T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment

[NollipfSense]

So, according to the device, I have very GOOD connection yet I am getting an average of 20MB per second download speed and 15MB upload...their latest appears no better than DSL. T-Mobile advertisement claimed 33 - 189Mb; so, I asked them whether that's a gimmick!

[stephenw10]

That's 20 MegaBytes per second? So 160Mbps? Is it using 4G? That device appears capable of 4G and 5G.

[chpalmer]

Cellular is only as fast as the backhaul to the tower you are connected to.. minus the data that others are using off the same tower.

Truthfully usually with any cell modem the weak point is the transmitter in your device. Make sure you have your modem device away from other electronics as much as you can and give it as clear a view as possible to your local T-Mo tower. Your receiver could be picking up noise from other items and/or the tower could be having issues receiving you.

[rcoleman-netgate]

@nollipfsense said in T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment:

T-Mobile advertisement claimed 33 - 189MB; so, I asked them whether that's a gimmick!

I believe you are conflating Mbps with MB/sec here... but getting 67% of rated speed on something as unreliable as radio-based communications is normal.

Take the device somewhere else and try it there. Also wISPs often have zero idea what speed you will get where you are.

[NollipfSense]

@stephenw10 said in T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment:

That's 20 MegaBytes per second? So 160Mbps? Is it using 4G? That device appears capable of 4G and 5G.

20Mbps, sorry, and it's using 5G...

[NollipfSense]

@chpalmer said in T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment:

Make sure you have your modem device away from other electronics as much as you can and give it as clear a view as possible to your local T-Mo tower. Your receiver could be picking up noise from other items and/or the tower could be having issues receiving you.

It's almost impossible based on how things are arranged...I have a free-over-the-air antenna (TV) and a Apple extreme close by...all computers close by are wired. Came to the conclusion that these 5G device must be capable of easily attaching an external antenna just like the 1950's for TV.

[NollipfSense]

@rcoleman-netgate said in T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment:

I believe you are conflating Mbps with MB/sec here...

Yes, I did, unintentionally...it got this button on the device where one can press to see a graphical presentation of connection strength...right now, it's stating good; however most of the time its very good.

[rcoleman-netgate]

@nollipfsense Good here is relative. I'd be curious of it's RSSI values but I've been out of the cellular data signal monitoring world for too long (5yr) so I don't know what should be good, bad, or excellent in the 5G spectrums.

[chpalmer]

@nollipfsense said in T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment:

@chpalmer said in T-Mobile's Fast 5688W - Disappointment:
these 5G device must be capable of easily attaching an external antenna just like the 1950's for TV.

Yes you can buy a kit that allows attaching an outside antenna..

No it isnt "easy" but requires opening the case.
https://www.amazon.com/Panel-External-Antenna-Hotspots-Routers/dp/B09VVSWF8F

Or Google 5688W External Antenna..

[chpalmer]

@nollipfsense

We use a combination of products from various manufacturers to get our many remote buildings. Outside antenna properly aimed (when we use directionals) always trumps the inside antennas that come with the device.

[NollipfSense]

@chpalmer Wished I could but at approx $400 plus taxes for a temporary service, I'll have to pass. T-Mobile support suggested to try the Arcadyan box and I am waiting to receive it. The Fast 5688W appears to be designed around offering the WIFI 6...got better speed but that bypass my robust firewall so, no way.