In recent years, the major cellular carriers have introduced cellular-based broadband plans designed to compete with traditional internet service providers by offering internet services to residences and businesses.
The major stipulation with all these options is that they are intended for fixed locations only and are only available in limited service areas. This means that these options are not viable for the majority of people who are looking for a mobile internet solution, though they might work for RVers and cruisers who are stationary or in a single location for a lengthy period (months).
Currently, T-Mobile and Verizon both offer fixed-location LTE home internet service. AT&T doesn't currently have a dedicated cellular-based fixed location internet service.
Both the T-Mobile and Verizon service utilizes a cellular gateway router along with a dedicated home internet plan. The devices are only available to subscribers of the home internet plans and the plans reportedly can only be used in the included gateway device.
Service for both options is tied to the sign-up location and is not intended to be used as a mobile internet option. Mobile use is against the plans' terms of service. We are only covering this in our Gear Center as it's an option RVers and Cruisers who are stationary or are part-time nomads.
Carrier Options
T-Mobile
T-Mobile
The current router for T-Mobile Home internet service is made by Nokia and is based on the FastMile cellular router. It became available in mid-January 2021 and is available as a replacement for the LTE-only router built by Taiwan-based Askey Computer Corp, which is being phased out.
Specifications - T-Mobile High-Speed 5G Internet Gateway
- Model: 5G21-12W-A
- Router Specs:
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel Access: http://192.168.12.1 or via mobile app
Default Password: Default Admin username: Admin, Default Password written on device sticker - USB Tethering Support: Unlikely but unconfirmed
- Ethernet Ports: 4x Gigabit ports - 1xWAN, 3xLAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Supported Networks and Bands:
5G Bands: n2, n25, n41, n66, n71
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 66, 71
2G/3G: N/A - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- MIMO Support: 2x2 Internal only
- LTE Performance Category: Unknown
(Max Theoretical Speed: ???Mbps Down / ???Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- SIM Slots: Nano (4FF)
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- Dimensions: 8.5 x 4.7 (round) inches
- Other Ports: USB-C (nonfunctional), RJ-11(nonfunctional)
- Power Source: A/C adapter (12V/ 2A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: N/A
- Retail Price: Included with service.
Specifications - T-Mobile LTE Wi-Fi Gateway
- Model: TM-RTL0102 LTE WiFi Gateway
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: 20
- Wi-Fi Router:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/n/ac
- Wi-Fi Antenna: No
- Wi-Fi-as-WAN: No
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: No
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel Access: http://192.168.1.1 or via mobile app
Default Password: Default Admin username: Admin, Default Password written on device sticker - USB Tethering Support: No (no USB port)
- Ethernet Ports: 3x Gigabit ports - 1x LAN/WAN, 2xLAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Supported Networks and Bands:
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 66, 71
2G/3G: WCDMA 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- MIMO Support: 2x2 Internal only
- LTE Performance Category: Category 12
(Max Theoretical Speed: 600Mbps Down / 150Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- SIM Slots: Mini (4FF)
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.9 x 2.2 inches
- Other Ports: Phone (RJ-11)
- Power Source: A/C adapter (12V/ 2A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: N/A
- Retail Price: Included with service, $207 if the device not returned when service ends.
Verizon
Verizon
In October 2020, Verizon introduced a 5G device for its home internet service, replacing the previous hardware that was based on the same hard used for T-Mobile's service.
Specifications - Verizon 5G Internet Gateway
- Model: Wistron LV55
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Unknown
- Wi-Fi Router:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n/ax
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/n/ac/ax
- Wi-Fi Antenna: No
- Wi-Fi-as-WAN: No
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel Access: Via myVerizon mobile app
Default Password: Written on the device label - USB Tethering Support: No (no USB port)
- Ethernet Ports: 1x 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet - LAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Supported Networks and Bands:
5G Bands: n2, n5, n66, n260, n261
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 13, 48, 66
2G/3G: None - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Internal only
- LTE Performance Category: Category 16
(Max Theoretical Speed: 1000Mbps Down / 150Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- SIM Slots: Unknown
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- Dimensions: 8.7 x 8.7 x 3.4 inches
- Other Ports:
- Power Source: A/C adapter (20V/ 6A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: N/A
- Retail Price: $240
The initial launch of Verizon's home cellular-based internet service used the LTE-only gateway made by Askey:
Specifications - Verizon LTE Wi-Fi Gateway
- Model: ASK-RTL108 LTE WiFi Gateway
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Unknown
- Wi-Fi Router:
- 2.4GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
- 5GHz Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/n/ac
- Wi-Fi Antenna: No
- Wi-Fi-as-WAN: No
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel Access: http://192.168.1.1 or via mobile app
Default Password: Written on the device label - USB Tethering Support: No (no USB port)
- Ethernet Ports: 3x Gigabit ports - 1x WAN, 2xLAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Supported Networks and Bands:
LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 13, 48, 66
2G/3G: Unknown - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- MIMO Support: 2x2 Internal only
- LTE Performance Category: Category 12
(Max Theoretical Speed: 600Mbps Down / 150Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: 1x for proprietary window-mount antenna
- SIM Slots: Mini (4FF)
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.9 x 2.2 inches
- Other Ports: None
- Power Source: A/C adapter (12V/ 2A)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: N/A
- Retail Price: $240
Plans
Unique residential plans are the only options available to activate for these home internet services. The plans are intended to be for fixed residences only and require contacting the carrier before moving the device to another location.
- T-Mobile: Unlimited Data =$60/month (with autopay discount; taxes & fees included). Customers who signed up for service before early March 2021 got a $50/month rate.
- Verizon: Unlimited Data, video streams throttled to 1080p. The cost is $40/month with autopay for Verizon customers with wireless lines or $60/month for non-Verizon customers. Without autopay, add on another $10/month.
News, Videos & Status
A team member acquired a T-Mobile Home Internet device and plan and tested it for both fixed location service and the potential of mobility. Our review is below.
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
Learn More About Selecting Mobile Routers
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Routers can serve as a central conductor of your local area network in your RV and boat. Mobile routers are different from residential routers in that they typically support internet sources like cellular and Wi-Fi, can be powered off of 12v or AC and support external antenna for better receiving signal.
But you might not need a router in your setup. Here's a quick video overview the variety that routers come in:
To learn more, head on over to our guides that cover these topics further:
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