Another AT&T irritation on the Classic connectivity

[Ephraim]

Don't know what router the 2020s are using, but the 2019 uses a Pepwave MAX BR1 mini with a Cat 4 modem. I have been to several sites where AT&T coverage was supposed to be good and it really struggles. I may have found the problem.

Looking at the router specs:

Cat 4 frequency bands: B2, B4, B5, B13, B17

As it turns out, AT&T has a significant usage of the B12 band. In order to use it, you have to have the Cat 6 version of the router.

Now you know.

[Froglips]

So is there a solution? Is there something we can do to solve this? The best solution would be to get away from AT&T but if that isn't possible can we switch to a more current Pepwave but still retain the trailer's functionality?

[ChipB]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

Don't know what router the 2020s are using, but the 2019 uses a Pepwave MAX BR1 mini with a Cat 4 modem. I have been to several sites where AT&T coverage was supposed to be good and it really struggles. I may have found the problem.

Looking at the router specs:

Cat 4 frequency bands: B2, B4, B5, B13, B17

As it turns out, AT&T has a significant usage of the B12 band. In order to use it, you have to have the Cat 6 version of the router.

Now you know.

I'm experiencing similar connectivity and speed issues in areas where the ATT map indicates I should not have issues. I'm hoping for an answer as well. If it's a router upgrade, OK. If it's a switch to another carrier, OK. If it's both, well, that's an answer, and OK as well. I'll watch this thread for replies from those in the know.

[ghaynes755]

Specs I see on the Peplink site include B12.


Product CodeRegion/CarrierEmbedded Modem4G Bands3G Bands 4G LTEMAX-BR1-MINI-LTE-US-TUnited States14G LTE:
B2, B4, B5, B12, B13HSPA+: B2, B5

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

Don't know what router the 2020s are using, but the 2019 uses a Pepwave MAX BR1 mini with a Cat 4 modem. I have been to several sites where AT&T coverage was supposed to be good and it really struggles. I may have found the problem.



Looking at the router specs:



Cat 4 frequency bands: B2, B4, B5, B13, B17



As it turns out, AT&T has a significant usage of the B12 band. In order to use it, you have to have the Cat 6 version of the router.



Now you know.

Att Netgear nighthawk is a cat 16 modem with 4x4 MIMO antennas. Verizon 8800L is cat 18 with 4x4 MIMO antenna.

Each are about $200 bucks.

I’ve been working in the trailer this past week. Pushed about 200 gigs of data through my Verizon Inseego 8800L. I am one of the fortunate few who jumped on the $69/mo prepaid unlimited / unthrottled (but network managed) plan from 1.5 years ago. Works like a charm.

I regularly enjoy speeds of 25-75Mbps.

[Ephraim]

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Specs I see on the Peplink site include B12.


Product CodeRegion/CarrierEmbedded Modem4G Bands3G Bands 4G LTEMAX-BR1-MINI-LTE-US-TUnited States14G LTE:
B2, B4, B5, B12, B13HSPA+: B2, B5

B12, B13, B17, and B18 are all on 700MHz.
Peplink says they have B12, but not B17.
5gstore.com lists it as having B17, but not B12

The Cat6 version says it has B12/17 and B13

I'm going to order one and swap the default modem out. This will allow me to mess with the router, but not mess with stuff that Airstream warranties. I'll see how much functionality is retained. In a conversation I had with Airstream a while back, they indicated that the smart control was not tied to AT&T. I suspect that the modem loads GPS data to an airstream server somewhere (for your location data.) It could be part of peplink's InControl system or it could be a separate server because the BR1 mini supports both.

I really don't care about location data. What I care about is having connectivity when I should have it, even if that means switching carriers.

[primepower]

So what make and model did you purchase exactly?

[Froglips]

Yea, interested in how much functionality you lose. I can buy a hot spot for a fraction of what those modems cost.

[primepower]

You can but you won't get the signal inside the Airstream like the connected antennae does.

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by primepower

You can but you won't get the signal inside the Airstream like the connected antennae does.

It all depends on the conditions. I have an external Omni directional 1x1 antenna on the roof, 2x2 portable directional MIMO antenna I place in a window, and my jetpack 8800l has a built in omni directional 4x4.

85% of the time I use my 2x2 directional and place with the best orientation. 10% of the time I use the jetpack antenna and place the unit in a window, 5% of the time I use my roof antenna (most expensive of them all interestingly enough).

Ultimately I think a 4x4 roof mounted antenna would be best, but I have not seen any cost effective consumer cat 18 LTE modems with the ability to connect to an external 4x4... they all seem to be 2x2 outputs from the modem hardware, including both fixed and portable modems.

The best is to have multiple options available, and choose the one that works best for the circumstances. There is no question that a category 18 modem will outperform a cat 6 in most of not all situations as it can multiplex / aggregate channels for improved throughout.

[AirstreamInc]

Originally Posted by Ephraim

Don't know what router the 2020s are using, but the 2019 uses a Pepwave MAX BR1 mini with a Cat 4 modem. I have been to several sites where AT&T coverage was supposed to be good and it really struggles. I may have found the problem.

Looking at the router specs:

Cat 4 frequency bands: B2, B4, B5, B13, B17

As it turns out, AT&T has a significant usage of the B12 band. In order to use it, you have to have the Cat 6 version of the router.

Now you know.

Hi,*

Please don't hesitate to reach out to us so that we can assist by sending us a direct message with your contact information and the last 6 digits of your VIN.

You can also reach Airstream Customer Service and Technical Support at*customersupport@airstream.com

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