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PROAWEMIKE's avatar
PROAWEMIKE
Follower
Sep 19, 2020
Solved

Orbi LBR20 with T-Mobile issues

Hello,

 

I have an LBR20, I am trying to use it with a T-mobile sim and I can't seem to get it to connect to the internet. 

The sim works in another T-mobile hotspot device. 

 

I have tried APN: fast.t-mobile.com and Fast.t-mobile.com

Neither seems to work. 

 

Anyone have any suggestions? 

 

Thanks,

  • Unsupported device means that the plan provisioned to your “data SIM” isn’t approved by T-Mobile for use in your device. Typically you see this when people buy data plans (usually “unlimited”) through a reseller. What the reseller usually fails to mention is that their resold plan wasn’t meant to be used in a router device (because in reality it’s a phone or tablet plan).

    I can understand the frustration but the device definitely isn’t a paperweight when setup with proper settings and/or plan on TMO. If you are at all tech savvy there are some good info here from another TMO user who is using the LBR20 without issues and has offered some support via email:

    http://ltehacks.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=1876&sid=a358100f3a4526e612b295122419984b

18 Replies

  • Blanca_O's avatar
    Blanca_O
    NETGEAR Employee Retired

    Hi PROAWEMIKE

     

    Welcome to NETGEAR Community!

     

    Is there any error message when you set it up?

    Have you tried resetting the device? 

     

    Please provide the current firmware version. The latest firmware version is 2.5.2.20

     

     

    Regards,
    Blanca
    Community Team

  • Blanca_O's avatar
    Blanca_O
    NETGEAR Employee Retired

    Hi PROAWEMIKE

     

    We’d greatly appreciate hearing your feedback letting us know if you need further assistance.

     

    Regards,
    Blanca
    Community Team

  • Since the Sprint merger was completed, TMO has been systematically kicking data devices off their network if the SIM is not activated on a plan intended for use in a data-only device. They have not banned all possible IMEIs of data-only devices which is why your other hotspot may be be working with the same SIM. To troubleshoot further it would be helpful to know exactly what plan the SIM is activated on and the original device it was activated in. Feel free to DM me if there is confusion on any of the points I have noted.

  • ErnestTheGreat's avatar
    ErnestTheGreat
    NETGEAR Employee Retired

    Hi PROAWEMIKE,

    You may not be on the right plan for LBR20, please check with T-Mobile if you have the right data plan for devices like LBR20. I know recently T-Mobile changed the plans around so that is most likely an issue here.

  • I am using the Orbi LBR20 with T-Mobile.  What I had to do was connect to the admin console advanced internet setup (http://orbilogin.com/adv_index.htm) and ensure the following:

     

    Network mode: Automatic (4G or 3G)

    PDP Type: PDP-IPv4v6

     

    The setup 'wizard' had set it to just PDP-IPv4 which resulted in a connected status, but no actual Internet access.

    • lilsadone's avatar
      lilsadone
      Tutor



      Dageezer wrote:

      I am using the Orbi LBR20 with T-Mobile.  What I had to do was connect to the admin console advanced internet setup (http://orbilogin.com/adv_index.htm) and ensure the following:

       

      Network mode: Automatic (4G or 3G)

      PDP Type: PDP-IPv4v6

       

      The setup 'wizard' had set it to just PDP-IPv4 which resulted in a connected status, but no actual Internet access.


      Dageezer  any other tips? I'm also using a T-mobile sim, and although I can see signal strength  on the admin console when I check status, I'm still not getting an internet connection. 

      I've already changed Network mode and PDP Type to what you've suggested (mine was also set to PDP-IPv4 by auto-setup, which didn't work). 

      • Dageezer's avatar
        Dageezer
        Initiate

        lilsadone The only other issue I had was after a month it quit working and I had to contact my cell provider and they found an issue with the 'expire' date not being reset.  The 'connection status' was showing as connected, just no pages would come up was my user experience during that issue.

         

        I do have google dns set as the only other non-default value as the tower near me seems to be slower otherwise.

         

        Advanced -> Internet Setup -> Internet tab

         

        Domain Name Server (DNS) Address

        Selected use these DNS Servers: (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4) 

  • I am using the following settings on an ORBI LBR20-100NAS with the generic card that came with the product on the T-mobile network. 

     

    Router Firmware Version

    V2.5.2.20

     

    Internet connection mode

    - Always use 3G/4G mobile connection

     

    APN

    - Fast t-mobile.com

     

    Network mode

    - Automatic 4G or 3G

     

    User name

    - leave blank

     

    Password

    - leave blank

     

    PDP Type

    - PDP-IPv4v6

     

    Authentication Type

    - Chap

     

    PIN Code

    - leave blank

     

    PUK Code

    - leave blank

     

    Thanks,

     

    -Dan

     

     

     

     

    • 7Jake's avatar
      7Jake
      Initiate

      I for one agree with the paperweight comment.  I've spend weeks being run around by verizon before being told the device was unsupported.  Then I spent 2 hours on the phone with T-mobile and their system will not activate because it shows the IMEI as invalid and asked that I keep them on the line and contact Netgear Customer Support.  So I did and was told by Netgear that my free customer service expired about 20 days ago.  There was no effort to even lead me in the direction of a solution, any reason given for why the IMEI would come up as such (on a device that claims to be compatible with T-Mobile) just simply, you must purchase a support plan for any support.  The only action I'm going to take at this point is see if T-Mobile can fix the issue or I'm going to take the router out to my range and introduce it to my 30/30. Then I'm going to purchase all new non Netgear equipment.  Anyone want an an LBR20, 2 outdoor extenders, a satelite and a few managed switches.   I appologize up front for placing this rant on the community forum which should be allocated for solutions, not complaints.  However, there is no ability to get to anyone within netgear (without a paid plan) and without multiple choice answers to questions that are irrelevant to my situation. 

       

      Netgear needs to get this cellular connectivity squared away or get out of the cellular busines all together and leave it to the cellular ISP to provide the hardware. 

      • Very sorry to hear of others having issues getting service on this device. It is frustrating that carriers aren't supporting this device better especially since T-Mobile and AT&T signed on to certify this device for use on their networks and their logos are on the box. On the Netgear side it would have been wise to work with the carriers better to certify in the user manual exactly which plans can be used with this device and which cannot.

         

        All of that that being said, there are many of us using these successfully on T-Mobile and AT&T with a few tweaks as referenced earlier in the thread so, if this is a paperweight in your case, be sure to toss it on eBay as they are reselling quite well. Would be happy to see frustrated folks at least be able to get some/most of their investment back if they do not have the time to make this work for their carrier/plan.