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T-Mobile Band 71 (600mhz) & Mikrotik Router?

Sun Mar 27, 2022 8:58 pm

I am looking for a way to setup a high bandwidth backup internet connection for one of my customers. Our existing setup uses a Sierra Wireless m-pcie modem installed in a Mikrotik router. This works OK, with AT&T 4G cellular data service, but we aren't able to get more than about 20 megabit per second downloads, with an external high gain omni antenna. What I am wanting to do is install a cellular modem in a Mikrotik router that is capable of using the T-Mobile 4G LTE service over 600mhz band 71B. The reason I want to use this band is because T-Mobile provides impressive bandwidth and coverage area, using the 600mhz band 71.

It appears that the current Mikrotik LTE modem card line up does not support band 71B. I have found that a company called Telit makes m-pcie and m.2 form factor modems that do support band 71B 71N - depending on the model. Here a link to the Telit m-pcie card that I am interested in using: https://www.telit.com/devices/lm960a18/
According to the data sheet this modem is based on the Qualcomm SDX20 chipset. What is the likelihood of this Telit card working with Mikrotik RouterOS version 7?
Anyone have any experience with using the Telit cellular modems with RouterOS?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions
 
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smyers119
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Re: T-Mobile Band 71 (600mhz) & Mikrotik Router?

Sun Apr 10, 2022 12:11 pm

Quectel EC25-AF
 
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Amm0
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Re: T-Mobile Band 71 (600mhz) & Mikrotik Router?

Sun Apr 10, 2022 4:25 pm

The Quectel EC25-AF would work for T-Mobile B71.

We use the Telit LM960A18s, seem to work well – ROS added reading the CA info and RSRP/RSRQ for them in v7.2. But they are 4x4 MIMO so need the right antenna with it, and you'd want to use it on a RouterBoard with a USB 3.0 miniPCIe bus. A lot more money than the Quectel however (Telit 960 is "Cat 18" modems, while the EC25-AF is "Cat 4" modem, with the category effecting stop speeds).

So if you only have T-Mobile/Band 71 and the device/carrier aren't moving/changing, a more expense higher category modems may not offer much over the EC25-AF.
 
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pcunite
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Re: T-Mobile Band 71 (600mhz) & Mikrotik Router?

Thu Apr 14, 2022 5:42 pm

Any success with the Quectel EC25 line of Mini PCIe cards installed in a MikroTik wAP R or NetMetal ac²? The EC25-AFX has B14 and B71 support. The EC25-AF does not include B71 (looking at their PDF anyway). Personally, I need B14 for FirstNet use on ATT.
 
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Amm0
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Re: T-Mobile Band 71 (600mhz) & Mikrotik Router?

Thu Apr 14, 2022 9:27 pm

Any success with the Quectel EC25 line of Mini PCIe cards installed in a MikroTik wAP R or NetMetal ac²? The EC25-AFX has B14 and B71 support. The EC25-AF does not include B71 (looking at their PDF anyway). Personally, I need B14 for FirstNet use on ATT.
I have a few of the EC25-V, certainly seen them working in a wAPacR and long ago a RB922. But no NetMetal. What issue are you seeing? Normally the key thing with the EC25-xx is to get them to MBIM mode for ROS 7 & for EC25-AFX, another thread suggest you need firmware i>EC25AFXGAR07A03M1G – see
viewtopic.php?t=150149&hilit=ec25+v

I offer that we've actually moved on the Telit 960. Re FirstNet/Band 14, I'd see the Telit actually use B14 from the Mikrotik as 2nd DL CA for non-FirstNet customers. I'd thought it was a bug, but apparently AT&T allows it if FirstNet isn't congested.

Anyway I'd bet your issue with the EC25-AFX is the firmware, so I'd check that first.

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