4g / 5g Internet for Home… what device?
Discussion
I will be moving house soon, and unfortunately the house does not benefit from any FTTP options. Starlink also isn’t an easy option as I live in a part of the country where they are no longer accepting new static connection accounts.
I’ll have to organize an FTTC option, but that will take a little while and as I work from home, I’d like to have WiFi available in the whole house immediately, and also like the idea of having a back-up option if the FTTC ever fails me.
Considering this, I’m looking for a 4g/5g router, that I can connect to the switch and access points that will be in place as soon as we move. Assume that means it has to have an RJ45 ‘out’ port and be able to turn it’s own WiFi off (if it has it). As I don’t have a great understanding of the coverage from different cell providers yet, it will need to be unlocked probably.
Would anybody have advice on a good device (4g/5g modem/router) that would fit the bill?
Thanks in advance.
I’ll have to organize an FTTC option, but that will take a little while and as I work from home, I’d like to have WiFi available in the whole house immediately, and also like the idea of having a back-up option if the FTTC ever fails me.
Considering this, I’m looking for a 4g/5g router, that I can connect to the switch and access points that will be in place as soon as we move. Assume that means it has to have an RJ45 ‘out’ port and be able to turn it’s own WiFi off (if it has it). As I don’t have a great understanding of the coverage from different cell providers yet, it will need to be unlocked probably.
Would anybody have advice on a good device (4g/5g modem/router) that would fit the bill?
Thanks in advance.
Why not buy a 99p sim for each of the networks, or an MVNO that sits on them, and go down there with an unlocked phone to test the signal? That’ll give you real-world info on what is doable and indeed whether it’ll work at all. If you want to be a bit more comprehensive in your testing, various eBay sellers have cheap sims with bundled data, you could buy enough to run some speed tests when you’re on site.
Having installed a 4G router in my in-laws caravan out in the sticks I can confidently say that the coverage predictors are nonsense!
Having installed a 4G router in my in-laws caravan out in the sticks I can confidently say that the coverage predictors are nonsense!
Some of the solutions that involve an external antenna can be fiddly, but what made me notice this thread is that I'm considering an offering from 3 that has a 5G modem with an external component that looks quite easy to set up.
Obviously only relevant if you can get a 5G signal with 3, but it may be possible to use a different SIM for a different network once the device is unlocked via the admin password. It is worth noting that using the antenna outside the premises can give a vastly improved speed compared to the usual indoor units.
This is their offering:
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5...
I'm considering it for later this year when my Virgin Media broadband is likely to go up hugely in price, and if it works well this would be much better value.
Edited to add: this one has an option for a rolling 1 month contract for slightly more money.
Obviously only relevant if you can get a 5G signal with 3, but it may be possible to use a different SIM for a different network once the device is unlocked via the admin password. It is worth noting that using the antenna outside the premises can give a vastly improved speed compared to the usual indoor units.
This is their offering:
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5...
I'm considering it for later this year when my Virgin Media broadband is likely to go up hugely in price, and if it works well this would be much better value.
Edited to add: this one has an option for a rolling 1 month contract for slightly more money.
Edited by karma mechanic on Sunday 2nd March 16:34
I've used a TP-Link Archer MR200 for this for a coule of years until Gigaclear arrived. Would definitely recommend, but it's a bit long in the tooth now.
The newer models have 5G support etc..
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/5g-4g-r...
The newer models have 5G support etc..
https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/5g-4g-r...
karma mechanic said:
Some of the solutions that involve an external antenna can be fiddly, but what made me notice this thread is that I'm considering an offering from 3 that has a 5G modem with an external component that looks quite easy to set up.
Obviously only relevant if you can get a 5G signal with 3, but it may be possible to use a different SIM for a different network once the device is unlocked via the admin password. It is worth noting that using the antenna outside the premises can give a vastly improved speed compared to the usual indoor units.
This is their offering:
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5...
I'm considering it for later this year when my Virgin Media broadband is likely to go up hugely in price, and if it works well this would be much better value.
