Forum Discussion
External Antenna
I just got T-Mobile home Internet and the service is slow, I'm only getting 2-10 mbs download and 1-4 mbs upload. My house is around 1.5 miles from the tower and the Gateway only shows 4G, will an external antenna help me? I don't mind trying it but I don't want to want to waste my time and money on something that won't work. I do have the newest Gateway with external antenna ports. Thanks
I would experiment with other locations for the gateway in your home. It should on your highest floor, near a window. You can try rotating the unit.
For the best information on the external antennas, seek out Nater Tater on YouTube. He tested several antennas and positions just yesterday. I have watched quite a few of his videos. My impression is that the gateway that supports external antennas isn’t all that good. I have one of the older models (Sagemcom FAST 5688W) and my service has been excellent - there is no need for me to try anything else. Good luck. 🍀
- JStritonNetwork Novice
RPA wrote:
JStriton wrote:
I don't understand I'm showing very good signal but my speeds are terrible with the gateway outside, at one location outside I was able to get a 5G signal but not much change in speed.
The RSRP shows “Fair” getting close to the range “Poor” S/B around -89 or more to be excellent. Like - 81 or -80. Your SINR is 8.1 where as mine is 27. RSQR is “good” range. I got these numbers here. https://powerfulsignal.com/support/knowledgebase/awareness/whats-the-difference-between-cell-signal-strength-and-cell-signal-quality/
Thanks for the link. I'm at a loss on to keep trying or give up.
- RPAChannel Chaser
JStriton wrote:
I don't understand I'm showing very good signal but my speeds are terrible with the gateway outside, at one location outside I was able to get a 5G signal but not much change in speed.
The RSRP shows “Fair” getting close to the range “Poor” S/B around -89 or more to be excellent. Like - 81 or -80. Your SINR is 8.1 where as mine is 27. RSQR is “good” range. I got these numbers here. https://powerfulsignal.com/support/knowledgebase/awareness/whats-the-difference-between-cell-signal-strength-and-cell-signal-quality/
- JStritonNetwork Novice
I don't understand I'm showing very good signal but my speeds are terrible with the gateway outside, at one location outside I was able to get a 5G signal but not much change in speed.
- JStritonNetwork Novice
RPA wrote:
JStriton wrote:
RPA wrote:
Are you not connected by 5G? Do you have your 5G Advanced Cellular Metrics numbers to look at?
I don't know who you directed the question to but I can't get a 5G connection even though the coverage map shows my address in 5G extended.
Oh sorry I was directing to you. So you're not getting 5G connection at all. Only LTE?
Yes.
- RPAChannel Chaser
JStriton wrote:
RPA wrote:
Are you not connected by 5G? Do you have your 5G Advanced Cellular Metrics numbers to look at?
I don't know who you directed the question to but I can't get a 5G connection even though the coverage map shows my address in 5G extended.
Oh sorry I was directing to you. So you're not getting 5G connection at all. Only LTE?
- JStritonNetwork Novice
RPA wrote:
Are you not connected by 5G? Do you have your 5G Advanced Cellular Metrics numbers to look at?
I don't know who you directed the question to but I can't get a 5G connection even though the coverage map shows my address in 5G extended.
- RPAChannel Chaser
jsrnephdoc wrote:
I DID connect by 5G, although I did not record the Advanced Cellular Metrics.
One other thing about the new white Gateway device. Its very simple screen resembles a mirror when not powered up, and when the device is placed next to a window as recommended, it’s virtually impossible to read the screen against a sunny outdoor background.
Post the numbers otherwise no one has any idea what's going on to help.
- jsrnephdocNetwork Novice
I DID connect by 5G, although I did not record the Advanced Cellular Metrics.
One other thing about the new white Gateway device. Its very simple screen resembles a mirror when not powered up, and when the device is placed next to a window as recommended, it’s virtually impossible to read the screen against a sunny outdoor background.
- RPAChannel Chaser
Are you not connected by 5G? Do you have your 5G Advanced Cellular Metrics numbers to look at?
- nc1037Bandwidth Buddy
(1) for a separate antenna to improve 5G reception. It does not need to be obtained from T-Mobile.
(2) The Ethernet ports are for directly connecting a computer, or a Wi-Fi router (perhaps your old router.)
(3) Network expansion: Not that I have seen!
(1) (4) See Nater Tater on YouTube
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