Hi,
I live in Olaya Area, Riyadh.
I would like to know if someone is facing any problems with STC 4G LTE Internet connection. Please share your stories here for help and awareness.
I recently subscribed for STC 4G LTE Internet Connection for 14 Months in SR 1,400. It was special offer bundle by STC.
I made sure before purchase by visiting the STC website and a Link of "Coverage Map" at bottom of page to know if my house is covered by 4G signals.
I am very disappointed to see that my router is getting just one bar of signal and very unstable performance. I was expecting powerful signals in Olaya Area because of its prime location.
This 4G connection should give you between 30-50Mbps average speed if router is installed at area near to the STC Towers. I am just getting average 6-8Mbps speed which is worst for a 4G connection. I feel that I lost my money.
A friend of mine is getting 4 bars of signal on the same STC 4G router but his speed is also not even more than 6-7Mbps whereas I have seen speed test on youtube of STC 4G connection crossing 30Mbps speed.
I was suggested to install an external antenna for outdoor which should improve the speed not the signals. Such Antennas works up to 10km range. I have visited to Mursalat Mobile Market, Olaya Computer Market, and Batha area and found that these antennas are very expensive. Average between SR 350- SR 400 of a good Brand. It is with plastic body and rectangle shape. They must be installed at roof top and should be directed to the Tower. It is also required to make sure antenna is capable to handle frequency of your internet provider. e.g Zain is on 1800 frequency, STC on 2300 and Mobily on 2600. Some antennas cover from 700-3000 frequency.
I did not buy this external antenna for outdoor because first I am unable to reach roof top being living in rented building and second, I don't know where is nearest STC Tower around my house.
My only choice left was to buy external antenna for indoor use. I found several types of them ranging from SR 80 to SR 200. Some are long but similar to a plastic antenna installed on a Wifi router but I would not advice to buy this.
I finally bought a 4G 16dBi antenna in SR 200. It is thin and long steel antenna with 2-3 meters cable. I bought this from Batha. There is a shopping center with a lot of shops which sells only 3G and 4G routers and Data SIM Cards. This shopping Center can be seen behind parking of known "five buildings" in batha.
I don't see any improvement in Signal bars on my router but stability of internet connection is improved after installing external antenna for indoor use. The internet speed is still the same.
Please don't buy "Yagi" antenna. The Yagi is not a brand. It is a kind of antenna and several companies make the same. They are made for 3G not 4G. I bought one and returned it because I did not know that. Just Search "Yagi Antenna" in Google and you will see its picture.
bye