Netgear over the years has offered several LTE Modems that are designed to provide basic cellular connectivity via an Ethernet connection.
The Netgear 4G LTE modems cover four different models which may be useful to mobile internet users who are looking for an Ethernet LAN port - but not Wi-Fi connectivity.
There are currently three models in the LB series of modems and one in the LM series. The LB series of modems was first released in 2017, the LM series were first released in early 2021.
Netgear 4G LTE modems are not sold directly by carriers, so they come unlocked.
Product Variations
LM Series LTE Modems
There is currently one version available, the LM1200, which was released in March 2021. It comes with a low-end category-4 LTE modem but does include support for more bands than the older LB models, including T-Mobile's Band 71 and AT&T's Band 14.
It also includes support for Verizon and is certified on all three major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile) but not for the Sprint network.
Specifications
- Model Number: LM1200-100NAS
- # of Connected Devices: 1x via Gigabit Ethernet (no WiFi)
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.5.1
Default Password: On the product label - USB Tethering Support: None - USB for power only
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon
4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 12/17, 13, 14, 66, 71
3G: UMTS DC-HSPA+ Bands 2, 4, 5 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- MIMO Support: 2x2 internal or external
- LTE Performance Category: Category 4
(Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x MIMO / TS9 Connectors
- Other Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet (1xWAN, 1xLAN)
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: None
- Claimed Battery Life: No battery
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Dimensions: 4.56 x 4.56 x 1.27 inches
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $149.99
LB Series LTE Modems
There are three versions, with only minor differences between them:
- 4G LTE Modem (Model LB1120) - The basic model. List price $119.99.
- 4G LTE Modem with POE (Model LB1121) - The only difference with this model is that it can be powered over POE (power over Ethernet) as well as via the power jack. If you have a device that has a spare POE port (like a WiFiRagner GoAC), this can let you avoid needing a power supply. List price $139.99.
- 4G LTE Modem with Dual Ethernet Ports (Model LB2120) - This model lacks the ability to be powered over POE, but adds an ethernet WAN port. This second ethernet port is designed to let the LTE Modem sit inline between a traditional DSL or Cable Modem and a home or office router. If the wired internet goes down, the wireless modem can then take over. This is handy for providing backup service to a home or office, but not useful for most mobile installations. List price $159.99.
Other than by comparing the back panel, all three models look identical.
The LTE modem chipset is the same for each variant.
Netgear 4G LTE modems are not sold directly by AT&T, so they come unlocked.
These devices can also be used on T-Mobile's network thanks to Band 12 support - but do not support T-Mobile's newer Band 71. There is limited Verizon support - users would be better off with a dedicated Verizon device.
Compared to other AT&T devices on the market, these LTE modems have inferior specifications.
Specifications
- Model Number: LB1120 (base model), LB1121(includes PoE), LB2120 (includes 2 ethernet ports)
- # of Connected Devices: 1x via Gigabit Ethernet (no WiFi)
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://192.168.5.1
Default Password: On the product label - USB Tethering Support: None - lacks a USB port
- Supported Networks and Bands: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon (limited support)
4G/LTE: 2, 4, 5, 12/17
3G: HSPA+ 850/1900; UMTS 2, 5 - LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- MIMO Support: 2x2 internal or external
- LTE Performance Category: Category 4
(Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: 2x MIMO / TS9 Connectors
- Other Ports: Gigabit Ethernet (2x for model LB2120)
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: None
- Claimed Battery Life: No battery
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Dimensions: 4.7'' x 3.9'' x 1.2''
- SIM Card Type: Micro
- Retail Price: $115-$179 (depending on model and vendor)
News, Videos, & Status
We purchased one of the original Netgear 4G LTE Modems in July 2017. Members can see our testing data here: Cellular Equipment Field Testing Results – Netgear Modems / USB730 (Late 2017) and we have some summary comparative data to other AT&T devices in our member section below.
We do not intend to acquire or test the updated LM1200 LTE modem.
Unboxing Video
Here's our video unboxing & first impressions:
News Stories:
Potential Alternatives to Consider:
For other popular mobile hotspots on the market - here are our featured options:
We share our further hands-on impressions in the member area below.
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Mobile hotspot devices are small, self-contained units that receive a cellular data signal and transform it into an internet connection. They are a cellular modem and router combined. Most can create their own personal Wi-Fi network.
They are typically designed with a specific cellular carrier in mind and require a suitable cellular data plan of their own to operate. You might see them called Jetpacks (Verizon's term for them) or MiFi (Inseego's name for them).
Here's a quick video going over the features of a hotspot, and what makes one better than another:
The guides below have been hand-picked to help further your education about selecting mobile hotspots and best utilizing them in your mobile internet setup.
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