Noob Build need help selecting modem

[didoyf]

I live in NJ. I have 3 sims. Tmobile on my iphone XR. Visible on iphone XR. and ATT ipad business ipad line. I want to test all 3. when I test the tmobile and the visible, they both say band 66. I am only using the iphone field mode to tell what band it is connected to. I am about a mile away from towers for VZ, Tmobile and ATT. I wanted to start this hobby with the MC7455 but I noticed that it doesn't have band 66. Not sure if this is a deal breaker or if vz and tmobile will connect to other bands. any help to recommend a build will be appreciated. thanks.

[gscheb]

Yes the they will connect to other bands.
But you need to find out what bands are available in your area.

ATT = Rumor is that Ipad plan will be expiring don't know if maybe Business one is different.
Visible = Isn't bad but high ping/latency if you care about that, their customer service is legendarily terrible, but super cheap
T-Mobile = If you want the best speeds and ping is your best bet in my opinion

[Didneywhorl]

The ipad pre-paid plans are in a tiff right now, your business acct will be fine, Im sure.

The Sierra Wireless MC7455 does not use band 66, that is correct. It is a great module, and can hit speeds of over 100Mbps, but it is a dated card. There are a number of bands it does not support, though it does support quite a few.

Here is a link to its basic specs:

https://www.sierrawireless.com/products ... ts/mc7455/

You can look up any LTE modem modules specs on their respective manufacturers websites; though sometimes you may need to create a login first.

The most popular in this space are Sierra Wireless, Quectel, and Telit. There are others but these come up pretty regular and are "LTE Router" friendly.

The MC7455 is a Cat6 modem, the latest modems are Cat20. This should give you an indication to the 7455s age. Again, great modem, just lacking in some specs.

For affordability, I would look at cat12 modems. Sierra Wireless EM7511, EM7565, Quectel EM12, etc. These modems do come in a different form factor (m.2, keyB) and may require an adapter for mpcie accepting boards/routers, or an adapter enclosure that uses USB3.0 to connect to routers like a tether link.

If you want the latest, pre-5G, the Telit LM960, and Quectel EM20 seem to be popular in the speed race.


Down the rabbit hole we go...

[Didneywhorl]

What router are you planning on using to interface your modem to?

Visable needs to stay in your phone, tbh. You have better options.

[gscheb]

Visible can work in a router. But yes there are better options. My uncle uses visible but he basically like checks classified ads and Facebook with it.