5G Broadband thoughts?

Salamat

Am looking to switch away from VM! As I'm not 'FullFibre', I'd be restricted to under 65Mbps, though past experience indicates an actual 30-50 is more likely! (which I did find perfectly adequate)

I've started looking at 5G Broadband and coverage checkers suggest only EE and O2 would give me good reception.

O2 don't seem to offer a specific Broadband package, no doubt due to their connection with VM?

EE seem relatively expensive compared with Three and Vodafone and have a £100 setup charge! (Unfortunately those two's reception doesn't look good enough! 😠)

Can I ask member's experience with 5G as their main source for Broadband? Reliability? Consistent speeds?

Vitor

Don't overlook Starlink

john1

Currently using 3 Current Broadband Speeds @2126hrs Download Mbps 372.68 Upload Mbps 94.82 On 24 month contract (4 months left) £21 month Used daily, only noticed one 2hrs service break couple months back go to three site and check availability

Salamat

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109788#Comment_82109788

Described as 'patchy', so wouldn't want to risk it, unfortunately

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109882#Comment_82109882

Can I ask what source you are using for your coverage checking? Sounds like you have rightly not taken too much notice of the network's own coverage maps.

Salamat

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82109945#Comment_82109945

I also use Lebara 5G, which uses the Vodafone network, and that doesn't show up in my flat!

5G Coverage checker

flaneurs_lobster

Might want to edit that screenshot, shows your home postcode?

That's the problem with those blanket coverage checkers, they can't take the granularity down to your front room.

That checker shows perfect reception across all 4 networks at my postcode - in reality I get NO coverage at all from any of them indoors, and a feeble flicker from a couple in the garden.

Would make a 4/5G broadband setup pointless.

Rodders53

https://www.openreach.com/fibre-checker says that Full Fibre will be coming to you in the next year (or so)... it may be quite soon if you start seeing lots of Comms people climbing poles and delving into BT manholes with reels of cables.

Moving to FTTC initially, you'll likely get offered an upgrade to FTTP when available at lowish additional cost (and a new contract).

TBF I'm mulling over whether it's worth upgrading to 145 Mbit/s from the current 40 Mbit/s max as we've recently had the FTTP work done here near Bedford (not a million miles from Stevenage).

Mobile data reception needs 'testing' in your home via a payg SIM card or similar for the various different suppliers before committing to any major outlay.

Salamat

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110150#Comment_82110150

Thanks for that info. I was wondering if the various IP's routers were more powerful than phones have……will have to check that out

Rodders53

5g modem-routers antennas are not dissimilar to phones… SOME can have an external antenna connected… via a cable (needs to be fairly short) to help reception.

Can be hit and miss… one needs the antenna to see the pole/tower/mast where he signals come from and not be blocked by building materials, vegetation etc.,.

As with TV signals and indoor unit higher up is often better… so upstairs rather than down… atop a wardrobe rather than under a bed…
Similar with an external aerial gutter level rather than low down and on the right side of the house.

Reviews of 5G/4G modem routers will likely find some that perform better than others… maybe none of the best ones are supplied by the mobile companies.

Due diligence is needed. {Ask friends, neighbours, colleagues for their experiences?}

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82110189#Comment_82110189

As @Rodders53 says, no matter how good the kit, if there's no signal then it makes no difference.

I know OP has stated that 3 may not be available but they do at least have an external aerial product that's available to try on a trial basis (not checked the details of that).

https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5g-outdoor-hub

Some chatter elsewhere of being able to buy these SIM-free (not from 3) for around £100-ish.