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General mobile internet question

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  • 09-01-2014 11:32pm
    #1
    odds_on
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭


    Do all the mobile internet providers use the same masts or do the generally have their own masts?

    I ask because I have moved to a new location and my internet connection is really bad - average download speed is usually less than 10k/B per sec. If I change provider, is it likely that it is going to be as bad or are there other factors such as the provider's server speed and the like?


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    #2
    coylemj
    Registered Users Posts: 25,451 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    odds_on wrote: »
    Do all the mobile internet providers use the same masts or do the generally have their own masts?

    In rural areas they tend to share masts for the simple reason that the locals won't put up with multiple tall masts in the village. For geographical reasons, less populated parts of the country are covered by masts erected on the top of the local hills, you can see them as you drive around the country and they clearly involve sharing so they all share the same masts but your data bandwidth is going to be affected by how far you are from the transmitter and the number of other subscribers on your network sharing whatever bandwidth your network is providing from your local transmitter.

    In Dublin the networks tend to use separate transmitters, usually erected in clusters on the top of tall office buildings or hotels. An example on the southside of Dublin would be the Vodafone (formerly Eircell) mast beside the Eircom Priory exchange in Mount Merrion while nearby there is a cluster of mobile transmitters on top of the Stillorgan Park Hotel, probably a mix of O2 and 3 and Meteor.
    odds_on wrote: »
    I ask because I have moved to a new location and my internet connection is really bad - average download speed is usually less than 10k/B per sec. If I change provider, is it likely that it is going to be as bad or are there other factors such as the provider's server speed and the like?

    The service may vary between the front and back of your house. Ask your neighbours who are subscribing to the other networks to see if there is one network which provides a superior service in your area.


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    #3
    odds_on
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭odds_on


    Thank you, coylemj, for the excellent explanation. I actually live in a town which is the main town of the county, but not that big. I'll try thr back of the apartment(3rd floor) an d see if it's any better.


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