Hi all,
As part of my business i have started installing 4G LTE solutions for customers in rural areas where normal BB is very poor or too slow (some of my customers are only getting 0.3 Mbps). To date i have been using TP Link 4G Routers with an external Solwise Omni directional antenna which have given good results. The 2 main networks we use are 02 and EE, the first only uses channel 20 (800MHz) and the second uses Bands 3,7 & 20 (800, 2100 & 2600 MHz) for 4G connectivity.
I was strongly recommended to look at the WAP LTE kit as a suitable replacement, as it is neater and much more flexible for installation as it can go 40m using POE which makes placement so much easier. I bought one to run on test side by side with the current equipment and am very disappointed at how slow the download speed is when compared to the TP/Solwise combo. At a site survey today i was able to get EE at 30Mbps on the TP/Solwise but the WAP LTE only managed 5Mbps at the same mast (3 km's away). I also checked on the other network we use( O2 ), and its the same situation but worse. I was getting 18 - 22 Mbps with the TP/Solwise but only 3-4 Mbps with the LTE WAP and that mast is only 1.6 Km's away!!
The only changes i have made on the quick set up menu (LTE AP Mode) is to change the APN for EE to everywhere (or back to internet for O2), change the regional settings to UK and on the web set up checked the Band frequency's i want to use. If i can get this product to deliver the same performance as i'm getting using other hardware, i will change supply overnight as this is a very neat and discreet unit that offers good value for money. Is it that i'm doing wrong or is the product just not powerful enough for what i am asking it to do. I have seen LTE SXE antennas and these delivery very good performance but only work on Band 3 & 7 which means they can only work for EE and not O2.
I would be really grateful for some advice and comment as i want to use these products but am limited by the performance.
Thanks
Joe.