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Mattestanz's avatar
Mattestanz
Aspirant
Aug 17, 2019

Nighthawk M1 Mobile NOT compatible to Band 20

Hello Netgear Community, FYI the MR1100 Nighthawk M1 Mobile Router is NOT compatible to Band 20 :( I'm traveling through Italy for work, and I need a fast connection especially when I'm in extra-ur...
  • Blanca_O's avatar
    Blanca_O
    NETGEAR Employee Retired
    Aug 22, 2019

    Hi Mattestanz

     

    Welcome to NETGEAR Community! 

     

    May we please know the exact model number of your MR1100? 

    Please do check this reference link for the list of supported cellular bands: 

    https://kb.netgear.com/000060410/

     

    Regards, 
    Blanca 
    Community Team
     

    • Mattestanz's avatar
      Mattestanz
      Aspirant
      Aug 23, 2019

      Hello Blanca,

      thank you for your reply.

      My Nighthawk M1 is a model MR1100-100NAS Unlocked (I purchased it in New York, where I live).

      According to the link you provided, this Model supports Band 20, but apparently my M1 doesn't.

      Here's the thing, please check the image in the attachment, it refers to the Bands used here in Italy (where I'll be working for a few weeks):

      Band 20 is used in the extra-urban and rural areas, and it happens I am based in one of those areas.

      Here my Telecom Italia Mobile SIM card perfectly works on my iPhone XR (which definitely supports Band 20), it connects to 4G, and Download and Upload performances are pretty good.

      BUT if I put the same SIM card into my Nighthakw M1 it doesn't even connect to the internet. Zero connection. 

      UNLESS I take my car and move to the closest town (urban area) where it perfectly connects to OTHER Bands, and works great.

       

      What do you think?

      Is there anything I am missing here?

       

      Thank you for your kind assistance,

       

      Regards,

       

      MS

      • michaelkenward's avatar
        michaelkenward
        Guru - Experienced User
        Aug 23, 2019

        Some devices sold in the USA are locked down to wireless wavelengths that are available there.

         

        They block you from using bands that are not allowed in the USA but that are available abroad.

         

        Paradoxically, if you buy something outside the USA, it may support wavelengths in the USA and abroad.

         

        I found this out with some Netgear wifi kit, an Orbi satellite. I managed to unpick the lock, but I have no idea how to do about that on the MR1100.

         

        In this context, unlocked probably means not locked to a particular mobile network, rather than anything to do with the bands it can use.

         

        This is all theorising on my part. I chip in because the Netgear people may not be allowed to divulge the secret combination, if there is one, that would let you get this to work in Italy.