectively moving the 'receiver' bit externally where the building material does not impact the radio wave path.
 
Im thinking of moving to Voxi as Three network are very slow in deploying 5G where i live seems like Vodafone 5G is in most in Tower Hamlets area after EE, EE pricey
 
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Well I've just done some investigating, and it seems that Three have an offer where you can get a Huawei 5G router, on a 12 month contract, with no upfront fee, 6 months half price (£17) and then 6 months at £34, so all in a total of £302 for a full year of unlimited data and the router thrown in.


The only thing it does not mention is the actual model of the router, and I can't seem to see this mentioned anywhere, Ideally I'd like to have the option to add an external antenna just in case we are on the fringe area and can't achieve the best signal. Although my current router sits in front of a large glass door with direct line of site to the mast/cells and I get the stats you can see at the top of this page with the internal antennas.

I think it may be worth the risk, I still have time to send back my current SIM only deal if I want, and as said I guess it will just drop back to 4G if all else fails, right?
It's a Huawei H112-370.
 
Will that was fast, less then 24 hours after ordering the CPE Pro had landed.

Stats are:

RSRQ
-15.0dB
RSRP
-84dBm
RSSI
<=-113dBm
SINR
2dB

Wireless transmit power
PPusch:0dBm PPucch:-1dBm PSrs:0dBm PPrach:0dBm
Uplink mod/demod of MCS
mcsUpCarrier1:21
Downlink mod/demod of MCS
mcsDownCarrier1Code0:1 mcsDownCarrier1Code1:1

PLMN
23420

5G RSRQ
-10.0dB
5G RSRP
-87dBm
5G SINR
7dB

Not getting amazing speeds, but only tried it two locations and the weather is awful, heavy rain.

Seems slightly faster than the 818-263 and a couple of the speed tests on the upload were over 60Mbits, which is much better.
 
Will that was fast, less then 24 hours after ordering the CPE Pro had landed.

Stats are:

RSRQ
-15.0dB
RSRP
-84dBm
RSSI
<=-113dBm
SINR
2dB

Wireless transmit power
PPusch:0dBm PPucch:-1dBm PSrs:0dBm PPrach:0dBm
Uplink mod/demod of MCS
mcsUpCarrier1:21
Downlink mod/demod of MCS
mcsDownCarrier1Code0:1 mcsDownCarrier1Code1:1

PLMN
23420

5G RSRQ
-10.0dB
5G RSRP
-87dBm
5G SINR
7dB

Not getting amazing speeds, but only tried it two locations and the weather is awful, heavy rain.

Seems slightly faster than the 818-263 and a couple of the speed tests on the upload were over 60Mbits, which is much better.
I see that you are using the three network, their 5G wasn't amazing for me either. There's also an ongoing bug from Huawei in threes 5G routers that stops your devices from acessing the internet. Mine worked for a day, it updated over night and bam no internet on anything
 
After 30 minutes of messing about with the location, I've got it working at much better speeds now 420+ Mbits down and about 65 Mbits up. The weather has only become worse as well!

I am pretty pleased given that Three only show one light pink block of coverage near my property, but I took the risk knowing I had perfect line of sight to the large 4G mast/cell array, and hoped the 5G was in the same position using their coverage map.
 
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