Swisscom cable too long and too old

    • Hello guys, I’m new here and wanted to ask your opinion on how you would deal with my problem… I’ll try to describe it as precisely as possible.

    I live and work somewhat remotely on a farm.

    The Swisscom supply line is 4-5 kilometers long and around 50 years old.

    I have the Internet-Box 3 with Internet-Booster 5G.

    The farm (cowshed) is very modern, so I rely on a fast, reliable internet connection. Among other things, I need to be able to access the IP cameras in the stable while I’m away. The herd management program also relies on reliable internet.

    This spring I had a total internet outage for about 2 weeks. The reason was a defect in the cable about 500m from the farm. The Cablex fitters thought that moisture had penetrated the cable and replaced a section of around 50 meters.

    Afterwards the connection was back but as slow as ever.

    The speed has become even slower for some time now. Current:

    Screenshot from 2023-09-22 20-25-28.png

    I have to say… on Speedtest.net I can easily reach 200 or 300 Mbit/s downstream. Probably thanks to the booster. Downloads also work correspondingly quickly. However, only one error appears during the upload measurement.

    Page loading when surfing is extremely slow. I suspect because the requests to the outside world are probably routed through the cable and not through the booster.

    Access to the cameras from outside is not possible. These don’t seem to benefit from the booster.

    What options do I have now?

    -A subscription that only runs over 5G without a copper cable would probably be better for me, right? Does Swisscom offer this?

    -I hardly assume that Swisscom would replace several kilometers of cable just for me, right? That would be a hell of a hassle. the cable crosses 2 moats, a railway line and the main road.

    -Other ideas?

    Thanks in advance for reading through

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    • Ich denke zum Thema Starlink solltet Ihr Euch bei der Starlink Community einklinken und nicht hier diskutieren. Swisscom hat aktuell nichts mit Starlink zu tun und daher gehört das Thema nicht in unsere Swisscom Themen.

      Und 800m Leitungslänge sind absolut kein Thema um mit Glasfaser ausgebaut zu werden. Mit der aktuellen Konfiguration mit 1:4:16 Splitter in der Zentrale rechnen wir mit 10km Länge pro Faserkabel. Es sind deutlich mehr möglich, aber wir wollen die Dämpfung nicht grösser haben.

      Edit: @Mike59 Die Leitungslänge bei Dir ist deutlich höher, da die Freileitung völlig im “Seich” läuft. Ideal wäre, wenn man ein Leerrohr an der Strasse entlang ins Dorf hätte, wo man in Zukunft Glas reinlegen könnte. Aktuell sieht es tatsächlich nicht gut aus, dass da jemals Glas kommen würde. Vielleicht kann man jemanden Im Gemeinderat dazu bewegen, dass ein Rohr zu Dir gelegt wird wird.

    What does the Swisscom Checker say? Is the in-house wiring OK?

    But in such a case, I would take out a Wingo Swiss 5G subscription for currently CHF 27.95 per month and then actually operate this mobile phone subscription in a 5G router. Wingo is a subsidiary of Swisscom and uses exactly the same 5G network. Alternatively, simply get a Swisscom mobile phone subscription. As far as I know, Swisscom does not offer an official solution for Internet via 5G (at least for private customers)

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    @Sujeinniong23

    How is the mobile reception nearby?

    If that were good, you could connect the camera via a separate mobile router, which would then provide independent monitoring.

    Show original language (German)

    Installationen, Netzwerk, Internet, Computertechnik, OS Windows, Apple und Linux.

    @NilsL

    Those would be good values, now the question arises which provider provides a mobile router subscription for continuous operation?

    What surprises me anyway is why the cameras are not supported with the 5G booster in the current installation, I used to have a 5G booster and the Arlo camera had no problem?

    Show original language (German)

    Installationen, Netzwerk, Internet, Computertechnik, OS Windows, Apple und Linux.

    You could also wait, the new booster platform should go online soon (in 2023?) with better support for many services. E.g. tcp and not just udp, probably also blueTV and others…

    The handling of the 2 IP addresses (wireline and mobile) should also be improved…

    Show original language (German)

    ….keep on rockin' 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼

    Question @Sujeinniong23

    From the house connection to the DSL socket qie is the way, was something changed or do you still have the old TT83 telephone socket which had an adapter for the DSL cable.

    It’s also a good thing that your socket is oxidized and therefore makes poor contact.

    Greetings Lorenz

    Show original language (German)

    Good morning and thank you for the many answers. I wouldn’t have expected that. Wow

    First: The house installation is fine. The friendly technician from Swisscom already checked this this year and installed a new RJ45 socket.

