LTE router SIM card question

[RobA]

I used Ubifi for 2 years for my home internet with a MoFi 4500 router. No problems, worked great. 2 months ago I switched to Verizon's new LTE Home Internet service which was less than 1/2 the price. It uses an Askey ASK-RTL108 router. I have been having problems with the internet dropping. The past few days it's been 3-4 times a day. Verizon technical support hasn't been much help. Both routers were setup in the exact same location.

Do you think if I'd be able to use the MoFi router by moving the Verizon SIM card to it? I asked Verizon's technical support this question and, as expected, they gave me some kind of non-committal answer.

 

[mrmikey]

Why not just try it, if it doesn't work, there's no permanent damage done just move it back..........Mike

 

[ponytug]

Verizon appears to track the IMEI of devices, and often will disable sims if they are used in different devices (according to reddit). But worst case, you would need to register a new sim for your Verizon modem.

Have you checked the signal strength? The MoFi has a modem with a great reputation, and it may be pulling in a borderline signal that Verizon's own modem struggles with. If your signal is weak, an external antenna could help, if the Verizon modem accepts one, or an amplifier can work wonders. If you know where your tower is, perhaps reorienting the modem might help. If you have more than one tower in the area (lucky you), the modem will probably work better closer to one or the other and shielded from the other tower.

I don't know anything about Verizon's modem. Is band locking an option?

It may also be that Verizon has tuned the tower since you had the MoFi running and you aren't covered as well as you used to be.

There are two groups to go look at that I would recommend; reddit, and ltehacks, both of which have fairly extensive discussions of Verizon's LTE, and Verizon home wireless.

All the best,

Peter

 

[TheMan419]

I am still on ubifi. We ended up putting in an external antenna. Total cost less than $100. Speeds went from like 3 mb up to 20 mb.

So my first try would be an external antenna.

 

[RobA]

Thanks. I switched the SIM card and it wasn't working. After some quick searching I realized I had to switch the firmware on the MoFi from ATT to Verizon and now it works. The speeds with the Verizon router were better so I'll be looking into an external antenna. Unless Verizon can tell me what was wrong with their router and fix it.

(I tried to look into an external antenna for the Verizon antenna but documentation for the router is limited and the antenna port in the back of the unit is unlike anything I've seen before. Almost like a miniature coax connection.)

 

[ponytug]

Thanks. I switched the SIM card and it wasn't working. After some quick searching I realized I had to switch the firmware on the MoFi from ATT to Verizon and now it works. The speeds with the Verizon router were better so I'll be looking into an external antenna. Unless Verizon can tell me what was wrong with their router and fix it.

(I tried to look into an external antenna for the Verizon antenna but documentation for the router is limited and the antenna port in the back of the unit is unlike anything I've seen before. Almost like a miniature coax connection.)

Routers often use what is called TS-9, but not exclusively. Verizon should be able to tell you.

All the best,

Peter

 

[RobA]

Routers often use what is called TS-9, but not exclusively. Verizon should be able to tell you.

All the best,

Peter

After a bit of searching I believe you are correct. Thanks.

 

[RobA]

Surprisingly Verizon followed up with me a few hours later and said they'll send me a replacement router. I'm not used to good customer service.

 

[ponytug]

:cool2::thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[TheMan419]

I would still look at the external antenna. You can never have enough speed.

 

[RobA]

I would still look at the external antenna. You can never have enough speed.

Good advice. I want to do that but first I need to figure out where to place the antenna and where to have the cable enter the house. I'm always leery about drilling through the exterior of my house.

 

[TractorGuy]

It may not be the router at all. My AT&T goes through spells of dropping the signal but then it will run for months without an issue. I suspect occasional power outages or other problems at the tower is the culprit.

After one of the hurricanes that hit our area we were having no signal from our Verizon phones. Turned out people were stealing the generators from the towers. Not sure why they don't have all the towers fenced like they do with the police band towers. Rumor has it they assigned National Guards to the cell towers to protect the generators until power could be restored.

BTW, they will NEVER admit when they have a tower issue. IT NEVER HAPPENS!

 

[TheMan419]

Good advice. I want to do that but first I need to figure out where to place the antenna and where to have the cable enter the house. I'm always leery about drilling through the exterior of my house.

Yes. There are phone apps to show what direction the tower is. You want good line of sight to it.

Thankfully I have a buddy who installs alarm systems for a living. He drilled the hole in the house.

 

[kf4uda]

I use an app called "opensignal" that will show you the direction of the tower that your phone is connected to.

 

[JeffLewisofe]

Sometimes, you just gotta update the MoFi firmware to get it to play nice with Verizon’s network. Like, if it’s set up for AT&T, switching it to Verizon-specific settings can do the trick.
If your signal’s still trash, try slapping on an external antenna. Seriously, it can work wonders, even if your modem isn’t top-notch. The MoFi pairs pretty well with antennas, so it’s definitely worth a shot if that Verizon router keeps cutting out.
Oh, and if you’re messing around with LTE routers or need a solid SIM for travel or home setups, check out International SIM Cards & eSIMs | Prepaid Travel eSIM . They’ve got options that might just work with setups like the MoFi.

 

[ConawayFarms]

I had a similar issue when I switched LTE providers and tried using my old router. The SIM card didn’t work initially, but after tweaking the APN settings and updating the firmware, I got it running. Sometimes providers lock their SIMs to specific devices, so it’s hit or miss. An external antenna helped my signal strength a lot, so that might be worth looking into as well.

When I travel, I also make sure my phone plan is topped up using the etisalat recharge link. It’s quick and saves me from network issues when I’m out and about.

 

[Tpondel]

Surprisingly Verizon followed up with me a few hours later and said they'll send me a replacement router. I'm not used to good customer service.

Over the years I’ve learned you have to update routers. Tech changes so quickly.

I have Verizon LTE for over a year. Works nicely in a rural area.