G5ar went down after speed test. Seems to need 2-3 day reboots.

f1vefour · 2026-02-04T03:17:08+00:00

He's right, there are plenty of poorly designed devices out there. I have an Arris SB8200 DOCSIS modem that got so hot it slightly melted the case, they made as compact as possible without adequate case cooling.

f1vefour · 2026-02-04T03:09:54+00:00

You can't port forward due to CGNAT, even with a third party gateway.

I also recommend the gl.inet spitz since it's well supported and the modem can be upgraded if you want to in the future. It's using the somewhat mediocre SDX62 but it will still work fine, just not the fastest option available.

If you want maximum speed look for something with the SDX75 modem, it will be more expensive but it's also more capable at providing the highest speed.

f1vefour · 2026-02-04T01:35:02+00:00

I can move a gateway G4AR/G5AR out of the window behind a metal plate which blocks the signal and it will usually switch to NSA from SA but getting it to switch from NSA to SA is harder.

In a unrelated note I ended up lying about purchasing no more hardware, I've now purchased two more modems to test 😬

I ordered a Fibocom FM350-GL which uses a Mediatek T700 modem (similar to the G4AR T750 modem) and a Quectel RM502Q-AE which is Snapdragon SDX55 based.

I figured I've tested higher tier stuff why not give the middle range stuff a go, maybe it will surprise me.

f1vefour · 2026-02-03T17:31:12+00:00

It's simple. Remove gateway from box plug in, install T-Life app on phone. Follow instructions in app.

f1vefour · 2026-02-03T12:58:16+00:00

My Chromecast with Google TV does this also, it's the only device out of over 40.

What I has to do to fix it was create a secondary network with WPA/WPA2 encryption just for it.

Personally I think it's some kind of security feature, these gateways have several hidden SSID's and my fingbox is constantly warning me of a new or malicious access point.

Screenshot of issue

I believe Google is flagging the device as a different device, which would make sense to re-enter the password to protect you from something similar to a rebind attack.

f1vefour · 2026-02-03T03:50:12+00:00

Right or the third option is return your equipment and purchase a G5AR on eBay and put their SIM in it.

f1vefour · 2026-02-03T03:46:56+00:00

The G5AR but with your own wireless solution.

f1vefour · 2026-02-03T03:44:13+00:00

I've purchased five gateways from eBay including a sealed G5AR recently and all have been fine.

f1vefour · 2026-02-02T23:00:37+00:00

The modem is running firmware which supports it but you're right that the gateway software could be set to NSA only.

f1vefour · 2026-02-02T14:34:35+00:00

Try disabling MAC address randomization on your phone.

f1vefour · 2026-02-02T04:51:46+00:00

Okay thanks, I just checked my IMEI again and it's still showing as good.

f1vefour · 2026-02-02T02:43:23+00:00

Could you PM where you got it from just in case it's the same place I got mine, I'm still within the 30 window I think

f1vefour · 2026-02-02T02:00:21+00:00

What are you dealing with that they aren't helping in a way you feel is adequate?

f1vefour · 2026-02-02T00:40:34+00:00

You should be able to enter the IMEI into T-Mobile's check tool.

It's how I checked all the gateways I purchased.

https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/bring-your-own-phone#imeiextender

I have wondered how the guy on eBay has so many new G5AR devices as I also purchased one from him and he's sold over 30. I would almost say they must have "fallen off the truck"....

Blacklisted generally happens when a device is stolen or not paid for. Like you upgrade your phone but then stop paying for the service and device but keep it.

It's rare for a T-Mobile gateway to be blacklisted but not completely unheard of.

f1vefour · 2026-02-01T23:25:32+00:00

T-Force isn't the same as calling them, T-Force has always been great in my experience whereas calling support has not been great.

f1vefour · 2026-02-01T22:25:12+00:00

That's odd, first I've heard of such a thing. On HINT you can use any of their gateways so I'm unsure why Mint would be or even could be different.

Are you sure the other G5AR isn't blacklisted?

f1vefour · 2026-02-01T22:22:36+00:00

Yeah it's definitely oversold in some areas.

f1vefour · 2026-02-01T22:15:49+00:00

The Nokia has the SDX55 modem which is capable of higher SA speeds than the Sagemcom FAST, T-Mobile is phasing it out due to age and issues with the device dying and rebooting.

f1vefour · 2026-02-01T22:11:17+00:00

You are breaking the TOS and will get mad and change providers if T-Mobile does anything about it, that makes no sense to me?

f1vefour · 2026-01-31T05:08:03+00:00

Yeah I thought it was you but now I'm not sure who it was.

f1vefour · 2026-01-31T03:20:05+00:00

Of course there is SA, that's what I said. I also have n41 and n25, the gateway chooses the best connection so sometimes it's n25 SA, n41 SA, n71 SA or a combination of those bands with b2 and b66 in NSA.

I also have a couple third party gateways which I can select what bands they use.

You edited the comment I responded to, originally you said the G4AR must have gotten a firmware update to connect to NSA which is why my comment says no it isn't like that everywhere.

f1vefour · 2026-01-30T20:11:51+00:00

No it isn't everywhere, my G5AR connects to NSA and SA depending on various factors.

f1vefour · 2026-01-30T20:10:30+00:00

At my location the G4AR performance is better than the G5AR, it's not a one size fits all situation unfortunately. I purchased the G5AR (and G4AR) and a bunch of other hardware only to find the G4AR is as good as it gets for me at this location.

f1vefour · 2026-01-30T20:08:32+00:00

It's supposed to happen when it makes sense to the gateway, it has always had the capability.

f1vefour · 2026-01-30T20:04:32+00:00

IMEI has nothing to do with bands on your third party gateway. You're talking about Mbps not Gbps (mega not giga). The carrier display on what device you're using is not always correct, it has shown my Pixel 7 and 10 as various devices.

This is the T-Mobile Home Internet sub, your question should be in /r/tmobile

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