    The Swisscom checker says the following:

    checker.png

    I probably only achieve the good values ​​for the booster because I mounted it right at the top of the roof of the barn. From there you have a clear view of two cell phone antennas. (I suspect one is from Swisscom and one from Sunrise. But I couldn’t find that out)

    I’m currently leaning towards taking out a Wingo 5g subscription and buying a 5g router. But I would let the Swisscom subscription continue. The cable will probably give up completely again at some point and then it might be better to repair it (?) or the situation will improve with the new booster platform (?)

    That way I would also have a certain amount of redundancy.

    And the Wingo subscription doesn’t cost the earth and can be canceled at fairly short notice…

    But I would have to have an outdoor router so that I can have the best reception.

    He would go, right?

    https://www.brack.ch/zyxel-5g-router-nr7102-outdoor-1503745

    Unfortunately quite expensive…

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    • WalterB has responded to this post.

      Sujeinniong23

      Just remember that your mobile router suggestion does not have WiFi and the power is supplied via the Ethernet cable, so the corresponding device must be available on the other side which provides the supply voltage.

      Ethernet power supply.jpg

      Show original language (German)

      Installationen, Netzwerk, Internet, Computertechnik, OS Windows, Apple und Linux.

        Exactly. I’ve taken that into account. After the router there is a switch with PoE feed. I don’t need WiFi on the router. The router is in the company building. From there an Ethernet cable goes into the house, where I use an ASUS WLAN mesh system.

        Show original language (German)

        In your place, the only option left is a fixed wireless access (FWA) solution via mobile communications or Starlink (satellite). If the 4G or/and 5G coverage is good from several providers, I would even recommend a redundant connection across two providers. But divergence is even better than redundancy: mobile communications via Swisscom and Starlink as a backup, both neatly aggregated via pfSense or OPNSense with failover. Depending on the community where you live, there may be hope that fiber optics will be pulled to more remote farms and hamlets in the next few years. However, Swisscom will not offer a hand here, as a lot of money and effort has already been incurred due to the WEKO fiber optic disaster.

        Show original language (German)

        In the Großer Moos the malaria swamp has disappeared, the moist soil remains. This is obviously not good for the telephone cable, so the possibility of a reliable Internet connection via telephone cable (DSL/G.Fast) is no longer possible.

        [https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/alle-news-in-kuerze/bis-vor-150-jahren-war-das-seeland-ein-malaria-sumpf/43357998] (https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/alle-news-in-kuerze/bis-vor-150-jahren-war-das-seeland-ein-malaria-sumpf/43357998)

        In general, the choice of connection technology for the Internet connection should be based on:
        [https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Archiv-telefonie/Wifi-Calling-scheint-nicht-zu-funktionieren/m-p/66…](https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Archiv -Telephony/Wifi-calling-doesn’t-seem-to-work/m-p/662138#M56537)
        the order listed. Since no fiber optic cable or television cable was pulled to this farmhouse in Grosser Moos and the telephone cable works poorly, the choice of connection technology for the Internet connection was mobile communications.

        On the roof of Lagerhausstrasse 11 in Ins near the train station, there is a Swisscom mobile phone antenna within sight.

        [https://www.swisscom.ch/de/about/netz/mobilfunk-antennen-umwelt-gesundheit/feldstaerke.html](https://www.swisscom.ch/de/about/netz/mobilfunk-antennen- environment-health/feldstaerke.html)

        I suspect that at the Ins ARA there is a cell phone antenna with one level of Sunrise sector antennas and one level of Salt sector antennas in line of sight to the farm.

        [https://community.sunrise.ch/d/28020-voip-empfang-mit-5g-besser/19](https://community.sunrise.ch/d/28020-voip-empfang-mit-5g- bad/19)

        Since a second mobile phone antenna is within sight, the Internet connection should be implemented redundantly (for reasons of availability). To do this, you should use your own “Dual WAN” capable hardware firewall/router. See:

        [https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Internet-general/Swisscom-via-Glasfasaser-amp-UPC-via-Kupfer/m-p/761162#M68486] (https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Internet-general/Swisscom-via-Glasfasaser-amp-UPC-via-Kupfer/m-p/761162#M68486)

        https://community.sunrise.ch/d/12213-internet-fallen/3

        If there is a line of sight to the mobile phone antenna, an external antenna with high antenna gain should always be used. An antenna with high antenna gain has a very small opening angle. Align one external antenna precisely with the Swisscom mobile radio antenna in sight, and align the second outdoor antenna precisely with the Sunrise or Salt mobile radio antenna in sight.

        https://www.lte-provider.info/lte-hardware/antenne.php

        The recommended minimum mounting height of the antennas above the ground can be found using the Fresnel zone calculator on the website:

        https://circuitdesign.de/technical_tools/fresnel-zone/

        be calculated. The frequency information from the Wikipedia page:

        https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobilfunkfrequencies_in_der_Switzerland

        Use to calculate the 1st Fresnel zone. The distance information can be found on the BAKOM radio transmitter card using the measuring function:

        https://map.geo.admin.ch/?topic=funksender

        I would separate the bundling of telephone cable and mobile communications with the booster into a single internet connection. The availability of this Internet connection is more important than the data transfer rate, i.e. the speed of the Internet connection.

