Database Users

very slow 3G/HSDPA data connection with all builds :(

Can anyone confirm if they have a rock solid 3G/HSDPA data connection with HKCSL 1010 with any android builds? Please post APNs and radio/wm ROM/combinations if possible. It is nowhere near the speeds from my WM ROM from before but I just love the Android OS so much more as it's smoother and faster than any custom WM ROM's available. It runs great if it's on WI-FI, i just can't pay for my data connection and settle for a nice OS and almost 500Kbps data connection for now it's very frustrating and dissapointing since i'm in HKCSL 1010 NEXT G data plan..

I don't think the hardware supports TRUE HSDPA data
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

with latest builds, i have problem with bad signal reception... a have edge connection most of time.. i didn`t have this problem before... now in 4 builds i`ve tryied.. maybe it is because ppp?

Thanks for the replies guys but what do u mean true hsdpa? We are on a 3.5G network and also I see some other fellow users having 3g speeds of 3-5mbps which is super fast already. I have tried almost every rom out there and different barebone WM ROM as well but made no difference. Speeds are like GPRS slow! Tried PPP and RMNET but can't even tell a difference...sad as I can't use it with full potential.
Wifi-
http://www.speedtest.net/result/963808702.png
3.5G with hkcsl1010 next G
http://www.speedtest.net/result/963810700.png
Those numbers aren't exactly true as the browsing is slow as hell. I don't know how speedtest.net do it but it sure hell ain't that fast as it seems like it's constipated.

Most I get on every build I've tried is rough 0.33mbs connection, I've hit nothing over 45kb/s yet seem to be able to upload at over 70, that's on T-MOB UK, pain in the arse but I just try and stick to wifi, nothing I can figure out after swapping so many roms/radios/builds/modules etc etc etc!!!!

try out bangsters 1.4 (the latest i think) and edit the startup to PPP, used chuckyrom and 2.12 radio and seems like it's working pretty good. Not much constipation at all. Try it out and let me know. I only had wifi so couldn't check 3G speeds before (here in HK for trip now).

i am using darkstones desire hd build on o2 in the uk and currently get roughly 2meg down when connected to hsdpa

c4Lvin said:
try out bangsters 1.4 (the latest i think) and edit the startup to PPP, used chuckyrom and 2.12 radio and seems like it's working pretty good. Not much constipation at all. Try it out and let me know. I only had wifi so couldn't check 3G speeds before (here in HK for trip now).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still the same, I can't figure out the issue, only thing I can get it down to is something on T-MOBs end, but even that I don't know haha!!!!

c4Lvin said:
Can anyone confirm if they have a rock solid 3G/HSDPA data connection with HKCSL 1010 with any android builds? Please post APNs and radio/wm ROM/combinations if possible. It is nowhere near the speeds from my WM ROM from before but I just love the Android OS so much more as it's smoother and faster than any custom WM ROM's available. It runs great if it's on WI-FI, i just can't pay for my data connection and settle for a nice OS and almost 500Kbps data connection for now it's very frustrating and dissapointing since i'm in HKCSL 1010 NEXT G data plan..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lei ho..
Please try my setup via my tag, I'm getting 2.3Mbit for download and 700kb for upstream..
BladeZ

Since moving to Android on HD2 from the myTouch Slide, my data speeds have oddly evened out.
Meaning, data speeds have increased in places I used to only get EDGE coverage at and decreased to about 2mbps where I used to get 4-5.
I just hopped on to this part of XDA but I've gathered that Android development has only been happening for about three months. That's nothing! Look at all the cool stuff people have done! I think it's only a matter of time before the radios and builds start jiving a bit better. I'm ultra happy with what I've got so far.

bjkoh said:
Lei ho..
Please try my setup via my tag, I'm getting 2.3Mbit for download and 700kb for upstream..
BladeZ
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi BladeZ, lei ho ah! Thanks for the advice. Just wondering if you are in HK and using the provider as me?
Regards

My speedtest results are good (~450-500 kB/sec down, 150 kB up) on 3g, but when I use the market, the speeds are much slower. Same with wifi: speedtest reports excellent results, but using market is slow.

