Sierra AirPrime EM7565 LTE Advanced Pro Module Highlights Review

For worldwide use in IoT applications, SIERRA WIRELESS presents the AirPrime EM7565, the first module with LTE Advanced Pro technology. The Canadian company once again proves its leadership in module solutions for IoT applications.

High Speed ​​Mobile with LTE Advanced Pro

The Sierra EM7565 supports LTE Advanced Pro technology with carrier aggregation and 256-QAM modulation for significantly higher data rates. In the downlink, up to 600 Mbps transmission speed are possible and in the uplink, up to 150 Mbps is possible, which is twice to three times faster than previous solutions. This significantly speeds up data transfer for your application.

Sierra AirPrime EM7565

A LTE module for worldwide use

With support of 24 LTE frequency bands, the Sierra AirPrime EM7565 offers the possibility for use in LTE networks worldwide. The good cooperation between SIERRA WIRELESS and network operators worldwide is reflected in the carrier approvals for the module. With just one module, you can implement a worldwide applicable application with high-speed mobile radio. This reduces the number of different product variants and simplifies your logistics and production processes.

Other frequency bands for specialized applications

In addition to the EM7565 LTE advanced Pro module, additional modules with additional frequency bands for specialized applications follow.

  • “FirstNet” LTE band 14 is specifically designed for public safety applications (police, fire brigades, emergency services, etc.)
  • 5 GHz LTE for “private” LTE networks such as CBRS
  • LTE in the license-free 5 GHz band (LTE-LAA) for higher data rates

Sierra AirPrime EM7565

Position determination with GNSS included

In addition to mobile communication, the module also enables position determination with worldwide GNSS systems. With GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and Beidou, a reliable and accurate location is possible worldwide.

Fit for the future with FOTA

For the future-proofing of an application, it is often crucial that you can also update already delivered devices with firmware upgrades. Sierra Wireless offers “AirVantage FOTA”, a free platform for managing “over-the-air” firmware upgrades for your fleet of equipment.

M.2 form factor with USB 3.0

The modules of the EM series use the standardized “Next Generation Form Factor” M.2. This is significantly smaller and thinner than previous solutions in PCIe MiniCard format. The interface to the host CPU is a fast USB 3.0 connection.

Below are the general feature and specs of Sierra AirPirme EM7565:

 

 

4G LTE

  • Category Cat-12
  • Frequency bands B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B9, B12, B13, B18, B19, B20, B26, B28, B29, B30, B32, B41, B42, B43, B46, B48, B66

3G

  • HSPA + B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B8, B9

DATA SPEED

  • Peak Download Rate 600Mbps
  • Peak Upload Rate 150Mbps

LOCATION SERVICES

  • Satellite Systems Galileo, Glonass, GPS, Beidou

EMBEDDED SOFTWARE

  • Firmware Pre-certified firmware, Secure boot
  • System Drivers Windows® 8, Windows® 8.1, Windows® 10, Linux Driver: Standard ECM, Android RIL

INTERFACES

  • USB = USB 3.0, USB 2.0 High Speed
  • PCIe = PCIe
  • SIM interface 1.8V / 3V = 1

CONTROL OPTIONS

  • APIs, AT Commands

HARDWARE

  • Dimensions 42x30x2.3mm
  • Antenna Diversity, MIMO, GNSS Bias, Connectors: Main, Aux / GNSS, GNSS
  • Temperature Range -30 ° C / + 70 ° C ‘-40 ° C / + 85 ° C (TBC)

APPROVALS

  • Planned Carrier AT & T, docomo, Telstra, Verizon, Vodafone
  • Regulatory CE, FCC, GCF, IC, NCC, PTCRB

CLOUD SERVICES

  • Free Unlimited FOTA upgrades, connectivity management option, device management option, application enablement option CONNECTIVITY
  • Optional Ready-to-Connect Sierra Wireless embedded SIM

Huawei B618 4G LTE Category 11 Router Review

In the forest of 4G WiFi routers presented by the manufacturers, LTE routers sometimes are only available in certain countries. Now the new member Huawei B618 joins the family of 4G category 11 routers. As a reminder, category 11 (3GPP rel .12) allows a downstream peak rate of 600 Mbps and 50 Mbps upstream. LTE Category 11 specifies the aggregate of 3 carriers (256 QAM) in download for a single upload frequency. MIMO 2×2 and 4×4 support are possible.

