New Pepwave 5G Dongle Brings Ethernet-Over-USB 5G to Peplink Routers and Laptops

Peplink has a new Pepwave 5G Dongle, a compact single-modem device designed to add a full 5G WAN connection via Ethernet-over-USB.

The Pepwave 5G Dongle is built on a Qualcomm X62 modem and supports a wide range of global 5G and LTE bands, including sub-6 GHz 5G. The 5G Dongle will be available through Peplink-authorized resellers for $399 USD.

The official release of the 5G Dongle is expected in early March although some vendors may already be able to ship to consumers. The 5G Dongle will likely release ‘pending Verizon certification’.

You can view general information about Peplink USB cellular band support in our Peplink Cellular USB Adapter page.

Pepwave 5G Dongle First Look Video

Pepwave 5G Dongle Overview

The dongle is very similar in form factor and function to Peplink's Max Adapter devices, which are also simple modems with USB connectivity. The new Pepwave 5G Dongle supports dual physical nano-SIM slots and dual eSIMs. It ships with 1 GB of Peplink eSIM data, allowing users to test connectivity immediately out of the box without installing a SIM.

Connecting to the Device

Connectivity is provided via a single USB-C port, which connects directly to compatible Peplink routers that support USB-C tethering. The dongle can also be plugged directly into a laptop or computer, providing wired cellular internet access from virtually any carrier without requiring a traditional router.

Note: The Pepwave 5G Dongle does not include Wi-Fi or router functionality. It operates strictly as a wired 5G WAN device via USB-C and requires a computer or a compatible Peplink router for local networking.

The Peplink B One series routers are one of the popular routers that the Pepwave 5G Dongle can connect to using the USB-C tethering port. Other Peplink routers that support USB-C WAN tethering should also be compatible.

Signal Enhancement

Despite its compact size, the Pepwave 5G Dongle includes 4× external antenna ports, allowing it to be paired with high-gain or roof-mounted cellular antennas. This is especially important in mobile and remote environments, where signal quality often depends more on antenna placement and gain than on the modem itself.

By supporting external antennas, the dongle can be integrated into existing RV, marine, or fixed antenna setups—often delivering more stable connections and better performance than devices relying solely on internal antennas or phone-based tethering.

Common Use Cases

For mobile and remote users, the Pepwave 5G Dongle fills an important gap between traditional USB cellular modems and full-size embedded 5G routers. By presenting itself as a wired Ethernet WAN over USB-C, it avoids many of the driver, compatibility, and stability issues commonly associated with older USB modems and hotspot-based solutions, particularly when used with routers or laptops.

It also has the advantage of being a standalone device that can provide connectivity to a laptop or computer.

Admin Web Interface

When connected directly to a computer, the Pepwave 5G Dongle offers a basic local web interface for viewing cellular status, signal metrics, and connection details. When paired with a compatible Peplink router, the dongle appears as a standard WAN interface within the router’s dashboard and can also be monitored and managed through Peplink’s InControl2 cloud management system, alongside other WAN connections.

Conclusion

Support for dual physical SIMs and eSIMs in such a compact form factor gives travelers and remote workers greater flexibility when crossing regions, switching carriers, or configuring cellular failover. When paired with external antennas, the dongle can also deliver more consistent performance than phone tethering, especially in marginal coverage areas.

For existing Peplink users, the dongle offers a straightforward way to add 5G as a primary or backup WAN connection without upgrading to a larger or more expensive router. The downside is that relatively few Peplink routers have USB-C ports. 

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