Hi I just flashed back to a dutty's WM rom and the browsing speed is much more faster and consistant. The rom is fast but opera just isn't smooth at scrolling and the windows limitation of colors isn't as smooth either. There are always some good and bad for the 2. I miss android already...but until there is a fix for consistent 3G and hsdpa connection, it is not ready for primetime yet...just my personal opinion.

c4Lvin said:
Hi I just flashed back to a dutty's WM rom and the browsing speed is much more faster and consistant. The rom is fast but opera just isn't smooth at scrolling and the windows limitation of colors isn't as smooth either. There are always some good and bad for the 2. I miss android already...but until there is a fix for consistent 3G and hsdpa connection, it is not ready for primetime yet...just my personal opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd have to agree unfortunately. Android's biggest weakness in my eyes is it's reliance on online connectivity. Nearly every app on Android needs to go online. So when the online connection is intermittent and unstable it makes Android virtually defunct.

for all the fellas having Data being slow....read on!
GUYS!!! been fiddling with this $hit long enough! Today, just found out why my provider and 3G speeds are so damn slow. I read up on other forums (not xda) and played with APN settings. Don't know if they were case sensitive or not, or whatever..but i simply put in my provider name "CSL", and APN as "internet" and leave EVERYTHING ELSE blank, i get a screaming fast connection. NO HICCUPS NO CONSTIPATION. TRY IT!!! Don't input all those garbage numbers as it just confuses you! ONE thing though, you will not be able to access WAP I believe but i don't use it anyways. I have a LIMITED data plan and all this testing been taking up my 500MB quota already so I won't even bother with the speedtest process anymore. GOOD LUCK and please report back guys!

I m getting speeds upto 2.6 mbps download and upload 500 kbps with desire hd rom..2.14 radio..energy Rom in winmo..
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App

Try surfing to secure sites...that speedtest doesn't mean much if your provider restricts you from certain secure sites. Let me know.

wrong
javolin13 said:
I don't think the hardware supports TRUE HSDPA data
Sent from my HTC HD2 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your wrong mate,
HTC rate the HD2 as being a 7.2 mb/s device ...

slow 3g/hsdpa
bates_1974 said:
Most I get on every build I've tried is rough 0.33mbs connection, I've hit nothing over 45kb/s yet seem to be able to upload at over 70, that's on T-MOB UK, pain in the arse but I just try and stick to wifi, nothing I can figure out after swapping so many roms/radios/builds/modules etc etc etc!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
same here mate,
regards.

45 kb/sec 3g/hsdpa speed
c4Lvin said:
GUYS!!! been fiddling with this $hit long enough! Today, just found out why my provider and 3G speeds are so damn slow. I read up on other forums (not xda) and played with APN settings. Don't know if they were case sensitive or not, or whatever..but i simply put in my provider name "CSL", and APN as "internet" and leave EVERYTHING ELSE blank, i get a screaming fast connection. NO HICCUPS NO CONSTIPATION. TRY IT!!! Don't input all those garbage numbers as it just confuses you! ONE thing though, you will not be able to access WAP I believe but i don't use it anyways. I have a LIMITED data plan and all this testing been taking up my 500MB quota already so I won't even bother with the speedtest process anymore. GOOD LUCK and please report back guys!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried that didn't work, speed seems to be somehow capped at 45/kb per sec ... !!!
someone please help this is driving me mad ...

What is your tether speed on 3G

I am on Caulks 1.7.1, and the pic attached will show my speeds tethered to my computer.Can I see some speeds pls? Can anyone offer good or bad on what I am getting.

Glockshooter said:
I am on Caulks 1.7.1, and the pic attached will show my speeds tethered to my computer.Can I see some speeds pls? Can anyone offer good or bad on what I am getting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your speeds are 0kbps? Wow. I get better (or same) speeds on my microwave.
EDIT: I know I'm going to break a number of rules or even get banned, but I cannot resist it.
You are truly a neanderthal.

nabbed said:
Your speeds are 0kbps? Wow. I get better (or same) speeds on my microwave.
EDIT: I know I'm going to break a number of rules or even get banned, but I cannot resist it.
You are truly a neanderthal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am new to this and was under the thought that it was the top number that counted but I am new so..lol
The bottom numbers did bottom out after an hour of surfing but it ran my computer fast.So I dont know.

