u/BuggsBugg

Me and my partner are in a long distance relationship, and I'm visiting over summer, as I have for several years. The long distance part is relevant because when we are apart we need a strong and reliable connection for streaming over Discord, e.t.c.

When I visited 2 years ago, we first tried getting Virgin Media, as there is fibre running to the flat building (the second floor of a former house), but the landlord refused the installation of a cable through the hallway and stairs (common space). There is, however, ADSL and phonelines in the flat and a neighbor has got fibre somehow (I assume they just didn't ask). We ended up settling for Three 5G which then had a great deal and we were happy the first month. Speeds were up to 300 or something. Since then, and particularly during the winter, service has been terrible. Most of the time the 5G signal is too weak and it either drops out or slow. It hasn't been bad enough to be unusable, but definetely not worth the cost compared to fibre plans of the same price.

I have tweaked around with the router settings and positions as I'm knowledgeable, but it has barely improved the speed or reliability. The router is a Zyxel NR5103EV2. Current speeds are 40-60 mbps at best, and less than 20 when windows are closed and theres rush traffic (worst conditions).

Tomorrow, the contract expires, and we need to find a new plan.

The question then is; do we hound the landlord, do we threaten to leave Three hoping for a discount, or do we try to find another mobile broadband provider? (which one?)

The current plan cost is 22 pounds x 2 = 44 as my partner also has their phone SIM on Three. Alternatives need to account for this, since they need to be able to use their phone and eat hot chip and lie.

Thanks in advance

/Lost and confused European

Edit: as in 5G/4G

This is somewhat of a technical question, but I'm asking it here hoping to get more specific responses, as most of what makes a provider good is less about speeds and more about costs and experience.

We're in a long distance relationship, and I'm visiting over summer, as I have for several years. The long distance part is relevant because when we are apart we need a strong and reliable connection for streaming over Discord, e.t.c.

When I visited 2 years ago, we first tried getting Virgin Media, as there is fibre running to the flat building, but the landlord refused the installation of a cable through the hallway and stairs (common space). We ended up settling for Three 5G which then had a great deal and we were happy the first month. Speeds were up to 300 or something. Since then, and particularly during the winter, service has been terrible. Most of the time the 5G signal is too weak and it either drops out or slow. It hasn't been bad enough to be unusable, but definetely not worth the cost compared to fibre plans of the same price.

I have tweaked around with the router settings and positions as I'm knowledgeable, but it has barely improved the speed or reliability.

Tomorrow, the contract expires, and we need to find a new plan.

The question then is; do we hound the landlord, do we threaten to leave Three hoping for a discount, or do we try to find another mobile broadband provider? (which one?)

The current plan cost is 22 pounds x 2 = 44 as my partner also has their phone SIM on Three.

Thanks in advance

/Lost and confused European