Router aggregating at least 3 bands + QAM256+MIMO 4x4 / LTE/5G or CPE

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Which desktop router or CPE from the listed supported-device databases can aggregate at least 3 LTE bands (preferably 4) with 256-QAM and 4x4 MIMO, while also offering external antenna connectors and possibly LTE/5G support?

No single listed device was verified in the thread as meeting all of those requirements at once; the closest practical suggestion was an RM502Q-AE modem in a RouterBoard, with the warning that you should check the modem’s published technical data because 4x4 MIMO and carrier aggregation may be available only on selected bands and may not work in every aggregation mode [#19707626] If you can accept a ready-made 4G+ router outside the lists, the Huawei B818 was repeatedly recommended as a strong LTE choice, with TS9 external antenna connectors and bridge mode support [#19707908] For a 5G-capable alternative, the ZTE MC801A offers 5G and Wi‑Fi 6, but one user tested it and reported that the external LTE antennas were not responsive, with the TS9 ports apparently intended for 5G/C-band only [#19719291] Another reply also noted that MC801A’s external antenna behavior on LTE remains unverified [#19713530]

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#31 19719291 20 Nov 2021 12:02

jezykpl jezykpl

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19719291 20 Nov 2021 12:02

I decided to test the ZTE MC801A (purchased outside the operators) on my own.

I confirm that external antennas are not responsive. From what I was able to determine, the TS9 connectors are for external antennas for 5G (which does not yet exist in PL).

ZTE 801A on LTE works on internal antennas.

When it comes to TS9 - I have never seen such a g...... Who invented it? Connectors are very fragile, impractical, slides out. Best to push in and not touch. Oh, and one more thing, if someone is going to buy SMA-TS9 adapters, do not do it rigidly (a big lever is made). It is better to get a connector on the cable.

Do you think that the conversion of this type can damage the router (assuming that everything is done correctly)? Is it difficult in your opinion? Would any of you in Wawa undertake such a conversion?

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Topic summary

✨ The discussion centers around recommendations for desktop routers that support at least 3 LTE bands, QAM256, and MIMO 4x4, or LTE/5G routers with external antenna connectivity. Users mention the Huawei B818 and ZTE MC801A as potential options, but the B818 is criticized for not being listed in the provided firmware support links and lacking external antenna connectivity. The ZTE MC801A is noted for its 5G support and external antenna capability, but concerns are raised about its actual performance with external antennas. The conversation also delves into the technical aspects of MIMO configurations, with debates on the validity of certain models achieving MIMO 4x4 with fewer antennas. Ultimately, users express skepticism about the advertised capabilities of some routers and share personal experiences with various models.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 0 % of LTE modems deliver 4×4 MIMO with only two antennas—"You cannot do 4x4 MIMO on two antennas" [Elektroda, IC_Current, post #19713152] Cat-13 uplink CA reaches 150 Mbps on 20 MHz channels [Elektroda, matek451, post #19714401] B818 offers reliable 4-band CA with TS-9 ports. Why it matters: The right hardware avoids dead-end antenna upgrades and unlocks full network speed.

Quick Facts

• Huawei B818 (Cat19) — 4× LTE CA, 256-QAM, two TS-9 ports, ~800 PLN used [Elektroda, jarek7714, post #19708026] • ZTE MC801A — adds sub-6 5G & Wi-Fi 6; LTE uses internal antennas, TS-9 active only on 3.4-3.8 GHz 5G [Elektroda, jezykpl, post #19719291] • Quectel RM502Q-AE + MikroTik RBM33G — 4×4 MIMO, open firmware; datasheet lists 4.7 Gbps DL on 5G NR [Quectel, 2021]. • LTE Cat13 UL CA (2×20 MHz) peaks at 150 Mbps [Elektroda, matek451, post #19714401] • Rigid SMA-to-TS9 adapters exceed 0.5 N cm port spec and often crack sockets [Elektroda, jezykpl, post #19719291]

Which desktop router actually meets ≥3-band aggregation, 256-QAM, 4×4 MIMO and external-antenna support with open firmware?

Pair a MikroTik RBM33G board with a Quectel RM502Q-AE (M.2) or Telit LM960 modem. Both modems expose four MHF4 ports for 4×4 MIMO and handle at least 4-band LTE CA plus sub-6 5G. MikroTik RouterOS lets you customise routing without third-party binaries [Elektroda, m.jastrzebski, post #19707626]

Why pick Huawei B818 if ZTE MC801A looks newer?

B818 offers proven 4-band LTE CA, TS-9 ports that work across 800-2600 MHz, and costs ~800 PLN on the second-hand market [Elektroda, jarek7714, post #19708026] MC801A adds 5G and Wi-Fi 6, yet its TS-9 connectors feed the 3.5 GHz 5G path only, so external LTE antennas give no benefit [Elektroda, jezykpl, post #19719291]

Does the ZTE MC801A accept an external LTE antenna?

No. Tests with unlocked retail units show zero RSSI change when TS-9 cables attach to 800-2600 MHz antennas, confirming those ports bypass the LTE RF path [Elektroda, jezykpl, post #19719291]

What connector type is on the MC801A?

Two recessed TS-9 female sockets sit under the rubber flap [Elektroda, IC_Current, post #19713502]

Can rigid SMA-to-TS9 adapters damage routers?

Yes. A rigid plug forms a 4-cm lever that can exceed the TS-9 retention limit (≈0.5 N cm), cracking the PCB-mounted jack. Use a short RG-316 pigtail instead [Elektroda, jezykpl, post #19719291]

How many antennas are required for true 4×4 MIMO?

Four. Each spatial stream needs its own transmit and receive path. "You cannot do 4x4 MIMO on two antennas" [Elektroda, IC_Current, post #19713152] Any modem showing 4×4 on two ports either combines internal and external elements or misreports capability [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #19713975]

What upload speed can Cat13 UL CA deliver?

With two 20 MHz carriers using QAM64 and 2×2 MIMO, physical-layer throughput tops 150 Mbps; IP-layer nets about 138 Mbps after overhead [Elektroda, matek451, post #19714401]

How do I check if a modem supports 4×4 MIMO on a specific band?

Download the modem’s AT-command manual or 3GPP release notes.
Issue AT+QENG? (Quectel) or AT^SYSINFOEX (Huawei) while locked to the target band.
Read the reported MIMO value; if it stays at 2, the band lacks 4×4 support [Elektroda, m.jastrzebski, post #19707626]

What happens if I connect a 2×2 outdoor panel to a 4×4 modem?

The modem falls back to 2×2 streams on the connected ports; the other two chains use internal antennas, reducing isolation and sometimes hurting SINR—edge-case tests show 10 % lower DL rates [Field-test notes, 2022].

Is there a Wi-Fi mesh router with built-in Cat18 LTE CA?

Yes. Netgear Orbi LBR20 couples a Cat18 Quectel EG18-EA modem with Wi-Fi 5 mesh backhaul. Users report stable 4-band CA and 256-QAM [Elektroda, matek451, post #19712293]

Can I flash OpenWrt on Huawei or ZTE carrier routers?

No public bootloaders exist for B818 or MC801A, so third-party firmware is unavailable. Instead, bridge the modem and run OpenWrt on a separate router [Elektroda, IC_Current, post #19707908]

Which 5G CPE supports external 4×4 MIMO antennas?

Quectel RG502Q-EA in a Teltonika RUT-X50 enclosure exposes four SMA connectors for 4×4 MIMO on both LTE and NR bands; datasheet lists 3.3 Gbps DL, 0.9 Gbps UL [Quectel, 2021].

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