Huawei B618 data rates announced by the manufacturer Huawei:

– LTE FDD: 4 * 4 MIMO + 2CA 582Mbps
– LTE TDD: 4 * 4 MIMO + 2CA 426Mbps
– DC-HSPA+: DL 42 Mbit / s, UL 5.76 Mbit / s
– HSPA+: DL 21 Mbit/s (64QAM) / 28 Mbit/s (MIMO), UL 5.76 Mbit/s
– HSPA: DL 14.4 Mbit/s, UL 5.76 Mbit/s
– WCDMA PS: 384 kbit/s
– EDGE: DL 296 kbit/s, UL 236.8 kbit/s
– GPRS: 85.6 kbit/s

Huawei B618 B618s-22d front logo and indicators

And Wifi rates offered:

– 802.11b/g/n up to 300 Mbps
– 802.11a/ac up to 1300 Mbps

On the WiFi side, the WLAN module supports the 802.11ac standard with 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies for a maximum speed of 1300 Mbps (cumulative).

 

 

We get the model Huawei B618s-22d, and it supports below the LTE/4G/3G/2G Frequency bands:

– LTE: B1/3/7/8/20/38
– FDD: 2100 MHz/1800 MHz/2600 MHz/900 MHz/800 MHz
– TDD: 2600 MHz
– Intra-band contiguous: CA_1C, CA_3C, CA_7C, CA_8B, CA_38C
– Inter-band : CA_1A-3A, CA_1A-20A, CA_3A-7A, CA_3A-20A, CA_7A-20A, CA_20A-38A
– DC-HSPA+/HSPA+/HSPA/UMTS : Band 1/8 2100MHz/900MHz
– EDGE/GPRS/GSM : Band 2/3/5/8 1900MHz/1800MHz/850MHz/900MHz

 

The network compatibility makes Huawei B618s-22d would work well in almost all the countries in Europe, Asia and middle East, but as we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Huawei B618s-22d is not marketed in some countries. If you need this router, you may purchase from oversea online trader www.4gltemall.com.

 

Huawei B618 B618s-22d USB LAN WAN Telephone ports

Huawei B618s-22d 4G LTE Router Interfaces:

On the back side, we discover the power button, a WPS activation button. A USB 2.0 port is available for media sharing (under Samba). A Gigabit Ethernet LAN port allows wired distribution and a second port allows either Ethernet or WAN input. This WAN entry option implies the presence of a Failover mode in case of loss of either the WAN link or the 4G link. An RJ11 port is also available for connecting a phone or fax. The AC power connector is located at the bottom, because the B618 does not have an internal battery for a stand-alone mode. Finally, a hatch visible here above the power button conceals the 2 external 3G & 4G antenna connectors in TS-9 format. Under the device is the SIM card slot and the reset button.

Huawei B618 B618s-22d bottom label

 

 Huawei B618 LTE Router specs

The Huawei B618 router supports 64 simultaneous WiFi connections (32 per band) via 2 internal non-removable antennas. The router offers VoLTE voice compatibility through its RJ11 port , which can be set in VoIP or CS mode (depending on the firmwares probably). It can also support IPv4 and IPv6, DHCP, DNS relay and NAT functions, and the basic protection functions are available (DDNS, deny ping ..).

Huawei B618 B618s-22d connecting external antenna

Huawei B618 Firmware

The firmware is very classic “Huawei” as shown on this page. And the Huawei B618 LTE CPE is compatible with the Hilink® smartphone app.

 

The version Huawei B618s-22d is the one we are talking about here, however, there is another brother versions B618s-65d available on the market, this declination is intended mainly for the following frequencies: Band 1/3/5/7/8/28/40 (FDD 700/850/900/1800/2100/2600MHz & TDD 2300MHz). The 800 MHz is replaced by 700 (B28) and 850 MHz. If you need the Huawei B618 router, just check your network provider deployed 4G LTE networks, if they just covers these bands, you could select Huawei B618s-22d or B618s-65d to get high-level LTE surfing with much faster speed.

