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.