New Service - ASK-NCQ1338FA - Poor 5G Signal

[Alongaks]

Hello,

I recently (last couple days) signed up for 5G home internet service. I am in a south eastern Louisiana area with 5G UW coverage - greater New Orleans region.

The software version of the cube is 222656.

I had good results with connectivity speeds of devices in the house initially. They all were getting the advertised 100Mbps down / 6-8Mbps up.

As of today I was noticing during Teams meetings and just general internet use that connectivity was slow/sluggish. If I ran some online speed tests they came back with ~10Mbps - 50Mbps. The tests were with Ookla, Xfinity, Measurement Lab. All showing the same results.

I was curious to see what the cube signal strength was in the house in various places - all near the exterior walls of the house and near windows or right in front of a window. The current firmware has the signal strength hidden. However, after a little googling I was able to find a way to reveal it. 

In nearly every place I have to place the cube the 5GNR signal is poor, only one maybe 2 bars. The LTE signal is better but averages 3-4 bars.

I also have a Verizon Hot Spot - 5G Orbic Speed. In all the same spots I place the cube with the Orbic next to it, the Orbic gets a much stronger 5G signal. Presumably these are on different radios/service tiers as its odd that the cube is not getting as good or consistent a signal.

I talked to a Verizon support person and they claimed there were 4 5G towers within a mile from my address, nearly encircling my house, but didn't mention if they were for 5G Home Internet service of standard smartphone/hot spot cellular.

The Verizon support person also mentioned to run the speed test from the My Verizon portal online. I did that and the speed results were at the advertised speeds. Though this is an app that Verizon controls and not something that is indicative of a true wireless attached client device to the cube.

I've been using a coax ISP for many years but wanted to get away from them due to recent stability issues.

Is there a way to find out if there are different 5G Home Internet towers/broadcast vs. hotspots/smartphones? Is there a way to find out if my area just doesn't have widespread 5G Home Internet service yet?

[Alongaks · Accepted solution]

Figured out my problem.

TL;DR: There are no Verizon 5GNR broadcasts nearby, or at the least, not physically close enough to provide the proper level of service for clients connected to the cube. Most are on stretches of busy highways and not down into neighborhoods.

I put the cube in the back seat of my car plugged into power. Waited for the connection LED to light up solid white. Put my laptop on the passenger seat, logged into the admin page of the router. Put the network cellular status page up where the LTE and 5GNR signal strength bars are. The signal bars would update ~every 1sec.

Started driving slowly through the neighborhood. LTE signal was average to weak. 5G was poor.

Drove out of the neighborhood to a main stretch highway nearby. LTE got as high as excellent, 5G got up to average ( 3 bars ). I turned onto the highway and managed to pass by an area that had a good (4bars) 5G signal. Pulled over and ran a speed test from a non-Verizon site and the speeds were back to good speeds, though still inconsistent. Averaging about 75Mbps - 100Mbps+ down, 4-6Mbps up.

This actually is pretty consistent with some open source cellular maps of data providers as the locations where supposed 5G connectivity towers/antennas are where the 5G signal on the cube would bounce up some.

Overall the 5G signals for Home Internet in my area, despite being in a fairly urban area, are few and far between for the service to be worth using. Until Verizon updates / expands their 5G Home Internet broadcast service in the area,  unfortunately I will have to request to return the cube and cancel the service.

[vzw_customer_support]

Alongaks, we only want the best for your Home Internet needs and the last thing we want to see is you leaving us. I truly appreciate your efforts but the Home Internet access is based on your address, not the neighborhood as this could definitely be the reason you are not getting the best service. When the device was at your home, what do you experience with the service? 

-Natasha

[vzw_customer_support]

We always want to make sure that you receive the best available service in your area, Alongaks. To better assist and take a closer look at coverage in your area, we'll be sending a Private Note. 

~Izzy