Spark 4G fixed wireless bb - dropouts / spikes / ... ?

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DS248

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#302863 29-Dec-2022 15:13

We have been on Spark Wireless (Everyday Wireless plan) for around 6 days.

We have clear line of sight from upstairs to a Spark tower 500m away across a valley, in a semi-rural area (view from upstairs window in photo below. with tower circled). Not using an external antenna. Currently modem is downstairs (to hook into house network switches, etc). In the downstairs location, the modem is behind a window and there are several trees blocking the view of the tower.

Average around 50-60Mbps up and down, though down is highly variable. Only once saw > 100Mbps (at midnight). Speed tests done over ethernet.

We have a few internet connectivity issues. Sometimes the internet cuts out for 5 to 10 minutes, seemingly randomly.

It also frequently cuts out for 10 or so seconds at random. E.g. at the circled point below, it froze for about 10 seconds and then resumed later, at a lower speed. Then the upload test failed ("0.00" Mbps).

Speed tests also sometimes completely fail part way through (I guess if the cut out lasts a bit longer), e.g:

We did not have these issues with the (marginal) VDSL we switched from.

Is this typical for Spark Wireless (seems unlikely), or could there be an issue with the modem?

==
Could we expect an increase in speed and/or stability by using a directional external antenna located high up with clear view of the Spark tower?

At time of ordering, Spark rated our location as 'Excellent' for fixed wireless.

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#3015117 29-Dec-2022 15:18

An external antenna is always worthwhile, although I'm curious if you'd mind sharing your exact location via DMs? I can't really tell from your picture but that seems like an odd spot for a tower to be, usually they pick the highest point possible for best coverage, rather than down in a dip. I've got a feeling that might not be a cell tower at all, I'd like to compare where you are on a map to where the local towers are.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

michaelmurfy

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#3015118 29-Dec-2022 15:22

It does seem that the Spark Smart Modem drops it's connection every now and then. I've heard this from a few people in recent days.

@ShaneKNZ Not sure if you know about this but could be one to follow up.

Just note also most of the Spark peeps are on their Christmas holidays so likely won't be able to investigate until mid January. If you believe there is a fault then I'd recommend giving them a call and logging one.

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DS248

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#3015119 29-Dec-2022 15:28

toejam316:

An external antenna is always worthwhile, although I'm curious if you'd mind sharing your exact location via DMs? I can't really tell from your picture but that seems like an odd spot for a tower to be, usually they pick the highest point possible for best coverage, rather than down in a dip. I've got a feeling that might not be a cell tower at all, I'd like to compare where you are on a map to where the local towers are.

Definitely a cell tower. Not in 'a dip' but on a ridge half way up a hill. Will DM location.

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#3015122 29-Dec-2022 15:33

School holidays and more usres online maybe maxing out the cell capacity

DS248

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#3015124 29-Dec-2022 15:39

Linux: School holidays and more usres online maybe maxing out the cell capacity

This is a sparsely populated area (formerly but no longer, SH1). Very few school age or younger children, and very few holiday makers in the area.

toejam316

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#3015142 29-Dec-2022 17:18

Had a look, can confirm that's a Spark tower now with 750MHz and 850MHz licenses, so I'm guessing possibly just an issue with the router dropping the connection. How have you noticed a pattern to the frequency of the drops? Have to tried raising a ticket to Spark directly regarding them?

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

DS248

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#3015162 29-Dec-2022 19:03

toejam316:

Had a look, can confirm that's a Spark tower now with 750MHz and 850MHz licenses, so I'm guessing possibly just an issue with the router dropping the connection. How have you noticed a pattern to the frequency of the drops? Have to tried raising a ticket to Spark directly regarding them?

750MHz (or 700MHz) ...?

Edit: Regardless, I take it that it's B28?

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toejam316

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#3015164 29-Dec-2022 19:11

My bad, yeah, 700MHz.

Anything I say is the ramblings of an ill informed, opinionated so-and-so, and not representative of any of my past, present or future employers, and is also probably best disregarded.

coffeebaron

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#3015188 29-Dec-2022 21:17

If only 700, maybe congestion. There may be further away users eating into capacity.

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#3015192 29-Dec-2022 21:41

I have had two connections installed simultaneously due to living rural. Our Spark Wireless 4G - DL can be as fast as 120mbps and UL 50-80mbps. Despite good signal strength, it is extremely unreliable and I have recently disconnect this service.

I am now solely on Vodafone network. Speed varies 30-90mbps for DL and UL 15-25mbps. It is much much much more stable and I hardly experience any disconnection.

DS248

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#3015209 30-Dec-2022 00:30

According to the cell map for the tower (https://www.cellmapper.net/), there is only a tiny amount of urban included in the cell coverage. However, I guess actual coverage is greater that indicated in those maps?

FWIW, max signal strength is -64 dBm (not great?) and bandwidth is 20 MHz.

Nearest Vodafone tower is 2.6 km from our house (vs 0.5km for the Spark tower). Has a smaller bandwidth (15 MHz), only slightly stronger max signal (-67 dBm), serves a lot more urban area, and I doubt it is line of sight (hill halfway between). Vodafone reception in the house on my phone varies from 3G to 4G+.

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#3015213 30-Dec-2022 07:19

Approx what location?

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DS248

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#3015230 30-Dec-2022 09:20

Tower location is 865 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Hatfields Beach, Auckland (Location ID 35876 ? At least, that is the number in "New_Zealand_Cellphone_Towers_.csv")

Coordinates -36.55483, 174.69830

DS248

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#3015231 30-Dec-2022 09:23

The only nearby urban area (Hatfields Beach, 1.3km+ from the tower) is better served by other towers.

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#3015240 30-Dec-2022 10:00

Do you have a view of the water? It could be jumping to other cell sites, e.g., if you're in range for higher frequencies etc. Also beach goers, boaties etc. All adds to the load.

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