Glockshooter said:
I am new to this and was under the thought that it was the top number that counted but I am new so..lol
The bottom numbers did bottom out after an hour of surfing but it ran my computer fast.So I dont know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should run a speed test.
A common and reliable one is http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

the top numbers in red and green is the TOTAL amount of download and upload data you have used... the bottom numbers in white are the current speed you are getting (if ur actually downloading something at the moment or surfing the web)

Many variables come into play to determine speeds; network load, signal quality, test server location, other obstructions on the pc (such as firewall), etc..
In general, on 3g, i've seen download speeds up to ~1.5 mbps, with average of 600-800 kbps, upload speeds of 300-800 kbps.
4G, download up to 6 mbps, 12 mbps burst with full 4g signal, about 1 mbps upload either way. ymmv

Just did speak easy test from my phone. Got 737kbps download and 372 kbps for upload. These numbers any good??

That seems about normal. Download speeds will go to about 1.7 MBps while upload hovers around 1 MBps.

1.58Mb/s down
.56Mb/s up
Wish I had 4G lol

nabbed said:
Your speeds are 0kbps? Wow. I get better (or same) speeds on my microwave.
EDIT: I know I'm going to break a number of rules or even get banned, but I cannot resist it.
You are truly a neanderthal.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may seem like you didn't understand what the screen said, however, when I installed Calkulin's 1.7.1....my speeds dropped to almost zero....basically non-existant. I had to run the new Sprint RUU and email customer service again to do a reset on my phone. Whatever they do, it works! I am now getting 1.5Mbps d/l and about 500kbps up. Something is going on with flashing roms as this never used to happen. Now, it seems to happen all the time. I wish there was more information from others about this or from the DEVS. I am wondering if by tweeking to make it better/faster/smoother....files are being deleted that are intertwined for 3G to work or connect properly.
Also, I am wondering, since in the era of Big Brother, if Sprint knows by reading our systems...if they can monitor and thus limit what is allowed to be used for bandwidth. I ran an app called 3gtest and it showed that all ports were first pretty much allowed except for a few.....then it would show all blocked except for port 22 sh.....just a thought as I know for me, something is borking my 3G and it just started recently after flashing about 100 roms.

speed fun

hi everyone
this is my bad news
i just got my nexus s
and i still own my galaxy s
now same phone provider(optus australia) same Apn setting this is speed result?
Galaxy S: 4.92 download
1.12 uploading
Nexus S: 2.21 download
1.05 uploading
what also i can see i got H on my Galaxy but only 3g on my Nexux s
well for sure this make the different i believe but why for the same Apn tested in the same place??
now we have to fing the answare
Mr Gee

The answer is that Google don't seem to like the H icon and therefore disables it. The phone still works fine on HSPA, it just doesn't display it.

i can understand
but the different in speed?

gerardo66 said:
i can understand
but the different in speed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you done multiple tests against multiple servers at different times of the day and averaged the results?
I can truly see a difference of 50% or more from one test to another sometimes, even when ran just a few minutes apart. Network traffic is just funny that way.
The other thing you might want to do to validate your comparisons is get the Antennas app from the Market (it's free) and make sure both phones are actually connecting to the same tower. They should be, but if you're in an overlapping tower area, they might not be due to load balancing by the network.

i will try
so definitely is not H on nexus S?

gerardo66 said:
i will try
so definitely is not H on nexus S?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will never see an H indicator on the Nexus S with the current stock firmwares. You'd need to flash a modded ROM or modify your frameworks file yourself to get it.
The phone is definitely capable of H speeds, though.

Same here in Florida. Vibrant gets 5 or 6 mbps down and 1.6 up while NS gets a max of 2 or 3 down and 900 k up
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App

Thank elkavayo
you confirm my felling
so now what is this problem? how we solve?

elkavayo said:
Same here in Florida. Vibrant gets 5 or 6 mbps down and 1.6 up while NS gets a max of 2 or 3 down and 900 k up
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
gerardo66 said:
Thank elkavayo
you confirm my felling
so now what is this problem? how we solve?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you guys called T-Mo customer service and asked them to look into the problem relative to your individual phone?
They'll probably tell you to try a new SIM card (if you're using the one you had on an older device).
The phone is capable of faster speeds than you're seeing. It should get comparable to a Vibrant.

my sim i three week old
i will try to swap with sim from gs and test again
to be continued

I'm going to start throatpunching people who ask this question.
Just because you don't see an "H" in the framework, doesn't mean you're not connecting to the HSDPA.
Start downloading something then type in *#*4636#*#* in the dialer. Look at "Phone Info" and watch the "Network Type." You'll notice a few seconds after it starts downloading, it'll switch from UMTS(3G) to HSDPA(also 3G).