Edited to add: this one has an option for a rolling 1 month contract for slightly more money.
that's pretty cool.Obviously only relevant if you can get a 5G signal with 3, but it may be possible to use a different SIM for a different network once the device is unlocked via the admin password. It is worth noting that using the antenna outside the premises can give a vastly improved speed compared to the usual indoor units.
This is their offering:
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5...
I'm considering it for later this year when my Virgin Media broadband is likely to go up hugely in price, and if it works well this would be much better value.
Edited to add: this one has an option for a rolling 1 month contract for slightly more money.
Edited by karma mechanic on Sunday 2nd March 16:34
I use a Three 5G router I got off Ebay, ZYXEL NR5103EV2 5G and you are correct in that instaling external antennas isnt for the novice, and, with that router you need teeny tiny connector adapters . Works a amzingly mind you. But I like the Three external router. Friend in Italy has one outside her window (not Three).
I've currently got FTTC broadband, but for various reasons upgrading to FTTP is going to be a major hassle.
Therefore, I'm thinking of ditching my landline and moving to 5G home broadband instead (I know I can get a good EE 5G signal, but that's the only network available to me).
My thinking is that if I buy a 5G router with an RJ11 port such as this one https://store.acer.com/en-gb/acer-5g-router-connec... and get a SIM that supports calls as well as data, then I'd be able to simply plug in my fairly recent DECT home phone and use it to make and receive calls. Is my understanding correct?
Also, if it is, does anybody have any recommendations for a 5G router with an RJ11 port? Thanks in advance.
Therefore, I'm thinking of ditching my landline and moving to 5G home broadband instead (I know I can get a good EE 5G signal, but that's the only network available to me).
My thinking is that if I buy a 5G router with an RJ11 port such as this one https://store.acer.com/en-gb/acer-5g-router-connec... and get a SIM that supports calls as well as data, then I'd be able to simply plug in my fairly recent DECT home phone and use it to make and receive calls. Is my understanding correct?
Also, if it is, does anybody have any recommendations for a 5G router with an RJ11 port? Thanks in advance.
GlenMH said:
I thought that it took the voice signal from the RJ11 port and turned it into Voip data so you never actually make calls using the voice network.
Yes, but Vodafone (and I suspect EE) have "Wifi calling" which basically means calls from your mobile go via voip over your internet and are billed on your normal tariff (so you don't need a separate vop provider)So it's probably more a billing question than a techy one...
One other option is to look for a router that has DECT support built in (e.g. some Fritzboxes) so you ditch the DECT base station and are digital end-to-end. Also gives you more flexibility as you can have multiple handsets in use simultaneously. e.g. Incoming call one one, outgoing on another.
silentbrown said:
Yes, but Vodafone (and I suspect EE) have "Wifi calling" which basically means calls from your mobile go via voip over your internet and are billed on your normal tariff (so you don't need a separate vop provider)
So it's probably more a billing question than a techy one...
True - but that is done by the mobile network that the phone sim connects to - not the host ISP network: to them it is just more data.So it's probably more a billing question than a techy one...
With this sim: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlimited-Calls-Texts-Dat... it is all moot as it is £220 for unlimited voice, texts and 5G data until Oct 27. Not bad for under 12 quid/month...
alangla said:
Why not buy a 99p sim for each of the networks, or an MVNO that sits on them, and go down there with an unlocked phone to test the signal? That ll give you real-world info on what is doable and indeed whether it ll work at all. If you want to be a bit more comprehensive in your testing, various eBay sellers have cheap sims with bundled data, you could buy enough to run some speed tests when you re on site.
Having installed a 4G router in my in-laws caravan out in the sticks I can confidently say that the coverage predictors are nonsense!
This!Having installed a 4G router in my in-laws caravan out in the sticks I can confidently say that the coverage predictors are nonsense!
A 4g/5g router such as from TP Link will give better speed/coverage than a phone, it's cheap to add an outdoor antenna.
