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Forum Discussion
MR1100 speed problems on AT&T
I recently switched from Verizon to AT&T so I could use the MR1100 for my broadband at home (replacing 1mbps DSL). The phones work fine when speed testing getting speeds of 10-50d/5-30u. However, the hotspot seems to have an issue after some time (hours usually). If I reset it and try at night, I get good speed. If I check again in the morning, I might have 1-5d/failed-0.16u. Is that typical?
I'm not sure how to test other than taking to work with me. Is this a defective unit or a bad setting? I read one response to another thread saying a new sim card could solve things with disconnect issues.
I'm not sure how to test other than taking to work with me. Is this a defective unit or a bad setting? I read one response to another thread saying a new sim card could solve things with disconnect issues.
6 Replies
- I have looked in the GUI and dont see where it says disconnected, so I'm assuming I must not have that issue. I performed a factory reset and have run speed tests every hour for the last day or so. I seem to be getting around 15d/4u which is probably about right for my signal strength. I found a setting for wifi timeout that defaults to 15min and disabled it. Not sure what else to try, but it seems to be working g ok in this config right now.
Still hoping for feedback from experts.- After a lot of testing, I believe the speed issue is primarily related to signal strength. When I move the hot spot to the second floor in a window facing the closest tower (of which I only have between 1 and 3 in range), I get between 1 and 3 bars. I highly suspect that the basement results in much less and would cause dropped signal.
I will open a new topic if I dont see a response, but can anyone confirm that external antennas improve signal strength? I was considering installing a high gain antenna in the attic and wiring it down to the installation location for the hotspot. The only other option I've seen is the micro cell boxes. Unfortunately, AT&T doesn't support them any longer and recommends using your network to boost cell via wifi.
Any thoughts?
Hi bkenobi
Welcome to NETGEAR Community!
Please check the signal quality using the Diagnostics screen found under Settings > Nighthawk M1 Status > Diagnostics section using values below as reference:
RSRP – The average power received from a single Reference signal, and Its typical range is around -44dbm (good) to -140dbm(bad).
RSRQ – Indicates quality of the received signal, and its range is typically -19.5dB(bad) to -3dB (good).
If signal quality is bad then I suggest moving the device to a location with clear view of the sky or consider purchasing/using external antenna.
Regards,
Blanca
Community Team
- RSRP: -113
RSRQ: -17
So it appears the signal is on the bad side. I have the MR1100 as high in the home as possible and in a window facing the direction of the tower. I think an antenna is the best option but I'm not sure if there are better options than others. I know netgear sells an option, but I've read it isn't very high gain.I assume you live in a rural area and other broad band options are not a possibility?
You'll need a wideband, directional, high gain antenna mounted pointed at the tower. You could try placing it in your attic, but it would be better outside mounted on a pole. You'll want the MR1100 as close as possible to it. But the MR1100 needs to be in a cooler (out of direct sunlight), dry place as well. Remove the battery and buy a high quality EC2/3 charger and cable -- like one from Anker.
The external antenna won't support MIMO, and the MR1100 tends to bound around from band to band and tower to tower. So sometimes power cycling and/or re-alignemnt are necessary.
There are a number of posts on this topic here on the forum.