 

Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100 Gigabit 4G Hotspot Review

Since the end of February 2018, this Nighthawk M1 MR1100 mobile LTE hotspot is available in Europe, which impresses above all by its sheer performance. The new Gigabit LTE mobile router is available in an extremely compact body. A colored LED display indicates important network information and the built-in battery has a generous capacity of 5,040 mAh. Dual-band WLAN with MIMO and USB Type C are further highlights, with an RJ45 Ethernet port.

Features and characteristics of Nighthawk M1 MR1100
Manufacturer and model number Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100
Chipset: Qualcomm MDM9x50
LTE Category: Cat. 16
Download rate 1,000 Mbps
Upload rate 150 Mbps
Supported LTE bands: 700/800/900/1800/2100/2300/2500/2600 MHz
Backwards compatible with: HSPA+, UMTS
Support for LTE-Advanced Yes
MIMO Support: Yes
Connection for external antenna: Yes, Two TS-9 Connectors(Buy Netgear nighthawk m1 antenna)
Network | LAN & WLAN
LAN ports: 1
WLAN standards: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
5 GHz WLAN support: Yes
Encryption: SIM Security
WLAN hotspot function: Yes
Others
Battery pack: 5,040 mAh
Dimension: 105.5 x 105.5 x 20.35 mm
USB: 1x USB Type A 2.0, 1x USB Type C
Memory card expansion: yes, micro SD
release: 1:02:18
Price: It depends
Available at: »at 4gltemall.com
Information material
Installation Guide: » Download here (PDF, 0,5 MB, english)
Detailed manual: » Download manual here (PDF, 4,3 MB, english)

 

 

Nighthawk M1 – the Best Gigabit LTE hotspot with Ethernet Port

In January 2017, the Californian network expert Netgear presented its mobile LTE hotspot Nighthawk M1 at CES. The Australian network provider Telstra introduced the Nighthawk M1 to its plan. And around the end of 2017, US network provider AT&T also used the Netgear Nighthawk M1. Unfortunately, it took more than a year before the product actually landed in Europe. The wait was worth it, however, because faster 4G Internet in such a tiny terminal did not exist so far. According to the LTE category 16, up to 1 Gbit/s in the download and a maximum of 150 Mbit/s in the upload are possible. This is made possible by the modem MDM9x50 from the semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm. With 240 grams and the approximately 10 cm wide surface fits the mini router in every pocket. Thus, you can conveniently provide yourself, friends and relatives with fast-paced Internet on the go.

 

Nighthawk M1 – Advanced LTE Technology Adopted

Aside from the sheer data transfer rate, the Nighthawk M1 LTE hotspot comes with other well-thought-out features. For example, thanks to 4-band carrier aggregation and 4 × 4 MIMO, optimum reception is ensured. The Netgear M1 is compatible with all LTE frequencies supported in this Europe, including the important Band 20 (800 MHz).

If the 4G Internet is not available, the Nighthawk M1 MR110 would turn to 3G network automatically. The router uses 3G bands on 850, 900, 1900 and 2100 MHz frequencies. The fastest bandwidth and the best signal, however, cannot be reached if the 4G Internet cannot be forwarded to connected devices accordingly. That’s why Netgear built a high-performance WLAN module in the Nighthawk M1 MR1100. Dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (802.11 ac) ensure that the wireless network does not become a bottleneck. Alternatively, a PC or notebook can be connected via a LAN socket. The SIM Security function provides the necessary security, and the small box can also be managed remotely via a smartphone app.

 

Further highlights of the Nighthawk M1

The microSD memory card slot can be used to transfer photos and videos to all devices connected to the Wi-Fi network. There are features for using the Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100 as a media server or NAS. The 5040 mAh battery is charged via USB Type C, the interface used by most recent smartphones. The larget battery can charge other devices if necessary.

The rechargeable battery can be replaced. If the battery has a defect, it is not necessary to send the complete LTE hotspot back. Particularly practical is the large, colored display on the top of the M1. This display shows important information such as the number of connected devices, the monthly data consumption or the current network operator. In addition, the signal strength and the battery level can be read.

 

Here now, the competitor Huawei presents its new LTE gigabit hotspot Huawei E5788. If you want to know more about Huawei E5788, welcome to check on www.4gltemall.com .

Alcatel Presents Two New Hotspots: Linkzone Cat7 and Cat12

TCL Communication presented two new Alcatel Linkzone LTE hotspots at the MWC in Barcelona. The Linkzone Cat7 Hotspot can achieve speeds of up to 300 MBit/s in the download and up to 100 MBit/s in the upload, while the other one Linkzone Cat12 Router can reach up to 600 MBit/s in the download and up to 100 MBit/s in the upload. However, both the two LTE hotspots don’t have a display, so the operation takes place either via app or browser web interface.

Alcatel Linkzone Cat12

The Alcatel Linkzone Cat12 LTE Hotspot comes in a black case with a 4,300 mAh battery. According to the manufacturer, the operating time is about 15 hours; LEDs on the front indicate the operating status. If required, the device can also be used to charge other devices (power bank function).

 

The antennas for mobile radio and for WLAN are firmly integrated in the housing, but the connections for 4G external antennas do not exist. Even a MicroSD memory card slot is not integrated with the Alcatel Linkzone Cat12, which feature was often found at mobile hotspots. The WLAN module of the Linkzone Cat12 works according to the standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and allows up to 32 users at the same time. On request, two WLAN names can be sent in parallel. The wireless speed is at a maximum of 867 MBit/s according to the manufacturer. And the Alcatel Linkzone Cat12 LTE Hotspot will be available “later in 2018”.

 

 

Alcatel Linkzone Cat7

The Alcatel Linkzone Cat7 LTE Hotspot is the small sister model to the Linkzone Cat12. And the Linkzone Cat7 is much cheaper based on weaker specifications. The battery has capacity of 2150 mAh, which is significantly lower than the linkzone Cat12. The battery life is advertised with up to 8 hours.

Regarding the WLAN, there is no difference to the more expensive Cat12 model: the wireless module operates on the standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4 and 5 gigahertz and allows up to 32 users at the same time. On request, two WLAN names can be sent in parallel. The WLAN speed is a maximum of 867 MBit/s.

 

Both hotspots with LTE band 32

It is pleasing that both Alcatel hotspots support all the frequency ranges that are currently important for Europe, including Band 1, 3, 7, 8 and 20 as well as Band 32 (1500 MHz). The 1500 MHz band will be used as Supplemental Downlink (SDL) in the future at Vodafone and Telekom to enable faster downlink speeds.

 

Huawei Launch World’s First 5G Chipset and 5G CPE

Huawei launched the world’s first 5G Chipset and first 5G CPE at MWC 2018 in Barcelona yesterday. According to Huawei official sayings, the 5G chipset model is Balong 5G01, which makes Huawei the first company offering an end-to-end 5G solution through its network, devices, and chipset-level capabilities.

As the world’s first commercial terminal device, Huawei 5G Router supports 3GPP 5G Standards with Huawei developed 5G chipset Balong 5G01, which it labeled as being the world’s first commercial 3GPP 5G chipset supporting download speeds of up to 2.3Gbps across sub-6GHz and millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum bands. The 5G CPE comes in a sub-6GHz model and an mmWave model, Huawei announced. This device marks a milestone as Huawei sets the stage for the next generation of wireless connectivity.

 

The HUAWEI 5G CPE has two models, low frequency (sub6GHz) 5G CPE and high frequency (mmWave) 5G CPE respectively. The HUAWEI low frequency 5G CPE is small and lightweight, compatible with 4G and 5G networks, and has proven measured download speeds of up to 2Gbps – 20 times that of 100Mbps fiber. This provides an ultra-fast experience, allowing users to enjoy VR video and gaming experiences, or download a TV show within a second. The HUAWEI high frequency 5G CPE is available in indoor and outdoor units.

“mmWave technology will be an important tool in ensuring widespread deployment of 5G technology in Canada. Huawei’s 5G solutions and terminals will enable 5G coverage over a neighbourhood or small community cost effectively, while providing more convenient and high-speed home broadband Internet access services.” said Dr. Wen Tong, Huawei Fellow, and CTO Huawei Wireless, “This friendly user trial will drive the global 3GPP unified 5G standard and build a solid foundation for the 5G early commercialization.”

 

5G technology will underpin the next leap forward for our intelligent world, where people, vehicles, homes and devices are fully connected, delivering new experiences, insights and capabilities,” said Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei Consumer Business Group. “Since 2009, Huawei has invested US$600 million in research and development into 5G technologies, where we have led the way with innovations around network architecture, spectrum usage, field verification and more. From connected vehicles and smart homes to AR/VR and hologram videos, we are committed to developing a mature 5G ecosystem so that consumers can benefit from a truly connected world that transforms the way we communicate and share.”

