Seeking advice on the use of a 4G router to replace mobile phone for tethering

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Seeking advice on the use of a 4G router to replace mobile phone for tethering

canuck

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#302944 5-Jan-2023 15:37

Seek advice please on whether a 4G router offers better reception to 4G/cell tower vs just using a mobile phone?

Occasionally work remotely at a bach where the mobile reception to share out/tether access to a laptop etc is variable with reception to 4G relatively low or randomly switches over to 3G on the mobile.

Wondering if getting a 4G router will result in improved mobile reception?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks!!

gehenna

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#3017441 5-Jan-2023 15:51

The reception depends on the distance to the tower and the telco you're with. The device will work the same for tethering as your mobile phone, assuming it's using the same telco. You could look at forcing your mobile to only use 4G but then you risk no connection at all intermittently instead of it stepping down to 3G intermittently.

wellygary

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#3017442 5-Jan-2023 15:52

As with many things relating to wireless reception, the answer is "Maybe"

I guess it will depend on how fringe your 4G is, and whether there are more optimal locations for a 4G modem in the house (on a high shelf, by a window with a view to the Tower etc)

But Its likely you should be able to find better reception than plonking a phone next to your computer,

HOWEVER.. the biggest gains are likely to be made by having a fixed external aerial with a cable connection running inside to the 4G router....

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3017463 5-Jan-2023 16:55

Okay, yep I wondered. I'll check my iOS settings if I can lock it to 4G. Thanks!

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3017466 5-Jan-2023 17:00

wellygary:

As with many things relating to wireless reception, the answer is "Maybe"

I guess it will depend on how fringe your 4G is, and whether there are more optimal locations for a 4G modem in the house (on a high shelf, by a window with a view to the Tower etc)

But Its likely you should be able to find better reception than plonking a phone next to your computer,

HOWEVER.. the biggest gains are likely to be made by having a fixed external aerial with a cable connection running inside to the 4G router....

Ah good point about the positioning, I was just thinking it may offer better reception due to physical size (not sure if the antenna inside is any better than a mobile - is just a guess), however also where I can position it would offer more flexibility than my mobile. Thank you!

1024kb

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#3017516 5-Jan-2023 17:25

I find 4G modem - I've used Huawei B618 & Spark Smart Modem 2 - to be substantially faster than using a hotspot from a mobile phone. Even without the hotspot - side by side speed comparisons always show the dedicated 4G modem to have a markedly better up/down data rate. Granted, I haven't placed the phone right next to the modem for testing purposes but the performance difference is of such a scale that I'd doubt it would be negated by 2-3 metres location difference.

The Spark Smart Modem 2 is far superior to the Huawei. Download speed is up to 200% faster & the WiFi coverage zone is at least twice the area of the B618.

Megabyte - so geek it megahertz

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3017710 6-Jan-2023 10:32

1024kb: I find 4G modem - I've used Huawei B618 & Spark Smart Modem 2 - to be substantially faster than using a hotspot from a mobile phone. Even without the hotspot - side by side speed comparisons always show the dedicated 4G modem to have a markedly better up/down data rate. Granted, I haven't placed the phone right next to the modem for testing purposes but the performance difference is of such a scale that I'd doubt it would be negated by 2-3 metres location difference.

The Spark Smart Modem 2 is far superior to the Huawei. Download speed is up to 200% faster & the WiFi coverage zone is at least twice the area of the B618.

Thanks for this. Really good to know. So wish I tried this a year ago when I started using my mobile only. I saw both of these brands (not sure about models) listed on Trade Me but wasn't sure about either.

