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

[WxM_IeuaN]

How did it go?

Thanks for checking in! I still couldn't connect to 5G - but I think what's actually happened is I've been confused by my iPhone 5G symbol....

From a bit of googling I don't actually think my iPhone is connecting to 5G and that instead it is connecting to a '5G ready mast' - when I go into the hidden settings menu on my phone it says its using cellular band 3 - which isn't an assosciated 5G band so I think what I'm really getting is LTE+.

I don't think there's any fault with the router and I'm still getting speeds of around 200mbs which is still a big step up from the 30mbs I get on my FTTC connection (over a mile of copper to the house!) - thinking of investing in an external antenna so I can move the router into a more permanent spot as the windowsill I get the best signal doesn't have power anywhere near!

 

[kakarott]

Thanks for checking in! I still couldn't connect to 5G - but I think what's actually happened is I've been confused by my iPhone 5G symbol....

From a bit of googling I don't actually think my iPhone is connecting to 5G and that instead it is connecting to a '5G ready mast' - when I go into the hidden settings menu on my phone it says its using cellular band 3 - which isn't an assosciated 5G band so I think what I'm really getting is LTE+.

My S21 doesn't get 5g but the Zyxel does. I will try a Huawei 5g router

 

[Troop]

From a bit of googling I don't actually think my iPhone is connecting to 5G and that instead it is connecting to a '5G ready mast' - when I go into the hidden settings menu on my phone it says its using cellular band 3 - which isn't an assosciated 5G band so I think what I'm really getting is LTE+.

Run this speed test it will show you your connection 4G/4G+/5G

Speedtest by Ookla - The Global Broadband Speed Test

Use Speedtest on all your devices with our free desktop and mobile apps.

www.speedtest.net

 

[macuk83]

Well, 5G arrived today out in the sticks of mid Wales, had to do a double take on the mobile showing 5G!.

Here is the thing as it stands today, I'm receiving double the speed using 4G+ over the 5G connection.
240 on 4G+, 120 on 5G, 5G only came alive today so is this just them setting it all up and it will improve? (My 4G+ speeds have doubled today over what they have been over the last year, on 3)

I am 1000M away from the mast with direct clear line of sight.

I'm guessing your in or near Brecon the same as me. I was in contact with Three last week regarding the 5G issue as their coverage checker was showing 5G in the area and my phone was picking up what I thought was 5G but later found out was just LTE-A but Samsung shows that as 5G, they confirmed full 5G was being installed and should be done by today. I also noticed that it was up and running yesterday but at the time of writing this post they have switched it off again. The highest speed I have got on my samsung s22 with the 5G was 580 down and 29 up that was parked in a layby about 500m from the mast, at home my nr5103e managed 480 down and 34 up that's without a clear line of sight and about a mile away. The highest I have got on 4+ on the router was 336 down and 40 up at 5am. I have bought a blue spot 5g antenna to stick on the roof so will see what difference that makes.

 

[WxM_IeuaN]

Run this speed test it will show you your connection 4G/4G+/5G

Speedtest by Ookla - The Global Broadband Speed Test

Use Speedtest on all your devices with our free desktop and mobile apps.

www.speedtest.net

I didn't know how accurate this was - in that case I am picking up 5G on my phone - at least according to Ookla - I still seem to be getting similar speeds to the NR5103 router that says its on LTE-A.

I'm guessing your in or near Brecon the same as me. I was in contact with Three last week regarding the 5G issue as their coverage checker was showing 5G in the area and my phone was picking up what I thought was 5G but later found out was just LTE-A but Samsung shows that as 5G, they confirmed full 5G was being installed and should be done by today. I also noticed that it was up and running yesterday but at the time of writing this post they have switched it off again. The highest speed I have got on my samsung s22 with the 5G was 580 down and 29 up that was parked in a layby about 500m from the mast, at home my nr5103e managed 480 down and 34 up that's without a clear line of sight and about a mile away. The highest I have got on 4+ on the router was 336 down and 40 up at 5am. I have bought a blue spot 5g antenna to stick on the roof so will see what difference that makes.

