****The Official 5G Home Broadband Thread**** (Three/EE/Vodafone/etc)

Managed to get some work done on the config tonight. Initial impressions are good. I booted it up with the Smarty SIM and even on the floor in the room here it picked up a decent strength LTE signal. I must admit I had to leave the room as I felt weird like tingles and headache. Since powering it down, I feel OK. So it is either very strong or it is all in my head. :) Initial connectivity was easy. Plugged in the POE, attached the cable, inserted the SIM card and turned it on. Pressed the WiFi button and connected to the Router via my PC.

Home screen is the same as NR5101 - each tile can be drilled in for furhter info (quite detailed). The cellular information even seems to give a longatude and lattitude now for the cell tower.

NR7101-Home-Screen.jpg


Performed a Firmware Upgrade and Modem Firmware Upgrade straight away.

NR7101-FW-Upgrade.jpg

NR7101-Modem-Upgrade.jpg


And then had a look at the Cellular settings. More options than the NR5101 here, some I don't know what they do. Particularly like the disabling of UMTS as the NR5101 will occasionally drop to this for me, and I have to keep changing it back. Nice to see it can be disabled in the NR7101 altogether.

NR7101-Broadband.jpg

NR7101-LTE-Lock.jpg

NR7101-5-G-Lock.jpg


I also like the look of the LTE and 5G lock. It looks like you can perform a scan and lock to a specific tower. Shame 5G one appears to only work when in SA mode, but still, the ability to lock the LTE signal is very cool and useful for me. So not only do you have control over all the bands, you can control the tower connectivity.

What I also like about the Zyxel is the User Guide. It is a full 245 page guide which explains everything. When reading some manufacturers documentation - like the D-Link DWR-978, the Zyxel puts them to shame. I had scrolling fatigue. :D So I'll definitely be having a good read through once it is setup properly.

Next job, get it on the mast at the weekend hopefully (weather pending) and report back with stats and maybes some more GUI screenshots.

Cheers.
 
Firegod said:
Possible. Mine was on and off yesterday with the high winds. Back to normal today. So if EE are doing work (and factoring in weather conditions lately) could all be detremental to the connectivity.
Click to expand...

I am assuming if there are issues with the network side of things my mobile phone would also be affected? However that's not the case when my Internet access to the router stops.

I've moved the location to the 1st floor and done some tests. This is the strongest signal I've got in the house near a sidewall window (LOL). I will see if connection drops tomorrow.

RSRQ
-8.0dB
RSRP
-86dBm
RSSI
-55dBm
SINR
8dB
Wireless transmit power
PPusch:1dBm PPucch:-1dBm PSrs:2dBm PPrach:2dBm
Uplink mod/demod of MCS
mcsUpCarrier1:26
Downlink mod/demod of MCS
mcsDownCarrier1Code0:23 mcsDownCarrier1Code1:26
PLMN
23430
5G RSRQ
-11.0dB
5G RSRP
-105dBm
5G SINR
6dB
 
Kam89 said:
5G RSRQ
-11.0dB
5G RSRP
-105dBm
5G SINR
6dB
Click to expand...

That RSRP is really, really bad, worse that before. Don't forget you are working in (-)dB so -90 is better than -100, and -80 is better than -90 and so on.

SINR is the other way, you want higher than 0dB, and optimal is 20dB+ but very unlikely to happen.
 
Firegod said:
Managed to get some work done on the config tonight. Initial impressions are good. I booted it up with the Smarty SIM and even on the floor in the room here it picked up a decent strength LTE signal. I must admit I had to leave the room as I felt weird like tingles and headache. Since powering it down, I feel OK. So it is either very strong or it is all in my head. :) Initial connectivity was easy. Plugged in the POE, attached the cable, inserted the SIM card and turned it on. Pressed the WiFi button and connected to the Router via my PC.
Click to expand...

How very odd, lets hope it is just a bad headache.

Firegod said:
I also like the look of the LTE and 5G lock. It looks like you can perform a scan and lock to a specific tower. Shame 5G one appears to only work when in SA mode, but still, the ability to lock the LTE signal is very cool and useful for me. So not only do you have control over all the bands, you can control the tower connectivity.

What I also like about the Zyxel is the User Guide. It is a full 245 page guide which explains everything. When reading some manufacturers documentation - like the D-Link DWR-978, the Zyxel puts them to shame. I had scrolling fatigue. :D So I'll definitely be having a good read through once it is setup properly.

Next job, get it on the mast at the weekend hopefully (weather pending) and report back with stats and maybes some more GUI screenshots.

