Expanding cellular network capacity, thanks to LTE and 5G technology, allows the cellular carriers to compete against wired Internet Service Providers (ISPs) for traditional residential and business internet service. While all the major cellular carriers have introduced cellular-based broadband plans designed to compete with traditional wired ISPs, most come with location and other restrictions that don't make these options attractive for mobile users who need to get connected while on the road or water.
T-Mobile is the exception and their "fixed" residential and business cellular plan does allow users to use their cellular residential and business internet service anywhere T-Mobile has service.
See our Fixed Residential Service entry for similar options from AT&T, Verizon, and others that are NOT mobile-friendly.
T-Mobile's ISP service includes a 5G gateway router for the service, which is required to use with the plan. You cannot swap the SIM to a different device, it is IMEI-locked to the gateway router. T-Mobile also says they offer an LTE-only service for those in areas without 5G, but little information is available on T-mobile's website.
T-Mobile's prepaid subsidiary, Metro by T-Mobile, sells the same plan and gateways on prepaid, but you must also have a phone line in order to sign up for the service. You must sign up in a store.
Currently Available Plan:
- Unlimited - $50/month
Plan Specifications:
- Carrier Networks Used: T-Mobile
- Carrier Relationship: Direct
- Plan Types Available: Data
- Device Types Permitted: Home/Business Router (provided by T-Mobile)
- Unlimited: Yes
- High-Speed Mobile Hotspot Use: Yes - all
- Throttling: None
- Network Management: Always deprioritized
- Video Streaming Resolution: Not restricted - Up to 4k
- 5G Access: Yes
- Device Purchase Required: Yes, included with service
- Plan Period: Monthly
- International Roaming: None
- Domestic Roaming: None
- Data Roll Over: N/A
- Overage Charges: None
- Lines per account: 1
- Extras: N/A
T-Mobile Home Internet Gateway Devices
T-Mobile has offered three different routers for its home internet service. The current routers are the Arcadyan KVD21 Gateway and the Nokia 5G21. The original router option, which is now phased out, is the LTE Wi-Fi Gateway TM-RTL0102 built by Taiwan-based Askey Computer Corp.
The plan must be used in the provided gateway, which is provided at no charge and must be returned when service is canceled. The SIM card for the plan cannot be used in other devices and the gateways are locked to T-Mobile and cannot be used on other carrier's networks.
Arcadyan KVD21
The Arcadyan KVD21 is the newest 5G gateway for T-Mobile's home and small business internet service.
Specifications
- Model: KVD21
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) with 4x4 MIMO
- Max Theoretical Wi-Fi Speed: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Antenna: Internal
- Wi-Fi as WAN: None
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password: On the device label
- USB Tethering Support: Unknown (unlikely)
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 (Fibocom FG360-NA)
- Supported Networks and Bands: T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n25, n41, n66, n71
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 41, 46, 66, 71
- 4G/3G Bands: N/A
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Download, 2x2 Upload
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: 4.3 Gbps Down / 1.1 Gbps Up
- LTE Performance Category: Cat-19 (Max Theoretical Speed: 1.6 Gbps Down / 150Mbps Up)
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: At least 5x Download, 3x Upload
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- Cellular Antennas: 6x Internal
- SIM Slots: 1x Nano
- Dimensions: 4.73 x 4.73 x 7.52 inches
- Other Ports: USB-C (Data)
- Power Source: 12V / 1.2A USB-C (AC Adapter included)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Integrated GPS
- Retail Price: Included ($370 charge if not returned when service is canceled)
Nokia 5G21
The Nokia 5G21, colloquially known as the "trash can" due to its shape, was the first 5G gateway for T-Mobile's home and small business internet service.
Specifications
- Model: 5G21-12W-A
- Router Specs:
- # of Connected Devices: Up to 64
- Wi-Fi Router: Yes
- Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) - Simultaneous Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz)
- Max Theoretical Wi-Fi Speed: Not Specified
- Wi-Fi Antenna: Internal
- Wi-Fi as WAN: None
- Claimed Wi-Fi Range: Not Specified
- Guest Wi-Fi Network: Yes
- Default Control Panel Address and Password: On the device label
- USB Tethering Support: No
- Ethernet Ports: 2x Gigabit Ethernet LAN
- Cellular Modem Specs:
- Cellular Modem: Single 5G
- Modem Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon X55
- Supported Networks and Bands: T-Mobile
- 5G Bands: n2, n25, n41, n66, n71
- LTE Bands: 2, 4, 5, 12, 25, 26, 41, 48, 66, 71
- 4G/3G Bands: N/A
- MIMO Support: 4x4 Download, 2x2 Upload
- Max Theoretical 5G Performance: Not Specified
- LTE Performance Category: Not specified
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- 5G Carrier Aggregation: Not Specified
- Cellular Antennas: Internal only
- SIM Slots: 1x Nano
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 8.50 inches
- Other Ports: RJ-11 and USB-C (Not functional)
- Power Source: 12V / 1.2A (AC Adapter included)
- Outdoor Rated: No
- Special Features: Integrated GPS
- Retail Price: Included ($370 charge if not returned when service is canceled)
Retired Gateways
The original T-Mobile LTE Gateway (the Askey TM-RTL0102), which we tested for our original review, is now retired. Those who still have this gateway can upgrade to a 5G gateway for no cost by calling T-Mobile.
Details and specifications for the Askey Gateway are on T-mobile's website.
News, Videos & Status
A team member acquired the T-Mobile Home Internet device and service when it was introduced in 2020 and tested it for both fixed location service and the potential of mobility. Our original review is in the member area below.
In May 2022 we acquired the 5G Small Business version (identical to the consumer version) with the Arcadyan 5G gateway for further testing. Our testing notes will be in the MIA forum thread linked below and incorporated in the member section of this review once our initial testing is complete.
Alternatives to Consider
For other popular mobile routers on the market we are tracking - here are our featured options:
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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 multiple 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:
For more on learning about mobile routers and how they might fit in your setup, follow up with our educational resources:
Mobile Internet Resource Center is founded by Chris & Cherie of