Rural broadband networks

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steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#289223 20-Aug-2021 16:42

Probably been asked before ...

Do these two devices both access the same 4G network?

- a 4G dongle with a sim card

- a rural broadband router

Linux

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#2763919 20-Aug-2021 16:43

Yes 100%

steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#2763927 20-Aug-2021 16:52

Excellent, thanks

So if I live rurally I could use either of the two options to access 4G and the speeds should be comparable ...

although I guess a router with aerial may provide better speeds than a dongle (or cell phone), depending on signal strength

Linux

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#2763932 20-Aug-2021 17:09

Correct and also what speed the devices support / CAT rating

michaelmurfy

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#2763959 20-Aug-2021 18:40

We’ll actually incorrect.

The SIM card that comes with the router will likely be locked to that router meaning you can’t just transfer it.

Also given there has been congestion issues on rural mobile networks because of RBI I’d recommend shopping around to see if a local Wireless ISP has their own equipment to serve you. Often this comes with better speed, and lower cost too along with unlimited caps if required.

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steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#2763960 20-Aug-2021 18:45

OK, good to know about the sim card ...

Does anyone know of any local ISP operating in Northland??

MaxineN

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#2763961 20-Aug-2021 18:45

steadysteve:

OK, good to know about the sim card ...

Does anyone know of any local ISP operating in Northland??

uber.nz(proper fixed wireless,doesnt piggy back off of RBI/cell phone towers)

Vodafone and Spark would be the next choices.

Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

Linux

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#2763974 20-Aug-2021 19:31

As above the SIM card could be TAC locked

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Rust

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Master Geek

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#2764083 21-Aug-2021 07:10

steadysteve:

...

Does anyone know of any local ISP operating in Northland??

As stated above Uber.nz are the local WISP here in Northland, and they are excellent to deal with.

Whilst Vodafone and Spark offer RBI, in my area (Maungatapere) they have both had a 'no new connections' order for at least the last 2 years.

steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#2764113 21-Aug-2021 09:18

Thanks everyone, much appreciated

Uber looks great - will certainly give them a call

I think it's really positive that these smaller ISP companies have entered the game

steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#2764119 21-Aug-2021 09:28

This all leads to the question ...

Which option is better

- use a modem provided by the ISP, with it's own internal SIM?

- use a more standard modem which can take a dongle + SIM?

Maybe it would come down to the plans available for each option ...

tangerz

625 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2768301 29-Aug-2021 10:59

steadysteve:

This all leads to the question ...

Which option is better

- use a modem provided by the ISP, with it's own internal SIM?

- use a more standard modem which can take a dongle + SIM?

Maybe it would come down to the plans available for each option ...

As stated above, the options from both Vodafone and Spark require the use of the ISP supplied router with internal SIM that is locked to work in that device only, so no "bring your own router".

Uber don't use the cellphone network, so no SIM there, but they likely have their own 'router' equivalent that connects to their fixed wireless network.

It would be possible to run your own router "behind" the ISP one if you wanted. You'd end up with double-NAT but doesn't much matter when those connections are CGNAT from the ISP anyway, (the Vodafone and Spark ones anyway).

For a while I actually used a Skinny 4G router as a dual-WAN device, sending high priority (high speed) traffic over the 4G connection, and low priority (low speed) traffic over our terrible 1.5Mbps ADSL connection on a separate ADSL modem on the network.