Configured WE-826 router gets 10x slower speeds than hotspot

[yobro]

Hi, I finally got my Sierra Wireless MC7455 modem working with the WE-826 router, which is configured with the 12-15-2017 firmware. The modem appears well connected, and the antenna wires seem to click in nicely to Main and Aux—though the little plastic pieces normally installed with the screws for the modem got lost, so the screws are holding the modem in place, almost perfectly horizontally. Unfortunately the connection speed is worse than what I can get with my little hotspot, which gets speeds from the Sprint network averaging about 7-10mbs. The router WiFi network with the default name “ROOter” gets speeds between 0.5- 1mbs. Any idea what I might be doing wrong? I feel like the antennas should significantly increase the speed, not decrease it...Thanks!

[JimHelms]

What does your AT!GSTATUS? antenna stats look like.

[yobro]

Here is what I currently get, below. What does this mean and what is my best next move? Thanks!

Code: Select all

at!GSTATUS?
!GSTATUS:
Current Time:  210                           Temperature: 41
Reset Counter: 1                               Mode:        ONLINE        
System mode:   LTE        PS state:    Attached    
LTE band:      B26                              LTE bw:      5 MHz  
LTE Rx chan:   8763                           LTE Tx chan: 26763
LTE CA state:  NOT ASSIGNED
EMM state:     Registered             Normal Service
RRC state:     RRC Connected 
IMS reg state: No Srv                     
 
PCC RxM RSSI:  -83                           RSRP (dBm):  -110
PCC RxD RSSI:  -82                            RSRP (dBm):  -110
Tx Power:      23                 TAC:         090F (2319)
RSRQ (dB):     -13.8                           Cell ID:     01223819 (19019801)
SINR (dB):      0.4
 
 
OK

[JimHelms]

What does this mean and what is my best next move? Thanks!

Compare your signal stats to the chart on the [url=http://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=14&sid=0c3e8913528215c75e5996e242df7a77#p25] troubleshooting[/url] tutorial.

[yobro]

Hi, yes I’ve gone through that but can’t make heads or tails of the antennae signal data. The SiM and modem both seem to be working fine as far as I can tell and I’m connected to Sprint LTE, just very very weakly apparently. No power cable issues.

[yobro]

Also, I entered both Sprint APNs several times to verify they were correct. Neither seems to work well.

Are my antennae working well? Not sure what to do next...

[JimHelms]

Hi, yes I’ve gone through that but can’t make heads or tails of the antennae signal data.

Code: Select all

PCC RxM RSSI:  -83                           RSRP (dBm):  -110
PCC RxD RSSI:  -82                            RSRP (dBm):  -110
Tx Power:      23                 TAC:         090F (2319)
RSRQ (dB):     -13.8                           Cell ID:     01223819 (19019801)
SINR (dB):      0.4

Compare and tell me what you see:

Signal Readings.png

[JimHelms]

Also, I entered both Sprint APNs several times to verify they were correct. Neither seems to work well.

You cannot use just any APN. You must use the APN that is assigned to the SIM card and plan. Using the wrong APN and repeatedly trying to connect to the network will get the SIM deregistered from the network.

When this happens, you must put the SIM card back into the hotspot or device, and update the both the PRL and user profile.

While you are in the hotspot, check what APN it is using, and use that APN only.

[yobro]

Thanks. Ok I put in the correct hotspot APN.

After rebooting it looks like my RSSI is excellent (-83), RSRP is fair (-110)

Looking live I have:
-14 to -20.0 RSRQ (poor)
-3.8 SINR (fair)

So looks like I have a great LTE signal, but something still wrong...?

[RussWestrem]

-3.8 SINR is very bad. And band 26 is a very slow band. have you tried locking to band 41 or 25?

[yobro]

How do I change the band?

[bjames]

After rebooting it looks like my RSSI is excellent (-83), RSRP is fair (-110)

Looking live I have:
-14 to -20.0 RSRQ (poor)
-3.8 SINR (fair)

So looks like I have a great LTE signal, but something still wrong...?

Wrong, the quality of your carrier's signals is everything but great. In fact, they are not usable. With LTE it is best to go by the RSRP. Fair + poor + fair = dial up service at best.

If you intend to use LTE as a source of internet, you should "invest" a little time to research what each of the signal stats mean. There is a lot of information available that will help you to better troubleshoot your issues.

A good set of external antennas would also be a wise consideration.

[yobro]

Does anyone know how to change the band?

[bjames]

The instructions for changing/locking bands are outlined in this tutorial. https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=33

[yobro]

Bands 41 and 25 don’t work any better unfortunately. Any other ideas besides buying more expensive antennae? I’m now back to relying on my poor little hotspot and feel like I’ve wasted my money and time.

[bjames]

Bands 41 and 25 don’t work any better unfortunately.

So you were able to connect to the internet on Band 41?

Any other ideas besides buying more expensive antennae?

It is ALL about signal strength and unless it has somehow improved over the stats that you posted earlier, the same holds true for Fair + poor + fair = dial up service at best.

[yobro]

Not really, 41 was the worst. 25 and 26 are both giving me approx 1mbs. My hotspot does much better in the same location, at least I can stream video and do most things, even if it’s not perfect. With the router setup I can’t do much of anything.

[JimHelms]

If your still having issues you many want to try this updated firmware.

I do not know if it will help your particular problem but it may not hurt to try.

It does contain a number of modem fixes for the Sierra and Quectel modems as well as a few other fixes.