Skinny 5G Broadband dropping out in heavy rain

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openmedia

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#323704 4-Jan-2026 18:54

My daughter has the Skinny 5G setup to save on costs, but she's finding a lot of problems when there is particularly heavy weather. She doesn't have a TV aerial so all content is streamed and even the basic Freeview streams struggle when she's got bad weather.

Any guidance on what we should check on her router. Right now full fibre is out of her budget, even the 5G setup is a bit of a stretch pricewise.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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2degrees

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#3449704 4-Jan-2026 19:05

When I had to use Skinny WBB years ago while waiting for fibre install, moving the modem close to a window made a big big difference.

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#3449708 4-Jan-2026 19:22

@openmedia does she have access to fibre? I suspect it is dropping out when raining as everyone else is online and smashing the local serving cell

The ' router does not have a ' rain ' option to check in settings

Fibre can't be out of the budget as carriers offer unlimited fibre for $60 a month including GST and even cheaper again if they have access to a Gold card and Pay monthly mobile $55 a month including GST on 2degrees fibre

edit: Fibre starter $65 a month including GST

Have you not seen the Chorus Ads on TV?

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#3449714 4-Jan-2026 19:32

Does she also have a community services card and have you thrown her address into Vetta's Local Link up?

https://www.vetta.online/local-linkup/#lookup

Tagging @saf.

Also minor edit... is FWA actually fit for purpose?

Average 66mbps on 4G/LTE is pretty bold.

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RunningMan

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#3449730 4-Jan-2026 20:32

Splitting hairs, but is it 5G or 4G? That aside, moving the modem to a few different areas around the house might get an improvement. By a window will be better, but try different sides of the house to see if it connects at a different rate. Run a couple of speedtests after each move to see where is best.

Which modem is she using? Most of the older ones can add an external antenna or 2, but the current Futura you can't.

hio77

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#3449731 4-Jan-2026 20:38

MaxineN:

Also minor edit... is FWA actually fit for purpose?

Average 66mbps on 4G/LTE is pretty bold.

would not surprise me if they have been forced to weight it to real world for sites that are single carrier.

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openmedia

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#3449840 5-Jan-2026 09:46

Linux:

@openmedia does she have access to fibre? I suspect it is dropping out when raining as everyone else is online and smashing the local serving cell

The ' router does not have a ' rain ' option to check in settings

Fibre can't be out of the budget as carriers offer unlimited fibre for $60 a month including GST and even cheaper again if they have access to a Gold card and Pay monthly mobile $55 a month including GST on 2degrees fibre

edit: Fibre starter $65 a month including GST

Have you not seen the Chorus Ads on TV?

Young mum with 3 kids - she doesn't have an extra $25/month to move up to fibre.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#3449885 5-Jan-2026 11:36

@openmedia that is a pity she may just have to put up with congestion on rainy days and when everyone is online trying to stream

Is the modem actually connected 4G or 5G?

boosacnoodle

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#3449890 5-Jan-2026 11:49

Skinny doesn't appear to offer 5G broadband - their router doesn't support it, and their offer summary doesn't mention it. It may be that she is using 4G, which won't be remotely similar in terms of performance.

You haven't shared any Speedtests with us but this may help somewhat with troubleshooting.

You could also try logging a fault with Skinny, but they may well tell you that it's just expected.

nztim

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#3449990 5-Jan-2026 14:50

If she is a single mum with three kids then she should have a community services card and sign up to local linkup when applications re open

As for now, maybe get a Tv antenna if the local towers are overloaded

Any views expressed on these forums are my own and don't necessarily reflect those of my employer.

quickymart

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#3450327 6-Jan-2026 11:44

openmedia:

Young mum with 3 kids - she doesn't have an extra $25/month to move up to fibre.

Any chance Dad could contribute towards her getting a better connection? 😊

openmedia

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#3450347 6-Jan-2026 13:06

quickymart:

openmedia:

Young mum with 3 kids - she doesn't have an extra $25/month to move up to fibre.

Any chance Dad could contribute towards her getting a better connection? 😊

Ah the joys of an "independent" daughter. Also she's just re-signed for 12 months with Skinny.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#3450352 6-Jan-2026 13:10

@openmedia Have you actualy confirmed yet if the modem is connecting to 4G or 5G?

openmedia

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#3450400 6-Jan-2026 16:19

Linux:

@openmedia Have you actualy confirmed yet if the modem is connecting to 4G or 5G?

Afraid She's off camping at present.

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

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#3450402 6-Jan-2026 16:25

openmedia:

Linux:

@openmedia Have you actualy confirmed yet if the modem is connecting to 4G or 5G?

Afraid She's off camping at present.

@openmedia @quickymart really?

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#3450412 6-Jan-2026 16:51

Yeah the reception is really that bad they only make 111 emergency calls at present...

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