Reddit reviews NETGEAR 4G LTE Broadband Modem - Use LTE as primary Internet Connection (LB1120)

Also (maybe) in the works.. WAN failover\load balancing for WAN2? NetGear makes a device that many other Ubiquiti users have been using for failover.

I have one of these. Has External antenna ports and works pretty seamlessly. Just pop in a SIM. Its relatively low power too so using it on a battery is fairly easy.
netgear 4g lte router

I use this:
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Modem-Gigabit-Ethernet-Ports/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536690667&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear%2Blte%2Bmodem&th=1

with this:
https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-6000450-MIMO-Antenna-Connectors/dp/B00DN3J03O/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1536690667&sr=8-4&keywords=netgear+lte+modem

It's pretty cheap, I live in Oregon, outside of Portland, we rarely have bad storms and almost never have service disruptions that aren't an ISP making a mistake, but it's nice to have just in case :)

> Why would they limit it to a single carrier AND a single plan

This device makes no sense overall. I have used one of these
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5ASNTE
In a few places with Tmobile service and it has worked great as a failover. It's SIM unlocked so you can use any provider you want and you can either use the built in router or just disable it and hook it to the LAN of your router and be off and running.

That cradle point is a module that goes into their modem. That’llbe an expensive touch. I haven’t used the other modems you listed.

Check out the netgear lb1120 + netgear omni antenna

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE

https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-6000450-MIMO-Antenna-Connectors/dp/B00DN3J03O/ref=pd_aw_fbt_147_img_2/133-6043539-3895657?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RFEFWZ75ZJDM4SJSJ5SR

OK. Will do.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE

any suggestions or thoughts on this?

Not op but I have a similar set-up. Running NETGEAR LB1120-100NAS 4G LTE Modem – Instant Broadband Connection (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_83MTAbHPJHB0B with dual wan on Ubiquiti USG

Im mobile and can't open the link. Is that this NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem – Instant Broadband Connection | Works with at&T and Alternate Carriers (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GrS.BbCSSJXMZ

Cradlepoint, Mikrotik, and some others are probably great, but the Netgear units for $100-150 (link) are totally fine for casual home use: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/

With 3 bars of LTE they likely won't have any need for external antennas, but they have the option if that becomes necessary.

The BIG question to me is whether the Verizon plan is truly unlimited (often they say unlimited, but they throttle to almost nothing after a few dozen gigabytes), and if Verizon will allow it to be used in a modem?

If you have a plan with quota limits there is one potentially significant problem with using an LTE modem that broadcasts a wifi network; many devices assume that when they are connected to wifi there is no limit and they will automatically download large updates and default to using high bandwidth settings for streaming video, video chatting, etc. Some of that can be controlled in each devices' settings, but there's often still some surprises.

We don't have MPLS, DMVPN or VOIP. Is the Cisco overkill? Was checking out the Netgear that I can plug direct into the WAN on the existing router:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5ASNTE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Even if you were willing to use today's cell service for your primary internet at home, you wouldn't do it by literally buying multiple phones and using them as access points. That's crazy inefficient and expensive. You can just buy an LTE modem and put a SIM card in it, then connect it to a home network with proper APs. Or buy the modem/router combo version of that unit and use it like a normal home router.

But it's still probably not the most cost effective way of providing whole-house internet.

EDIT: I thought there was a modem/router combo version. There's not. Still need your own router/APs.

Forget the MiFi. Get one of these, pop the SIM card out of the MiFi and put it in that thing. Hook it up to your router. Not only will that not fail so often but it's easy to reboot with a power cycle.

Then get something like this and have it ping google.com. Set it up so if no pings work for 5 minutes straight (IE, more than it takes your router and the Netgear modem to boot up) it'll reboot the modem and router. You can also set it to auto reboot every night at midnight or something.

