any congregation using 4G router?

[Meditate!]

Hi all..

 

Most of our problems are probably specific to UK but not all.

 

We are struggling at our meetings, on occasion, to use our  local broadband internet supply for both conferencing and downloading media for our meetings. We are using the recommended supplier but that is not the problem. The supply 'too' our hall is not up to date and not on 'Open Reach's (the infrastructure company) list to do anything about it in the known future. We often have download speeds of  < 1-2mb and upload testing often fails to even complete the test. Virgin (an independent cable supplier) does not operate past our KH either. We can have Ethernet piped in (£350 pm!!!!) but it is not an option.

 

So we thought perhaps to investigate 4G routers. We do not know our Data consumption so I thought it advisable to ask if anyone is using this type of solution in their congregations. Speaking to the recommended supplier many congregations in London area have similarly poor broadband infrastructure too and 'some' are using 4G as backup.

 

We have three congregations at our hall. some of the brothers will be updating their JW app media etc so it is not just what the sound desk is downloading in our consideration. I'm not asking for definitive figures... ball park experiences, will do. However with the multitude of counsellors, we might get somewhere.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

I did receive a letter from someone recommending a router for our halls.
From memory, there are 2 aspects that need to be addressed when selecting a router.
1 is speed. Most new routers will be fast, so no problem there (don't buy 2nd hand unless you know the specs)
2 is 'bandwidth'. This is where KH routers fail. They are set up for homes or businesses with 5 or so devices. At our halls, maybe 50 to 100 may want to connect. So you see the problem. The router must be specially selected for high speed and HIGH USER CONNECTIONS.
If you want more info, let me know, and I will go look for that letter. It might be out of date with the model numbers, but you may be able to find the latest equivalent.

Older {waiting for wiser}

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

Sorry, I did misread your question.
You are asking about cell tower connections... The above does not apply.
What may help, is have the sound desk hard-wired with Cat 6 cable. The congregation usually connects via Wi-Fi. On the router there is often a switch to disable the Wi-Fi. This allows the sound desk full access.
Hope this tip works...

Older {waiting for wiser}

[Meditate!]

4 minutes ago, TonyWenz said:

Sorry, I did misread your question.
You are asking about cell tower connections... The above does not apply.
What may help, is have the sound desk hard-wired with Cat 6 cable. The congregation usually connects via Wi-Fi. On the router there is often a switch to disable the Wi-Fi. This allows the sound desk full access.
Hope this tip works...

Older {waiting for wiser}
 

Thanks for taking the time to reply Tony

 

The sound desk is connected by Cat6 from our router (as you mention) To help we turn off Wifi in the hall during the meetings to save on bandwidth available.

 

The 4G type routers have a USB dongle with  (for all intents and purposes) a 4G sim in it. This would be our broadband connection.. Anything that needs Cat 6 would still be able to be connected that way and possibly leave the wifi on too most of the time. The 4G suppliers claim anything 'up to' 150mbs... probably more like 10-20mbs in actual practice but more than what we have presently.

 

Just wanted to know if anyone has used this in practice..

 

Thanks again.

[➕👇 ꓤꓱꓷꓠꓵ🎵Tone]

Looks like you have the optimal setup for your sound desk. Your Internet provider looks to be letting you down. 'Upto xxx speed' really isn't worth the electrons it's written on.
We have the same problem here in Oz with our NBN (National (optical) Broadband Network), a nationwide rollout. Lots of promises with very little guaranteed 'minimum' quality of service. Plenty of 'upto' promises...
Hope you get a solution. Cheers

Older {waiting for wiser}

[Jwdadsc4]

Hi Alan did a little research, the netgear nighthawk looks promising

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-mobile-hotspots-for-3g-and-4g

[Meditate!]

1 hour ago, Jwdadsc4 said:

Hi Alan did a little research, the netgear nighthawk looks promising

https://www.techradar.com/news/best-mobile-hotspots-for-3g-and-4g

Thanks Jwdadsc4

 

Interesting review. We're really looking for a router with 4G ability and more importantly anyone who is using one in their congregation. Performance and any data usage stats would be useful too. UK preferably. 

 

Appreciate the time you've spent on this.