Sometimes LTE, sometimes 3G - what's going on?

[frankvw]

I've ditched my useless previous WLL provider and gone for Vodacom's ZTE MF253 offering. So far (i.e. since this morning when I installed it) I'm very happy with it. For starters Vodacom gives me twice the monthly data allowance for the same money I paid my previous provider, and it's much, much faster.

However. This morning when I first got onto Vodacom's network, the router's status light was blue (i.e. registered onto and LTE network) and I got between 10 and 12Mbps download bandwidth and 4Mbps up. Now, since this afternoon, the light is green (i.e. registered onto a 3G network) and the blistering speeds that I saw this morning are down to more real-life figures. (Still a lot better than what I had, so I'm not complaining.)

The "Network Type" indicator in the router's web based management console displayed LTE this morning, but now it's switching back on an apparently random basis between UMTWS and DC-HSPA+. In all cases the router's signal strength indicator was and is 5 bars.

What causes this apparently random network type switching?

Guesses, anyone?

// FvW

 

[NeonNinja]

All I see is a witty title.

There are many variables which can cause that.

 

[cavedog]

It could be that the LTE is from another tower further away. If you are getting 4Mbps upload on LTE that means you are not as close to the tower to get best results but does not mean it is bad.

I think the router would prefer LTE but if you are much closer to a 3G it might want to stick to that for stable signal.

I got the same router and the functions are pretty limited but what you need to do to stick to LTE is Set your router to manual network.

It will search for available networks and it should list the networks like

Vodacom 3G
Vodacom 4G
MTN 3G
MTN 4G
ect ect

Just select the 4G option and it will stick to LTE.

 

[OMB]

cell breathing

 

[Ockie]

cell breathing

If memory serves me right LTE does not suffer from cell breathing. That is a 3G/HSPA issue. Cavedog is right I think. The distance to the LTE tower might be a bit far and the 3G signal is stronger so the router switches. He should try forcing the router to hang onto the LTE by selecting the LTE only option.

 

[OMB]

If memory serves me right LTE does not suffer from cell breathing. That is a 3G/HSPA issue. Cavedog is right I think. The distance to the LTE tower might be a bit far and the 3G signal is stronger so the router switches. He should try forcing the router to hang onto the LTE by selecting the LTE only option.

really? Didn't know that, wanders off to research

 

[VC-1]

RF Signal Strength is the key to toggling between LTE, UMTS (3G,HSDPA etc) and Edge. Login into your MF253 Router open Information, look at your Signal Strength. If this high eg. -100 - 110 dBm then it will toggle from LTE to UMTS ( In other words the Signal to Noise Ratio is high) resulting in a mode toggling. The Signal Strength should be around -95dBm or lower for good through put in any mode.
As a matter of interest Routers in general have a more stable RF front end design that these USB Modems.

 

[sajunky]

If memory serves me right LTE does not suffer from cell breathing. That is a 3G/HSPA issue.

There are some people in other section claiming that LTE will never suffer congestion. Don't listed to such rubbish.

Cell breathing is not a side effect of particular technology (3G in this case), it is intended feature to increase bandwith utilization. With cell breathing users who are able to negotiatiate faster pipe are prefered by network on the expense of others, so service provider will get more money from the same infrastructure.

 

[Ockie]

There are some people in other section claiming that LTE will never suffer congestion. Don't listed to such rubbish.

Cell breathing is not a side effect of particular technology (3G in this case), it is intended feature to increase bandwith utilization. With cell breathing users who are able to negotiatiate faster pipe are prefered by network on the expense of others, so service provider will get more money from the same infrastructure.

http://lteuniversity.com/ask_the_expert/f/59/t/3431.aspx

?

 

[sajunky]

http://lteuniversity.com/ask_the_expert/f/59/t/3431.aspx

?

Remember that cell breathing is a configuration parameter in the software too!

 

[frankvw]

Hi, Cavedog,

I got the same router and the functions are pretty limited but what you need to do to stick to LTE is Set your router to manual network.

A lot of settings seem to have been locked on my router. E.g. the configuration of the DHCP server is grayed out (I can't even change the router's IP address, let alone the DHCP pool or even whether or not DHCP is active) and the same goes for the network selection. This option is grayed out as well, and the mouse cursor changes to the disk-with-diagonal-line ("no parking sign" when I mouse over any of these options.

Am I missing something?

