Jump to content

Novatel MiFi 500 (Sprint Tri-Band Hotspot)


dedub

Recommended Posts

I just received mine today.

Me too, mine just showed up.

 

 

Sent from my Sprint iPhone 5, not the old one (using Tapatalk 2).

So did I. Mine's charging right now. :)

Lucky to all 3 of you!

 

 

Sent from Josh's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lucky to all 3 of you!

 

 

Sent from Josh's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

If I had two, I'd def send you one. I only ordered one. I honestly didn't think it would go through.

 

 

Sent from my Sprint iPhone 5, not the old one (using Tapatalk 2).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If I had two, I'd def send you one. I only ordered one. I honestly didn't think it would go through.

 

 

Sent from my Sprint iPhone 5, not the old one (using Tapatalk 2).

Thanks, I appreciate that. I was hoping that mine had gone thru so I could use it in LA to test out the TD-LTE network there when I go to church again in the next 2 weeks. But I have to wait. Lol.

 

 

Sent from Josh's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk 2

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I turned mine on while charging. Looks like I can't activate from the device and will have to call Sprint.

Mine did the same thing. Wouldn't activate hands-free.

 

I haven't called Sprint yet. Will be doing that tonight.

 

 

Sent from my Sprint iPhone 5, not the old one (using Tapatalk 2).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I had gotten one from Sprint on Tuesday.  It wouldn't activate.  I called them, and 2 hours later they said it must be defective and sent me a new one.  It just came today.  Didn't try to activate it yet because I was trying to see if I could get one of the free, non-contract ones!

 

I actually NEED this device (or any hotspot) because there's no cable or DSL available at my house, so it's our primary internet connection.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I tried calling TMI Wireless customer service.  All I could get through to was the sales dept.  I explained what happened.  The person seemed somewhat confused and put me on hold.  (It was like 12:15 am), and told me he couldn't do much because it was so late, which I understand.  But he gave me a different number to try tomorrow.

 

I'm prepared to argue with them - it's not fair that some orders went through and others were cancelled without rhyme or reason!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

TMI said I "failed to pass a security clearance required to validate the order" - but they refused to tell me what that was.  They don't disclose it to customers. ??? Conveniently, the supervisor on duty had "stepped out" for the moment.  What a crock and a terrible company.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I activated mine last night. Replaced my WiMax Overdrive Pro.

 

Right before I swapped the devices, I took some speedtests and compared the difference

 

Wimax (-61dBm)

Posted Image

 

LTE (-108dBm)

Posted Image

Hmm. How far apart were these taken? 10 minutes or so?

 

I'm wondering if these are two different sites based on the wild variation in signal strength. WiMax is measured in RSSI and LTE in RSRP. Sprint uses 14dBm subtracted from RSSI to come up with an RSRP equivalent in their LTE 1900 testing. If the same is applied, the WiMax RSRP would be approximately -75dBm. So that appears to be a big spread, making me think of different sites.

 

Gotta like that ping though!

 

Robert from Note 2 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I figured out how to get the band class! Once you're connected to the mifi, go to this url:

http://192.168.1.1/debug/

===============
Debug
===============

Engineering
Current Service for CDMA: N/A
CMDA Signal Strength: N/A
Roaming Indicator value: Not Roaming
Channel: N/A
Latitude: 0
Longitude: 0
RSSI: N/A
SID: 0
NID: 0
Packet Zone ID: 0
Packet Call Control State: Connected
Ec/Io: N/A
Receive Power 0 (CDMA): N/A
Receive Power 1 (CDMA): N/A
Receive Frame Error Rate: N/A
Mobile IP Error Code: 0
IPv4 Address: N/A
PN value: N/A
Subnet Color Code: 0
HDR Session State: No Service
MAC Index: N/A
Subnet ID: 00 00000000 00000000 00000000
UAY024 value: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
AN-AAA value: No Request
Packet Error Rate value: N/A
DRC Request: 0
P_Rev value: N/A
Dominant PN: 0
Current Service Pilots: N/A

eHRPD
Channel: N/A
RSSI: No Signal
Ec/Io: -2.5 dBm
APN: r.ispsn

LTE
IMSI: 3101xxxxxxxxxxx
Connection State: Connected
PLMN ID: 825241907
Band: 
   [0] type:LTE   band:E_UTRA_OPERATING_BAND_25   channel:8665
RSRP: -110 dBm
RSRQ: -12 dB
RS-SINR: 5.2 dB
Tx Power: N/A
APN: r.ispsn
IPv4 Address: 0.0.0.0
IPv6 Address: N/A
IPv4 Call Last Error Code: 
IPv6 Call Last Error Code: WDS_CER_UNSPECIFIED_V01
Refresh
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hmm. How far apart were these taken? 10 minutes or so?

 

I'm wondering if these are two different sites based on the wild variation in signal strength. WiMax is measured in RSSI and LTE in RSRP. Sprint uses 14dBm subtracted from RSSI to come up with an RSRP equivalent in their LTE 1900 testing. If the same is applied, the WiMax RSRP would be approximately -75dBm. So that appears to be a big spread, making me think of different sites.

 

Gotta like that ping though!

 

Robert from Note 2 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

 

They were taken 20 minutes apart around midnight. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Got my MiFi 500 activated and did some preliminary tests.

 

iPhone 5 connected to the MiFi 500:

Posted Image

Posted Image

 

The iPhone 5 on its own:

Posted Image

 

Obviously, the MiFi is pulling down a better signal, but it's also all around faster, even at comparable signals as I tested those as well (I will post those screen shots in a bit).

 

The two devices were sitting right next to each other and both tests were taken back-to-back.

 

I did several tests and on average, the MiFi is getting MUCH better signal and speeds. Some were peaking to 12-15mbps with a signal of -108 to -114 on the MiFi, whereas the iPhone alone would barely do 3-5Mbps at around the same signal at this particular point of the day (peak).