Hi Unremarked
have you try the code your self?
i try and give me wrong code!!

gerardo66 said:
Hi Unremarked
have you try the code your self?
i try and give me wrong code!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*#*#4636#*#*
Typed too fast, my fault.

Or you can find the same info in Settings > About > Status

I love my vibrant, so fast so reliable so quick...to me nexus s is a downgrade

I have both the SNS and the SGS
SGS is on Fido
SNS on Wind
both gets a top speed down speed of 2800+ Mbps
and aprox 800+ Mbps up stream
that just gives you an idea that the SNS works properly, it might simply be the capacity load of the cell tower you were connected to

distortedloop said:
Have you guys called T-Mo customer service and asked them to look into the problem relative to your individual phone?
They'll probably tell you to try a new SIM card (if you're using the one you had on an older device).
The phone is capable of faster speeds than you're seeing. It should get comparable to a Vibrant.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing wrong with the phones or SIM. Has to do with the modem. Flashing different modems on the vibrant have the same effect. Some modems are more aggressive, but use more battery. Nexus One stock gets same download speed as nexus S. I'm sure most NS and Vibrant will perform the same in the same geographical area.
BTW, you don't get the same download speeds everywhere. At home I get 2mbps but at work, about noon, I get close to 6 (with the vibrant) and close to 3 with NS.
In any case, 2mbps is pretty good. I won't go and exchange my phone because of that. I have learned to enjoy my NS as opposed to look for any possible thing that makes it not perfect in the eyes of "my friends"

zc4life said:
I love my vibrant, so fast so reliable so quick...to me nexus s is a downgrade
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool.. if you love it so much, why are you on the Nexus S forum trying to discourage other people about the phone? Not trying to be rude or anything but posts saying Nexus S is a downgrade compared to X phone is just really annoying.

Heh
zephiK said:
cool.. if you love it so much, why are you on the Nexus S forum trying to discourage other people about the phone? Not trying to be rude or anything but posts saying Nexus S is a downgrade compared to X phone is just really annoying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not trying to be rude but it is what it is...

AllGamer said:
I have both the SNS and the SGS
SGS is on Fido
SNS on Wind
both gets a top speed down speed of 2800+ Mbps
and aprox 800+ Mbps up stream
that just gives you an idea that the SNS works properly, it might simply be the capacity load of the cell tower you were connected to
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you do mean Kbps right?
2800 Mbps would be 933.33 MBps and that's <b><u>CRAZY</u></b> fast lol

Tmobile Nexus 6 News..

So it looks as wifi calling should go out to tmobiles nexus 6 by the end of the first quarter.. and volte for the nexus 6 and tmobile is nearly done with testing http://www.tmonews.com/2015/02/wi-fi-calling-coming-to-nexus-6-by-the-end-of-q1/

It's great news for those who do use it. Personally I don't so yeah... I got one of those routers from T-Mo that is supposed to be used for Wi-Fi calling and have never used it for that. Otherwise it was a free $150-$200 router that works awesome!

simms22 said:
So it looks as wifi calling should go out to tmobiles nexus 6 by the end of the first quarter.. and volte for the nexus 6 and tmobile is nearly done with testing http://www.tmonews.com/2015/02/wi-fi-calling-coming-to-nexus-6-by-the-end-of-q1/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awesome I've been wondering when it will be enable. Looking forward to both VoLTE and Wifi-Calling!!!

Any ideas how it will work? Will it be an app compatible with any custom rom or will it be something rom builders will need to go integrate?

kingston73 said:
Any ideas how it will work? Will it be an app compatible with any custom rom or will it be something rom builders will need to go integrate?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i have nooooo idea..

I am going to guess application like google hangouts dialer.

Gorjira said:
It's great news for those who do use it. Personally I don't so yeah... I got one of those routers from T-Mo that is supposed to be used for Wi-Fi calling and have never used it for that. Otherwise it was a free $150-$200 router that works awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here.... Amazing router

Gorjira said:
It's great news for those who do use it. Personally I don't so yeah... I got one of those routers from T-Mo that is supposed to be used for Wi-Fi calling and have never used it for that. Otherwise it was a free $150-$200 router that works awesome!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fireishott said:
Same here.... Amazing router
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But you have to return the router after you terminate services or they will bill you for 100 dollars.
Something to keep in mind, and it will still be 100 dollars a year from now. Or two. Or three.. in three the router is definitely going to be less than 100 dollars market value.

It's still a free 5ghz AC router...I think I can remember to return a router

punisherb273 said:
It's still a free 5ghz AC router...I think I can remember to return a router
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree and I have had tmo for almost 7 years I think I might be around for a while

punisherb273 said:
It's still a free 5ghz AC router...I think I can remember to return a router
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its a POS that won't run openwrt.

doitright said:
Its a POS that won't run openwrt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a dual band router with openwrt, and when the 2.4GHz hardware died (which happened far earlier than it should have, probably due to WRT overdriving the radio), and replaced it with a Netgear N900, expecting to get a wired router with WRT and run it as a WAP. Turns out there was not a single feature I used in WRT that was missing in the stock firmware, and the thing was rock solid as far as stability goes. I replaced the Netgear with the ASUS one from T-Mo (actually turned it into a WAP for better basement coverage) and it has even MORE features out of the box, like more powerful QOS support. Openwrt/DD-WRT/Tomato are nice, but they are far more than the vast majority of people need - even power users like me. I'm not using my CCNA skills to do stuff like routing multiple subnets here at home, and if I did, I would grab a used Cisco 861 and run the ASUS as a WAP behind it rather than messing with WRT.

Need that volte, hate dropping down to 3g when making voice calls then waiting for lte to kick in.

Illrigger said:
I had a dual band router with openwrt, and when the 2.4GHz hardware died (which happened far earlier than it should have, probably due to WRT overdriving the radio), and replaced it with a Netgear N900, expecting to get a wired router with WRT and run it as a WAP. Turns out there was not a single feature I used in WRT that was missing in the stock firmware, and the thing was rock solid as far as stability goes. I replaced the Netgear with the ASUS one from T-Mo (actually turned it into a WAP for better basement coverage) and it has even MORE features out of the box, like more powerful QOS support. Openwrt/DD-WRT/Tomato are nice, but they are far more than the vast majority of people need - even power users like me. I'm not using my CCNA skills to do stuff like routing multiple subnets here at home, and if I did, I would grab a used Cisco 861 and run the ASUS as a WAP behind it rather than messing with WRT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
...
Because obviously every hack on the internet is CCNA.
Right kid.
You obviously wrote this all up to try to defend yourself, but not working.
Instead, you have a spyware infested piece of unstable junk.
Have fun with it.

doitright said:
...
Because obviously every hack on the internet is CCNA.
Right kid.
You obviously wrote this all up to try to defend yourself, but not working.
Instead, you have a spyware infested piece of unstable junk.
Have fun with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude, why so hostile? Did tmo and/or asus personally offend you at some point in your life?
I've been using the tmo/asus router for a month now and it works great. Not everybody needs high level, supertech setups. Some people just want a wifi signal that works well...

doitright said:
Its a POS that won't run openwrt.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well for the rest of us that have a life beyond hacking a router, for no reason, it works just fine. Plug it in and connect. Its free 5 gigggaahertz

punisherb273 said:
Well for the rest of us that have a life beyond hacking a router, for no reason, it works just fine. Plug it in and connect. Its free 5 gigggaahertz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Plug it in and they get to snoop on all your communications.
Also, its quite clear that your opinion of openwrt has been severely tainted by... probably a complete moron. Plug it in, and it works better than fine.

doitright said:
...
Because obviously every hack on the internet is CCNA.
Right kid.
You obviously wrote this all up to try to defend yourself, but not working.
Instead, you have a spyware infested piece of unstable junk.
Have fun with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been an enterprise SysAdmin for 15 years. I have been working with network equipment (the enterprise Cisco stuff, not your wannabe WRT crap) for over 10. I am neither a kid, nor a hack, thanks.
What's your network background that gives your opinion on WRT so valid, and what features make it so special? Because like I said, I have used it and there was nothing in it that made me miss it when I stopped.

