Telkom LTE - antenna boost really possible?

L

lcoetzee2

Member
Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
I live on the "edge" of Telkom LTE reception and get 1x bar of signal inside my home.

I'm really impressed with quality of Telkom LTE and ideally would like to use it.

Can an antenna really give you good quality LTE if you have 1x signal bar?

Something like this: http://www.antennas.co.za/Products/ProductDetails?code=358

I don't want to spend money on the "best" antenna only to get 3x signal bars but poor network quality.

Some users suggest that most of the signal is "lost" in the cable and it doesn't really help.

Anyone with a Poynting installation achieving good speeds / quality?

Thanks :-)
 
You need more facts.

1. What device are you using - model no?
2. Where do you live.
3. What is your budget.
4. What are you wearing?
 
lcoetzee2 said:
I live on the "edge" of Telkom LTE reception and get 1x bar of signal inside my home.

I'm really impressed with quality of Telkom LTE and ideally would like to use it.

Can an antenna really give you good quality LTE if you have 1x signal bar?

Something like this: http://www.antennas.co.za/Products/ProductDetails?code=358

I don't want to spend money on the "best" antenna only to get 3x signal bars but poor network quality.

Some users suggest that most of the signal is "lost" in the cable and it doesn't really help.

Anyone with a Poynting installation achieving good speeds / quality?

Thanks :-)
Click to expand...

The question every one is asking. Improvement to what I got currently.

My long story short. Other things also need to be taken into account RSSI,RSRP and RSRQ values. On my RSRQ was 6 with or without antenna. The other two improved with antenna install.( You need to subtract RSSI-RSRP, value closer to 20 is best. Mine with antenna or without antenna gave value of 26. This has not improved by me.
Without antenna 3 to 4 bar signal.
With antenna 5 bar signal.
You need to establish which tower gives you the signal. I made my self mobile and drove to the so called towers in my area.
Tower 1 3 to 4 bar signal.
Tower 2 5 bar signal. From this point I new this is the tower.(Do test without the paddle sticks)
Distance could also play a roll.

Bought a antenna put it up, pointing to the tower. (No-LOS= no line of sight)
I don't think I improved my overhaul experience or I don't notice this.
Sorry forgot to mention I did see improvement with downloads the band gap became smaller.
Example with out antenna 80Mbps - 55Mbps.
With antenna 80Mbps -70Mbps. :D
 
Last edited:
Short version:
Yes, a antenna can help. The cable should be as short as possible, you should not go over 10 meters.
Before antenna 0 bars insight and outsight after antenna 4 bars. I have a good line of sight to the tower. You need to have line of sight to the tower.

My story, long version:
Called Telkom January. Reported that I could not get any signal but I am on the edge according to their signal map. The guys came out in Jan and Feb to test the signal. they installed my antenna yesterday. Yes, it took 10 months.

The weird thing is I cancelled my contract (month to month) 4 months ago, received a refund and now after all this time they installed the antenna. I am getting 4 bars now. I had zero bars and no connection at all before. Now I can finally use Telkom again :D
 
Thanks for all the advise - appreciate. @Insint: how were you able to organize an antenna through Telkom? I also had a month-to-month. They come to do a signal test when I complained and nothing happened after that.... perhaps if I can get in touch with the "right" guys I would be able to get it professionally installed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X