Huawei E5788 Gigabit LTE Hotspot Available in Europe

The Huawei E5788u-96a Gigabit LTE Hotspot is now available for some network providers in Europe. The mobile WLAN router is currently the fastest mobile hotspot in Europe with speeds of up to 1 GBit/s. The modem chipset comes from HiSilicon, a subsidiary of Huawei. Also on board are a large color display and a WLAN extender function, the device is charged via USB type C interface.

Huawei E5788 E5788u-96a Gigabit LTE Hotspot

Gigabit LTE modem

The Huawei E5788’s modem supports LTE Cat16 (Category 16) at speeds of up to 1Gbps downlink and up to 100Mbps uplink, as long as the mobile network is able to handle those speeds as well. In addition to LTE, UMTS with up to 42.2 Mbit/s in the download (DC-HSPA+) and up to 5.76 Mbit/s in the uplink and GSM/EDGE are of course supported.

 

WLAN with offload function (extender)

The WLAN module in the Huawei E5788 operates in the frequency ranges around 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. The WLAN Extender function is also available, so you can use an existing wireless network as Internet access and saves data volume from the mobile data plan. Once configured, the E5788 automatically connects to a known WLAN within range.

Huawei E5788 E5788u-96a Gigabit LTE Hotspot

Disadvantages of Huawei E5788

Even if the Huawei E5788 offers an extremely fast modem – some disadvantages are already apparent without a detailed test on the data sheet. So the battery is not changeable and there are no connections for an external LTE antenna. Also missing is a RJ45 Ethernet LAN port, which could easily pass on the extremely high speeds of the modem to other devices. Last but not least, of course, the high price of currently over 300 € is also a big disadvantage – similarly equipped devices with a slightly weaker modem, there are already for about half of the price.

Huawei E5788 E5788u-96a Gigabit LTE Hotspot

Alternatives to the Huawei E5788

If you really want a Gigabit LTE modem with LTE Cat16 or better, you only have one alternative to the Huawei E5788: the Netgear Nighthawk M1 MR1100. The router is about the same price and offers a LTE Cat16 Gigabit modem from Qualcomm, in contrast to the Huawei E5788, the Nighthawk M1 has a RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN interface, a removable battery and connections for an external antenna. If you want to know more different between the two mobile 4G routers, Click here: Huawei E5788 vs netgear M1

Huawei E5788 E5788u-96a Gigabit LTE Hotspot

If you are also satisfied with a 600 Mbps LTE modem, you should definitely take a closer look at the Netgear AirCard 810 hotspot. This also offers a touch screen, but also has a removable battery and the ability to connect external mobile antennas. If even 300 Mbit/s or LTE Cat6 is sufficient, there are many more choices available. For example, you could look at the Huawei E5885 hotspot, which comes with a huge 6,400 mAh battery and also has a special RJ45 Ethernet LAN port integrated.

Qualcomm Snapdragon X24 LTE Cat.20 Modem Released

Qualcomm today unveiled a new LTE modem in the run-up to Mobile World Congress. The Snapdragon X24 modem supports LTE up to category 20, delivering speeds up to 2 Gigabits per second over LTE. The LTE modem of the 8th generation is to be produced using the 7 nanometer process. At the MWC in Barcelona at the end of February, the modem will be shown for the first time in live operation, Qualcomm shows there in partnership with the Australian network operator Telstra, the network equipment supplier Ericsson and the network specialists Netgear.

World’s first LTE Cat20 modem

The Qualcomm Snapdragon X24 chip is the world’s first LTE category 20 modem. So far, mobile modems with LTE Cat18 were the fastest available chipsets. With LTE Cat18 up to 1.2 GBit/s are possible, for example, this supports the Qualcomm Snapdragon X20, which is installed in the 2018 flagship chipset Snapdragon 845.  The HiSilicon Kirin 970 also supports LTE Cat18, installed for example in the Huawei Mate 10. The now presented Snapdragon X24 adds another decent amount of speed and offers up to 2 GBit/s in the downlink.