Those are still great speeds! Have you gone with a 2x2 MIMO version or the 4x4? I'm debating getting one too - please keep us posted with how you get on!

 

[macuk83]

I didn't know how accurate this was - in that case I am picking up 5G on my phone - at least according to Ookla - I still seem to be getting similar speeds to the NR5103 router that says its on LTE-A.

Those are still great speeds! Have you gone with a 2x2 MIMO version or the 4x4? I'm debating getting one too - please keep us posted with how you get on!

I have gone with the 2x2mimo. Problem is nobody knows for sure the config of the external antenna ports on the nr5103e, it will be a case of trial and error until I get a decent reception. The router is in an upstairs bedroom window atm with almost a direct line of sight, just a massive oak tree blocking the view, i can get a clear view with an antenna on the roof and also I can then have the router downstairs so I can connect my main devices via cable not WiFi.

 

[WxM_IeuaN]

I have gone with the 2x2mimo. Problem is nobody knows for sure the config of the external antenna ports on the nr5103e, it will be a case of trial and error until I get a decent reception. The router is in an upstairs bedroom window atm with almost a direct line of sight, just a massive oak tree blocking the view, i can get a clear view with an antenna on the roof and also I can then have the router downstairs so I can connect my main devices via cable not WiFi.

That's almost the exact same situation I am in and another reason for wanting an external antenna so I can move the router to a better location!

 

[Troop]

I'm guessing your in or near Brecon the same as me. I was in contact with Three last week regarding the 5G issue as their coverage checker was showing 5G in the area and my phone was picking up what I thought was 5G but later found out was just LTE-A but Samsung shows that as 5G, they confirmed full 5G was being installed and should be done by today. I also noticed that it was up and running yesterday but at the time of writing this post they have switched it off again. The highest speed I have got on my samsung s22 with the 5G was 580 down and 29 up that was parked in a layby about 500m from the mast, at home my nr5103e managed 480 down and 34 up that's without a clear line of sight and about a mile away. The highest I have got on 4+ on the router was 336 down and 40 up at 5am. I have bought a blue spot 5g antenna to stick on the roof so will see what difference that makes.

I'm in mid Wales 5 miles inland from the coast. Last week our mast was down for most of the week (due to upgrade), 3 days no mobile signal at all, on Thursday it came back on voice but only at h+ speed.
Tuesday this week back to usual service but with 5G, improving now 250+MB on 4G+ and 5G, with 30 upload.

Waiting now just to see if 3 have any deals on Black Friday on the nr5103e home broadband deals.

 

[Firegod]

Don't forget that for most of us 5G is NSA. So you're getting a bit of the new 5G front-end but the back-end / core infrastructure is still 4G. So you kind of make 2 connections. That is why you get the 5G symbol but still see 4G bands as being utilised.

 

[Brava210]

I have tried a Poynting and Bluespot Antenna, neither made any difference to signal or speed.
I have just received a ZTE Router from 3 on the monthly Unlimited plan.
Bit of a nightmare to get it to lock onto 5G, but the uploads are much faster than the Huawei
ZTE - 400ish Down - 38 Up
Huawei 400ish Down - 12 Up

 

[Troop]

I have tried a Poynting and Bluespot Antenna, neither made any difference to signal or speed.
I have just received a ZTE Router from 3 on the monthly Unlimited plan.
Bit of a nightmare to get it to lock onto 5G, but the uploads are much faster than the Huawei
ZTE - 400ish Down - 38 Up
Huawei 400ish Down - 12 Up

How far are you from your mast?

Trying to decide if it's worth going for NR5103E deal on 3 or just staying on my Huawei B818-263.
same speeds on 4g+ or 5G on my mobile, the 818 has the same speed on 4g+ (250mb+)

 

[WxM_IeuaN]

Don't forget that for most of us 5G is NSA. So you're getting a bit of the new 5G front-end but the back-end / core infrastructure is still 4G. So you kind of make 2 connections. That is why you get the 5G symbol but still see 4G bands as being utilised.

That's really interesting to know and definitely explains my situation!

 

[Troop]

Don't forget that for most of us 5G is NSA. So you're getting a bit of the new 5G front-end but the back-end / core infrastructure is still 4G. So you kind of make 2 connections. That is why you get the 5G symbol but still see 4G bands as being utilised.

I see you were using the Zyxel NR5101, did it have the option for Upnp to be toggled on/off in the router's menu?

 

[Firegod]

I see you were using the Zyxel NR5101, did it have the option for Upnp to be toggled on/off in the router's menu?

You do yes (although I'm now on the NR7101 but I believe the option is there in the NR5101 also). Under "Network Settings > Home Network" you have a UPnP tab. And there you can toggle off UPnP and UPnP NAT-T.

 

[Troop]

Looks like Three have pulled the Zyxel NR5101E due to firmware issues, they are now supplying the old ZTE again.

Taken from another forum.

"I have spoken to Three customer support and they have informed me that they are now no longer sending out the ZyXEL NR5103E 5G Router due to faults reported within the system. They are now only sending out the older model ZTE MC801A 5G Router. Which does have some drawbacks in that it can only accommodate 32 devices as opposed to the newer models 64 devices and its maximum capacity for download and upload is reduced, although this is still higher than the current 5G network capacity with Three. "

 

[Troop]

You do yes (although I'm now on the NR7101 but I believe the option is there in the NR5101 also). Under "Network Settings > Home Network" you have a UPnP tab. And there you can toggle off UPnP and UPnP NAT-T.

Thanks for that, it's a right rabbit hole trying/looking for what options are available on individual routers.

 

[Brava210]

How far are you from your mast?

Trying to decide if it's worth going for NR5103E deal on 3 or just staying on my Huawei B818-263.
same speeds on 4g+ or 5G on my mobile, the 818 has the same speed on 4g+ (250mb+)

I think around a mile

 

[Brava210]

Looks like Three have pulled the Zyxel NR5101E due to firmware issues, they are now supplying the old ZTE again.

Taken from another forum.

"I have spoken to Three customer support and they have informed me that they are now no longer sending out the ZyXEL NR5103E 5G Router due to faults reported within the system. They are now only sending out the older model ZTE MC801A 5G Router. Which does have some drawbacks in that it can only accommodate 32 devices as opposed to the newer models 64 devices and its maximum capacity for download and upload is reduced, although this is still higher than the current 5G network capacity with Three. "

That must be the Router I have just received, which by the way came with s faulty power supply

 

[EdwardTobia]

Looks like Three have pulled the Zyxel NR5101E due to firmware issues, they are now supplying the old ZTE again.

Taken from another forum.

"I have spoken to Three customer support and they have informed me that they are now no longer sending out the ZyXEL NR5103E 5G Router due to faults reported within the system. They are now only sending out the older model ZTE MC801A 5G Router. Which does have some drawbacks in that it can only accommodate 32 devices as opposed to the newer models 64 devices and its maximum capacity for download and upload is reduced, although this is still higher than the current 5G network capacity with Three. "

This is true. Ive been liaising with Three on the NR5103E issues plaguing everyone lol

My IMEI has been placed into a test group for an NR5103E firmware update being pushed on Sunday evening so will let everyone know how it goes as ive not been able to get 5G as of yet and speeds have been very inconsistent (along with many other users).

I guess if all goes well and feedback is positive they will push it out to everyone in batches shortly after.

 

[Psy-Blade]

The latest update to my Three hub, to which I turned off auto update but it did it anyways has destroyed my speeds.

Did your speeds return to normal?

I have the same problem right now. ZTE MC501A, speeds went from ~800mbit to 70mbit. Connected to the same bands and signal strength is still good (-79).

edit: Just stood outside with a mobile and easily got 800mbit+... time to replace this router I think.

edit2: Nevermind, for some reason my firewall had switched the lan port to 100mbit .

Which does raise another question about upgrading to a 2.5gbit router... and associated LAN components.