Do you know if either of these requires a Vodafone or Spark SIM or are they agnostic? I am with 2Degrees so I am hopeful I can use one of their SIM/related accounts. I understand though that my use of 2Degrees will dictate ultimately whats available in my area from 2Degrees as I don't think they share with Vodafone any longer. Cheers!!

nztim

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#3017729 6-Jan-2023 11:23

Mikrotik Chateau LTE12 is the best 4G modem I have used - Requires knowing what you're doing, supports B28 and used in a fringe Vodafone 4G area and getting circa 30mbps

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canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3017732 6-Jan-2023 11:27

nztim:

Mikrotik Chateau LTE12 is the best 4G modem I have used - Requires knowing what you're doing, supports B28 and used in a fringe Vodafone 4G area and getting circa 30mbps

Alright, good to know - thanks for this!

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3017855 6-Jan-2023 15:54

Update: A local at our beach community I am at was giving away a Huawei 4GRouter B525 so I lucked out and managed to get it this afternoon.

Sorted a SIM card and data plan, and wow there is a huge improvement - particularly with the unit able to be left over by a window!! Speeds are about double previous, can lock it to 4G only (no 3G), plus has a far more consistent 4G connection.

And has the added bonus that I can connect all devices to it - not just my laptop, but also the devices that had their own mobile connection but were iffy over 4G depending on what room I was in, as the Huawei offers a far better experience.

Definitely can recommend this option.

SMHanson

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#3025283 21-Jan-2023 19:40

Hey awesome

I wonder if I can ask a question, which carrier are you using? I'm trying to get a Mikrotik LtAP mini working with Spark and not having much joy!

Thanks

Shane

johno1234

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#3025298 21-Jan-2023 20:25

Phone data plans don’t always have a lot of data or are expensive. Skinny and probably 2 Degrees can offer a no contract sim with a ton of data for about $50 a month. With looking at.

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3025354 22-Jan-2023 09:36

SMHanson:

Hey awesome

I wonder if I can ask a question, which carrier are you using? I'm trying to get a Mikrotik LtAP mini working with Spark and not having much joy!

Thanks

Shane

Sure, I am on 2Degrees.

I have a 10GB plan that allows data share with about 5 other 2Degrees accounts/data SIM, so I got a new 2Degrees SIM for one-off $5, setup data share to that SIM and now it stays permanently in the 4G router.

I came across the 4G router I have when someone was giving it away on a local Facebook group, but someone else beat me to it. Learning they existed inspired me to research more and start up this thread. Then it turned out the person who had beat me to it, opted out so it was offered to me.

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3025357 22-Jan-2023 09:38

johno1234: Phone data plans don’t always have a lot of data or are expensive. Skinny and probably 2 Degrees can offer a no contract sim with a ton of data for about $50 a month. With looking at.

That's for sure. I am on a 2Degree plan with 10GB that accrues/rolls over if not used and also allows for the data to be shared with up to 5 other 2degees accounts.

My mobile data doesn't get much use since am now working from home mostly, so the data accrues considerably. I find I drawing down on the accrual useful when I randomly work remotely. Established early on though that using Teams all day for video meetings consumes up to 5GB a day!

SMHanson

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Wannabe Geek

#3025363 22-Jan-2023 09:58

Awesome thanks for that!

I can't get a good enough signal for 2D where I am and that includes an external antenna raised about 5 meters off the ground!

I can get telecom fine but can't seem to get a SIM card working with my Mikrotik (either Spark or Skinny) so might end up having to get an official telecom gateway.

Cheers

Shane

canuck

18 posts

Geek

#3025366 22-Jan-2023 10:11

SMHanson:

Awesome thanks for that!

I can't get a good enough signal for 2D where I am and that includes an external antenna raised about 5 meters off the ground!

I can get telecom fine but can't seem to get a SIM card working with my Mikrotik (either Spark or Skinny) so might end up having to get an official telecom gateway.

Cheers

Shane

Ah, yep 2Degrees is a bit iffy for me too on occasion which pushed me to try to find some way to try to improve on it.

Yep that's rough if even an external antenna is not helping! I think further up this thread someone recommended the Spark Smart Modem 2 - is one listed on TM at the moment: https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/networking-modems/modems/listing/3960754388