British Expats

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-   -   4G Internet (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/4g-internet-878830/)

Fred James Jul 26th 2016 9:37 am

Re: 4G Internet
 
That's very slow for 4G. I think there is a SIM card in there somewhere and it will be on a mobile network.

Countryboy1 Jul 26th 2016 10:01 pm

Re: 4G Internet
 

Originally Posted by lutonlad (Post 11973081)
Interesting. The reason I'm looking into this is that I'd like to upgrade my 3G internet in the UK to 4G.

The type of 4G I describe in Spain (supplied by a Wimax provider) seems to be unique and very good. I'm not even sure it that runs on the conventional 4G mobile network. The router is pre-configured (the optional Sim card slot is empty). Performance is excellent over local WiFi.

Looking at the mobile broadband offerings in the UK, I can't see anything comparable or as good. Maybe there's too much a stake because of the potential loss of line rental revenue.

I have seen references to a joint venture between Huawei and Vodafone developing a version of 4G called LTE. Indeed the router in question has LTE stamped on it.

Orange 4G offer the Huawei LTE router for their system.

lutonlad Jul 26th 2016 10:41 pm

Re: 4G Internet
 
Interesting. I'll check out Orange in the UK.

As for the speed. I think that close to 20 Mbs unlimited is pretty good for 22 Euros a month. With no landline rental, I'd jump at that if it was offered in the UK. Better than the TalkTalk offering I've just signed up for!

Does the 4G router have a Sim card? From what I've seen it doesn't. It has an optional Sim card slot which is empty. There is no indication or suggestion that it is on a conventional mobile network. Maybe 4G technology goes beyond mobile phones.

stevesainty Jul 27th 2016 12:56 am

Re: 4G Internet
 
AFAIK Eurona are using a particular bandwidth to send pseudo 4G signals over Wimax and so it is not true 4G. The quality of the signal you receive will depend on where you live in relation to the Wimax mast.

I am in San Luis which is on the other side of lake La Mata from La Mata and when I had my free 5 day trial I was getting about 9Mb speed. Since then ie. as soon as I signed up I have been getting less than 3.:(
I presume the lowering of the signal strength is due to the increased use by part time holiday home owners getting switched on for the summer.:thumbdown:

I am going to cancel as it has not solved my problem of a steady 6Mb to run my IPTV.

The long term solution would be fibre optics but I don't think we will be getting it any time soon

Fred James Jul 27th 2016 1:20 am

Re: 4G Internet
 
If they were using a Wimax system they would need to install a small antenna and they say nothing of that on their site. They give you a router and that's it.

I have a very fast Wimax system and the antenna is a small parabolic dish of about 50cm.

lutonlad Jul 27th 2016 8:49 am

Re: 4G Internet
 

Originally Posted by stevesainty (Post 12013293)
AFAIK Eurona are using a particular bandwidth to send pseudo 4G signals over Wimax and so it is not true 4G. The quality of the signal you receive will depend on where you live in relation to the Wimax mast.

I am in San Luis which is on the other side of lake La Mata from La Mata and when I had my free 5 day trial I was getting about 9Mb speed. Since then ie. as soon as I signed up I have been getting less than 3.:(
I presume the lowering of the signal strength is due to the increased use by part time holiday home owners getting switched on for the summer.:thumbdown:

I am going to cancel as it has not solved my problem of a steady 6Mb to run my IPTV.

The long term solution would be fibre optics but I don't think we will be getting it any time soon

Talk about smoke and mirrors!!

He was on Eurona Wimax but he wanted a faster speed so they converted him to this 4G system. The 4G router is now his sole means of communication, his roof antenna is now redundant. So based on your theory it seems that some Eurona masts are now broadcasting 4G to local routers?? BTW his house is quite close to the Wimax masts at the top of Quesada.

Interesting.

johnnyone Jul 27th 2016 7:21 pm

Re: 4G Internet
 
Quick question.

I have a Three data sim that I run through a 3g mifi router when in Spain.

Looking at Three's site it looks as though 4G is standard for them. Before I go and buy a Mifi router with 4G capability is there much difference in speed in real terms?

MikeJ Jul 27th 2016 7:26 pm

Re: 4G Internet
 

Originally Posted by johnnyone (Post 12013949)
Quick question.

I have a Three data sim that I run through a 3g mifi router when in Spain.

Looking at Three's site it looks as though 4G is standard for them. Before I go and buy a Mifi router with 4G capability is there much difference in speed in real terms?

Are you sure that your MiFi router can't handle 4G? Mine does. 4G can be up to 10x faster than 3G - the problem is that as it is still being rolled out in most places then providers are usually looking at long rental contracts which also include 'fair use' conditions which means that they will be throttled at peak usage times. I cannot find an PAYG options yet. But it is the future for mobile comms until 5G comes along.

johnnyone Jul 27th 2016 7:42 pm

Re: 4G Internet
 

Originally Posted by MikeJ (Post 12013952)
Are you sure that your MiFi router can't handle 4G? Mine does. 4G can be up to 10x faster than 3G - the problem is that as it is still being rolled out in most places then providers are usually looking at long rental contracts which also include 'fair use' conditions which means that they will be throttled at peak usage times. I cannot find an PAYG options yet. But it is the future for mobile comms until 5G comes along.

Yes it can only handle 3g. With Three I can use at no extra cost when in Spain as long as not more than 30 days consecutively.
I bought 12G for £30 that is valid for up to a year although I used up the 12G in three trips tallying to around 24 days. It works well but can be slow.

Looks as though I shall be buying a 4G router.

Cheers

Chris_Bgs Jul 29th 2016 8:53 pm

Re: 4G Internet
 

Originally Posted by johnnyone (Post 12013949)
Quick question.

I have a Three data sim that I run through a 3g mifi router when in Spain.

Looking at Three's site it looks as though 4G is standard for them. Before I go and buy a Mifi router with 4G capability is there much difference in speed in real terms?

Yes, I would say there is a huge difference in speed. When in the UK, my Three sim card provides true 4G. I can even watch HD youtube videos.
When in Spain though, it drops down to 3G or H+. For normal use it still is fine, but if you want to use Spotify, for example, there might be some lagging.


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