FAQ
TL;DR: 120–150 Mb/s reported with CA; "As a standard, I have 120–150 Mb/s during the day." Expect over 200 Mb/s on uncongested BTS with LTE2600+2100+1800. This FAQ helps Play Net Box owners with specs, aggregation, and router/antenna compatibility for Huawei B2338-168. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17399408]
Why it matters: It clarifies CA support, ODU–router pairing limits, and simple ways to fix weak Wi‑Fi without breaking the setup.
Quick Facts
- CA capability: B2338‑168 aggregates one LTE FDD band with LTE TDD bands; in Play deployment it operated as LTE Cat4 without CA. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17146540]
- ODU–IDU link is locked/encrypted; third‑party routers cannot replace the bundled Huawei router, even with PoE power. [Elektroda, bangomango, post #17449805]
- Net Box ODU cannot be reused with B618/B715/B525; those expect external antennas with SMA connectors. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17398908]
- To extend Wi‑Fi, add an AP (e.g., TP‑Link Archer) and connect LAN‑to‑LAN to the Huawei router. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17434667]
- Reported throughput with CA on uncongested BTS: 120–150 Mb/s daytime, >200 Mb/s off‑peak. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17399408]
Does the Huawei B2338-168 support carrier aggregation (CA)?
Yes. The B2338‑168 aggregates one LTE FDD band with LTE TDD bands. In the thread’s Play deployment, it operated as LTE Cat4 without CA. Results depend on operator spectrum and network configuration. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17146540]
Will the B2338-168 be fast on T-Mobile?
Performance on T‑Mobile will reflect single‑band LTE Cat4 behavior. Only Plus used LTE2600 TDD, which this device needs for FDD+TDD CA. Expect single‑carrier speeds and sensitivity to cell load on FDD‑only networks. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17146540]
Can I reuse the Play Net Box antenna with another router (B618/B715/B525)?
No. The Net Box external LTE access point pairs only with the included router. B618, B715, and B525 use external antennas with SMA connectors. The Net Box ODU does not expose those connectors or a compatible interface. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17398908]
Can I bypass the Huawei router and connect the ODU directly to my TP-Link via PoE?
No. Even if you power the ODU with a PoE injector, it will not link. The IDU‑ODU communication is encrypted and ports and services are locked. An Italian attempt confirmed the ODU would not talk to a third‑party router. [Elektroda, bangomango, post #17449805]
How do I boost Wi‑Fi coverage with the B2338-168 Net Box?
Add an access point and keep the Huawei as your gateway. Connect a TP‑Link Archer to the Huawei via LAN‑to‑LAN. This extends coverage without breaking the ODU‑IDU link or changing the WAN setup. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17434667]
How do I set up my Archer C2300 as an access point with the Net Box?
- Connect Archer LAN to Huawei LAN with an Ethernet cable (LAN‑LAN).
- On the Archer, enable Access Point mode.
- Join devices to the Archer’s Wi‑Fi and verify coverage. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17434667]
What speeds can I expect with CA versus single carrier?
On an uncongested BTS with LTE2600+2100+1800 aggregation, users report 120–150 Mb/s in daytime and over 200 Mb/s off‑peak. "You might be surprised, it all depends on what LTE bands are on the BTS." Throughput varies with load and signal quality. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17399408]
Which operator offers LTE TDD 2600, and does Play use TDD?
In the reported deployments, only Plus uses LTE2600 TDD on a few BTS. Play held TDD 3700 rights, but the network was still planned. As a result, the device ran as LTE Cat4 without CA on Play. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17146540]
Can I turn off the Huawei router’s Wi‑Fi when using an external AP?
Yes. A user disabled the Huawei Wi‑Fi to avoid another network while using a LAN‑to‑LAN AP setup. The connection kept working normally afterward. This is a practical way to reduce SSID clutter. [Elektroda, Avagardo, post #17435187]
Is PoEEE the same as PoE for powering the ODU?
No. PoEEE is not the same as PoE (Power over Ethernet). Even correctly powering the ODU will not enable direct management or routing. The encrypted ODU‑IDU link blocks third‑party routers. [Elektroda, bangomango, post #17449805]
What antenna connectors do the Huawei B618, B525, and B715 use?
They use SMA connectors for external antennas. The Net Box ODU is a closed outdoor modem without SMA ports, so it is incompatible. Using the ODU as a passive antenna for those routers is not supported. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17398908]
Is upgrading to a CA‑capable indoor router worth it if I get 30–50 Mb/s now?
If you see 30 Mb/s by day and 50 Mb/s at night, gains may not justify buying antennas. One rural user decided switching to a CA router plus antennas would not pay off for that profile. Your payoff depends on local bands and load. [Elektroda, nickdrake, post #17398952]
