Mobile Broadband - poor signal!

[moggie 939]

When we moved recently (only a few miles) I lost my excellent mobile broadband signalon o2 so that now, although I can still get online ok, it is difficult streaming on iPlayer for instance as it keeps stopping.
Now, I thought the answer might be to go on to an o2 router as they offered a really good cheap service broadband only - but they said that they could not guarantee much improvement due the area I live in.

If I extend the dongle by connecting it to an extension lead which come with it (about a metre long) this helps a bit. Is there any way I can improve the signal marginally, say having a longer extension and putting it out of the window - I live in an upstairs apartment.

Have tried v.fone and others - but they are even worse.

Any ideas at all?

Thanks everyone

[stoofur]

Do you actually need mobile broadband? It is probably cheeper, faster and more reliable to get fixed line broadband through your telephone line. Alternatively do any of your neighbours have wifi? Maybe you could offer to pay half of his/her monthly rental and share it. With there permission obviously.

[TTG]

My mate has his extended cable on a hook near a bedroom window. It does help.

[moggie 939]

Thanks both. I will try the extended cable. Re the first point, now that I am retired and now have a landline point I could try this. However, I live in the country and today I tried o2s offer of a cheap broadband deal, but they came back and told me that I was in a bad area so would not guarantee much better than I have with their dongle. I alteady changed from a vodafone dongle as that was even worse.
What other providers are there? I have only ever seen dongles on sale for VFone, o2 and 3G - don't understand the latter as when I connect with o2 it shows first as 3G anyway - then it changes immediately to something called 'O2 UK HSPA?'

Any more suggestions please.

Thank you

[AlBags]

ANY home broadband must be better than ANY mobile BB dongle.

They WILL tell you it won't make much difference .. in all likelyhood because they will not be taking all that running cost for the mobile broadband from you!

Just get the cheapest BB service you can find .. checking with other locals to see what they use.

[bibblebub]

Accessing the internet using a mobile broadband dongle (3 mobile) works fine for me, it's what I use 99% of the time. I suspect most people who denigrate it have never used it.

[RATTER15]

We use a dongle whenever we have problems with our fixed line, we dont get any problems apart from it will trip out sometimes.

[AlBags]

No ... we are mostly users that are familiar with data transfer amounts available to both types .. and know about the reliability of home Broadband. Mobile can't touch it for reliability, speed, data per pound.

[bibblebub]

I use mine for 16 / 17 hours per day every day. I don't recognise the lack of reliability to which you allude AlBags.

[AlBags]

I'm very surprised you can afford to then .. and I fail to see the logistics of using a mobile service in that way.

[moggie 939]

Thank you everyone!

I will first try and extend my lead towards the window (or out of it) as using even a one metre lead in the room does give me marginally better signal

[stoofur]

Most landline broadband providers the connecton speed is between 2mb/s and 10mb/s. Whereas with a mobile broadband provider the average is 1.5mb/s

And yes I have used both and the best thing about mobile broadband is that it is mobile. If you are using it in a fixed place then landline is better, faster, more reliable and less expensive.

[moggie 939]

Hello Albags and everyone - it is moggie again. Have listened to all you have to say and have decided on a simple broadband deal from Plusnet for £6.50 a month which means I can do away with my dongle which costs me £11.00 a month.
I live in a country area with poor broadband reception but they are offering me a max of 10mb although my neighbour who is with them gets an average of 6 or 7.
This seems ok as on my dongle I am only getting less than 2 mb (sometimes only 1) which cuts me off when I am streaming iplayer, but is ok for normal use such as emails.
This is all new to me, but at least Plusnet have a FREE helpline at all times - in Yorkshire not India! Can you answer me a question please?

I will receive in post a wireless router which I understand will plug into my BT socket and mains. They tell me it comes with a microfilter which goes into the BT socket and then the router plugs into that. I am having the router in my second bedroom which already has a proper BT socket (new apartment), but my digitallandline phone is in the living room main BT socket.

I read somewhere that I must also have one of thes microfilters on this socket as well to prevent any distortion on the phone when the broadband connection is on (which it will be all the time). Is this correct? and if so will I be able to buy another of these 'filters' now so I am ready.
Can I get one online or at a local shop and what am I looking for - what are they called?

Thanks so much

[buildersmate]

Yes, these filters are called ADSL filters, are widely available and cost peanuts. They have 2 outlets - one which the router plugs into, and another which a phone (if fitted) is plugged into.
One needs one filter in each phone socket that is used (for either a data modem link or a phone or both).

[buildersmate]

Bibblebub's response beggars belief.
It follows the (flawed) assumption that 'if it works OK for me 16/17 hours per day how can it POSSIBLY not work for anyone else'.
Ever thought that the strength of the mobile signal varies widely across the country, and indeed from valley to valley? - apparently not.

[bibblebub]

buildersmate - don't misquote me, I said nothing of the kind.

[bibblebub]

"Accessing the internet using a mobile broadband dongle (3 mobile) works fine for me, it's what I use 99% of the time. I suspect most people who denigrate it have never used it. "

"I use mine for 16 / 17 hours per day every day. I don't recognise the lack of reliability to which you allude AlBags."

Where amongst that do you come to the conclusion that I was saying "...how can it POSSIBLY not work for anyone else"?

[gingejbee]

For the filter, try Maplin, Tesco, PC World etc - you may even find they send you a spare with the router. I'm sure you'll find Plusnet fine - they are very helpful with excellent customer service. My phone/broadband is with Greenbee (John Lewis company) but the service is provided by Plusnet and I've never had problems in two years!

[moggie 939]

Thanks everyone - understand now.