Suggestions for 5G LTE Modems with Ethernet

Ltaloncard on 20/01/2025 - 09:46

G'day,

Anyone have any suggestions for 5g Modems with ethernet that aren't crazy expensive? 4G isn't too expensive, but the jump to 5G devices go up by a factor of 10

I've got my own Unifi kit I'd like to plug it into as a filover, so the less the modem does, the better since my existing network would do the routing, wifi etc.

No need for Wifi, battery or even any UI.

The best bang for buck device I can find is a GL.iNet GL-X3000

Theoretically, some barebones board from aliexpress is possible since I can 3d print a case, but my preference would be for a complete product.

Mobile Mobile Broadband Modem

Comments

  • celtic-bear on 20/01/2025 - 10:24

    I am using 4g GLINET on my unifi as a failover and it works great (MUDI), I think paying 4x time for a failover is a bit overkill, I am getting enough speed on 4G to sustain even long outages (WFH and a lot of IOT)

    • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 11:23

      I am using 4g GLINET on my unifi as a failover and it works great (MUDI), I think paying 4x time for a failover is a bit overkill

      If that is the case, it is time to get Starlink. What is your 4G costing you? More than $139 a month? Then it is time to get Starlink for a failover. You can always go the $15 for 5GB Backup Plan.. Alternatives are $80 for 50GB.

      • askbargain on 20/01/2025 - 11:47
        +1

        How tf is 4G going to cost more than $139 a month

        • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 12:04

          I once did a Starlink installer for a customer who was going to save $50 a month by going to Starlink compared to her 4G dongles.

      • freefall101 on 20/01/2025 - 11:47

        What is your 4G costing you? More than $139 a month?

        How much can a banana cost, $10?

        You can get unlimited 4G internet for about $50 a month. Starlink seems massive overkill for failover.

        • taloncard on 20/01/2025 - 12:02
          +1

          It is overkill, and so is the 5G I asked about in the original post.

          But I'm a fan of overkill when it comes to network reliablity

          • freefall101 on 20/01/2025 - 13:12
            +1

            @taloncard: I'd hunt around to see if there's any non-NBN fixed wireless providers in Sydney still (there were a couple in Melbourne, I think they mostly died out once NBN came along though), they'd be a better speed option than Starlink. Faster, although impacted by line of sight.

            Starlink is overkill because, in terms of reliability, it doesn't really add anything. Nor does 5G over 4G, 5G is no more reliable than 4G, it's the same towers, it's just faster.

            To answer your original question though on 5G modems, had a hunt around for second hand Nokia Fast Miles? They're under $300 to begin with, a quick google shows up some cheap used ones

        • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 12:06

          Starlink seems massive overkill for failover.

          You say that now, but when the power goes out, and/or Telstra has an outage, it'll be a saviour. If you have NBN with Telstra and then 4G/5G with Telstra, and there is an outage, it's pointless. Ideally, you would have NBN with 1 provider and failover with another.

          • freefall101 on 20/01/2025 - 13:15

            @geekcohen: It sounds like the solution is to use a different NBN to mobile provider then, not get starlink.

            If the power goes out, run the 4G/5G modem off a battery. The towers have backup batteries so will usually run for a fair while. Most likely any localised battery will run out before those do.

            There's the prepper edge case of networks being down permanently or extended blackouts, but at that point it's unlikely your credit card payment will continue going through to actually pay for starlink.

            • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 13:31

              @freefall101: Each to their own, personally for any failover, I would recommend Starlink where possible.

              The towers have backup batteries so will usually run for a fair while

              I've had towers in my area go out after 6 hours. Which was real handy in a storm last year when it was only SOS after lunch time until 6pm. Even then, towers get overloaded and 4G/5G becomes barely usable. It is like holiday towns 4G/5G going belly up during busy holiday periods.

              There's the prepper edge case of networks being down permanently or extended blackouts, but at that point it's unlikely your credit card payment will continue going through to actually pay for starlink.

              The aim would be that Starlink is always going in someway.

              But anyway, each to their own. We all have our differences.

        • andrek on 21/01/2025 - 07:20
          +1

          The problem with 4G/5G as a backup, at least in my area, is when NBN goes down, the whole suburb switches to 4G/5G and the speed drops to a crawl, barely enough for browsing, not even talking Zoom calls. I'd expect this to be the case for any area where many work from home.

          • geekcohen on 22/01/2025 - 14:31
            +1

            @andrek: 100%, its why Starlink is a great alternative if you have the ability to have it.

        • shadyscab on 21/01/2025 - 09:50
          +1

          Who does unlimited 4g for $50?

  • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 11:26
    +1

    Similar to the first comment, maybe consider Starlink for a failover?

