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Forum Discussion
baileyrhood90
Oct 19, 2018Tutor
MR1100 Nighthawk M1 Carrier Aggregation
Hello all. I have the MR1100 Nighthawk M1 with Band 13 support running on ATT network. My download speeds are usually around 70 to 80 mbps. The whole reason I bought this Nighthawk M1 is that it supports Carrier Aggregration. According to the GUI details, I usually run on Band 4. How can I tell if my Nighthawk is using Carrier Aggregration? Do you know if it's using CA if I am getting speeds of 80mbps? If it isn't, do you know when CA is going to be supported? I would really appreciate some answers on this issue as I live in a rural area and my only feasible option for good internet is with 4G LTE. I want it to run as fast as possible.Thanks.
1 Reply
- JSchnee21Virtuoso
Hi baileyrhood90,
Welcome. Yeah, we all have the same question. With no answers yet, unfortunately. I beleive the MR1100 is likely doing 2xCA (as most cellular devices do). But I've seen no evidence that the unit is capable of doing >2xCA nor >2x2MIMO, nor 256QAM. Sure the Qualcomm modem should, in theory, be able to do this, but if it is not enabled by the Netgear firmware and/or AT&T specific software than it never will.
My old iPhone 6S is almost always faster than the MR1100 on my unlimited AT&T plan. Of course my 6S is also faster (peak) and far more reliable than my new XS Max. I routinely get 110-160Mbit on my 6S at multiple locations when close to cell towers. I've never gotten more than 110-120 on the MR1100 in the sam location. My Velocity 2 clocks in a bit lower 80-90Mbit but screams on uploades >20-30 Mbit. Where as the MR1100 and two iphones are usually 5-15Mbit, with the XS Max being the worse.
Recently on 12.1 Beta 3, my XS max has peaked very, very briefly about as high as my 6S (140-160Mbit). And when I have a strong signal it averages higher than the 6S (~60-80Mbit versus 20-40Mbit). But with less than two or three bars (most of the time as the antenna array sucks) connectivity is very wonky. It switchs to 4G multiple times a day, and I have to toggle airplane mode at least 10 times a day.
More and more, the best hotspot (though much more expensive) seems to be a Samsung Galaxy phone with a big Anker battery.
Sorry to be such a "debbie downer" (-: