Painfully slow 3G on Three network

[JC888]

For the last few weeks I've noticed a degradtion of performance in the in-car 3G modem. Constant buffering of Spotify even on lowest quality and when I tether my laptop the speed was abysmal.It wasn't perfect before but certainly has got worse.

Did some research and I don't think it's possible to upgrade the GSM module from 3G to 4G. I'm considering getting a mobile wifi device instead, perhaps the Huawei one on EE monthly contract. However I'm not too sure how the reception would be, especially with the heated windscreen. Anyone tried this?

[xsaab]

Assuming your phone has a WiFi hotspot feature then use that to feed the wifi to the car. If your phone has not the battery capacity then plug the phone into the car to get the current to charge the phone.

This will save you the cost of running two SIM cards. Sim only contracts are getting quite generous on monthly data and you can choose one that has the best coverage for the area you are travelling in.

[Bashy]

It could well be the fact that many are off work or working from home, therefore the services have a lot more demand for them and putting a strain on the infrastructure, i also think i read somewhere that streaming services are limiting quality so that everyone can get a fair share, just try to make sure your not affected in this way before forking out more money only to find you have the same issue, having said that, 4g should be in your favour as there is more bandwidth.........

[Lexman8]

After trying it for a month I stopped using the internal 3G modem with a Three SIM as the performance, especially with Spotify, was very poor.

For the last 3 years I've been using a 4G tethered phone (via Bluetooth on both Android and iOS) without any issues and getting a much better performance. The phone auto connects when I start the car and really there's no downside especially as I get 60GB per month on my Voda contract and don't come close to using it all.

As you say, It's not possible to upgrade the internal modem to 4G.

[JC888]

Thanks all for the input. My just missed the 4G modem as I believe it's only for cars that were built from September 2017 onwards (mine was built March 2017).

I will try using my iPhone hotspot for a few days to see if it helps. You guys are right in this will save £££. I've tried that before and it was a bit of a faff as I had to manually turn the hotspot on to connect. However got a new iPhone so will try that out.

Tethering the internet via Bluetooth is definitely a no-go. The bandwidth is limited via bluetooth.

[Kenp8257]

Originally Posted by JC888

Thanks all for the input. My just missed the 4G modem as I believe it's only for cars that were built from September 2017 onwards (mine was built March 2017).

I will try using my iPhone hotspot for a few days to see if it helps. You guys are right in this will save £££. I've tried that before and it was a bit of a faff as I had to manually turn the hotspot on to connect. However got a new iPhone so will try that out.

Tethering the internet via Bluetooth is definitely a no-go. The bandwidth is limited via bluetooth.

What do you mean with regards to bluetooth bandwith is restricted?

I use internet over bluetooth. It's always on an auto connects everytime i get in the car (takes approx 20 seconds or so).

Nothing to touch or change on the car or phone.

Works perfectly......

[JC888]

Originally Posted by Kenp8257

What do you mean with regards to bluetooth bandwith is restricted?

I use internet over bluetooth. It's always on an auto connects everytime i get in the car (takes approx 20 seconds or so).

Nothing to touch or change on the car or phone.

Works perfectly......

I've ran Speedtest when tethered via Bluetooth vs WiFi hotspot and the speed difference is obvious. I think there was a post on here some time ago confirming this.

I think internet over Bluetooth is limited to something like 2MB?

[PJordan]

I always use bluetooth tethering car to iPhone, never had any speed issues and once set up initially you never need to think about it again, auto connects every time you get in the car.

2mb speed is more than adequate for audio streaming and anything the car needs to do so should not be an issue.

Give it a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

[JC888]

Originally Posted by PJordan

I always use bluetooth tethering car to iPhone, never had any speed issues and once set up initially you never need to think about it again, auto connects every time you get in the car.

2mb speed is more than adequate for audio streaming and anything the car needs to do so should not be an issue.

Give it a try, I think you will be pleasantly surprised!

I prefer to use Spotify on the car though. I just find it too fiddly using the phone. However I will explore all options

[Kenp8257]

Originally Posted by JC888

I prefer to use Spotify on the car though. I just find it too fiddly using the phone. However I will explore all options

I use spotify on the car via bluetooth tethering....

No issues