Help Building a 5G router for TMobile

[LTEnewb]

Hello all,

I'm very new to this site but I would like to build a 5g modem to run my home internet off of TMobiles network as 5g is available in my location.

I haven't been able to find much information on the subject but here are a couple cards I'm looking into buying.

SIM8200EA-M2 or the Quectel RM500G.

Not really sure what I would need or what would be compatible.
I was looking into the M2M H721 router for a possible combo.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Didneywhorl]

Look up Honktavious McGillacutty on the facebook group

[LTEnewb]

Thank you.

I ended up buying a SIM8200EA-M2 and Quectel RM500Q. I'll let everyone know what I'm able to figure out.

[Didneywhorl]

Please do, super interesting stuff on the horizon.

[BillA]

Thank you.

I ended up buying a SIM8200EA-M2 and Quectel RM500Q. I'll let everyone know what I'm able to figure out.

You may want to take a look at a new 5G-ready router WG1608, allowing you to plug in an M.2 form factor 5G modem without an adapter, with all the 5G antennas/connections in place. The only issue is the lack of a custom firmware at this time, but it's probably coming. Here's some more info about it:
https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1172

[Didneywhorl]

You may want to take a look at a new 5G-ready router WG1608, allowing you to plug in an M.2 form factor 5G modem without an adapter, with all the 5G antennas/connections in place. The only issue is the lack of a custom firmware at this time, but it's probably coming. Here's some more info about it:
https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1172

I purchased one. It'll prob be here in 2 months. Good ole shipping from China during a pandemic scared world.

[OptimusPrime]

Thank you.

I ended up buying a SIM8200EA-M2 and Quectel RM500Q. I'll let everyone know what I'm able to figure out.

So, how do these two specifically compare now that you've had them for a while?

[LteHaks9]

I purchased one. It'll prob be here in 2 months. Good ole shipping from China during a pandemic scared world.

Did you purchase a unit with 16 MB or 32 MB flash? Need help building an OpenWRT based image or you gonna run the stock firmware?

[Jhsy99]

There are Huawei units that ship to the US. They are external grade routers with a 5g sim slot. Anyone think adding a line or inserting a tablet only SIM may work?

https://www.router-switch.com/huawei-5g-cpe-pro-2.html

[BillA]

Thank you.

I ended up buying a SIM8200EA-M2 and Quectel RM500Q. I'll let everyone know what I'm able to figure out.

There seems to be some confusion about the band capabilities of the new 5G RM500Q-xx and SIM8200xx-M2 modems.

Note that the Quectel RM500Q-"AE" must be version "AE", and Simcom SIM8200"EA"-M2 must be version "EA", only those versions will work properly on all US 5G bands. For example the RM500Q-"GL" and the SIM8200"G"-M2 are the global versions with SA (Stand-Alone) bands only, and are missing essential NSA (Non-Stand-Alone) bands. This is very important when ordering modems, otherwise they are useless on US 5G bands or very limited, and will only work in 4G-LTE mode.

The most popular modems in the US are the Quectel EM12-G (4G), EM16-G (EM160R 4G), RM500Q-AE (5G) and the Simcom SIM7912G-M2 (4G), SIM7920G-M2 (4G), SIM8200EA-M2 (5G).

You can find more info about the 5G ready WG1608 router and modems here:
https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1172
And mobile services here:
https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?p=5790#p5790


Here's a list of all US 4G-LTE and 5G bands.

US 4G-LTE bands ("*" = Primary bands)
ATT = *2, 4, 5, 12, 14, 17, 29, 30, 46, 66
TMO = 2, *4, 5, 12, 46, 66, 71
VZW = 2, 4, 5, *13, 66
SPR = *25, 26, 41

US 5G-NR Bands/(frequencies)
sub-6Ghz is used primarily by ATT and Tmobile (bands are designated by the lower case letter "n")
n2 (1,900Mhz), n5 (850MHz), *n41 (2,500MHz), n66 (AWS-3), *n71 (600MHz)

mmWave is used primarily by Verizon (bands are designated by the upper case letter "N")
N260 (39GHz), N261 (28GHz)

[Dr-BroadBand]

Hay LTEnewb,

What are your plans for a SIM/Data Plan??

[Dre40]

I'm sure you did this already but make sure it's a 5g band that's worth the hassle / expense. My phone says it's on 5g where I'm at (rural) but it's really just the 600hz band b71 that it's picking up (its not faster then 4gLTE anyway).

[Dr-BroadBand]

Band 71 is 4G, Band n71 is 5G they both share 600MHz, This is on TM


There are three flavors of 5G,

[lidiyamy]

thanks for your sharing.