Up to 2 gigabits per second are possible through the combination of various technologies. According to Qualcomm, the Snapdragon X24 supports seven-fold carrier aggregation (7CC CA), meaning that up to 7 different frequency ranges can be bundled. In addition, the 4 × 4 MIMO antenna technology is supported simultaneously on up to 5 frequency ranges.

The new highlight feature is the ability to use FD-MIMO (Full Dimension MIMO) antenna technology. Even LAA, ie license-assisted access in the 5 GHz frequency range, has so far rarely been integrated into mobile radio modems.

Also in the uplink more speed

The uplink speeds are usually always well behind the downlink data rates, here is the technology on the end device side a bit more expensive, especially in terms of the antenna technology. But here too, the Snapdragon X24 offers some good improvements: in addition to 3CC CA (triple carrier aggregation), 256QAM modulation is also supported. As a result, speeds up to 316 Mbps are also possible in the uplink LTE Cat20.

Other technologies in the Snapdragon X24

The very high maximum data rates can only be used in the LTE network if the network operator has also equipped its mobile network accordingly. Often not all technologies are used, so that only a part of the maximum possible speed arrives at the terminal. But the Qualcomm Snapdragon X24 modem also supports some technologies that are fully usable in slower networks. For example, there would be the possibility for terminal manufacturers to offer a dual SIM function with LTE on both cards as well as VoLTE functionality.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Will be Launched on February 2018

Samsung will introduce the Galaxy S9 on February 25, 2018 ahead of the MWC in Barcelona. The successor to the Samsung Galaxy S8 will probably have a much improved camera installed, it suggests “The Camera. Reimaged!” on the invitation at least the saying. For the first time since the Galaxy S6, Samsung is using the Mobile World Congress to introduce a flagship S-Series smartphone. Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S8 were then presented a few weeks after the important mobile phone trade fair.

Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus

Publicly, there are still no indications of the appearance and technical features of the Samsung Galaxy S9, but the rumors generally assume that this year there will again be two different sizes of the flagship model: the Galaxy S9 and the Galaxy S9 Plus. Both models are to get a better camera with faster autofocus, the plus model comes probably in addition with a second lens (dual-camera system). The case design is unlikely to change in comparison to the Galaxy S8, but Samsung has probably reconsidered the much-criticized positioning of the fingerprint scanner.

 

In addition to an improved camera you may of course expect an updated chipset, ie there will be a new Exynos processor including a new LTE modem. 5G will not dominate the Samsung Galaxy S9, but the technology is not yet mature enough. According to an alleged packaging for the Galaxy S9, which has recently surfaced , the device will be equipped with 64 GB of internal memory.

 

Mobile World Congress 2018

The Mobile World Congress is the world’s largest mobile phone trade show and takes place in Barcelona at the end of February each year. This year the fair starts on the 26th of February and ends on the 1st of March. In addition to Samsung, many other mobile phone manufacturers will hold press conferences and introduce new devices. Usually, in addition to new smartphones, but above all, details on new network technology, the subject of 5G will certainly be back on the agenda and even with the current generation of mobile radio LTE, the final stage is far from reached.

 

We will keep focus on the news about the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus and update the information on www.4gltemall.com/blog.

 

Huawei B2368 LTE Cat.12 Router Released

LTE routers with connections for an external mobile antenna are plentiful. An external antenna with the LTE router may have advantages, but a long cable between the antenna and the router can cause poor data rates. Huawei has now shown an interesting device Huawei B2368 LTE router-modem combination, which should solve this problem. The LTE modem is located directly in the external antenna and is accordingly mounted outdoors. The router with WLAN, RJ45 Ethernet LAN connections and telephone connection, however, is positioned in the house at a convenient location. The power supply of the modem is regulated via Power over Ethernet (PoE). Theoretically, the combination is also ideally suited for the next generation of mobile communications 5G.

The advantage of the separation of router and modem is obvious: the modem and antenna can be positioned in a place outside with very good wireless reception, the router with WLAN function, however, ideally positioned in the house so that all devices got a good internet connection. A separate power supply from the antenna and modem is not necessary; it is only a LAN cable between the two devices to be laid. Even a complicated alignment of the antenna is not necessary, because it is not a directional antenna. Operation without direct line of sight to the transmitting mast is possible.