Buy a AT&T hotspot or a LTE modem on amazon like this one

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gC04BbYK8D2WW

Then buy one of these AT&T prepaid Unlimited data sims for $30 / a month like this one

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F302834589962

Been using this Combo since early 2017 and it’s been working fine ever since

Any questions feel free to PM

From what I'm reading, you can sign up for one of those Mobley plans and get a router such as this and use it to get online:
https://smile.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1496822512&sr=8-1&keywords=netgear+lte

Ironically, that router also works with TMobile and I got faster LTE speeds in Elmira from them than I did AT&T and Verizon. So this might end up being my solution...

This is why I'm afraid to try it. I could cancel my Comcast home Internet and save $30/month using the SIM in a home cellular modem like this one, but I don't really think AT&T will allow this to continue forever.

My coworker has been doing it for about 2 months without issue, but the question is if it is enough of an problem for AT&T to do anything about.

I use this NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem with an unlimited data only SIM from ATT for 35$/mo. I have it connected to my ASUS RT-AC68U router. Works pretty well and haven't been without service yet. It has two external antenna ports on the back of the modem. I have yet to put up big antennas to boost signal.

Maybe a better way? - Start a prepaid month to month service with a carrier that will allow BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Most carriers (except Verizon, not sure about AT&T proper) allow that. Pick a carrier that has good coverage where you live. In my area all but Sprint's signal is good.

Purchase a BLU R1 HD Cell Phone and put your new SIM in it. turn on the hotspot feature. Be warned the Blu phone has possible Chinese snooping issues. However it will never be pwned by any carrier.

Or use a NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem – Instant Broadband Connection (LB1120). I don't know for sure if it honors the carrier's "don't provide hotspot capabilities", but I would guess that it doesn't.

There is a little risk in each of these ideas, if it doesn't work you can return those items and cancel the "new" cellphone plan, you won't be out much money.

I use a Netgear LB1120 ( https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5ASNTE/) in bridge mode for my LTE failover WAN. Words flawlessly. On the other hand, I have tried USB LTE sticks on a few other things in the past and never had anything ever work the way it should.

Yes. Why do I need a cradlepoint when I already have Rock solid equipment that can handle fail over?


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N5ASNTE/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza

Thanks. Since posting this, I actually purchased this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=lte+modem+t-mobile&qid=1556650071&s=gateway&sr=8-3

Do you think the Coolpad would be better for my needs?

I play on AT&T 4g LTE with no problems. I live on the east coast and my ping ranges from 70-120 typically. I've also had as many as 4 people playing on the same connection at once without any noticable difference. Hardly uses any data but I'm using the unlimited plus plan anyway. It's the only broadband available at my house, we use a Netgear 4g modem.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YUAQzb54174VK

There's two major players in the booster space, SureCall and WeBoost. There are other, less expensive knock off brands, but they are not worth your time for "real" improvement. Personally, I think SureCall makes a better product and I can attest their support is absolutely awesome. WeBoost is more of an "automatic" approach, whereas SureCall offers gain adjustments to individual bands that allow you to turn up or down certain frequencies...making it a more flexible product in challenging environments. Warning, both are ridiculously expensive.

There is a lot of technical know-how that goes into using a booster, it's not just mounting an antenna and away you go. There is a certain amount of distance required between the internal and external antennas (over 60 feet) to maximize the signal boosting potential. And, you need to mount the antennas in an optimal place, both inside and outside of your home.

That said, there may be a better way. If you use something like this which is a cellular modem/router, into which you can plug in your GCI SIM card. This device can then be plugged into a common wireless router, providing you wifi that routes all traffic back to this cellular modem. If possible, you can mount this device in the "best" place in your home, then effectively provide strong wifi signal to the rest of your house. I personally use this device and I know for a fact it works on the GCI network. The only thing you need to know is GCI's APN ID, which is "web.gci".

I use a combination of a SureCall booster and the above device, but I also live out in the sticks and have crappy signal strength from GCI. It works awesome, I can easily pull in 25mbit/5mbit most of the time and I have very few troubles with the setup.

These work fine in a pinch


NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem - Instant Broadband Connection | Works with AT&T and Alternate Carriers (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE

The industrial version of what you are likely referring to is called cradlepoint:

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=cradlepoint&qid=1571203170&sr=8-2

https://www.amazon.com/Cradlepoint-COR-IBR650B-LP4-NA-LTE-Fallback-Router/dp/B01KKZEID4/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cradlepoint&qid=1571203170&sr=8-1

Just installed this over the weekend, works great.

NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem – Instant Broadband Connection | Works with AT&T and Alternate Carriers (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_jw1BCbEE6EXRM

This should work and you can also plug it into your existing wifi router in order to amplify the signal.

My friend took her unlimited data T mobile sim out of her iPad and put it in one of these then she just connected a WiFi hotspot to it and got her things online that way because her DSL sucked and she couldn’t get Comcast either.

So for cellular data, there are actual 4G modems and routers out there. This device would replace the modem that Comcast would provide, and if you used your own router and/or range extenders, you could notice little difference. Keep in mind, LTE data for home use can be a challenge depending on what plan you have and service area - I have the Verizon "Unlimited", but it does throttle after 22GB.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE

That is just a quick example, but if you did have a Verizon jetpack, you might be able to transfer the service to a device like that. Once the service is transferred, you, in theory, could be able to use range extenders.

The middle floor should be a good idea depending on building materials - some will block signal worse than others.

Smart home setups can be a bit tricky for whole home coverage, but I think you can get some good results with using the right hardware. I currently have a small apartment but in my previous residence me and my roommate had a 3 floor condo with multiple smart devices including a nest, google home, streaming devices etc.

Take some time, review your options, and really buckle down on some research with the exact service options and devices you may want. As much as I dislike most cable ISP's, they typically have a more reliable connection at home compared to an LTE solution and typically do not have data caps/throttling.

To note, unless you're using stuff like a laptop, smartphone etc. I'd avoid the jetpack if possible.

I don't think you'd need two, but it's your decision. It would be much harder to aggregate the two connections into one, but I supposed you could run two networks, with two modems and two routers.

FYI the modem I see that would work is: https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1541126855&sr=8-3&keywords=lte+modem

Not OP, but I am using this on a USG as a wan2 failover.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/?coliid=I2TBGK8SOA4PYO&colid=2DDLLAA5DHXGH&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I really like the Netgear 1120 modem.

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE

The plus side is it will hold its value much better as it also works on TMO and ATT. The reviews had someone say it worked great on Verizon.

To add onto this I just read that you can request a data only sim and it will work off the same card as your phone. Capping at the 80 bucks a month. So something like this you can have WiFi for all your devices. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_fnyGDb4PR0DZS

Wife’s friend bought a house out in the country and Blazing Hog was their best option. Blazing Hog sent a 4G netgear modem with their sim pre installed. I walked around the house with my laptop connected running speed tests to find the optimal location. They were able to get ~15 down and 10up. You will need to bring your own router and WiFi.

I also bought the same Netgear 4g modem to upgrade from an ATT MiFi at work with a simple SIM card swap. The modem has strong internal antennas don’t buy external antennas for it off of amazon. I have tried several and they don’t work.


NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem - Instant Broadband Connection | Works with AT&T and Alternate Carriers (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_9QBoDb50C20FY

I was hoping you get this NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem – Instant Broadband Connection (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_GmyeAbBCDHSSQ

And then this TS9 Connector Antenna https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZYN6162/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_enyeAb17RE0AG

To boost the strength. Our phones work out there, but only a couple bars, so just trying to be safe.

Do you know what band they are connecting to? If it 2 or 4 (not 13 only) you should check this out.


NETGEAR 4G LTE Modem - Instant Broadband Connection | Works with AT&T and Alternate Carriers (LB1120) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5ASNTE/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_eP1uDbDRDK329

https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LTE-Modem-Broadband-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE what about this device? Was thinking if I got it I could hook a router up to it then put a vpn on said router in order to bypass the att nat type issues.

This might work better for your situation. Runs off 12V, 1A.
https://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-LB1120-100NAS-LTE-Modem-Connection/dp/B01N5ASNTE

Why not convert your free line into a data line (I think you can do this up to the 6GB data bucket), stick that SIM into an LTE modem, and then hook up a VoIP line to that? The added benefit is you will also have a little bit of data to carry you through those Comcast outages.