Cheers.
Click to expand...

Looked at that manual, it is immense, what a great piece of work from the manufacturer. :)

The features sound great, and if you really can lock to a specific cell that would be excellent especially if you have two competing ones in range. I'll keep my eyes open for more updates, but it is looking very promising thus far!
 
Journey said:
That RSRP is really, really bad, worse that before. Don't forget you are working in (-)dB so -90 is better than -100, and -80 is better than -90 and so on.

SINR is the other way, you want higher than 0dB, and optimal is 20dB+ but very unlikely to happen.
Click to expand...

Yeah after doing some reading and checking EE website that 5G indoors coverage is rubbish in my house. Looks like the higher I go up the better the 4g signal gets but 5G gets worse. I've tried each corner of the house now and i do think the conservatory near the window is the best location but obviously still not good enough.

I'm just wondering when 5g drops shouldn't the router just direct traffic through 4g? Why is this not happening?

I will probably keep moving the router around to see if i can find a better location but i don't think i will! I also do think the router may be faulty is that possible as my phone is not experiencing any drops in connection with the same network. I've used Netmonster and it does state that I'm not connected to 5g even though my phone symbol does say 5g. I don't think EE are the right company for me atm. I got them because they're meant to be the "best" for coverage.
 
Anyone with the VN007 router - does this have a port to allow connection of an external antenna, or can it only be used with the internal one?
 
TallPaul_S said:
Window frames = bad for 5g from what I've experienced. 12 inches away is good, but with the router sat on a window sill you'll see a worse signal.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. I will try an area away from the window frame and on the first floor. However i still think signal is quite poor all round the house. I think its possible the device is faulty and that's why signal is generally poor wherever i put it.

Will mess around some more over the weekend.
 
Hi guys,

I've been messing about a bit more with the router and it seems like my connection and signal has stabilised in the conservatory about 30cm above the window sill.

I didn't realise I had to face the router OUT the window. This massively improved my connection. By facing out the window I mean the H+ sign and LED lights facing outside. I've had no disconnection over night and will keep monitoring and let you all know.

I managed this with the help of LTE-H monitor which gave me real time signal info as I moved the router around the house.

Thanks for increasing my knowledge on these signal indicators and hopefully this may help someone else.

Current values at 8.22am
RSSI -57
RSRP -82
RSRQ -5/-6
SINR 16
 
Journey said:
Well they are much better, I'm glad it's not dropping so far. Have your speeds and ping improved at all?
Click to expand...

Download is about 160mbps and upload has increased to 30-40mbps but ping fluctuates between 28-40ms.

I don't think the signal I'm getting is a 5G signal. I used Netmonster app on my phone and it says 5g disconnected and I'm only receiving a LTE signal.

Based on coverage checker for EE my area doesn't have indoor 5G :(.

I will be content if the speeds for DL/UL stay relatively the same and hope that EE can actually deliver 5g in the area.

Edit: I've just logged in to the router and there is no 5g signal those values I've reported are for 4G only -__-
 
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Kam89 said:
Download is about 160mbps and upload has increased to 30-40mbps but ping fluctuates between 28-40ms.

I don't think the signal I'm getting is a 5G signal. I used Netmonster app on my phone and it says 5g disconnected and I'm only receiving a LTE signal.

Based on coverage checker for EE my area doesn't have indoor 5G :(.

I will be content if the speeds for DL/UL stay relatively the same and hope that EE can actually deliver 5g in the area.

Edit: I've just logged in to the router and there is no 5g signal those values I've reported are for 4G only -__-
Click to expand...

They are still decent for 4G though. I'd the cell/mast definitely 5G enabled?
 
As an update to securing the cheapest unlimited 5G possible, since last year I've been paying under £4 per month to Three on a 12 month contract that required cash back etc. Didn't honestly think I'd be able to better it this year, what with inflation and prices of everything going up

I am pleased to say however, and much to my surprise, I have actually managed to lower the cost. I will now be paying £3 per month for unlimited data (no mins or texts) with Three and no FUP for a full 5G service. Yes £3!!! :D

Only bad bit is 24 month contract with RPI added will increase it a bit.
 
Journey said:
They are still decent for 4G though. I'd the cell/mast definitely 5G enabled?
Click to expand...

How would i find out that the mast is 5g enabled? I don't think it is based on their coverage checker.

My signal has now dropped and I've moved the router about 1ft away from the window (due to it helping increase signal). Speedtest is now 80/10. Possibly due to it being a peak period?

