Question

Hi guys,

I am newbe in the 5G/LTE world and RutOS, so I am sorry for stupid questions.

Like this one: Why would TRB500 provide slower download speed in 5G(NSA) mode then in 4G(LTE-A) with the same bands connected?

I am using the internal speed test to compare.

Thank you.

Comments

5G (NSA): 114Mbps/90Mbps

Carrier aggregation:Triple

Connected band:LTE B3 / LTE B1 / LTE B20

Signal strength:-45 (Excellent)

RSRP: -74 (Excellent) / -87 (Good) / -76 (Excellent)

RSRQ: -10 (Excellent) / -12 (Good) / -14 (Good)

SINR: 14 (Good) / 18 (Good)

4G(LTE-A): 150Mbs/100Mbps

Carrier aggregation:Triple

Connected band: LTE B3 / LTE B1 / LTE B20

Signal strength: -49 (Excellent)

RSRP: -77 (Excellent) / -84 (Good) / -76 (Excellent)

RSRQ: -10 (Excellent) / -7 (Excellent) / -9 (Excellent)

SINR: 12 (Fair to poor) / 13 (Fair to poor) / 5 (Fair to poor)

Answer 1

Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe your using LTE bands on both if those situations, difference being one tower supports 5G NSA while the other doesn't. When using 5G bands it should also appear as N3 N1 N20 etc etc not B3 etc

Comments

Hi, my carrier supports both LTE-A and 5G NSA, but I get better transfer rates with the LTE-A, I would expect better rates with the 5G mode. Not sure about the bands branding, I have it like this since I bought the unit. Did update the FW to the latest version but it is still the same.

Answer 2

Hello,

  

I will ask you to update the firmware to v7.4.3, leave the device in 4G mode, navigate to System → Administration → Troubleshoot and generate another troubleshoot file. This test should be repeated when the device is in 5G mode, and another troubleshoot file generated.

Both files can be attached to the original question and will only be visible to Teltonika moderators. It will provide some more information on your connection and what the issue could be.

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG

Comments

Hi,

I have attached the troubleshoot files, one for each mode.

I hope I did it right, just press the "Download" button next to the "Troubleshoot file", right?

Thank you.

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Hello,

  

It seems like both of the files were generated when the router was in LTE mode. Was the 5G LED illuminated?

The issue might be operator-related. As T-Mobile uses DSS (Dynamic Spectrum Sharing) it might be related to the speed drop you are experiencing. However, I'm not too familiar with this technology, and thus cannot comment on it much.

If you know that there is a 5G cell nearby (which can be checked on Cellmapper), you could try investing in a directional antenna. This might help you get better 5G coverage. More information and recommendations about third-party antennas can be found here.

Let me know if any additional information is needed!

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG

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Hi,

I will check the 5G led on the unit itself, i have changed the brand remotely so far.

Does it light up even for the 5G NSA? 

My mobile phone does say 5G :)

In 4G Only the Status -> Nework -> Mobile says: 

Data connection state	Connected
Network type	4G+ (LTE-A)

In 4G+5G the Status -> Nework -> Mobile says:

Data connection state	Connected
Network type	5G (NSA)

I have two TM cells nearby:

 GSM (5064,5065,5066)
 LTE 800 (800331:11,12,13)
 LTE 1800 (800331:21,22,23)
 LTE 2100 (800331:111,112,113)

 GSM (5244,5245,5246)
 LTE 800 (800691:11,12,13)
 LTE 1800 (800691:21,22,23)

---

Could you try running a speed test, and using CLI (while the speed test is running), run the command:

gsmctl -A 'AT+QCAINFO'

And post the output.

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG

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5G (NSA)

root@Teltonika-TRB500:~# gsmctl -A 'AT+QCAINFO'

+QCAINFO: "PCC",1579,100,"LTE BAND 3",1,32,-76,-9,-47,14

+QCAINFO: "SCC",500,100,"LTE BAND 1",2,201,-84,-8,-55,17

+QCAINFO: "SCC",6200,50,"LTE BAND 20",2,277,-75,-11,-48,3

root@Teltonika-TRB500:~# gsmctl -A 'AT+QCAINFO'

+QCAINFO: "PCC",1579,100,"LTE BAND 3",1,32,-76,-8,-43,13

+QCAINFO: "SCC",500,100,"LTE BAND 1",2,201,-85,-7,-57,16

+QCAINFO: "SCC",6200,50,"LTE BAND 20",2,277,-76,-13,-44,1

root@Teltonika-TRB500:~# gsmctl -A 'AT+QCAINFO'

+QCAINFO: "PCC",1579,100,"LTE BAND 3",1,32,-76,-9,-46,12

+QCAINFO: "SCC",500,100,"LTE BAND 1",1,201,-87,-7,-70,14

+QCAINFO: "SCC",6200,50,"LTE BAND 20",1,277,-77,-10,-57,1

---

So in this case it seems like the device is not actually connecting to 5G bands. The network is only providing the ability for the device to connect, however, the signal may be too weak, and the device is only using 4G bands.

What kind of speeds are you achieving on your phone?

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG

---

I think this is the point of 5G NSA to use the LTE bands, or not?

But the question was, why, even if using the same bands, the 5G is like 30% slower on download speed, then the LTE-A?

Normally I would expect at least the same speeds.

My mobile phone gives me 5G: 126/87, LTE: 131/35.

---

As the issue replicates on the mobile phone, this is most likely just the way operator handles the 5G NSA connections.

I think this is the point of 5G NSA to use the LTE bands, or not?

In 5G NSA architecture, 5G bands are only used to transfer data, other than 5G transmitters, basically all other infrastructure is from 4G LTE networks. However, in your case, the operator reports that you are connected to 5G NSA, but as you are not utilizing any of the 5G bands, there is no benefit to using 5G (at least until the operator builds out their infrastructure closer to you). It could be that additional traffic overhead is what causes the reduced speeds in the NSA operation.

As mentioned, you could try investing in a directional antenna, or simply placing the router closer to a window or a spot with a direct view of the cell tower. Other than that, there is not much that can be done from the CPE perspective.

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG

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OK, thank you for your time, I will ask TM about that.

---

Great, let us know what they have to say.

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG

---

Hi,

based on the carrier support, there is maybe something wrong with their 5G antenna.

They are going to check it and replace if needed, but it will take a while.

Thank you.

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Glad to hear that!

  

Best regards,
DaumantasG