I hope it’s the right section.
I’ve been exploring options to build a portable LTE router using MikroTik hardware—specifically the L23UGSR-5HaxD2HaxD. It has everything I need: powerful dual-band WiFi 6, high performance, and RouterOS flexibility. The idea is to turn it into a self-contained LTE router I can take on the go, powered via USB-C and ready to provide reliable connectivity anywhere.
The L23UGSR requires 12–28V input, which makes powering it from a USB-C power bank or a laptop more complex and less plug-and-play. I also realized I’d need a USB-to-Ethernet dongle just to feed internet into ether1 if I were to use a separate LTE modem. Not very elegant.
Meanwhile, other vendors like Netgear, ZTE, or Huawei offer travel routers with LTE support in the €500–€800 range, such as the Netgear M6 or M3, combining everything in a small, battery-powered device with an integrated SIM slot and Ethernet port.
Why not design a new RouterBoard device powered entirely by USB or USB-C, capable of emulating an Ethernet interface over USB (similar to how phones provide RNDIS or ECM), and integrating:
LTE modem with SIM slot (M.2/SFP)
Dual-band WiFi (AX)
RouterOS
Optional battery extra kit with charger circuit for 18650 batteries(you dont need to selle them)
USB Ethernet emulation to connect easily to laptops or routers
This would bring MikroTik’s enterprise-grade features to a compact, travel-ready product, and offer an open, flexible alternative to the “black box” solutions currently on the market.
I was honestly considering building one myself, but power constraints and the Ethernet dongle workaround make it less practical. With MikroTik’s hardware and software stack, creating something in this space would be a game-changer especially for advanced users and prosumers who need portability without compromise.
Like many others, I spend most of my day on the move and I’m forced to rely on low-quality dongles with zero control over the connection. Every time I switch devices, I have to reconfigure my VPNs client-side, and it becomes a hassle.
With a solution like the one I’m imagining, I could have all my VPNs pre-configured and ready to go—just plug it in wherever I am, and I’m instantly connected, with no limitations. For me, this would be a game-changing work tool, truly transforming the way I operate day to day.
Please consider it!