I’m highly biased here as I work for LTE network operator. Anyhow:
1.If you’re planning on launching a new product, go for higher category. Category is not only about maximum user speed, but also about other (somehow less exposed) details, such as max modulation and MIMO rank … those details raise the max user speed but also improve LTE network throughput (read: be nice to other users )even if your subscription throughput is lower than technical maximum. Please also note that categories are different for downlink and uplink.
2. In short: all of them LTE networks are evolving and what’s rare today might become common thing tomorrow. Example: few nerworks operate LTE on band 1 (FDD 2100MHz). In few years time, when most data users will start using LTE, band 1 will get re-farmed from 3G to LTE. Regarding carrier aggregation combinations: please try to support all standardized combinations and try to support them symmetrically … in a sense that if you support comination of PCC bandX + SCC bandY, then support also PCC bandY + SCC bandX (PCC: primary component carrier, SCC: secondary component carrier). Non-symetrical CA support can be a PITA when optimizing load on different carriers of LTE network.
Also try to support UL CA as well. Helps with user’s throughput as well as with load optimizations on LTE network.
3. It can be handy, but that will become less and less important. LTE network coverage is going to get (almost) perfect mostly everywhere in near future while legacy technologies can not provide level of experienceusers demand. Surely there are certain use cases where e.g. GPRS speed of few 10kbps is much better tha nothing, but for majority of users practical difference between those does not exist.
In short: or the same money better get newer LTE category without legacy mobile network support.
4. Personnaly: Europe … but I guess my opinion here is by no means statistically relevant.
5. My employer’s network … but see my opinion at point 4.
Since IoT is a big topic at the moment, maybe a look on LTE CAT M1/NB1 is interesting (U-Blox has some nice modules like the Sara R410M with promises for global band coverage…).
And regarding 2G/3G, please be aware that while the US drops 3G, the general deployment of LTE in the EU has been postponed until 2020, so 2G/3G is still here for a while.
I use them in Caravans so I neet full coverage of all different Configurations, internal and external antenna, local wifi antenna around the caravan,
mobile usage while driving (so no antenna with high DB-gains…)
I have about 40-50 LTE MT routers in the field now, combination of AT&T and a few Verizon here in Texas, USA. Have to use them for backup Internet, as well as sometimes LTE is available where no other infrastructure is. Love them for the most part, and will likely have 10-20 more in no time. I’m not sure what bands each carrier uses (I delegated that task), but the new WAP-LTE US models work great with AT&T and the MT LTE modem. Considering my problem, I’ll take any bandwidth over 3MBit/sec on LTE and smile.
From time to time, 3G would be helpful. I have one site now who gets Verizon 3G and nothing else.
We’re a government entity, so we have -real- unlimited through both carriers.
99% of Australia would be happy if your modems are like the Sierra Wireless MC7430 for the Telstra network (which the MC7430 is certified).
Bands: B1, B3, B5, B7, B8, B18, B19, B21, B28, B38-B41
It would probably be easier to just support SW modems since they are available world-wide, support a wide variety of bands and networks.
Band 3, Band 7, Band 20, Band 38, Band 31. (Russia)
(IMPORTANT) - Should it also support Legacy technology like 3G or 2G? - Of course! There are two reasons:
a) Cell broadband links primary used for suburban areas and other territories with relatively low population density. For this reason, carriers are not willing to upgrade their infrastructure to modern LTE as it doesn’t pay. They prefer to upgrade to LTE, first of all, in areas with high population density, like big cities.
b) Since 3G and, to a lesser extent, 2G, still commonly used nowadays, and will be in use in the nearest future for, at least 10-15 years, this technology should be supported in, at least, two future generations of these devices. I don’t buy SXT LTE and made MT+USB+external antennas monsters on remote sites only because SXT LTE doesn’t support 3G.
I’m also for the support of not only MT modems, but of the widely used Sierra and, outside US, Huawei modems, too. It will enable users to adapt this equipment more flexibly to the national LTE standards.
The user should have the ability to select which bands to aggregate. Make a bullet selection, so I can choose. For example: LTE 800 and LTE 2600 Mhz for provider Tele2, and LTE 1800 and 2100 for provider Vodafone.
Yes. At least 3G. Most of the LTE sites are co-siting to 3G. So if LTE fails, or get’s congested, 3G might kick in. And yes, 3G should be on ANY band. So mot only the 2100 MHz band, but als UTMS 900 MHz and UMTS 1800.
Selectable at purchase (or separate models for different markets).
There should be an option to count the bytes in and out. And a user selectable trigger to switch for example to 3G. Or change a route to a slower DSL connection if the data plan of LTE is “full”. Also some providers offer “free data” at night for example: between 0:00 and 6:00h. That should be settable in the software (by script, or by GUI)
Please ensure that Passthrough mode is supported in your future LTE products! Why does this work only with those crappy usb sticks and not with your own LTE hardware?
While some corporate users who have detailed contracts and communication with their provider could have some information like you request, most users are at the mercy of their providers and the local frequency management authority.
“what bands should it support?” well, no idea! it should work.
A typical smartphone user is not concerned with “what bands it supports” either, they just get a phone locally and use the internet. Apparently locally sold phones support the right bands. Apparently the manufacturers and distributors know what is required.
I don’t know of their exists some world-wide data about providers, the bands they use, the bands they will use in the near future, etc.
If it exists, maybe in the form of some subscription service used by the other manufacturers, MikroTik should subscribe to it and determine what support it should bring to clients in the areas where their products are sold. If not, MikroTik or the local distributors should probably try to get in contact with the providers directly to gather this information.
Yes we know that. Usually you can’t add so many bands supported into one LTE card. As usually the limit is from 5-8 Bands at the same. So there could me multiple cards (one for each global region).
CAT6 or higher would be preferred. SXT LTE is only CAT3 and I can’t anywhere close to my CAT6 modem in my phone (mostly because CAT3 can’t use aggrigation, if I fully understand the differences, creating a more stable bandwidth) https://www.westbase.io/the-importance-of-lte-advanced-cat-6/
For me, any major EU LTE bands in central/ western part (Band3 is all I really need for my work.)
3G back backup would be nice
Central Europe
I use T-mobile. Where I am, they have a true Unlimited data connection ( for now) and speeds would be nice to have as a minimum of 8Mbps.
we have not liked the SIM holders thus far …some users break the contacts when removing and inserting sim
Is it possible to have holders with spring like eject effect would really be nice
I’m from South Africa.
We have Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and CellC in the country.
I love your SXT LTE, the devices are fantastic. Small issues with finding the network here and there, seems somewhat delayed from time to time, but in general excellent.
PLEASE make a dual sim SXT-LTE. Its easy to see at the top of the unit you guys have already planned the possibility for a second sim slot. It would really make the SXT-LTE bullet proof for a VOIP type link.
I also have about 40-50 of these units running.
They are well priced.
LTE networks are evolving and what’s rare today might become common thing tomorrow. Example: few nerworks operate LTE on band 1 (FDD 2100MHz). In few years time, when most data users will start using LTE, band 1 will get re-farmed from 3G to LTE. Regarding carrier aggregation combinations: please try to support all standardized combinations and try to support them symmetrically … in a sense that if you support comination of PCC bandX + SCC bandY, then support also PCC bandY + SCC bandX (PCC: primary component carrier, SCC: secondary component carrier). Non-symetrical CA support can be a PITA when optimizing load on different carriers of LTE network.