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4g router

Deepgeezer

Member
Hi, I'm new to this site and looking for some advice. live in an attic flat, I can't get a phone line put in, so the only access I have to the Internet is the 4g on my phone. I get a poor reception on my phone. My question is this. I know you can get 4g routers, but as they use 4g, will the reception be any better than the 4g I get on my phone? I want to link up to netflix etc. Would really appreciate some feedback on this . Thanks
 
You can maybe find out about 4G and 5G routers in the mobile broadband section Deepgeezer.

Mobile Broadband

It all depends on the router and mobile you intend to use, some routers can combine various bands and you can chose which bands to use more so than mobiles.

Same with mobiles, some older mobiles can't use the newer bands the mobile networks now are allowed to use.

I use the Huawei CPE Pro 2 which is a 4G / 5G router and get full signal strength, on my mobile I only get 2 bars, so for me the router pulls in a much better signal.

It all depends on your own circumstances with your building and how close your masts are etc.

Have a wee lookie through the various threads in the mobile broadband section and see if any posts helps you out any.

Feel free to ask any questions, everyone is only to pleased to try and help with any further questions you might have.

Oh and welcome along to the forums.:)
 
Hi, I'm new to this site and looking for some advice. live in an attic flat, I can't get a phone line put in, so the only access I have to the Internet is the 4g on my phone. I get a poor reception on my phone. My question is this. I know you can get 4g routers, but as they use 4g, will the reception be any better than the 4g I get on my phone? I want to link up to netflix etc. Would really appreciate some feedback on this . Thanks
I’d trial other network sims in your phone form opposite network structures.

If your O2/Voda try EE/Three and vice versa. You can order free sims from all, and test which receives strongest 4G signal.

Then the obvious test is top up the sim with strongest signal and check out the data speeds on that.

Then go from there.

Huawei B535/818 are probably top end 4G routers but they come at cost.

other would be using your phone/a spare phone as a mobile hotspot.
 
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As mentioned above, with four networks to choose from, it is worth checking which one gives you the strongest signal.

Download a free app onto your phone to check. I found Network Cell Info Lite and Netmonitor the most useful. Walk around your flat to see where you get the best signal. Both apps also tell you which base station tower they _think_ you are connected to. For me, Netmonitor seems to be more accurate, but that may vary.

You can also look on www.cellmapper.net to see where the nearest base stations should be. Although the info may not always be reliable, unfortunately, there is no definitive list of base stations in the UK available. And the mobile coverage maps are also not very accurate.

IMHO, choosing the best network in your location is more important than the choice of router. No point in spending loads of money on a top notch router if the network coverage is poor.
 
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I use a 535 and an 818. The 535 works well enough, gets me a service from a mast 24 miles away (cellmapper) on three. Usually mid 30's Mbps, more at times, seen a peak of 60, sometimes drops to about 20Mbps depending on weather and tide. If really bad it sometimes picks up the local mast which is blind to us with a very poor or no service to the property (even at height). Not tried the 818 there but the 818 made a marginal improvement where the 535 used to be used. I also have a 525 as a spare and to me there is nothing between them (the 535). The 525 (Three Ireland branded) I have can use the phone port like the 818 to make use of any inclusive call minutes though. Where the 535 is the switch/drop to 3g for calls is unreliable which is why it's there and not the 525 so use Voip there (and with the 818) for folk of a certain age to call a "landline" number.
Even a small movement of the position of the device, be it a router or a 'phone being used as a hotspot can make a big difference to what can be achieved from whatever network you go for. My 535 has to be in one spot at a certain angle to get the best from it. The 818 is just as sensitive and I can see the mast from bits of my garden!
Once you know what network to go for - after testing with your handset I would try and get a used 525 or 535, I know they work and you can control the bands easily with a phone app.
Good luck.
 
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