    Hardware is $383 Delivered (Regional Only). Cheaper than a 5G Router!

    I have Starlink configured for a failover on my Ubiquiti Dream Machine and its great. I got the Unlimited Residential and I don't even know sometimes it has failed over unless I see the notification on my phone.

    • taloncard on 20/01/2025 - 11:51

      I love the idea and my inner nerd has always wanted to try it, but I'm renting and don't have solid access to the roof or even a balcony to try an use.

      I think accepting 4g is going to be the most versatile solution here until the proce of 5g hardware comes down

      • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 12:08

        Yeah, if you don't have the ability to have Starlink permanently installed or a suitable spot for it, that is understandable.

        I want to upgrade my 4G hotspot to 5G, but yeah, its expensive.

  • Mike-A on 20/01/2025 - 12:11
    +1

    I like the Glinet stuff, but never tried the ones with in-built modems, so can't talk to that.
    For similar money telstra have the Nighthawk M6 5g, not listed on the telstra site but it does have ethernet.
    Netgear link https://www.netgear.com/au/home/mobile-wifi/hotspots/mr6110/

    Telstra link https://www.telstra.com.au/internet/mobile-broadband/netgear…
    $624 outright purchase, if existing telstra client, you may be able to buy with their points.

  • dragon191 on 20/01/2025 - 12:16
    +1

    Inseego FX2000 is a 5G Wifi router which has Ethernet and USB-C tethering support. Can be had for under $200:

    https://www.mobileciti.com.au/inseego-wavemaker-5g-indoor-ro…

    • geekcohen on 20/01/2025 - 12:20

      It was $99 a few days ago

    • taloncard on 20/01/2025 - 12:41
      +1

      That is absolutely perfect, Shame I missed the $99 price, but still amazing compared to the other prices and should do the job

  • rxjb on 20/01/2025 - 12:23

    im using an old billion router. Very easy to configure, supports USB tethering. works well.

  • GordonD on 20/01/2025 - 12:48
    +3

    The cheapest 5G router with ethernet is a 5G mobile phone with a USB-C to ethernet adapter plugged into it. And it accepts SMSs and messages. And its a phone. And its a mobile phone if you unplug it and take it with you.

    I use a Belkin USB-C to gigabit ethernet adapter because it has a connector to a power adapter, but cheaper ones with the same functionality have been pointed out to me.

    • bargaino on 20/01/2025 - 15:41

      Is it possible to do that without a NAT layer in the phone?

      • alxr0101 on 21/01/2025 - 11:13

        The phone internet connection will be CGNAT anyway from the carrier

        • bargaino on 21/01/2025 - 12:07

          So by the time you get to the LAN hosts, they are triple-NAT-ed. carrier, phone, and router.

          I guess it still works.

          • alxr0101 on 22/01/2025 - 13:59

            @bargaino: What do you think would not work?

            Stick 4 routers behind each other and you can still get cat videos and order chicken nuggets.

            • bargaino on 22/01/2025 - 16:34

              @alxr0101: Sure most things will work fine.
              the odd unpredictable case can be a PITA. Torrents, VoIP, …
              Might slow down Chrome because of QUIC?

          • GordonD on 23/01/2025 - 15:10
            +1

            @bargaino: Double NAT-ed. Carrier and phone. No router required. The phone does does the routing whether its through wifi or USB->ethernet

            I have been using a 5G phone USB tethered to a GL.inet router, and that's triple NAT-ed.

        • skwashd on 25/01/2025 - 23:47

          Not if you're on a Telstra Business service. If you can't get a bundle SIM, get the small plan. It costs $20 per month for 30GB p/mth. This is shared with your other services.

          Call up and ask for the GPTEXB3 code to be added to the service. It can take a few transfers before you get connected to someone who knows how to do it. Then use the telstra.extranet APN. Goodbye CGNAT.

          I do this at my office and home. Both connected to 4G Netgear Nighthawks I got on sale. The Ubiquiti UDM Pro handles the failover and failback without missing a beat.

  • randombrick on 20/01/2025 - 15:02
    +1

    Related but different: Have you found a not-expensive, long expiry data plan (4G or 5G) to use as failover?

    • Breddo on 21/01/2025 - 08:20

      Depends how often you need the failover but I’m currently using an Aldi data only plan. It’s only 4g currently but that works for me. $95 for 30gb with 1 year expiry and any unused rolls over to the following year if you auto renew. There are larger plans if you need more but my nbn is relatively stable so this has kept me going

      • randombrick on 22/01/2025 - 15:10

        That sounds like a reasonable plan. Especially if it is 1 year validity. Thanks

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