RSRQ: -6
RSRP: -97
SINR: 9

Events monitor on LTE-H monitor signals a few messages saying "connected to cell...."

Is the router dropping connection and reconnecting?
 
@Journey we're live!

Managed to get it fitted this morning and beat the high winds and rain luckily. :)

So I've been playing around this evening with the cell lock and bands again. And yeah, it's been really interesting. Found this info on what it actually does - https://support.zyxel.eu/hc/en-us/articles/4406037288850-NR7101-Cellular-Lock - and so I locked in the tower by Pysical Cell ID (PCI) I wanted and Band 7 (which is RFCN 3179 and RFCN 3350).

NR7101-Cell-Lock.jpg


Then you can see the main connection and then below the Carrier Agregation (CA/SCC) information using the other cells on the tower. TBH I might just get rid of Band 3.

NR7101-Connection3.jpg

NR7101-Connection1.jpg

NR7101-Connection2.jpg


Thankfully I noted the stats of the NR5101 when it was connected to this tower on Band 7 (just by chance). RSRP was -114, RSRQ -10 and SINR 6. Now to the same tower, same band, but with LTE using non-internal antenna I get RSRP (as shown above) -89, RSRQ -10 and SINR 10. So the RSRP has really seen an improvement.

We had to space out the bracket as the mounting pipe diameter was too small. This way we could get it fasten closer without losing the threads.

NR7101-Bracket.jpg


Sitting pretty now with a slight up angle as it occured to me over the distance (4KM) a flat or slight down position would mean I'm probably aiming at the ground eventually.

NR7101-Mounted1.jpg

NR7101-Mounted2.jpg


The Zyxel Air app is not bad - gave some useful info and stats but to be honest I didn't adjust it from where I was pointing already and this is the speed result from my phone.

NR7101-Speedtest.jpg


Pleased with that! Since fiddling I seem to have lost a bit of speed (seeing about 380MB down now) but it could also just be weather and tower load being the cause of the drop. Again, it is very windy at the moment whereas this morning it wasn't. So the weather could be the cause.

Lots more tinkering to do at some point but still loving the Zyxel for the sheer amount of info it gives you and the interface is really fast (zero lag when clicking around). :)
 
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Firegod said:
Managed to get it fitted this morning and beat the high winds and rain luckily. :)
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's been a pretty windy day, I am surprised you risked it with the forecast.

Firegod said:
Sitting pretty now with a slight up angle as it occured to me over the distance (4KM) a flat or slight down position would mean I'm probably aiming at the ground eventually.
Click to expand...

Cells are generally pointing slightly downwards if you look at a lot of them, especially ones in large conurbations so if you can get a visual of your mast from up close you can see what it is doing for optimal positioning.
Firegod said:
Lots more tinkering to do at some point but still loving the Zyxel for the sheer amount of info it gives you and the interface is really fast (zero lag when clicking around). :)
Click to expand...

It does look really good, and I think I am slightly jealous tbh. :(

Your 5G signal is looking pretty decent from those stats on n78, you'll have to do some off-peak testing in the early hours to check for the speeds/usage.
 
I was about to say your ping is fairly high but then I saw you're 4km from the mast... Impressive! That's really good speed for that distance, you must be right on the limit of any signal.

Also, not sure if true or not, but ping figures up north appear to be higher than down here in the south.
 
TallPaul_S said:
I was about to say your ping is fairly high but then I saw you're 4km from the mast... Impressive! That's really good speed for that distance, you must be right on the limit of any signal.

Also, not sure if true or not, but ping figures up north appear to be higher than down here in the south.
Click to expand...

Thanks @TallPaul_S - well the ping does have to climb up hill to reach us here. :D

Had another good day today as well re-doing the Orbi mesh system which I've now correctly configured (not that the config was bad as such, more the placement). So they are now both spaced more evenly ~12m (40ft) apart, but ideally could go further. I've routed CAT 6A cable between both, had my dad wire in a new socket as well, meaning no more using 5Ghz backhaul. I then used the Ubiqiti WiFiman app to map out the signal around the property. To my surprise I've been able to drop both the 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz transmit powers to just 25% on the Orbi. I now get a nice handover in the middle of the house where the signal fades to about -70db. Each respective ends of the property now get good coverage from their own unit. All my devices are WiFi so it's nice to have this bit done properly so that the APs are not fighting each other for clients.

Just done another speed test - 401Mbps DL and 72Mbps UL. :D

Time for some whisky.
 
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