FTTC “Fibre Halo 3+” problems

[Interested-one]

I am currently on a FTTC “Fibre Halo 3+” package, Smart Hub 2, Complete Wi-Fi and Hybrid Connect. I have two issues that I hope that you can help me with please :-

1. 

I believed for the last couple of months that my Broadband had kept losing connection. However, having done further research, I now believe that it is actually my three black mini-disks that keep losing connection to the hub, rebooting and then re-establishing their connection. This happens repeatedly but intermittently. On searching these community forums, I note that other users have experienced this issue recently, apparently because of defective firmware. What is the current situation with this issue please ? Is there a fix that I can apply myself ? Or do I need to seek technical help from a BT engineer ?

2. 

The deficient EE signal in my area means that my Hybrid Connect has never been set up properly. If I place the HC in the front of the house and connect it to the Hub by wi-fi or by ethernet cable, it has one bar of 4G and shows on the app as having a Weak signal. If I move the HC to the rear of the house, when it is connected to the Hub via wi-fi, I get a second bar of 4G and the app recognises it as having a Good signal. However, the HC itself then shows orange circles, there by indicating that it is too far from the Hub. There is no place in which I can get two bars of 4G and be close enough to the Hub. Hence, I need to know if I am better having a Weak signal close the Hub or a Good signal but too far from the Hub ?

Thanks in anticipation. 

[Les-Gibson]

I remain unconvinced about the logic behind Hybrid Connect.

Obviously Wi-Fi calling exists to overcome problems with poor mobile reception so what do we do, we utilise a signal which is not good enough to make a voice call on as a fallback for a data connection.

Whoever came up with that bright idea must be laughing all the way to the bank 

[-Richie-]

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@Interested-onewrote:

I am currently on a FTTC “Fibre Halo 3+” package, Smart Hub 2, Complete Wi-Fi and Hybrid Connect. I have two issues that I hope that you can help me with please

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As part of your Halo benefits you can request a free engineer to optimise the location of your Wi-Fi discs and the Hyrbrid Connect, that would be my recomendation and saves you the hassle of doing it yourself.

[-Richie-]

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@Les-Gibsonwrote:

I remain unconvinced about the logic behind Hybrid Connect.

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Having used one when needed I'd disagree, when the external joint failed my options were no internet or the Hybrid Connect, It wasn't as fast as my FTTC but it worked well enough to stream and keep the kids happy until OR repaired my fixed line BB, obviously it will vary by location, I'm fortunate that I have really good 4G where I live.

[gg30340]

It does say in the blurb regarding Halo 3 that it is dependent on a good EE 4g signal so I guess it would be prudent to check what the signal is like at your location before deciding whether or not to order it although some people may think the other "benefits" of the package are worth having. 

[Interested-one]

Thank you for those thoughts and comments - all of you are very helpful.

As far as the three black mini-disks are concerned, I do not believe that they need repositioning. They actually worked very efficiently for over a year before they started this routine of losing connection to the hub, rebooting and then re-establishing their connection. Elsewhere in these forums, others who have experienced this issue recently have attributed it to defective firmware. What is the current situation with this issue please ? Is there a fix that I can apply myself ? Or do I need to seek technical help from a BT engineer ?

I was aware of the deficient EE signal in my area before taking on the Hybrid Connect. However, it was part of a package, so I decoded to take it and to try to make the best of it. Hence, I need to know if I am better having a Weak signal close the Hub or a Good signal but too far from the Hub ?

Many thanks in anticipation.

[gg30340]

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@Interested-one wrote:

 I need to know if I am better having a Weak signal close the Hub or a Good signal but too far from the Hub ?

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As regards your question above, I think you would need to "suck it and see" as in try it in each position to see which works best.

As it needs a good 4g signal to work I would suspect that the stronger 4g signal would be the better option but as I have said, you would need to try it and see. 

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

If this type of fall back is important to you, then there are some fairly basic things you can do to get the best out of it.

1. Before you buy Halo 3+, don't believe the EE speed checker (or any other), use an EE sim (or buy a 1p Mobile SIM which uses the EE network), in an unlocked device to get a better understanding of real world signal strength and speeds around your property
2. If you decide to go ahead and get Halo 3+ (or if you already have it), then take a look at the Cellmapper website to locate the EE mast serving your location
3. Buy an external 4G aerial such as the Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0001 Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE and mount it outside your property. Here is a good video on the type of mounting/aerial and the benefits of doing so

Of course, if you are prepared to do the above to get the best outcome, you may find that you are better served going the whole hog and removing BT Halo 3+ from the equation, especially as you may find a different network gives you much better speed as a back up (Vodafone in my case). After the initial expense, it will save you money in the long run.

In some cases, with BT quoting me currently £33 per month to "upgrade" to Halo 3+, it's cheaper for me to get a second broadband line installed and have that as  back up!