        To date, part of the data traffic (UDP) via the bundled Internet connection only goes through the telephone cable. The name resolution (DNS: www.swisscom.ch -> IP address: 195.186.208.154) is done via UDP, so packet losses and data packet corruption have a major influence on data transport through the telephone cable the stability and performance of the bundled Internet connection. Even if the majority of the data traffic (TCP) of the bundled Internet connection is handled via mobile communications.

        [https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Internet-general/Apple-dienste-funktionieren-nicht-mit-Internetbox-3/m-p/775585#M69205](https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/ Internet-general/Apple-services-doesn’t-work-with-Internetbox-3/m-p/775585#M69205)

        On the topic of “Internet connection via mobile communications” see also the articles at:

        [https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Mobile/4G-VoLTE-telefonieren-mit-externer-antenna-oder-analogem-telefon/m-p/638463](https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/ Mobile/4G-VoLTE-telephoning-with-external-antenna-or-analog-phone/m-p/638463)

        For security reasons, remote access to the cameras and remote access to the “herd management program” server service must be secured with a VPN. This remote access should only be possible with existing, encrypted VPN tunnels. For security reasons, the VPN server must be operated on your own hardware firewall/router. You install the software for the VPN client on your smartphone or tablet or use the VPN client integrated in the operating system of the mobile device.

        https://community.sunrise.ch/d/28317-vpn/4

        [https://www.lancom-forum.de/fragen-zum-thema-vpn-f14/vpn-via-android-client-t17229.html#p97795](https://www.lancom-forum.de/ questions-on-the-topic-vpn-f14/vpn-via-android-client-t17229.html#p97795)

        When choosing the SIM card(s) for the “Internet connection via mobile communications” the topic “CAA option” or “Remote APN” must be taken into account!

        [https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Mobile/Mobile-Abo-mit-CAA-Option/m-p/567872](https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Mobile/Mobile-Abo-mit- CAA option/m-p/567872)

        https://community.sunrise.ch/d/31749-5g-router-remote-access

        As far as I know, only Swiss mobile phone providers offer this SIM card option:

        -Swisscom

        -Sunrise

        to. This SIM card option is available in Switzerland only for Geschäftskunden!

        Before ordering the SIM card, it is essential to clarify whether this internet connection requires a PUBLIC IPv4 address or not!

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        @millernet wrote:

        But divergence is even better than redundancy: mobile communications via Swisscom and Starlink as a backup,

        Starlink and OneWeb use Ka-band for satellite communication. Satellite communication via Ka-band can fail completely in very bad weather. That’s why today ships traveling in the A3 sea region are usually equipped with Internet connections via the Ka-band and additionally with Internet connections via the L-band. Today, the legally required emergency communication in ocean shipping (GMDSS) takes place in the L-band via the Inmarsat and Iridium satellites.

        [https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global\_Maritime\_Distress\_and\_Safety\_System#Sea Areas_A1_bis_A4](https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Maritime_Distress_and_Safety_System#Sea Areas_A1_bis_A4)

        https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notruf#Notruf_per_Satellitenkommunikation

        https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notruf#Seefahrt

        - Ka-Band => High Speed ​​Internet with weather-related outages and drops

        - L-Band => Low Speed ​​Internet without weather-related outages

        http://www.tele-satellite.com/TELE-satellite-0709/eng/feature.pdf

        http://www.marinesatellitesystems.com/index.php?page_id=101

        https://www.esa.int/Applications/Connectivity_and_Secure_Communications/Satellite_frequency_bands

        Before an Internet connection is implemented via satellite communication, an attempt should be made to implement a terrestrial Internet connection. See:

        https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Internet-general/Grundbedarf/m-p/782409#M69675

        Show original language (German)

        As already mentioned, I recommend an FWA solution via two different mobile providers or mobile and Starlink. I would operate both connections via pfSense using a gateway group on the same tier as a load balancing group. If you want it to be even more convenient, you can use a Fortinet FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) and use the [SD-WAN feature](https://docs.fortinet.com/document/fortigate/7.4.1/administration-guide /889544/sd-wan-quick-start). A FortiGate 40f should far meet the requirements. If you like things to be very simple and can handle certain pitfalls and limitations, you can also use a Ubiquiti Unifi Dream Machine Pro (SE). This also offers load balancing since UniFi OS 2.5. At the same time, the foundation was laid for a very powerful and scalable WiFi network.

