MR 6150 weak signal compared to cellphone

[donkro]

Hi, new user here, searched my question, found nothing similar. I've had the MR6150 for about a month, used it once as a hot spot, worked fine, no issues. I'm on the Verizon network and have a Verizon sim card installed. Went to use it a 2nd time, in a location that was farther from a cell tower than my 1st use. I wanted to compare the Netgear with my Samsung S24 Ultra in terms of wifi hotspot capability. The cellphone had a signal, I was getting about 8-10 Mbps on a speed test, which isn't great but adequate. Went to test the Netgear, not capable of registering on the speed test. Tried with the mimo attenna, still nothing. Tried it with the battery, and without the battery plugged in to electric, still, weak signal, couldn't get the Netgear to connect enough for a speed test. As others, I spent a lot of money for this Netgear unit, but seems no better than my cellphone in terms of wifi capability. Am I unrealistic in my expectations? Shouldn't it be better than my cellphone?

[rcpax]

I am on T-Mobile network and I can confidently state that my signal on the MR6150 is basically on par with my S23Ultra and iPhone 12 ProMax. Maybe you are in a fringe coverage zone, and thus the hotspot can not do a speed test. What are your signal metrics in the device diagnostics page? or maybe for simplicity, does the hotspot gets at least 2 bars of signal? The external antenna will not do much if you are indeed physically far from the tower. I have been fortunate I am close to a tower that I don't have issues with signals, but I understand it could be frustrating when you barely get any. Have you tried a unidirectional antenna pointed to the tower? I wonder if that would help in your situation.

Also try the suggested steps here: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Cell-Service-Mobile-Hotspot/How-To-Use-a-VERIZON-Nano-Sim-with-the-...