[TriLUG] Wanted to share my experience with TMobile 5G Home Internet

[brian mullan via TriLUG]

I've learned quite a bit so far by listening to this mobile engineer named
Nate whose Youtube channel has many
video's about 5G Networks & Devices including 5G Home Internet:
*https://www.youtube.com/@NaterTater* <https://www.youtube.com/@NaterTater>

On Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 10:11 AM brian mullan <bmullan.mail at gmail.com> wrote:

> Its worth trying.  As I said both Verizon & TMobile have a no obligation
> Trial period
>
> Keep your current Internet provider until your Trial of 5G to see if it
> works for you.  If not, just terminate the 5G & use the shipping label they
> give to return their 5G Home gateway
>
>
>
> On Mon, Oct 2, 2023, 9:58 AM John Vaughters <jvaughters04 at yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Thx Brian, very helpful info. My neighborhood only has one good option,
>> Spectrum. I may need to look into this.
>>
>> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>> <https://mail.onelink.me/107872968?pid=nativeplacement&c=Global_Acquisition_YMktg_315_Internal_EmailSignature&af_sub1=Acquisition&af_sub2=Global_YMktg&af_sub3=&af_sub4=100000604&af_sub5=EmailSignature__Static_>
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 9:54 AM, brian mullan via TriLUG
>> <trilug at trilug.org> wrote:
>> *Just fyi so you don't have to search TMO's 5G Home Internet service
>> yourself*
>> <
>> https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet?cmpid=HEIS_PGD_P_HMEINTRNET_43700062429576835_659505645513&gclid=CjwKCAjwgsqoBhBNEiwAwe5w03IzOPFQB9snMhG7Ol_jy_qnlYkuvDjoLEviRd_b2RSJXR81605PYhoCNekQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
>> >
>>
>> Keep in mind *BOTH Verizon and TMO have a 15 day trial period.  *
>> So don't cancel your existing Internet Service until you actually can see
>> if the 5G Home Internet solutions works
>> for you then you can cancel.
>>
>> I also forgot to mention  that *most of the Verizon & TMO Home Gateway
>> devices* can be attached to
>>
>> *an external 5G Antenna (~$350-$400) such as this one on Amazon
>> <
>> https://www.amazon.com/Waveform-Cellular-Hotspots-Gateways-T-Mobile/dp/B09VVSWF8F
>> >*
>>
>> Those antenna's are supposed to dramatically increase signal
>> strength/quality if you are in an area
>> with lots of trees or more distant from their respective tower as well as
>> the Connection speeds.
>>
>> Sorry for all these additional emails but I keep thinking about stuff that
>> I should also have passed on.
>>
>> Brian
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 12:37 PM brian mullan <bmullan.mail at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> > Hi Dave
>> > I'll try to answer your questions but I am not all that familiar with
>> the
>> > Verizon 5G Home  Internet
>> >
>> > *#1*
>> > Regarding Distance from a TMobile 5G tower.
>> > My house is perhaps 3-4 miles away from the nearest TMO 5G Tower shown
>> on
>> > their coverage map.
>> > You can look up TMobile's 5G Coverage Map: *
>> > https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/coverage-map
>> > <https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/coverage-map>*
>> > Just enter  your Zip code and the map will show all TMobile Towers
>> nearby
>> > (5G Ultra, 5G extended range & 4G)
>> >
>> > Both TMO and Verizon just announced last week that Nationwide they both
>> > are going to be adding a lot more 5G coverage.
>> >
>> > *#2 *
>> > TMO and I assume Verizon publish what Bands they are using.
>> >
>> > However, I* think TMobile is the first and only 5G that is already
>> > rolling out Carrier Aggregation via Channel Bonding. *
>> >
>> > *TMO's 5G combines up to 4 Different Carriers*.
>> > <
>> https://www.fiercewireless.com/5g/t-mobile-deploys-4-carrier-aggregation-live-network
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > *The four 5G spectrum channels are: *
>> >
>> >    - *two channels of 2.5 GHz, *
>> >    - *one channel of 1900 MHz *
>> >    - *and one channel of 600 MHz. *
>> >
>> > *This creates an effective 225 MHz 5G channel with peak theoretical
>> speeds
>> > of up to 3.3 Gbps.*
>> >
>> >
>> > *#3*
>> > Well, both the Verizon and TMO 5G Home Internet "Gateways" also are (or
>> > can be) your Home's WiFi 6 Router.
>> >
>> > So the WiFI 6 router's local connection to devices is configured with a
>> > static IP (which you can change).
>> > But the Public side IP I'm not sure about as I've never looked.
>> >
>> > In TMO's 5G Home Internet there is a really easy to use Android or
>> iPhone
>> > App which you download/intsall
>> > from their respective "stores".
>> >
>> > The apps let you manage or monitor your 5G Home Internet Gateway
>> > performance, connection quality and
>> > change various Config parameters.