        Show original language (German)

        Now I was just about to order the Zyxel 5G router and the Wingo SIM card and took a quick look here. And then so many such detailed answers 😱 Thank you very much

        What stopped me from ordering:

        I’m currently accessing various services from outside via Dyndns. (RTK station, NAS).

        If I understood this correctly, Dyndns wouldn’t work with this subscription?

        When choosing the SIM card(s) for the “Internet connection via mobile communications” the topic “CAA option” or “Remote APN” must be taken into account!

        [https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Mobile/Mobile-Abo-mit-CAA-Option/m-p/567872](https://community.swisscom.ch/t5/Mobile/Mobile-Abo-mit -CAA option/m-p/567872)

        https://community.sunrise.ch/d/31749-5g-router-remote-access

        As far as I know, only Swiss mobile phone providers offer this SIM card option:

        -Swisscom

        -Sunrise

        on. This SIM card option is available in Switzerland only for Geschäftskunden!

        Before ordering the SIM card, it is essential to clarify whether this internet connection requires a PUBLIC IPv4 address or not!

        Maybe a farm could be considered a business customer? Actually, this Anschluss was with Swisscom on business until some time ago. When I ordered the Internet-Booster, something was changed about the subscription, and I’ve been a private customer since then. 🤔

        Basically, I’m now wondering whether I really need a solution from two providers… That would definitely be great.

        But

        -1. Probably quite expensive (I don’t necessarily want to spend more than 100 per month on subscriptions)

        -2. Probably too complicated to set up for me. (I am a farmer and not a computer scientist)

        -3. If the internet goes away for a day, nobody dies here. But this shouldn’t happen too often.

        The topic of satellite internet was interesting to read, but I’ll leave it aside for now.

        Before an Internet connection is implemented via satellite communication, an attempt should be made to implement a terrestrial Internet connection.

        The thing about the new booster platform just doesn’t let me go.

        If I understand you correctly, this could solve my problems all by itself. Without having to invest money and a lot of time. That’s what I would prefer 😍

        Disadvantage: I just have to wait and live with the current situation. And it’s not yet certain when this will be introduced and whether it will really make things better.

        So maybe the Wingo subscription could serve as a bridge?

        I’m slowly not knowing where my head is anymore. 🙈

        Show original language (German)

        FWA over 5G from Swisscom has also been available for Geschäftskunden for a few months now: [https://www.swisscom.ch/de/about/news/2022/12/01-internet-5g-geschaeftskunden.html](https:// www.swisscom.ch/de/about/news/2022/12/01-internet-5g-geschaeftskunden.html) I I would ask the Swisscom Business Hotline directly. I suspect that public IPv4 is also available, which would meet your requirements for DynDNS and external access via port forwarding etc.

        [https://www.swisscom.ch/de/about/karriere/getit/tech-hub/network-infrastructure-5g-mobile-connection-fuer-ihr-unternehmennetz-oder-internet-access.html](https: //www.swisscom.ch/de/about/karriere/getit/tech-hub/network-infrastructure-5g-mobile-connection-fuer-ihr-unternehmennetz-oder-internet-access.html)

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        Please note page 18 in the magazine “Schweizer Landtechnik” from March 2015:

        https://issuu.com/svlt-aseta/docs/lt_03_2015?e=1078673/57844620

        Since DynDNS is used, a PUBLIC IPv4 address is required for this Internet connection.

        [https://di-marco.net/blog/it/2022-01-01-lte\_and\_starlink\_isp-access\_to\_your\_lan\_from\_outside/](https://di-marco .net/blog/it/2022-01-01-lte_and_starlink_isp-access_to_your_lan_from_outside/)

        Swisscom’s FWA solution presented by Millernet is the worry-free “all-inclusive” solution. With this solution, as an end customer you have to:

        - Don’t worry about purchasing cellular hardware.

        - Don’t chase after any SIM cards and SIM card options.

        - and in the event of future technology changes (e.g. 5G -> 7G) you will simply receive the latest mobile phone hardware sent home as a postal package

        - Swisscom distributes the latest firmware updates to the mobile phone hardware fully automatically

        - and Swisscom takes care of closing known security gaps in the firmware of the mobile phone hardware.

        If you as an end customer buy your own mobile phone hardware, you should be aware that the dubious manufacturer either does not provide any security updates for this mobile phone hardware. And the reputable manufacturer only provides security updates for a short period of time until the mobile phone hardware is “End of Life” (EoL). As a rule, reputable manufacturers provide security updates for mobile phone hardware for around 5 years.

        https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/End_of_life

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