// FvW

 

[frankvw]

H, Ivan,

Signal strength as I type this is -81dB and I'm on UMTS.

 

[VC-1]

H, Ivan,

Signal strength as I type this is -81dB and I'm on UMTS.

That is a good signal for UMTS. It would appear that your area is not covered by LTE yet. It seems VC was only "trialing" LTE in your area, probably there soon. Call 155 to establish about LTE coverage in your area if you wish know.

 

[sajunky]

A lot of settings seem to have been locked on my router. E.g. the configuration of the DHCP server is grayed out (I can't even change the router's IP address, let alone the DHCP pool or even whether or not DHCP is active) and the same goes for the network selection. This option is grayed out as well, and the mouse cursor changes to the disk-with-diagonal-line ("no parking sign" when I mouse over any of these options.

Am I missing something?

// FvW

So far I responded to distraction, it is a time for something constructive.

Yes, you missed it... You can't change DHCP and many other settings while router is connected to the Internet. You have to click on the "Home" tab and disconnect from ISP. Then all settings will be available. However I am not sure you will be able to force LTE connection. On MF283 it is not available.

 

[cavedog]

Hi, Cavedog,


A lot of settings seem to have been locked on my router. E.g. the configuration of the DHCP server is grayed out (I can't even change the router's IP address, let alone the DHCP pool or even whether or not DHCP is active) and the same goes for the network selection. This option is grayed out as well, and the mouse cursor changes to the disk-with-diagonal-line ("no parking sign" when I mouse over any of these options.

Am I missing something?

// FvW

As mentioned by @sajunky you need to disconnect first then go to the settings to change any settings relating to the network.

So far I responded to distraction, it is a time for something constructive.

Yes, you missed it... You can't change DHCP and many other settings while router is connected to the Internet. You have to click on the "Home" tab and disconnect from ISP. Then all settings will be available. However I am not sure you will be able to force LTE connection. On MF283 it is not available.

You won't be able to select a LTE only mode pre se but when you set your setting for "Automatically register on network" to manual it would search for the available networks and not list the networks only. It will list the networks and available modes for example a search might reveal this

Vodacom 4G
Vodacom 3G
Vodacom 2G
MTN 4G
MTN 3G
MTN 2G
Cellc 3G
Cellc 2G
65502 3G
65502 2G

If you would select Vodacom 4G for example that should mean the router should stay on LTE. I have not tested it myself yet but I know that is how my modem worked when I set the network to manual when I just briefly tested the router after opening.

Would do the test to see if it is indeed how it works.

 

[frankvw]

Thanks a mil, guys. I'll give it a try. I just tried to disconnect the router from the network and guess what - it won't let me. I click the disconnect button and I get a "FAILED" message scrolling in from the top and it stays connected. However, I'm sure there are "vays un means" to persuade it. (Reaches for hammer)

Once again tnx for your insights!

//FvW

 

[sajunky]

Thanks a mil, guys. I'll give it a try. I just tried to disconnect the router from the network and guess what - it won't let me. I click the disconnect button and I get a "FAILED" message scrolling in from the top and it stays connected. However, I'm sure there are "vays un means" to persuade it. (Reaches for hammer)

Once again tnx for your insights!

//FvW

Then change in Settings -> Network Setting: Dialup Settings - WAN Connection Mode from Automatic to Manual.
In your firmware version it might look slightly differ, one of the method should definitely work.

 

[sajunky]

You won't be able to select a LTE only mode pre se but when you set your setting for "Automatically register on network" to manual it would search for the available networks and not list the networks only. It will list the networks and available modes for example a search might reveal this

Vodacom 4G
Vodacom 3G
[...]

This time you make me think I am doing something wrong.

No I can't see any such option. In my firmware version there is only an option for automatic WAN connection, not an automatic network selection. I wish I had, as my unofficial LTE coverage just vanished, registering only 3G with active DC-HSPA+ channels.

EDIT: LTE signal is back and stable as it was before. No switching to 3G and back.

 

[deweyzeph]

Stick some external antennas on your device for extra stability.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

So far I responded to distraction, it is a time for something constructive.

Yes, you missed it... You can't change DHCP and many other settings while router is connected to the Internet. You have to click on the "Home" tab and disconnect from ISP. Then all settings will be available. However I am not sure you will be able to force LTE connection. On MF283 it is not available.

Wow thanks for that, was about to go and throw my toys at Vodacom! cant be having a backup router that I cant specify an IP for.