logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda

Huawei B2338-168 Net Box: Specs, Aggregation Support & Play System Details

sebapulawy 8787 12
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #1 17146464
    sebapulawy
    Level 12  
    Posts: 243
    Help: 3
    Rate: 24
    Hello
    I would like to ask if anyone has the specifications of this system from Play? I mean mainly if it supports aggregations.
    Regards
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #2 17146540
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31052
    Help: 4314
    Rate: 5708
    Supports, aggregates 1 LTE FDD band and LTE TDD bands to it. In our conditions only Plus uses TDD LTE2600 on few BTSs. Play has a TDD LTE 3700 license but the network is planned. Currently, it works as LTE 4 cat without band aggregation.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #3 17146544
    sebapulawy
    Level 12  
    Posts: 243
    Help: 3
    Rate: 24
    so with t-mobil it won't work fast
    thanks for the info
  • #4 17398864
    nickdrake
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Can you use the antenna from this netbox on another router? For example in B618, B715, B525?
  • #5 17398908
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31052
    Help: 4314
    Rate: 5708
    No, the external LTE access point only works with the router in the set. Antennas with SMA connectors are used for B618, B525 or B715. What is your problem with LTE signal?
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #6 17398952
    nickdrake
    Level 2  
    Posts: 2
    Ok thanks for the info. I have no problem, I was just thinking about a router that supports band aggregation (on the netbox I have a speed of 30Mb / s, at night 50Mb / s), but if I still had to buy antennas, it won't pay off and I won't have such a big difference. in the countryside.
  • #7 17399408
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31052
    Help: 4314
    Rate: 5708
    You might be surprised, it all depends on what LTE bands are on the BTS (whether it is LTE2600) and how busy it is. As a standard, I have 120-150Mb / s during the day over 200Mb / s. of course, BTS not overloaded, signal parameters correct and aggregation LTE2600 + 2100 + 1800. B2338-168 is not my story, nor is his successor B2368-66.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #8 17434420
    Avagardo
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    Rate: 1
    Welcome,
    Well, I have this miracle or Huawei B2338-168. I do not complain about the antenna, but the router added to the set is basically scrap ... The wifi range in the house is poor, and there are no two walls behind it. I have a Tp-link Archer C2300 Router and I would like to connect it to the antenna (modem) mentioned earlier. I've been trying for a few hours in total and nothing ... Have you tried to connect another router to this modem? Someone can tell you how to configure it?
    Regards,
  • #9 17434667
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31052
    Help: 4314
    Rate: 5708
    The ODU in this set, i.e. the LTE external access point built into the antenna, works only with the IDU from the set, i.e. the Huawei router. You improve the WiFi range at home with an additional AP set on the Archer, a LAN-LAN connection to the Huawei router.
    Helpful post? Buy me a coffee.
  • #10 17435187
    Avagardo
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    Rate: 1
    Thanks for the answer.
    That's exactly how I did it. It looks strange but it works. I also turned off wifi on Huawei to not add another network.
    It is a pity that it cannot be connected directly.

    Regards!
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #11 17437971
    Nagus
    Level 27  
    Posts: 757
    Help: 99
    Rate: 97
    It is possible that you can connect directly. You need to supply ODU with something - you will need a PoE injector. If ODU issues any human interface for configuration, it is possible to set up a connection to the cellular network, and then a standard connection to the TPLink's WAN Ethernet port and driving.
  • #12 17439728
    Avagardo
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    Rate: 1
    @Nagus
    You interested me a lot.

    I would like to get rid of this unnecessary system element - the huawei router.

    On the h ** awei router is just the PoE input (I connected it with RJ45 from the antenna). Later, I tried to combine with PoEEE (this is not the same thing) - but it didn't work in any way.
    Can you write something more? Somehow explain? I'm not completely green in the subject but I haven't heard of the PoE injector. From what I see they are not expensive.
    Can you check the 'human' modem ODU interface (i.e. antennas) before investment?

    Regards!
  • #13 17449805
    bangomango
    Level 11  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 3
    Avagardo wrote:
    @Nagus
    You interested me a lot.

    I would like to get rid of this unnecessary system element - the huawei router.

    On the h ** awei router is just the PoE input (I connected it with RJ45 from the antenna). Later, I tried to combine with PoEEE (this is not the same thing) - but it didn't work in any way.
    Can you write something more? Somehow explain? I'm not completely green in the subject but I haven't heard of the PoE injector. From what I see they are not expensive.
    Can you check the 'human' modem ODU interface (i.e. antennas) before investment?

    Regards!


    PoEEE is completely different from PoE [power over ethernet]

    And back to the topic.
    It's not possible. Unless someone hacks these systems [I have 2368]. The connection between IDU-ODU is encrypted with a key.
    In the Italian forum, a guy tried to do it [use a different router] and if he was able to power the ODU with the injector, he was unable to communicate with the ODU.
    They are blocked to the maximum, ports, services etc.

Topic summary

✨ The Huawei B2338-168 Net Box supports aggregation of one LTE FDD band and LTE TDD bands, specifically utilizing TDD LTE2600 in certain areas. However, it currently operates as LTE 4 cat without band aggregation. Users have reported mixed experiences with the device, particularly regarding the performance of the included router, which has been described as having poor WiFi range. The external LTE access point is designed to work exclusively with the Huawei router, limiting compatibility with other routers like B618, B715, or B525. Some users have explored connecting additional routers to improve WiFi coverage, but the connection between the internal and external units is encrypted, complicating direct integration with third-party devices. Overall, while the B2338-168 can provide decent speeds under optimal conditions, its limitations in aggregation and router performance have led users to consider alternative setups.
Generated by the language model.

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

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?

  1. Connect Archer LAN to Huawei LAN with an Ethernet cable (LAN‑LAN).
  2. On the Archer, enable Access Point mode.
  3. 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]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT