New 4G signal killed Wi-Fi signal

Zebrdee

My brother's wifi is almost dead now since 4G was launched because the mast is so close to his home in Sheffield. Is there anywhere to complain to as I don't know which of the networks is responsible. Thanks

simax

Why doesn't he change the wi-fi channel?

Also, unlikely to be 4G causing it.

gjchester

Wifi Uses 2.4Ghz or 5 Ghz. 4G is either 2.6Ghz or 800 Mhz

Its not likely to be a freqency clash but could be the base station is generating a lot of noise, or some other item is generating interference, 2.4Ghz is shared by a lot of systems, bluetooth, some cordless phone, other Wifi Devices all could be at fault.

Try changing the WiFi band, most systems default to channel 1 or 11, and it could be theres a lot of people in the area on the same band.

Zebrdee

He says it's the proximity of the mast and the power of the 4G which is limiting his wifi range.

gjchester

Zebrdee wrote: »

He says it's the proximity of the mast and the power of the 4G which is limiting his wifi range.

Thats unlikely, its a different frequency, the tower is transmitted on 2.6GHZ and for it to be bleeding down to 2.4 it would need to be drawing a shed load of power or they've installed it in his loo.

How far is he from the mast?

Zebrdee

Not sure, I'll find out. Thing is it all worked fine until 4G started and he's been a radio engineer all his life - it's called desensitising, high power signal reduces the ability of a radio to receive signals.

gjchester

Zebrdee wrote: »

Not sure, I'll find out. Thing is it all worked fine until 4G started and he's been a radio engineer all his life - it's called desensitising, high power signal reduces the ability of a radio to receive signals.

It could also be wide spectrum RF noise from the electronics or power supplies used in the base station that just generating general interference.

Radio waves drop in an inverse square distance to power ratio, and they are a fair distance apart frequency wise, so while it could be his wifi is being swamped its not the only explanation.

Is it affecting his neighbours?

Is it affecting all devices he has, such as all laptops/ phones, bluetooth headset or wireless xbox or PS3 game controllers if he has them or just the Wifi at fault? If it's swamping then it should be seen on all devices if it's just the wifi it would point to that being at fault.


Could it be the routers failed at some point, it may be the 4G was turned on a while ago but only publicy announced recently and its incidental. Is the router dual band and he can use the 5Ghz range?

Marauder999

If needed you should be able to find the operator here http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/search

ZhugeEX

Marauder999 wrote: »

If needed you should be able to find the operator here http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/search

A yes, the famous sitefinder website which has been out of date for over 6 years... I still can't get my head around why people post this here.

Is it affecting all devices he has, such as all laptops/ phones, bluetooth headset or wireless xbox or PS3 game controllers if he has them or just the Wifi at fault? If it's swamping then it should be seen on all devices if it's just the wifi it would point to that being at fault.

Could it be the routers failed at some point, it may be the 4G was turned on a while ago but only publicy announced recently and its incidental. Is the router dual band and he can use the 5Ghz range?

+1

It's unlikely 4G would be affecting wi-fi.

Zebrdee

Well IMO it is but the point of my post was to ask who to complain to, the networks or MBNL or Ofcom? Now that sites and site ownerships are being changed, how to find out who they belong to?

He, as far as I know, doesn't have any toys like you mention but as we are keen amateur radio enthusiasts are aware of the radio effects of the new 4G bands.

An update of equipment may be required but why should he have to pay?

WTFH

Changing the wifi channel doesn't require spending any money or upgrading anything, it is just a change on the router - takes a minute or so to do