4G Signal strength - Huawei B681S-65D v. Spark Smart Modem 2?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › 4G Signal strength - Huawei B681S-65D v. Spark Smart Modem 2?

AndyT

166 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#306284 10-Jul-2023 15:52

I'm keen to eek the best 4G signal possible from the Spark mast which is about 2km away across the fields in rural North Canterbury.

I currently have a Huawei B681S-65D that has done pretty well for the last three years or so, but is now prone to drop the signal at random times at least weekly and so I'm thinking about changing it for the Spark Smart Modem 2. The Huawei is stripped of all functionality other than its modem, the signal then feeding into a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter / Unifi switch and wireless access point network, and the Smart Modem would be likewise configured. All is good and I can get 100Mb DL out of peak times and approx 50 Mb during peak with good SNR and signal quality, so pretty good. Probably would not be cost/performance beneficial to go for external antennas in the circumstances.

In that context, is there experience or a view out there on whether the Spark Smart Modem 2 gives a reliable and better 4G signal than the Huawei, all other things being equal?

Thanks & regards.

Rgds Andy T

AndyT

166 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#3243475 1-Jun-2024 08:59

Re-posted ...as no replies to my posting 10/07/23, but I'm still interested in the GZ community views given that the Huawei keeps crapping out, and did so again this morning at some random early hour, and I'm on the threshold of grabbing a Smart Modem 2 today.

Essentially the question is: can I expect a Spark Smart Modem 2 to provide a more reliable and stronger 4G signal than the Huawei B681S-65D, all other things being equal?

Thanks & regards.

Rgds Andy T

quickymart

14940 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 13953

ID Verified

#3243480 1-Jun-2024 09:10

Can you get fibre where you are instead? What location/area are you in?

AndyT

166 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#3243485 1-Jun-2024 09:27

No fibre out here in rural North Canterbury I'm afraid!

The wireless broadband is OK providing it's up, running and stable .... but that's the crux of the issue and I'm just wondering if the Smart Modem 2 will improve things?

Rgds Andy T

Spyware

3818 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1366

Lifetime subscriber

#3243487 1-Jun-2024 09:40

AndyT:

Probably would not be cost/performance beneficial to go for external antennas in the circumstances.

Logically if you want better performance an external antenna would be first thing to try. And in what circumstance??, that you simply want a simple solution, i.e., a modem swap.

Spark Max Fibre using Mikrotik CCR1009-8G-1S-1S+, CRS125-24G-1S, Unifi UAP, U6-Pro, UAP-AC-M-Pro, Apple TV 4K (2022), Apple TV 4K (2017), iPad Air 1st gen, iPad Air 4th gen, iPhone 13, SkyNZ3151 (the white box). If it doesn't move then it's data cabled.

AndyT

166 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#3243856 2-Jun-2024 21:08

Many thanks Spyware.

Spot on logically, but with the Huawei crapping out regularly I wanted to get a modem sorted first, then assess the cost / benefit of going for external antennas. I'm not too far from the local Spark tower, about 1.5Km across open fields, and get a pretty good signal compare with some folks, but always keen to squeeze the max out of the system.

The good folks at Gowifi (which is just up the road from me) thought the signal increase of an external antenna (at c.$400 incl coax etc) less the attenuation before I can get the signal to the internal Spark router would probably not make the exercise truly worthwhile, so I'm keen to get the best out of the modem itself.

Anyhow, grabbed a Spark Modem 2 yesterday, but need to ask a question re bridge mode on 4G LTE - I'll post separately on that.

Thanks regards.

Rgds Andy T