>> >
>> > For TMO's 5G Home Internet Gateway *there is also a 3rd party App
>> > <
>> https://tmo.report/2023/05/new-app-gives-easy-access-to-t-mobile-home-internet-gateway-stats/
>> >**
>> > which lets you turn ON/OFF the *
>> > <
>> https://tmo.report/2023/05/new-app-gives-easy-access-to-t-mobile-home-internet-gateway-stats/
>> >
>> > *Gateway's WiFi 6 router if you'd rather just connect an existing WiFi
>> > router to the Gateway instead.  Also*
>> > <
>> https://tmo.report/2023/05/new-app-gives-easy-access-to-t-mobile-home-internet-gateway-stats/
>> >
>> > * alot more config settings the TMO App does not let you see/change.*
>> > <
>> https://tmo.report/2023/05/new-app-gives-easy-access-to-t-mobile-home-internet-gateway-stats/
>> >
>> >
>> > *#4*
>> > Actually that was another reason why I switched to the 5G Home Internet
>> > service.  Why?
>> >
>> > Unlike my old Cable Internet *when the Power goes out its usually highly
>> > unlikely the Mobile Communications*
>> > *system goes out!  ** Mobile systems because they are also critical
>> > communications systems are engineered to be*
>> >
>> > *much more resilient.*
>> >
>> > *Think about your own Cell Phone service.. when was the last time you
>> > experienced an Outage?*
>> >
>> > So my solution was simple for the 5G Home Gateway.
>> > I* bought an inexpensive ($45) Ryobi Portable Power unit
>> > <
>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C8MHVD6H?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_RHZ4BMSWNP1X2AE9S7WW
>> >*which
>> > also has USB A, USB C charging ports and 2 A/C plugs.
>> >
>> > I bought a Ryobi *only because all my power tools use Ryobi Batteries*
>> so
>> > I did not have to buy any new batteries.
>> >
>> > But there are dozens of other brands/models to choose from.
>> >
>> > So If power goes out in the future I only have to unplug the TMobile 5G
>> > Home Gateway
>> > from my Home's AC and plug it into one of that Ryobi's A/C sockets.
>> >
>> > Then, Plug my Laptopinto the other Ryobi A/C Plug to keep it charged
>> > during any extended outage.
>> >
>> > I can keep my Mobile Phones charged using the USB A or USB C ports on
>> that
>> > Ryobi.
>> >
>> > Once the 5G Gateway boots up I can connect my laptop to it via Wifi and
>> > have all the Internet, TV, etc
>> > I want during the outage.
>> >
>> > Anyway that's what I did.  Cheap but effective enough for me.
>> >
>> > I've learned alot about 5G Home Internet since I started down this path.
>> >
>> > Hope all the above helps.
>> >
>> > Lastly, I should have said a bit more about what else I've learned about
>> > Verizon's 5G Home Internet.
>> > I*'ve seen Verizon reports of Verizon users that get 1Gbps Down Link.*
>> > Don't know how common that
>> > is but for some people the extra $25-$30/Mo for Verizon's service might
>> be
>> > worth it.
>> >
>> > For me... the TMO ~400Mbps speed is more than enough.
>> >
>> > Brian
>> >
>> >
>> > On Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 11:25 AM David Burton <ncdave4life at gmail.com>
>> > wrote:
>> >
>> >> Brian, thank you for that information! It is surprising to me, and
>> >> encouraging.
>> >>
>> >> It's timely, too, because I, too, am fed up with Spectrum, and
>> >> considering alternatives.
>> >>
>> >> A few questions:
>> >>
>> >> *1.* Do you know about how close you are to a T-Mobile antenna tower?
>> >>
>> >> Unfortunately, their coverage map doesn't show where the towers are,
>> but
>> >> I assume you're deep within a "dark red" (6G coverage) area:
>> >> https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/coverage-map
>> >>
>> >> Here's a discussion about finding tower locations via the cellmapper
>> site:
>> >>
>> >>
>> https://community.t-mobile.com/troubleshooting-38/finding-tmobile-cell-tower-locations-42433
>> >>
>> >> *2.* Do you know what band(s) you're using?
>> >> It appears from the Cellmapper site that T-Mobile uses bands 71, 41,
>> and
>> >> perhaps 25 for 5G.
>> >> PhoneScoop says <https://www.phonescoop.com/carriers/carrier.php?c=5>,
>> >> "For 5G, T-Mobile is using band 71
>> >> <https://www.phonescoop.com/glossary/term.php?gid=582> (600 MHz) for
>> >> low-band, band 41 <
>> https://www.phonescoop.com/glossary/term.php?gid=557>
>> >> (2,500 Mhz) for mid-band, as well as faster mmWave
>> >> <https://www.phonescoop.com/glossary/term.php?gid=591> in select
>> >> downtown areas."
>> >> Do you think you're in a "select downtown area?"