 

I'm particularly impressed with the ping times when connected to the MiFi 500.

 

 

Sent from my Sprint iPhone 5, not the old one (using Tapatalk 2).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I activated mine last night. Replaced my WiMax Overdrive Pro.

 

Right before I swapped the devices, I took some speedtests and compared the difference

 

Wimax (-61dBm)

2863151113.png

 

LTE (-108dBm)

2863178074.png

Weird the slower one is faster than 57% of US and a C+ and the faster one is C- and slower than 57% of  US.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Weird the slower one is faster than 57% of US and a C+ and the faster one is C- and slower than 57% of US.

It's measuring the complete test, not just download. You must take into consideration the uploads and ping times, too.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I figured out how to get the band class! Once you're connected to the mifi, go to this url:

http://192.168.1.1/debug/

===============
Debug
===============

Engineering
Current Service for CDMA: N/A
CMDA Signal Strength: N/A
Roaming Indicator value: Not Roaming
Channel: N/A
Latitude: 0
Longitude: 0
RSSI: N/A
SID: 0
NID: 0
Packet Zone ID: 0
Packet Call Control State: Connected
Ec/Io: N/A
Receive Power 0 (CDMA): N/A
Receive Power 1 (CDMA): N/A
Receive Frame Error Rate: N/A
Mobile IP Error Code: 0
IPv4 Address: N/A
PN value: N/A
Subnet Color Code: 0
HDR Session State: No Service
MAC Index: N/A
Subnet ID: 00 00000000 00000000 00000000
UAY024 value: 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
AN-AAA value: No Request
Packet Error Rate value: N/A
DRC Request: 0
P_Rev value: N/A
Dominant PN: 0
Current Service Pilots: N/A

eHRPD
Channel: N/A
RSSI: No Signal
Ec/Io: -2.5 dBm
APN: r.ispsn

LTE
IMSI: 3101xxxxxxxxxxx
Connection State: Connected
PLMN ID: 825241907
Band: 
   [0] type:LTE   band:E_UTRA_OPERATING_BAND_25   channel:8665
RSRP: -110 dBm
RSRQ: -12 dB
RS-SINR: 5.2 dB
Tx Power: N/A
APN: r.ispsn
IPv4 Address: 0.0.0.0
IPv6 Address: N/A
IPv4 Call Last Error Code: 
IPv6 Call Last Error Code: WDS_CER_UNSPECIFIED_V01
Refresh

Interesting. That Plmn ID. Wonder if that is the decimal version of the serving cell like iPhones show.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


  • large.unreadcontent.png.6ef00db54e758d06

  • gallery_1_23_9202.png

  • Posts

    • Excuse my rookie comments here, but after enabling *#73#, it seems that the rainbow sim V2? requires n70 (I turned it off along with n71 - was hoping to track n66) to be available else it switches to T-Mobile.  So this confirms my suspicion that you need to be close to a site to get on Dish.  Have no idea why they don't just use plmn. To test, I put it into a s21 ultra, rebooted twice, came up on T-Mobile (no n70 on s21).  Tried to manually register on 313340, but it did not connect (tried twice). I am on factory unlocked firmware but used a s22 hack to get *#73# working.  Tried what you were suggesting with a T-Mobile sim partially installed, but that was very unstable with Dish ( I think they had figured that one out).  [edit: and now I see Boost sent me a successful device swap notice which says I can now begin to use my new device.  Sigh.  Will try again later and wait for this message - too impatient.]
    • Hopefully this indicates T-Mobile hasn't completely abandoned mmwave and/or small cells? But then again this is the loop, so take that as you will. Hopefully now that most macro activity is done (besides rural colo/builds), they will start working on small cells.   
    • This has been approved.. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/fcc-approves-t-mobiles-deal-to-purchase-mint-mobile/  
    • In the conference call they had two question on additional spectrum. One was the 800 spectrum. They are not certain what will happen, thus have not really put it into their plans either way (sale or no sale). They do have a reserve level. Nationwide 800Mhz is seen as great for new technologies which I presume is IOT or 5g slices.  T-Mobile did not bite on use of their c-band or DOD.  mmWave rapidly approaching deadlines not mentioned at all. FWA brushes on this as it deals with underutilized spectrum on a sector by sector basis.  They are willing to take more money to allow FWA to be mobile (think RV or camping). Unsure if this represents a higher priority, for example, FWA Mobile in RVs in Walmart parking lots working where mobile phones need all the capacity. In terms of FWA capacity, their offload strategy is fiber through joint ventures where T-Mobile does the marketing, sales, and customer support while the fiber company does the network planning and installation.  50%-50% financial split not being consolidated into their books. I think discussion of other spectrum would have diluted the fiber joint venture discussion. They do have a fund which one use is to purchase new spectrum. Sale of the 800Mhz would go into this. It should be noted that they continue to buy 2.5Ghz spectrum from schools etc to replace leases. They will have a conference this fall  to update their overall strategies. Other notes from the call are 75% of the phones on the network are 5g. About 85% of their sites have n41, n25, and n71, 90% 5g.  93% of traffic is on midband.  SA is also adding to their performance advantage, which they figure is still ahead of other carriers by two years. It took two weeks to put the auction 108 spectrum to use at their existing sites. Mention was also made that their site spacing was designed for midrange thus no gaps in n41 coverage, while competitors was designed for lowband thus toggles back and forth for n77 also with its shorter range.  
    • The manual network selection sounds like it isn't always scanning NR, hence Dish not showing up. Your easiest way to force Dish is going to be forcing the phone into NR-only mode (*#*#4636#*#* menu?), since rainbow sims don't support SA on T-Mobile.
  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...