In reply to a post by Gelphyn:

The quality was excellent compared to earlier calls with noise and other distractions.

You can disable WiFi calling on your iPhone in Settings -> mobile data -> WiFi Calling ---- Turn the slider to Off.

When you look at the network name it should now show "EE" and not "EE WiFiCall".

The same works with Vodafone, Three, VirginMediaO2 and some of the virtual networks.

Sincere thanks to all who have contributed so far. It is very much appreciated.

The original post contained the following:

Mobile Router suppliers seem reluctant to suggest compatible and suitable products to use with their kit.
In particular, this applies to External Aerials.

I was hoping for responses from those who have deployed External Aerials, hopefully with suggestions as to what, how and why or why they may not improve signal reception. Speed is not seen as an issue in this case.
Ideas on how much expenditure will improve signal stability by a measurable amount would be most helpful.
My understanding is that two aerials will be required, and it may be necessary for them to be 3M apart.
My house is on slightly raised land that slopes down to the mast, with a few rows of houses in between.
This is doable using the end wall of my end-of-terrace house, mounted on long poles. They may have a line of sight with the top of the mast about two hundred metres away.

If the iPhone camera remote, fired by my watch, triggers the phone when mounted on a long selfie-style pole, it may capture the view needed when atop a long ladder.
If the camera idea is a non-starter, it may be possible to measure signal strength from one aerial position at a time. Info on the kit to use will be most welcome, as will any alternative ideas 😎.

Typing this has given me food for thought, e.g., do I really want to put in a lot of effort and dump a pile of dosh on a project that may not show significant improvement? But, on the other hand, the speed is being achieved at a reasonable cost and is probably more than my needs.
Input on low-cost signal measurement to better assess the situation will be very welcome.

In reply to a post by Gelphyn:

My understanding is that two aerials will be required, and it may be necessary for them to be 3M apart.

Most people fit a single physical panel that has multiple antennas within the panel for diversity. Separate panels 3 metres apart sounds interesting, and I wonder for which frequency band that is optimal? the networks can deploy 4G or 5G on ANY of their Ofcom licensed bands, ranging from 700 MHz through to 3.5 GHz and different by network.

Perhaps talk to the experts at Solwise whom have in the past had a reputation for good external antenna expertise, and have a look at websites such as www.pedroc.co.uk specificially this page:
https://www.pedroc.co.uk/content/uk-commercial-mobil...

Use the site cellmapper to see if you can locate your local transmitter mast for your chosen network (EE, Vodafone, VirginMediaO2, or Three) and if you have an Android phone you can contribute to the map. (iPhones cannot).

Note that all phones "antenna bars" are usually showing the signal of the frequency the phone is 'camping' (relaxed) on. When active, the phone may switch to a totally different frequency. Active can be data, or voice. (4G and 5G voice IS actually data).

Good luck.

Mobile Router suppliers seem reluctant to suggest compatible and suitable products to use with their kit.
In particular, this applies to External Aerials.

We avoid external aerials due to the 'delicate' nature of the connection. Instead we use IAD's, waterproof routers which we mount outside and run a network cable.

Currently we have a number of MikroTik's devices which are excellent (although still limited to LTE)

We also have a couple of these on trial for 5G

https://business.ee.co.uk/mobile-broadband/5gee-outd...

Great performance if a little 'simple' compared to RouterOS

John

In reply to a post by john_32:

Currently we have a number of MikroTik's devices which are excellent (although still limited to LTE)

Have MicroTik yet produced an LTE module that is better than Category 4 ?

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by john_32:

Currently we have a number of MikroTik's devices which are excellent (although still limited to LTE)

Have MicroTik yet produced an LTE module that is better than Category 4 ?

CAT6, we tend to use the SXT as it has dual sim

https://mikrotik.com/product/sxt_lte6_kit

John

In reply to a post by john_32:

CAT6, we tend to use the SXT as it has dual sim

Shame its not more, as the networks roll out more and more spectrum with DSS sharing with 5G/NR the higher CAT devices perform better. At least its 6, which I think in 2023 is very much the lowest.

It appears the fixed installation market has a poor selection of modems

For why it matters see these 5 year old articles:
https://uk.pcmag.com/qualcomm/90201/qualcomms-networ...

https://semiaccurate.com/2017/11/14/qualcomm-shows-l...

In reply to a post by jchamier:

shame its not more

Looks like MikroTik listened to you! I see they have some 'New' LTE18 products on their website now

e.g.

https://mikrotik.com/product/atl18

John

I'd like an LTE18 version of their wAP AC LTE form factor, if they manage to split it into two boxes so the SIM card can live indoors but the radio can go outside then even better. I don't use the access point functionality of them at all but having 'real' PoE is a very useful feature.

In reply to a post by jpm:

I don't use the access point functionality of them at all

This is why we tend to use the SXT and we get the flexibility of dual sim and improved LTE Aerial

Hopefully an updated LTE18 version will arrive soon

John