Offgrid 4G Solution

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stubbed

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Topic # 191321 1-Feb-2016 08:23

Just really wanting opinions on what's the best option for an off-grid 4G solution? I have a small site in rural-ish Canterbury with good 4G coverage where 4-5 people work during the day, we're looking at installing a small solar system there to power several pieces of equipment, one being some sort of 4G router.

My option number 1 at the moment is a Mikrotik 700 series + Vodem Stick K5150 with some external antenna connectors, but I've personally had no experience with this setup yet have read reports that it works fine.

Just wondering what other options people have used? Cost isn't a HUGE driver but this is going to be installed in a container in the middle of nowhere so <$500 would be ideal.

gwh

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Reply # 1482567 1-Feb-2016 08:53

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Talk to Ultimate Broadband or Amuri Net about their RBI services. It will very likely be far cheaper to run 4G RBI than conventional 4G. You may need a separate dc-dc converter for the RBI modem depending on the voltage of your solar system.

stubbed

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Reply # 1482569 1-Feb-2016 08:59

Thanks for the feedback, I've scoped out both those services based on comments I've seen elsewhere on Geekzone, but they don't have any information on exactly what router combo they're using which is my problem. Does anyone know exactly what they provide?

Regarding the plan/provider, at this stage it's irrelevant; I work for a multi-national who uses Vodafone, so I'll be using Vodafone :)

gwh

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Reply # 1483249 2-Feb-2016 09:05

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stubbed:

Thanks for the feedback, I've scoped out both those services based on comments I've seen elsewhere on Geekzone, but they don't have any information on exactly what router combo they're using which is my problem. Does anyone know exactly what they provide?

Regarding the plan/provider, at this stage it's irrelevant; I work for a multi-national who uses Vodafone, so I'll be using Vodafone :)

They both use Huawei B315 modems. They are the latest type-approved modems for RBI. The range of modems permitted for use on the RBI network is extremely limited.

Coil

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Reply # 1483255 2-Feb-2016 09:12

@coffeebaron

stubbed

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Reply # 1514316 16-Mar-2016 11:27

FWIW, never got anywhere with this, which seems like madness. There's a lot of options in the M2M space but they're all still quite expensive. Mikrotik would be perfect but the USB/MiniPCIe cards that I've got available to test aren't supported on the current released RouterOS, but will be supported in the next version (7) which has no ETA.

Still hoping someone has some ideas on where to go with this!

sbiddle

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Reply # 1514324 16-Mar-2016 11:43

stubbed:

FWIW, never got anywhere with this, which seems like madness. There's a lot of options in the M2M space but they're all still quite expensive. Mikrotik would be perfect but the USB/MiniPCIe cards that I've got available to test aren't supported on the current released RouterOS, but will be supported in the next version (7) which has no ETA.

Still hoping someone has some ideas on where to go with this!

As mentioned above a WISP would be the most obvious solution still. Did you contact any to see if you're within their coverage areas?

There are plenty of 3G/4G cards that work fine with RouterOS. If what you've got isn't yet supported you'd need to buy one that is.

stubbed

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Reply # 1514333 16-Mar-2016 11:57

Yep I contacted them both, routers not suitable, didn't have external antenna options for 4G and/or no real specs on DC watt draw.

I disagree on "plenty of 4G cards that work with RouterOS" - They have this wiki page: http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Supported_Hardware#4G_LTE_cards but the ones that are supported people are reporting problems with on their forums (Huawei MiniPCIe eg). 3G, sure there are a lot of options and that's what I'm looking at for a plan B.

tangerz

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Reply # 1514631 16-Mar-2016 17:46

By far the easiest solution would be to get an RBI wirleless service. The supplied Huawei B315 router power supply is 12V/1A so the solar supply should be no problem and it has the required antenna connections and antenna as well. No need to reinvent the wheel when an easy solution already exists?!?

stubbed

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Reply # 1514633 16-Mar-2016 17:50

I was lead to believe the antenna connections on those were for Wireless, not Cell? Will order one for testing.

tangerz

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Reply # 1514655 16-Mar-2016 18:18

stubbed:

I was lead to believe the antenna connections on those were for Wireless, not Cell? Will order one for testing.

The Huawei B315 is a 4G LTE modem/router/AP. The antenna connections (of which I believe there are 2) are for connection to antennas like this

http://www.gowifi.co.nz/antennas-1710-2100mhz-directio/11dbi-wideband-lte-broadband-directional-antenna.html

These receive their connection from the Vodafone 4G/3G network. The router otherwise works like any other with both ethernet ports and WiFi capability.

kiwigander

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Reply # 1514696 16-Mar-2016 20:07

OP writes,

"I was lead to believe the antenna connections on those were for Wireless, not Cell? Will order one for testing."

I'm using a B315 for access to the VF cellular network, and my principal reason for buying it was that I could plug the lead from my 900 MHz yagi into one of its antenna connections. (No 4G here and none in prospect)