Update on Bell TurboHub
I've had the Bell TurboHub for about 26 months now. All in all, I've been satisfied with the service, although there have been a few issues, mostly with peak period slow-downs.
One significant annoyance that I've had a few times is when I've reached by monthly 10 GB download limit. When that happens, Bell stops transmitting data and displays a warning that I've reached my limit, and to click a link to proceed. The trouble is, the link did nothing. This happened at least 2 months in a row. Each time, I had to call Bell to allow my TurboHub to continue surfing, and they always required me to reset the TurboHub. I was working from home a couple of times when this happened, and I lost about 30 minutes of productivity each time. I also asked the technician to set my account so that the limit warning wasn't displayed, and each time, I was told it wouldn't happen again, but of course it did happen again.
About a month or so ago, after receiving a brochure in the mail, I contacted Bell about the LTE service, and was told that the max speed available in my area was 21 Mbps... which I could also get via HSPA+ with my existing TurboHub. So I had my account settings increased from 7 Mbps to 21 Mbps, and (I think) I had my monthly download limit increased to 15 GB. Since then, slowdowns have been very few, and I've occasionally exceeded the typical speeds Bell advertises for the 21 Mbps service (IIRC, 3.5 - 8 Mbps).
This morning, even with an ice/snow storm going on, the receive signal on my TurboHub with the internal antenna is -79 dBm. This is the best I've ever observed it to be, as it is typically -85 dBm, and has been lower than -100 dBm on occasion. (I have an external antenna as well, but I need to orient it better.)
--Chris
One significant annoyance that I've had a few times is when I've reached by monthly 10 GB download limit. When that happens, Bell stops transmitting data and displays a warning that I've reached my limit, and to click a link to proceed. The trouble is, the link did nothing. This happened at least 2 months in a row. Each time, I had to call Bell to allow my TurboHub to continue surfing, and they always required me to reset the TurboHub. I was working from home a couple of times when this happened, and I lost about 30 minutes of productivity each time. I also asked the technician to set my account so that the limit warning wasn't displayed, and each time, I was told it wouldn't happen again, but of course it did happen again.
About a month or so ago, after receiving a brochure in the mail, I contacted Bell about the LTE service, and was told that the max speed available in my area was 21 Mbps... which I could also get via HSPA+ with my existing TurboHub. So I had my account settings increased from 7 Mbps to 21 Mbps, and (I think) I had my monthly download limit increased to 15 GB. Since then, slowdowns have been very few, and I've occasionally exceeded the typical speeds Bell advertises for the 21 Mbps service (IIRC, 3.5 - 8 Mbps).
This morning, even with an ice/snow storm going on, the receive signal on my TurboHub with the internal antenna is -79 dBm. This is the best I've ever observed it to be, as it is typically -85 dBm, and has been lower than -100 dBm on occasion. (I have an external antenna as well, but I need to orient it better.)
--Chris
posted by Chris Spencer at 9:04 am
6 comments
6 Comments:
My parents have a Turbo Hub and while it's better than dial-up they seem to suffer a lot from what seems to be network congestion/slowness during peak periods. To the point where sometimes it's slower than dial up.
To rule out signal strength, I have a couple questions:
1. How do you get those the antenna signal strength readings?
2. What external antennae do you have and where'd you buy it?
Cheers
@Lief.
1. Open a web browser and go to http://www.routerlogin.net/start.htm. Click on Router Status, and then Connection Status at the bottom of the Router Status page. 2nd row of the pop-up window reads "Received Signal Quality(in dbm)". The value is updated periodically (default is 5 secs). I would be concerned if the received signal strength is regularly lower (more negative) than -87 dBm.
2. I have a Yagi antenna. I bought in from City Wireless, through Amazon.ca. Here's a link: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B004UNYNVU/ref=oh_details_o07_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The trick with external antennas is that they are directional, so they have to be pointed directly at the host cell tower (within a few degrees). The Canadian Cell Tower Map page (http://www.ertyu.org/steven_nikkel/cancellsites.html) may help you locate the Bell tower nearest you.
As I write this, my reading is -81 dBm, which is very good for where I am. However, right now, I'm using my internal antenna as I think my external antenna is out of alignment.
Hope this helps.
--Chris
Have the same modem from Bell, MVBR1210C. Generally my bandwidth is good. My main issue is that the connection often drops and reconnects a few minutes later. Am located on Grey Fox Drive. Noticed this morning that someone is building a new tower on Corkery Woods. Wonder if this is a new Bell tower. Earlier this week Bell was stringing new cables from March/Corkery towards Corkery Woods.
This comment has been removed by the author.
The tower you see is for NorthWind Wireless. Bell was installing fibre optic cables with respect to this tower, but I'm not sure what the actual the relationship is. I'm looking at this site trying to learn more about NorthWind and whether we can actually get true highspeed in Corkery.
Generally my bandwidth is good. My main issue is that the connection often drops and reconnects a few minutes later.Thanks to share this informative post.
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