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4x4 MIMO

From the network perspective, yes, they are probably the ones deploying 4G 4x4 hardware the most at the moment.

Whether their configuration, your signal conditions or your device in the location at that point in time actually enables you use anything higher than Rank 2, would be another question entirely.

As an example, my Mi11 Lite 5G is 4x4 capable on B3 and B1 (only 2x2 on B20/B28/B32). I'm ~400m away from my mast with clear LoS apart from one deciduous tree, which is obviously in full-leaf at the moment. I'm just off-center of the antenna boresight, and it is very lightly contended.

I just ran a few tests and only when in a upstairs bedroom window can I get some Rank 3 on B3, where SINR is highest to enable the higher order. Even then its less than 50% of the time, with Rank 2 being more common.

U4j4


Regardless if its using Rank 2 or 3, throughput remains flat, at around 130-140Mbps
Kz2A



I'm not saying that you shouldn't look for a 4x4 capable device, generally if it has 4x4 then it'll have had more time/effort/money spent on the development (which will come at a cost to yourself), but it shouldn't be your only/primary consideration.

If I was considering use for something mobile, like a boat, I would favour the ability to band lock/cell lock so that you can pick and choose a more favourable site/band if necessary, if the site you connect to by default in a given location proves to have low throughput.
 
From the network perspective, yes, they are probably the ones deploying 4G 4x4 hardware the most at the moment.

Whether their configuration, your signal conditions or your device in the location at that point in time actually enables you use anything higher than Rank 2, would be another question entirely.

As an example, my Mi11 Lite 5G is 4x4 capable on B3 and B1 (only 2x2 on B20/B28/B32). I'm ~400m away from my mast with clear LoS apart from one deciduous tree, which is obviously in full-leaf at the moment. I'm just off-center of the antenna boresight, and it is very lightly contended.

I just ran a few tests and only when in a upstairs bedroom window can I get some Rank 3 on B3, where SINR is highest to enable the higher order. Even then its less than 50% of the time, with Rank 2 being more common.

U4j4


Regardless if its using Rank 2 or 3, throughput remains flat, at around 130-140Mbps
Kz2A



I'm not saying that you shouldn't look for a 4x4 capable device, generally if it has 4x4 then it'll have had more time/effort/money spent on the development (which will come at a cost to yourself), but it shouldn't be your only/primary consideration.

If I was considering use for something mobile, like a boat, I would favour the ability to band lock/cell lock so that you can pick and choose a more favourable site/band if necessary, if the site you connect to by default in a given location proves to have low throughput.
I was assuming that all the (more expensive anyway) 4x4 devices support band/cell locking, at least all the ones I've looked at do.

It's not the only consideration; it would probably be better if I could find a 5G external CPE that supported 4x4, but these are few and far between, often not easily sold/supported in the UK, and though this avoids cable loss to an external antenna most (all?) are designed for mast mounting (free space) not on a metal roof (ground plane). I could use an extendable mast but then have to find somewhere to mount it, and they're susceptible to damage (and possibly theft), a roof-mounted antenna is preferable.
 
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