Wireless Joint

I'm looking for an external modem that supports 5G, primarily for use as a backup to our very unreliable and slow WISP. I was using, until it failed, a Netgear LTE LB1120, with Ting. If 5G proves suitable, I may switch to T-Mobile or Calyx for primary service and drop our WISP entirely.

I'm running pfSense on PC Engines APU2 hardware, which will support mini-pci cards recommended here. However, the router is in the basement and I'd rather not run antenna cable. Instead, I'd prefer an external modem that I connect to the WAN port of the router.

I found this Peplink modem,
https://www.peplink.com/products/max-adapter/
But at that prices I'm seeing I want to make sure there aren't other / better options.

The Max adapters are cool, I have two. You can build one for less, and be able to change the modem out if you want, it's just a USB modem adapter that comes with a modem that is setup to have Pepwaves name on it. I've torn mine apart.

USB Adapter: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/mini- ... dapter-v7/
Modem of choice: https://thewirelesshaven.com/product-ca ... 5g-modems/

Get an EM9191 with all the parts (Exactly what the Papwave Max adaper 5G is, literally exactly what it is): https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/modem ... enclosure/

Second part. I would NOT run more than 10 feet of USB cables unless you have 1010VAC power at the space the modem will go. Then get a powered USB cable. Otherwise it's a no go, as 5VDC doesn't travel well over even the best of USB cables.
So you're limited there.

Hum... do you know of any 5G modems that connect to the router using CAT?

That would be a router. You can setup a gigabit router with the USB adapter and turn off its wifi radios. I do that A LOT. I place them outdoors inside 4x4 MIMO antennas and power via POE, like this one: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/anten ... connector/

Router I like lately for this: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/route ... ra-em9191/

PoE Power: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/power ... gigabit-2/
Poe Splitter to power the router: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/poe/p ... lug-tip-2/