T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) Optimization Guide
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T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) Optimization Guide
Updated:
T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) Optimization Guide
Updated:
Looking to get the best possible data rates from your T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) for T-Mobile Business Internet?
In this guide we'll describe the two best options we have found to provide an improvement in your T-Mobile Business Internet data speeds.
NOTE:This T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway model does NOT support the use of external antennas.
Got the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51E) instead? Congrats, that device does support the use of external antennas! Check out our guide for that devicehere.
The T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) has a sealed enclosure and does not have any external antenna ports for use with cellular antennas. Cisco, the designer of the Gateway, has designed the device to be incapable of having external antennas attached.
This limitation applies to the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51), but does not apply the the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51E) or the other T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateways.
What You Can Do - Option #1
Swap the T-Mobile Business Internet SIM card into a different cellular router
Although the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) doesn't support the use of external antennas, it's SIM card can be swapped into other external antenna capable cellular routers.
Accessing T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway's SIM card requires a phillips head screwdriver to open the compartment at the back of the Gateway. Our instructions described later will guide you through how remove the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway's SIM card.
Since the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51) supports a 4x4 MIMO connection, to get the fastest data speeds possible we highly recommend 5G Cellular Routers that also support a 4x4 MIMO connection via four external cellular antenna ports.
The top recommendation we offer is our bundle of the Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G with our 4x4 MIMO Panel or 4x4 MIMO Log Periodic External antenna kits.
We have even created a Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5GExternal Antenna Guide to assist with MIMO antenna kit installations!
Depending on your ability to see your local cell towers, there are offer two different 4x4 MIMO antenna kits to choose from:
The easiest antenna choice for the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway is our QuadMini Antenna Kit. With up to 5.2 dBi of omnidirectional gain and multiple mounting options, it is designed to be extremely simple to install outdoors or indoors, at home or in an RV.
Upgrade your 5G in minutes with no aiming, and four easy mounting options.
However, if you're willing to spend a little bit of time aiming, our QuadPro Antenna Kit will generally get you the fastest data speeds, thanks to its 9.1 dBi of directional gain. This is particularly important if you're on the edge of coverage, or have very weak signal.
Aim QuadPro at your nearest tower for blazing data, even at the edges of cellular coverage.
How to remove the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway SIM card
In this section of the guide, we'll tell you how to open up your gateway to retrieve it's T-Mobile 5G Business Internet SIM card and close it back up.
Before you get started, you will need a #1-size phillips-head screwdriver.
Important note:
Be careful not to damage your T-Mobile 5G Internet SIM Card while removing it from the device.
Waveform does not make any guarantees nor take any responsibility for damage caused to your unit or SIM card when following these instructions. Please proceed at your own risk.
Step-by-Step Guide for removing the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway SIM card
Step 1: Power off the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway and unplug the power cable.
Step 2: On the back of the device, use a phillips-head screwdriver to access the compartment on near the bottom of the device, as shown below:
Screw Locations on the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51)
Step 3: Retrieve the T-Mobile 5G Business Internet SIM card from one of the two SIM card slots present on the left side of the compartment. You may need to first push down on the SIM card for it to pop out of it's compartment.
SIM Card Locations on the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51)
Step 4: Reinstall the screws for the compartment at the back of the gateway with the phillips-head screwdriver.
NOTE: To use a T-Mobile 5G Business Internet SIM card in a different 5G Cellular Router, you will need to manually set the APN of that router to "fbb.home".
By using external MIMO antennas placed outside your building, you can bring the faster LTE data rates from outdoors into Cellular Router with much less signal loss.
What You Can Do - Option #2
Optimize the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway location
Here are the best steps for optimizing the position of your T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway (Cisco MG51):
Look up your nearby towers. This can be time consuming and difficult to get right - we've listed our suggestions in an article on the Best Ways to Locate Nearby Cell Towers
Run speed tests with your T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway at the windows closest to each nearby tower (If you have multiple floors, perform this process on each floor).
Place your T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway at the location with the fastest data speeds.
This process is simple but effective if you haven't already optimized the position of your T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway, however this method will likely provide only a small improvement to data speeds compared to Option #1.
Why External Antennas Are Critical for Improving Data Rates
Most people think that external antennas primarily help you increase your data rates by increasing the signal strength.But that's not the case.
An increase in signal strength is often less important than other ways that external antennas help.
Here are the three main ways that external antennas help you increase your data rates:
1.They Improve Signal Quality
In 4G LTE and 5G networks, signal quality is measured as SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) or sometimes as RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality).
Improving signal quality has a huge impact on your data rates.
Higher data rates allow your hotspot to communicate using "higher order modulation schemes." That means they can use the same wireless spectrum to send more data per second.
However, there's one big caveat: In order to improve your signal quality, you need to both aim and shield your outdoor antenna properly. We'll talk more about this in the next section of this guide.
2.They Allow You To Connect On More Bands
5G Cellular Routers, like the T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway and Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G, support an feature called "carrier aggregation."
Carrier aggregation allows the 5G Cellular Router to connect to multiple cellular bands simultaneously. The more bands you're connected to, the greater the bandwidth, and the higher your data rates.
However, many of the higher frequency bands aren't able to penetrate into buildings. Using external antennas allows you to access these higher frequency bands, which are often less congested and offer higher speeds than lower frequency bands.
3.MIMO Isolation
MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology uses signals travelling along multiple paths simultaneously, increasing both bandwidth and reliability in wireless connections.
MIMO isolation is the antenna's ability to handle several data streams at once, cleanly and without interference, leading to quicker data speeds and steadier connections
Our external antennas are specifically designed for superior MIMO isolation, and dramatically outperform standard built-in antennas found in most home devices.
This means you'll see a more reliable connection with enhanced bandwidth, ensuring smoother streaming, gaming, and browsing with minimal interruptions.
Pro tip: When placing cellular antennas, don’t just go to the highest point of the roof! While signal is generally stronger the higher you go, there’s also often more interference. We’ve found it’s often better to mount the antenna(s) on the side of the building where the structure can shield the antennas from interference.
T-Mobile 5G Internet Gateway Technical Specifications
NOTE:This model of T-Mobile 5G Business Internet Gateway does NOT support the use of external antennas.
Supported T-Mobile Bands
4G LTE: B2, B4, B5, B12, B46, B66, B71
5G NSA: n41, n71
Cellular Modem
MIMO Support: 4x4 w/ factory antennas only
Carrier Aggregation: Up to 7x Downlink, Up to 2x Uplink.
