The Franklin R717 hotspot was released in November 2019, and is branded as the "T9" mobile hotspot for T-Mobile, replacing the CoolPad Surf. It is the hotspot that is used as part of their Test Drive program.
The R717 is also sold by Karma, a T-Mobile MVNO.
Specifications
- Model Number: R717
- # of Connected Devices: 15 via Wi-Fi
- Control Panel and Default Password:
Control Panel: http://mobile.hotspot or http://192.168.0.1
Default Password: "FranklinT9 + the last 4 digits of IMEI" - USB Tethering Support: Yes
- Supported Networks and Bands:
- LTE-Advanced Carrier Aggregation: No
- MIMO Support: 2x2 Internal
- LTE Performance Category: 4
(Max Theoretical Speed: 150Mbps Down / 50Mbps Up) - Cellular Antenna Ports: None
- Other Ports: Micro USB
- Wi-Fi Technology / Frequencies: 802.11 b/g/n/ac - 2.4 GHz & 5 Ghz
- Battery
- Claimed Battery Life: 8hrs, 48hrs on standby
- Can Be Powered Without a Battery: Yes
- Replacement Battery: eBay
- Dimensions: 4.13” x 2.63” x “.51” (2.99oz)
- SIM Card Type: Nano
- Retail Price: $90 at T-Mobile | $79.99 at Karma | $59.95 at Amazon
News, Videos, & Status
We are not currently testing this hotspot device.
News Stories:
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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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