I have friends in the sticks who get a fairly reliable 25M where phones struggle. They've spent a few quid on an antenna on a pole.
Others can't make that work reliably and have gone to Starlink.
5G appears in some unexpected places, so it it worth looking with 5G compatible SIMs and phones.
Two points. Mobile network data can be very highly contended at certain times of day. Plenty fast during the day, rubbish in the evenings... Make very sure you're happy with mobile data before cutting the cable.
Re DECT and that router: Happy to be corrected, but I do think it unlikely that the router will use your 5G SIM calling plan and number for voice calls. I expect you'll still need a VOIP provider like voipfone, who you can port your existing FTTC number to. You can't directly port a landline number to a mobile service.
Re DECT and that router: Happy to be corrected, but I do think it unlikely that the router will use your 5G SIM calling plan and number for voice calls. I expect you'll still need a VOIP provider like voipfone, who you can port your existing FTTC number to. You can't directly port a landline number to a mobile service.
karma mechanic said:
Some of the solutions that involve an external antenna can be fiddly, but what made me notice this thread is that I'm considering an offering from 3 that has a 5G modem with an external component that looks quite easy to set up.
Obviously only relevant if you can get a 5G signal with 3, but it may be possible to use a different SIM for a different network once the device is unlocked via the admin password. It is worth noting that using the antenna outside the premises can give a vastly improved speed compared to the usual indoor units.
This is their offering:
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5...
I'm considering it for later this year when my Virgin Media broadband is likely to go up hugely in price, and if it works well this would be much better value.
Edited to add: this one has an option for a rolling 1 month contract for slightly more money.
I quite like the look of the Three unit but folk are selling them second hand fro £200 on eBay. Might just bite the bullet and purchase a new one.Obviously only relevant if you can get a 5G signal with 3, but it may be possible to use a different SIM for a different network once the device is unlocked via the admin password. It is worth noting that using the antenna outside the premises can give a vastly improved speed compared to the usual indoor units.
This is their offering:
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband/5...
I'm considering it for later this year when my Virgin Media broadband is likely to go up hugely in price, and if it works well this would be much better value.
Edited to add: this one has an option for a rolling 1 month contract for slightly more money.
Edited by karma mechanic on Sunday 2nd March 16:34
silentbrown said:
Two points. Mobile network data can be very highly contended at certain times of day. Plenty fast during the day, rubbish in the evenings... Make very sure you're happy with mobile data before cutting the cable.
Re DECT and that router: Happy to be corrected, but I do think it unlikely that the router will use your 5G SIM calling plan and number for voice calls. I expect you'll still need a VOIP provider like voipfone, who you can port your existing FTTC number to. You can't directly port a landline number to a mobile service.
Mobile data can also be fine for months then go to rats overnight.Re DECT and that router: Happy to be corrected, but I do think it unlikely that the router will use your 5G SIM calling plan and number for voice calls. I expect you'll still need a VOIP provider like voipfone, who you can port your existing FTTC number to. You can't directly port a landline number to a mobile service.
More users keep appearing and they are forever changing things, you might be on the wrong side of that.
I used to use Voda 4G in a certain location, it worked fine for two years then last year I couldn't send an email with a photo attached.
Changed to a different carrier on a eSIM and got great coverage again.
So paying hundreds for a long term SIM might be a bad idea.
Good point about landline numbers, if the OP needs that.
Another thing, I've heard that if you move house, you've only got a month to take over an ADSL line at your new place?
I'm not sure of the detail of this, but I know someone who didn't take over the line because he was promised fibre, then the fibre didn't happen so he's on Starlink now.
Suspicious_user said:
I quite like the look of the Three unit but folk are selling them second hand fro £200 on eBay. Might just bite the bullet and purchase a new one.
£125 for the 5G one with external antenna outputs. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/227285307415Been in 5G only for a couple of years now. Fast, cheap, awesome
Edited by Griffith4ever on Saturday 4th April 21:10
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