Recommendations for LTE 4G modem for backup?

[jtara]

I'd like to get recommendations for an LTE 4G modem to use as backup to my gigabit synchronous Webpass/Google Fiber service.

I recently had Webpass installed, and will be discontinuing cable service with Cox. I already cut my TV service a few months ago, and plan on discontinuing my 300/30 service with Cox in the next week or two.

My HOA just made a deal with Webpass, and it is now included with HOA dues. It costs the HOA only $30/month/unit. (maybe less, if they pay yearly). Normally it is $60 for individuals, and I have been paying about $110 for the Cox 300/30 service!

Because I write software for a living and work from home, reliable and uninterrupted Internet service is important to me. Webpass uses an antenna on the roof of the building that connects to a nearby building that has fiber installed. Although I have not experienced it yet (just had installed yesterday) I know from talking to neighbors that there are occasional outages due to weather, etc.

So, for now, I have set-up my RT-AC88U with ASUSWrt-Merlin dual-homed, with fallback to Cox. I was thinking of going to their lowest-cost, lowest-speed service, but at $42.99 for 10mbps down and something paltry up, even that doesn't make sense, since I can have a USB modem added to my ATT wireless account for $10/month and get higher speeds. (Same price as WiFi hotspot, which I already have on my iPhone.)

I would like recommendations for a USB LTE 4G modem that is known to be compatible with the RT-AC88U and AsusWrt-Merlin.

I *might* also want to upgrade my router to a newer/faster one, as I notice that the CPU maxes out when I run speedtest from my desktop. I do get up to 800kbps, but CPU1 at least is pegged. So, I need to also consider compatibility with my next router.

I also may decide to just go with a separate security appliance ahead of the WiFi router, and then my wired network would just come off of the security appliance, and not go through the Asus.

I am on the 3rd floor of a 1927 concrete/steel frame terra-cotta brick curtain wall (yikes, hope they don't pop out in an earthquake!) high-rise structure on the edge of downtown San Diego. We have cell nodes on street corners, but, still, LTE coverage is a bit difficult, and so I think I want to make sure that there is the capability to use an external antenna.

Let me know what has worked for you!

 

[CaptainSTX]

I'd like to get recommendations for an LTE 4G modem to use as backup to my gigabit synchronous Webpass/Google Fiber service.

Let me know what has worked for you!

Just a thought consider buying a WiFi hotspot from AT&T instead of a modem. Many most can be connected to your router with an USB cable and will serve as a modem.

The advantage of doing it this way is that when you are traveling you can take the hotspot with you and use it for Internet service. I don't have your router but I have used two ZTE devices as well as a Samsung. They all automatically synched up using prior versions Merlin's firmware. The ZTE devices were the easiest requiring that I new nothing other than plug the USB cord into the hotspot and the router and then set up the fallover WAN on the router.

 

[jtara]

Oh, thank you! I had no idea that there were WiFi Hotspots that can be connected to the router by USB.

I already have WiFi Hotspot enabled on my iPhone X, so I wouldn't need the hotspot when traveling. But, still, this would likely be in a better form factor for desktop use than a dongle. I know some of the dongles support external antenna, but I imagine a dongle weighted-down by antenna cable(s) isn't ideal!

Oh, and this... I forgot to mention that I would like to avoid using a ZTE device. I know they are very popular, but for security reasons I prefer not to.

Another thought... I wonder if AsusWRT-Merlin will ever support dual-home by connecting to a WiFi Hotspot via WiFi? When I had only Cox, my hotspot was my backup. I only needed it a couple of times, but I expect more frequent need with Webpass. It is inconvenient, because I have to manually switch my Mac Mini over to WiFi from wired, and of course I have wired-only devices on my network, though nothing critical.

 

[nord_musician]

Huawei and ZTE have nice LTE modems/routers. It depends on your mobile operator exactly which one you get. I got the Huawei B315s-22 and I connect it via rj45 to my 68u

 

[CaptainSTX]

Oh, thank you! I had no idea that there were WiFi Hotspots that can be connected to the router by USB.

I already have WiFi Hotspot enabled on my iPhone X, so I wouldn't need the hotspot when traveling. But, still, this would likely be in a better form factor for desktop use than a dongle. I know some of the dongles support external antenna, but I imagine a dongle weighted-down by antenna cable(s) isn't ideal!

Oh, and this... I forgot to mention that I would like to avoid using a ZTE device. I know they are very popular, but for security reasons I prefer not to.

Another thought... I wonder if AsusWRT-Merlin will ever support dual-home by connecting to a WiFi Hotspot via WiFi? When I had only Cox, my hotspot was my backup. I only needed it a couple of times, but I expect more frequent need with Webpass. It is inconvenient, because I have to manually switch my Mac Mini over to WiFi from wired, and of course I have wired-only devices on my network, though nothing critical.

By using a reasonably longer USB cord you might/ should be able to position the Hotspot in a window to improve LTE signal strength. I don't believe the USB cable would be subject to as much attenuation as trying to extend an antenna with a longer cable.

 

[jtara]

Thank you nord_musician for pointing out what should have been obvious to me! An Ethernet connection would probably raise the least compatibility concern. I hadn't even thought that there were LTE hotspots that can be connected by Ethernet.

I assume I can disable the WiFi radio(s)?

 

[nord_musician]

Yes, you can disabe wifi radio(s)

 

[sfx2000]

Huawei and ZTE have nice LTE modems/routers. It depends on your mobile operator exactly which one you get. I got the Huawei B315s-22 and I connect it via rj45 to my 68u

Keep in mind that there are long standing concerns about Huawei and ZTE with security and backdoors - modems I might trust, but the router side...

 

[RMerlin]

Keep in mind that there are long standing concerns about Huawei and ZTE with security and backdoors - modems I might trust, but the router side...

Cisco and Juniper sold compromised/backdoored devices too in the past...