Australia - 5G Routers

[torch44]

Hi there,

Just wondering my options for upgrading to 5G modems from previous 4G.

Current setup: Huawei B525 via 2x2 9-11dBi Directional Antenna (698-3800MHz) on Optus 4G.
> Have LOS to tower 5.7km away with no obstructions.
> Current speeds @ 45/5. Have gotten 100/25 with different bands, but it's either more download or upload vis versa.

ISP say it can't be done but I get 5G on my phone even though it uses 4G most times.

5G routers options are:
- Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway
- Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2
- Netgear Nighthawk M6
- Tenda 5G03

Are these any good to this day or is something more superior?

I will mod these routers to accommodate an external antenna don't you worry.

Cheers

[Seán]

I suggest checking the 5G band and signal information your phone reports as it is difficult to make any recommendation without seeing these details. For example, the tower you are connected to could have a 5G broadcast indicator enabled which results in 5G phones showing a 5G icon even if it is not broadcasting any 5G carrier.

If you have a Samsung phone, you can dial *#0011# and scroll down to the NR (5G) read-outs. Otherwise if your phone is Android based, the NetMonster App will show whether it has an actual 5G connection and the signal readings.

[torch44]

I suggest checking the 5G band and signal information your phone reports as it is difficult to make any recommendation without seeing these details.  For example, the tower you are connected to could have a 5G broadcast indicator enabled which results in 5G phones showing a 5G icon even if it is not broadcasting any 5G carrier. 

If you have a Samsung phone, you can dial *#0011# and scroll down to the NR (5G) read-outs.  Otherwise if your phone is Android based, the NetMonster App will show whether it has an actual 5G connection and the signal readings.

Thanks for your reply! Understandable, apologies for the lack of info. The details are attached, that's with 2-3 bars of reception on the S21. 4G is slightly better with 3 bars just on my phone and I'm it's with Vodafone.    

Vodafone has both 795-3667MHz in 5G, where others don't quite have all those frequencies mainly just the higher ones. I was planning on testing all 3 with a cheap sim to test which is better just need to figure out the hardware. Let me know if you need more info, cheers.

[Seán]

That is a good start as you have the high capacity 3.6GHz 5G band, which has several times the bandwidth of the low frequency bands.

As you have line of sight, I think the best option would be either an outdoor 5G router or placing a 5G router inside a weatherproof enclosure outside. The problem with running antenna leads for the 3.6GHz band is that you ideally need 4 coaxial cables just for the 3.6GHz band alone for 4x4 MIMO and the cable signal loss is very high at those frequencies. Even with an antenna mod with the routers you mention, you would need at least 2 additional coaxial cable runs for the lower bands (4 for the Huawei 5G routers).

With an outdoor router, you just need a single Ethernet cable and an indoor Wi-Fi access point (or Wi-Fi mesh kit). For converting an indoor 5G router for use outside, you can use a weatherproof plastic enclosure and a PoE injector and 12v PoE splitter to supply power to the router over the Ethernet cable.

I am not sure which outdoor 5G routers are available in Australia, a few popular ones here include the ZTE MC889, Zyxel 7101 and the Huawei CPE Win. My outdoor router preference would be the ZTE as it can show the signal readouts and supports band locking.

If you would like to start with an indoor 5G router to test whether its worth installing outside, I suggest try getting either the Zyxel 5103E or the ZTE MC888, if available there. Both have good configuration capabilities, such as band locking and detailed signal readouts.

Of the 4 routers you mentioned, I have heard good feedback about the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2, being very stable and supports band locking. The Netgear Nighthawk M6 has a battery, which can provide a few hours of connectivity during a power outage. While it is compact, this may not be suitable for an outdoor enclosure as it is the most likely router to overheat due to its small size and having a Lithium Ion battery (which degrades rapidly at high temperatures). I have not heard any feedback and have no experience with the Nokia FastMile or the Tenda 5G03. Based on my experience with Tenda's Wi-Fi MW6 mesh kit having very limited configuration capability, so I wouldn't have high hopes of the Tenda 5G router providing much configurability or technical signal info.

[torch44]

Thanks again mate! I appreciate your input.

Having a 5G router with the antenna built in is definitely the go to avoid cable loss, saves running 100 different cables for the job of one ethernet cable which would be superior. The Aussie sun would cook an indoor router in the plastic box aha.

Yeah so, basically all the ones you mentioned are not sold in Australia. Would this cause issues with operating on our networks or it's all the same? I'm abit concerned about the ZTE's antennas being both directional 6.5dBi and omni 4dBi, in comparison to Zyxel's directional 10dBi. Would it be an issue for 5km+ to the nearest cell tower?

Cheers Sean

[Seán]

I never thought of the high heat in an enclosure as here in Ireland the temperature only goes above 20C a few times a year. In this case probably the only indoor router that would stand the heat would be the MikroTik Chateau 5G, which is rated for ambient temperatures up to 70C. They don't have an outdoor 5G router yet.

Based on the signal strength you are getting on your phone, either the ZTE or Zyxel should work well, however, as the Zyxel is more directional with its higher gain, it will likely deliver a better NR SINR (5G signal quality) as the NR SINR was low on your phone screenshot. When you aim the antenna, try getting the NR SINR reading as high as possible.

Your signal strength on your phone is good for being 5km out. The ISP probably deemed it out of range as they probably assume there are buildings, trees, etc. obstructing the line of sight that far out from the cell tower.

[torch44]

Hey Sean! Got an update for ya, it's been an interesting week..

I ordered the ZTE MC889 from France. Got it quicker from international shipping than our local aussie post haha. Anyways! Got cheap $12 sims from the main 3 providers, found out the best one. In this case Optus, far superior speeds. Although Vodafone had the best signal but not speeds. The 5G signal by the ZTE app, was mid 90's dBm (+/- 10 dBM). With Optus 5G peaking at 250 up with average 180s/20. SINR was sitting about 6ish for all ISP.

Went down to local retailer to get the 5G plan and SIM. However, I had to get their modem (yep, now worries I've got my own, they knew this btw). Get home hooked it all up, she's connected to 5G and router is good. BUT, I try to load up Google. Nothing, literally can't load any internet. While the modem and router are live and working.

So, long story short the prepaid mobile SIM worked flawlessly. The 5G home internet SIM didn't. Had me pulling my hair out, just spoke to support and little did I know they lock the SIM to their supplied modem via IMEI. Bugger me dead!

Is there any work around this? IMEI hacks/spoofing? Use the ZTE's IMEI on contract activation? I'm stuck.

The supplied modem: https://ztemobiles.com.au/optus-ultra-wifi-5g-modem/
Sticker on the box: Arcadyan QN2891

Cheers Sean

[Seán]

That is a real pity with the IMEI based lock. Unfortunately I had no luck finding a workaround as it looks like they limit their broadband SIM to their own whitelisted products based on coming across posts on other forums with the same issue. I am not sure if it is possible to change or spoof the IMEI number as this is generally locked down as an anti-theft measure, which mobile operators use to check against an IMEI blacklist of reported stolen devices.

I also did not realise how expensive mobile data is there, at least on the Optus network. For comparison, the three major providers here in Ireland Three, Vodafone and Eir (from October) all have unlimited data for €20 (about 32.20 AUD) per 4 week interval on their prepay SIMs. Hopefully Australia some day introduces data neutrality legislation like the EU law that prohibits mobile operators from limiting what devices customers can use their SIM in for data.