>> >> Here's an article
>> >> <
>> https://www.wilsonamplifiers.com/blog/finding-cell-tower-locations-the-complete-guide/#:~:text=CellMapper%20is%20a%20crowd%2Dsourced,to%2Ddate%20cell%20tower%20information
>> .>
>> >> about finding where your towers are.
>> >>
>> >> *3.* Do you know how long your device tends to keep the same IPv4
>> >> address? It matters when hosting a webserver. (Good=Long
>> [months/years],
>> >> Bad=short [days/weeks])
>> >>
>> >> *4.* Have you had any glitches or service degradation during storms?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks,
>> >> Dave
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Tue, Sep 26, 2023 at 10:11 AM brian mullan via TriLUG <
>> >> trilug at trilug.org> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> I thought I'd share a bit about my switch from Spectrum Cable Internet
>> >>> to TMobile 5G Internet for my Home Internet.
>> >>>
>> >>> *Background*
>> >>> I'd been paying for and using a Spectrum Cable Internet for perhaps 7
>> >>> years.
>> >>> My Spectrum Internet acct was paying Monthly for 200Mbps Down link and
>> >>> 20Mbps Up link.
>> >>>
>> >>> Over those years I've usually had 3-5 Outages/Yr lasting from 1Hr to
>> >>> perhaps 8Hrs
>> >>>
>> >>> I finally got turned-off from Spectrum not just because of the outages
>> >>> each
>> >>> year which
>> >>> although irritating I usually just dealt with those.
>> >>>
>> >>> My last straw came over the past couple months where using Ookla
>> >>> Speedtest.net
>> >>> my actual speeds had been reduced to around 170Mbps Down link and
>> 15Mbps
>> >>> Up
>> >>> link
>> >>> which is not close to what I was paying for.  Their tech support tried
>> >>> to
>> >>> tell me that  it
>> >>> was common for that reduction to happen.  Unfortunately for the Tech
>> >>> Support I let them
>> >>> know that I had been Cisco System Broadband (cable/wireless) Manager
>> for
>> >>> Advanced
>> >>> consulting services for 15 yrs and supported all of the US Cable
>> MSO's,
>> >>> Telstra in Australia
>> >>> and a large MSO in Spain/Europe and that I knew what they were telling
>> >>> was
>> >>> BS.
>> >>>
>> >>> So I decided to try out TMobiles 5G Home Internet.  They offer a 15
>> >>> Trial
>> >>> so if its not
>> >>> what you expected you just return their 5G Modem/Gateway.
>> >>>
>> >>> I was blown away by how fast the 5G Home Internet has been.
>> >>>
>> >>> My 5G Internet speeds (using Ookla Speedtest) over a 10 days of my 15
>> day
>> >>> Trial period was consistently *350-430Mbps Down link and 65-85Mbps Up
>> >>> link*
>> >>> !
>> >>>
>> >>> And *the 5G Internet was 1/2 the cost* of the Monthly cost of
>> Spectrum'*s
>> >>> Cable 200Mbps Internet.*
>> >>>
>> >>> *I cancelled my Spectrum account the next day* and have been using the
>> >>> TMoblile
>> >>> 5G Home Internet ever since.
>> >>>
>> >>> Couple pieces of info you should know:
>> >>>
>> >>> Verizon also offers 5G Home Internet.  Its about $20 more per month
>> than
>> >>> TMobiles 5G
>> >>> Home Internet but I read reports that Verizon provides a bit faster
>> >>> transmissions Down/Up.
>> >>>
>> >>> Both TMobile and Verizon's 5G Home Internet offerings include:
>> >>>
>> >>>    - No Contract
>> >>>    - Locked in Price for as long as  you keep the Service.
>> >>>    - Provide the 5G Gateway/Modem at no cost.
>> >>>    - and the 5G Gateway/Modem's have built-in WiFi 6 routers.
>> >>>
>> >>> *Just for reference my TMobile 5G Home Internet is only $40/Month
>> (keep
>> >>> in
>> >>> mind thats for ~400Mbps Down link speeds and ~75Mbps Up link speeds!*
>> >>>
>> >>> *I hope this was okay to send to the Trilug Mailing List but I imagine
>> >>> many
>> >>> people*
>> >>> *will find the information useful.*
>> >>>
>> >>> *Brian Mullan*
>> >>>
>> >>> *Raleigh*
>> >>> --
>> >>> This message was sent to: Dave Burton <ncdave4life at gmail.com>
>> >>> To unsubscribe, send a blank message to trilug-leave at trilug.org from
>> >>> that address.
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>> >>> https://www.trilug.org/mailman/options/trilug/ncdave4life%40gmail.com
>> >>> Welcome to TriLUG: https://trilug.org/welcome
>> >>
>> >>
>> --
>> This message was sent to: John Vaughters <jvaughters04 at yahoo.com>
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>> that address.
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>>
>>