Author Archives: Alan Spicer

Cradlepoint Router – LTE won’t work, Why?

What’s wrong with this picture? I didn’t catch it at first either. At least not after the router has been on a boat for over 6 months and I thought it had been working. I consulted with the user by phone, I followed up with an email (with details about this exactly), I sent both Quick Start and Regular Owners Manual documentation.

This is the Connection Manager page in a COR-IBR-600-LPE-AT. It has a built-in 4G LTE Modem, that’s the one with the Red Signal Bars indication. But it also says “Available”. So why isn’t it being used? Why won’t it connect?

The Connection Manager is designed to be a Connection Switcher … but also does Fail Over and Load Balancing. The Ethernet WAN connection, which goes to a WiFi Client System, is up at #2. The 4G LTE that we want is at #6. It really needs to be up above Ethernet WAN or just below it.

All connection profiles are enabled … but don’t need to be. Load Balancing is enabled on one correct profile and one incorrect profile. If Ethernet and Internal LPE-AT had been enabled for Load Balancing it would Connect the LPE-AT and use it. If all t he profiles were disabled (First check box) except Ethernet and LPE-AT – and nothing else was checked … you could ENABLE LPE-AT and disable ETHERNET and it would connect and be used. You could leave both enabled and drag-and-drop LPE-AT up above ETHERNET and it would connect and be used as long as it was working. If it failed …. the next item, ETHERNET would be used. By having both enabled and in STANDBY and up at the top of the list … should be able to get to ETHERNET connected INTERNET SOURCE which in our case is WiFi Client Router. This way they could check for available WiFi while using the 4G LTE – LPE-AT INTERNET connection.

They could stay on 4G LTE most of the time … but if they sailed out of range and it stopped working, ETHERNE – WIFI would be tried. On Load Balance you wouldn’t have to do anything. Both would be used … or whichever one that was working would be used.

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

954-354-2748

954-260-9645

communications @ marinetelecom.net

Peplink offers a wide range of cellular routers supporting LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). LTE-A is the next step in the evolution of LTE networks.

Increased Band Support and Carrier Aggregation

LTE-A features greater location diversity, one modem can cover more regions. LTE-A also supports newer region and carrier specific bands. These are often much faster than the legacy bands that can become oversaturated. For the US market, LTE-A enabled models support band 41 (2500 MHz) and band 26 (850 Mhz) for Sprint and band 12 (700 MHz) for T-Mobile. For the Asia-Pacific markets, LTE-A models also support TD-LTE bands 38 (2600 MHz) and 40 (2300 MHz).

In addition, LTE-A routers can use Signal Carrier Aggregation (SCA) to simultaneously connect multiple signal channels for up to twice your current connection speed.

Coverage Area

While LTE-A does offer greater band support, the coverage is still limited to that of a single provider, so you will still lose reception if you hit a dead spot. With SpeedFusion Bandwidth Bonding, however, you can enjoy uninterrupted service as you move around town, connecting to 3G/4G LTE networks from multiple service carriers.

(Alan’s Note: What is being said here is … If you were on 4G LTE-A on a Single Sim Card (a single company’s signal) you could DROP OUT signal-wise. With SpeedFusion Bandwidth Bonding, on a Router with Multiple Radios, and Service from your own or a Subscription SpeedFusion system, you would not necessarily drop out if one or more of the other Sim Cards Signal was still viable. So, by extension supposedly your COVERAGE would be MORE because of more than one (CARRIERS = 4G LTE Providers) towers to use. The same could be said of Fail-Over and Load Balancing except for  the Time to Fail Over. For Load Balancing you would not have any Fail Over time. You would just drop one Internet Source from being used.)

 Get the Best of Both Worlds

COR IBR 900 Series vs COR IBR 1100 Series (4G LTE-A) [VIDEO]

(Recorded from a Webinar) COR IBR 900 Series with CAT 6 3GPP Release 10 for 4G LTE Advanced in the Cellular Networks, Wave 2 WiFi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac) … Dual Modem (Load Balance 2 Cell Providers) Capable with the Extensibility Dock which also adds more G/E ports. (2 existing ports are LAN/WAN switchable.) Typically you need only 1 LAN port as this plugs into your Main Internet Router (some call a “Server”) System. This system, however, can be used as a small Main Internet Router. WAN port is for additional Internet Source input. LAN port can be daisy-chained with Gig-E or Fast-E Switch (Switch = Modern Name for Ethernet Network HUB.), thus extending the network easily with more ports for more wired computers, wireless access points, and other networkable devices. And … in  the WiFi version there is wireless as well. Not only that but Wave 2 WiFI. 802.11 a,b,g,n, and ac. LAN and WAN ports are programmable … You can have the stock 1 WAN and 1 LAN, or 2 WAN for 2 additional Internet inputs (leaves you with no LAN ports), or 2 LAN if you don’t need any WAN ports (leaves you with no WAN ports.) Or purchase the Extensabilty Dock to add more ports (also adds 2nd 4G LTE modem capability with add-on MC-400 modem device.)

A MARINE PACK can be made with topside antennas for this system. It comes with all the Little Antennas and Power Supply – so you could try it out before running big coax cables for topside antennas.
Lots of LTE bands … I can help you check your requirements:
LTE Bands 1-5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 41

COR-IBR-900 Series Front / Cell Antenna Side

COR-IBR-900 Rear / WiFi Antenna and Ethernet Connection Side

COR-IBR-900 with Cellular and WiFi Antennas installed. Marine Pack packages available with external antennas and coax cable / adaptors for vehicles (Vehicle Pack), buildings (Fixed Install Pack), and marine vessels.

Alan Spicer Telecom / Marine Telecom

communications @ marinetelecom.net

alanspicertelecom @ gmail.com

Tel. +1 954 354-2748

Mobile: +1 954 260-9645

Please see: https://blog.marinetelecom.net/new-cradlepoint-cor-ibr-900-series-with-lte-a-3g4g-lte-auto-carrier-switching-930-w-wifi-and-830-wo-wifi/ – This is a new Fixed Page. Book Mark It.

Get LTE-A (see below) with Carrier Aggregation for your vehicle or marine vessel. (Or anywhere you need Quick Easy Pop UP Internet Access – Remote Sites, Construction.)The 900 Series has better Sim Slot (easier access for Sim Card Swapping) and for those that just want to try it out without hard installing with a Topside Antenna – it now includes DC and AC Power Supplies and All 4 Antennas (2 WiFI and 2 Cellular.) [in the 1100 Series we had to order those items EXTRA.]

Yacht in Boat Yard Shed? Can’t Get VSAT Signal? Get Your Internet Back Online!!!! I will help you plug this into your Router System (Any technicalities of it.)

I still like the COR IBR 1100 Series. It’s still a viable option. What I like about this new COR IBR 900 Series is The SIM SLOTS are those push in ratcheting Front Slots. In the IBR 1100 series it was on the bottom of the router behind 4 screws and a door. And were those kind of breakable swing open Sim Holders. I actually had 1 RETURN on the Kill Switch inside used to keep the power off while the cover was removed. Dislikes? Only 1 LAN port. IBR 1100 Series had 2. But LAN and WAN ports are Switchable so this becomes a non-issue. That and you can add a small (or large) Ethernet Switch Hub to daisy-chain and add more ports anyway.

Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

+1 954-354-2748

Cell: 954-260-9645

communications @ marinetelecom.net