LB2120 with external antenna

Star

Mar 26, 2020

By way of an update...

After no return calls or responses to email from Netgear, I decided to try it again today. For some unknown reason it is now working. With the antenna disconnected I am getting around 6-12mbps down and 12mbps up.

With the antenna connected I am getting around 24mbps down and 24mbps up.

I can only attribute the previous issues to some carrier level issues as I have not changed anything. Possibly majorly high demand due to people working from home.

Some things I have noticed after some in depth investigation:

This modem only supports LTE Cat4
This modem does not seem to support carrier aggregation - at least this is what I have read, would be great to know for certain
Other modems support LTE Cat6 and above
Most LTE Cat6 modems and above seem to support carrier aggregation - if you want to know more, here is a good article: https://www.3gpp.org/technologies/keywords-acronyms/101-carrier-aggregation-explained
Nighthawks are:
- M1 (MR1100) - Cat16
- M2 (MR2100) - Cat20
Very few modems / wifi hotspots / routers had the combination of:
- 1G ethernet ports
- External antenna support and
- Supported bridge / IP passthrough mode
- Unless willing to spend > AU$300-400

I currently have an LTE Cat6 modem on order and will update my findings when I have them - i.e. to see if speeds increase. When I am able to return to work I may also borrow the M2 that my network team uses.

BTW, having raised a case with Netgear, this has been my experience:

Raised a case online
Told I need to call within 48 hours or the case would be closed
1st call - told I was second inline and was approx. 355mins(6hrs?!) from the next technician and would I like a call back = yes I would :)
Submitted the document attached to this thread to the case
Received an email next day that my case would be closed in 24 hours without a call
As a result I made a 2nd call - I am still the second person in line, however this time no option for a call back
Today, check and the case is closed

This has to be customer service at its absolute best :)

mackov83
Star
Mar 27, 2020
With the new LTE Cat6 modem I am now pulling ~100mbps down and about 8mbps up - not a bad increase!

I also tested the LB2120 Cat4 again at the same time for a comparison - 12mbps down, 24mbps up.
- LlamaLarry
  Luminary
  May 07, 2020
  What modem did you switch to? I would also like to know if it has CA.
  - Sheaj544
    Aspirant
    May 16, 2020
    I am quite curious too ?
    
    I have picked up a second one of these to play with Dual Wan and to really just get more data for our home.
    
    The first in my case is flawless with Vodafone, 100Mb/s down most of the day, Uploads even more stable throughout the day with 35-40 Mb/s.
    
    Do i hear NBN is defunkt :o
    
    Second LB2120 for Optus with their recent deal on 500GB Mobile Broudband.
    
    Pretty abysma speeds so far and it varies heaps. 30 - 60 Mb/s down and a WHOPPING 7-9 Mb/s UP.
    
    Just patheric really, cant even get double digits, more the fault of Optus and made worse by the 4G Modem for not allowing Frequancy selection.
    
    Come on NETGEAR, is this NETgear or S**tGear. with a High Gain external antenna i would thave thought to get more than single digits for the upload. It seams to be stuck on the B40, 2300mHz frequancy 20 Mhz width. There is no ability to manualy select 1800 Mhz, 25 Mhz wide band, where one could only hope the uplaod speed would increase.
    
    Shame. guess its toygear after all. No support for OpenWRT either. Guess im out of luck.
    
    Anyways, What was the Cat 6 4G Modem you have picked up ? curious to hear your findings :D
    
    Happy Hunting

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