I have a Max BR1 Mini on a Verizon LTE SIM and my download speeds are significantly lower than upload speeds. I’m using band 4 (1700/2100 Mhz) because it out performed the other bands during speed tests. Is there any way to balance them out? And are there any best practices to optimize/configure the router to get better speeds?
Router FW 8.2.1s133 build 4941
Antenna: Poynting A-XPOL-0002-V3-12 (Unidirectional 2X2 MIMO)
RSSI -50 dbm
RSRP -85 dbm
RSRQ -16 db
SINR 3.6 db
Test 1
9.61 Down
25.69 Up
Test 2
5.27 Down
24.92 Up
Thanks
Hi @Alan_Brown . First recommendation : Update your router’s firmware. There is no reason not to do this. And, then update the modem firmware. (If you are not certain how to do that let us know – someone will point you in the right direction. It’s also been discussed here on the Forum.)
Your antenna is a good one but you may note that although the RSSI is good, this is not the best measure of “signal.” Your SINR, which essentially means signal-noise ratio [its’ a bit more complicated than that …], is not particularly good at all. I wonder if it is possible to reposition the antenna? and, perhaps a more basic question – do you really need a directional antenna in your location?
You did the right thing by testing performance using various bands (many folks don’t do that.) But take note that band assignments are done by the carrier and are not for the users’ convenience or to maximize throughput. I think your best option is to periodically test the various bands and take a look at he results. You may find a combination where the download freqs are not so congested.
Finally, you don’t indicate whether this is a LTE or LTEA version of the Mini. If it’s an LTE you may wish to upgrade to a LTEA version of Cat 6-7 or higher.
As @Rick-DC says, lots of signal (RSSI) but the reference signal levels (RSRP) are much lower strength.
This happens when the tower is very busy. A busy tower is typically busier on its download than upload paths and that likely explains what you are seeing.
Try running a speed test very early in the morning or overnight and see if you find more download bandwidth when the tower is less busy to verify this theory.
Hi Rick, thanks for the info. It is a LTEA version. The antenna was a recommendation by the reseller. I can try the original one along with other bands and frequencies. Can the FW upgrade be done remotely through InControl2? Thanks again.
Thanks Martin. I plan on adding other bands and frequency options to the router. What’s the best way to do the speed test remotely? Thanks
Yes, the FW can be accomplished via IC2. If you have a Mini HW1-2 you can go to 8.3.0; if it is a HW3 then you may go to 8.4.0. If that’s not easy you can always go to “Remote Web Admin” in IC2 and that will put you at the main GUI log-in page of your router and you can go from there.
As to the antenna, I do not mean to suggest the decision to go with that model was wrong. But I will tell you often “some experimentation is required.” As Martin astutely observes, the site with which you are communicating appears to be “download limited.” Carriers apportion their up/down bandwidth in the spectrum available, by band. Sometimes this decision is not optimal. And, indeed, it may change over time.
Thank you for this insight. I have upgraded the FW to 8.4.0 We plan on returning to the site to relocate the antenna. Its current position on the building is not really facing the closest populated area. We hope by relocating it and facing it toward the closest city (roughly 2-3 miles to the North) we will see better quality signals. Fortunately this deployment is for a cloud streaming device so the download speed isn’t as critical as the upload is. It may be a trial and error approach we just want it to operate at the highest level possible. Thank you again.
Just one more thing… In general, omni antennas are preferred to directional ones – so long as the signal metrics are good. And, many of us have seen situations where the OEM “rabbit ears” worked just fine and performed as well (or better) than directional antennas. Good luck with the fiddling – you may be well rewarded.