 

LTE Category 12 router

The modem of the Huawei B2368 allows speeds of up to 600 Mbit/s in the downlink and up to 150 Mbit/s in the uplink – depending on the network technology used and the network expansion of the mobile service provider used. In addition to the FDD LTE, which is primarily used in Europe, TDD LTE is also supported. The B2368 may use the frequency bands 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 1, 3, 7, 8 and 20. The integrated WLAN module operates both in the frequency range around 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, a telephone function is also available.

 

Ideal for 5G mobile communications

According to Huawei, it is also conceivable that there will be a later 5G capable version. Here, the design would be quite useful, because the frequency range around 3.5 GHz, which is to be used at the beginning for 5G , penetrates even worse in buildings than the previously used at LTE frequency bands. The data rates should be much higher with the B2368 modem-router combination than with a router that is hidden behind several building walls.

 

Availability

According to Huawei, the B2368 LTE CPE is not yet available and a market launch is not planned for the time being. At the 2017 Global Mobile Broadband Forum in London, particular mention was made of Eastern Europe as an interesting market for the Huawei B2368.

 

Huawei B2338 Outdoor LTE CPE Review

In regions with poor LTE reception, if you wanted to use LTE as a DSL replacement, you had to rely on a combination of an LTE router and an external mobile antenna. The Chinese network specialist Huawei now offers the new LTE outdoor CPE B2338, an interesting combination of LTE modem, external antenna and router unit, which promises significantly better performance in poorly served regions. Technically, there is a strong similarity to the recently introduced on Huawei B2368, but the B2338 has a directional antenna instead of an Omni-directional antenna.

LTE modem with directional antenna

The Huawei B2338 consists of two parts: there is an outdoor mobile phone antenna with integrated LTE modem and a router unit with wireless and external device connections. The mobile antenna is mounted outside of the building and should ideally be aligned directly with the cell towers. Wind and weather can not affect the technology if installed correctly.

 

The Huawei B2338 CPE supports LTE Cat12 in the downlink and LTE Cat13 in the uplink, ie depending on the network up to 600 MBit/s in the download and up to 150 MBit/s in the uplink can be achieved. In addition, the outdoor LTE CPE supports not only FDD LTE, but also TDD LTE and can use up to 4 × 4 MIMO antenna technology, depending on the operating mode. Various LTE frequency bands are supported, including the bands B1, B3, B7 and B20, which are common in Europe and Aisa.

 

The advantage of the modem is the integrated directional antenna, which can not cause losses due to an antenna cable that is too long. The gain of the antenna is at 9 dBi in the 3.5 GHz range according to Huawei.

 

The power supply and the connection to the router unit are via RJ45 Ethernet LAN cable (Power over Ethernet, PoE). The SIM card is plugged directly into the antenna unit, and you will also find some small LEDs on the bottom, which indicates the operating status.

 

Router with PoE function

In addition to the modem-antenna combination, the router unit is the second important part of the Huawei B2338. The small box has an integrated WLAN radio module, so ideally it should be positioned in the house where most WLAN users are expected. The WLAN works on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and supports the standards 802.11b/g/n/ac. On the back there is a WPS button for fast and secure Wi-Fi encryption. You will also find on the back of the connection for the power supply and a small toggle switch for switching on and off the device. On the front, various LEDs signal the device status.

The Huawei B2338 has two RJ45 Gigabit LAN ports for connecting computers and other network devices. A third RJ45 LAN port is equipped with PoE function, so has an integrated power supply. This port is for connection to the modem or external antenna.

 

Telephone function and possible applications

In addition to two RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet ports, the Huawei B2338 also offers two RJ11 phone ports to which analog telephones or fax machines can be connected. This makes the B2338 Modem Router combination ideal for a remote office or home office. It would be conceivable, for example, the use of the device in a mountain hut or in a national park office, where you cannot get on with ordinary LTE router technology. In general, the B2338 will probably be used more in the business customer area, because the antenna must be professionally mounted outdoors and aligned as well as possible – for most residential customers, this is too complicated without an experienced fitter.

 

Market launch and availability

In the market, the Huawei B2338 outdoor LTE CPE is currently not available, the market launch is uncertain. The main sales market, according to Huawei Product Manager in Europe, is mainly the sparsely populated eastern states. For example, T-Mobile in the Czech Republic offers the device. We will keep updating the news about Huawei B2338.

 

If you need similar LTE outdoor CPE, we have the Huawei B2268S LTE CPE now with almost same functions.