Illrigger said:
I have been an enterprise SysAdmin for 15 years. I have been working with network equipment (the enterprise Cisco stuff, not your wannabe WRT crap) for over 10. I am neither a kid, nor a hack, thanks.
What's your network background that gives your opinion on WRT so valid, and what features make it so special? Because like I said, I have used it and there was nothing in it that made me miss it when I stopped.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I second you on the wrt stuff. Yes while it is nice it is not necessary for home use at all. Especially since the Asus-68u / TMO-1900 AC (same router/WAP etc.) has it built in for the most part and actually works better than WRT crap-ware as I determine it. I to would get a used Cisco or aerohive or enterprise level hardware over any home-based consumer router for security and other things that just are not available. But that is not this subject I have the TMO-1900AC and Asus-68u at home I use the TMO as WAP and Asus as primary this works very well for wifi calling etc. I believe wifi calling will be built in to the phone on update not a wannabe app like sprint.

T-Mobile is reporting that WiFi calling won't be in the 5.1 update... This is getting old.

T-mobile is now giving free wifi router

Today I called t-mobile customer care for a few questions and before I got off the phone the rep asked me if I wanted a free router that gives great wifi calling, it use to cost $50 to get it but now is free. The only thigh you must know it's that if you decide to leave t-mobile you better return it or they will hit you with a nice bill.

Yeah that has been out for almost a 9 months.. Worth it
BAD ASS NOTE 4

Yea i got one yesterday havent set it up yet lol

Got it awhile back, it's a great router

Anyone know what model Asus it compares with? I have an RT-AC66U. If nothing else I figure T-Mos might make a nice extender.

Grims said:
Anyone know what model Asus it compares with? I have an RT-AC66U. If nothing else I figure T-Mos might make a nice extender.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't received it yet to tell you

Grims said:
Anyone know what model Asus it compares with? I have an RT-AC66U. If nothing else I figure T-Mos might make a nice extender.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It ac68. The step up
BAD ASS NOTE 4

Grims said:
Anyone know what model Asus it compares with? I have an RT-AC66U. If nothing else I figure T-Mos might make a nice extender.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually the exact same hardware as the RT-AC68U. In fact I'm running builds of Merlin's custom RT-AC68U firmware on mine (I got mine soon after they became available before Tmo sent out an OTA that locked the bootloader).
Prior to getting my "cellspot", I actually had the exact same router that you do now The RT-AC66U is definitely a solid router, but I've found the 68U to be a fairly significant upgrade. I'd say that there's really no reason not to "rent" one for a refundable deposit. I was initially planning on keeping it for $100, but now I'm thinking that by the time I feel the need for a new router there will likely be better / newer models available for not too much more than that. Anyway, I get better and more consistent wifi performance with the 68 vs. the 66, it has more memory and more features (ex. QoS, which the 66U can't handle due to it packing less RAM), and if you decide to downgrade the bootloader to run custom firmware such as Merlin's (MAD soldering skills required!), then you can even overclock it!
So, yes, this is quite an excellent router. When Tmo started offering them gratis-ish it was some of the best hardware on the market. It's no longer top tier, but IME it's significantly better than the preceding Asus model. My only (minor) concern with getting one now is that I don't know how configurable the settings are with TMo's locked down config... still, for a refundable $25, I'd say it's worth at least checking one out; especially for people who don't have an AC router (every speed test I run from my N4 or tablet maxes out my 50 / 10 cable service... seriously, never seen a wifi speed test slower than like 47 Mbit down).
Oh btw, I'd almost definitely use the Cellspot as your main router. I initially planned on using my AC66U as a bridge or repeater or something, but as I live in an apt. and don't need a huge amount of space covered, my research into those kinds of applications generally made me feel that setting something like that up would "hurt" my LAN rather than help it. I did just find a good use for it though... I recently got a NAS with dual lan ports, so since my old router is just sitting around I'm going to configure it as a switch so that I can use port trunking. I don't want to discourage you from researching everything that could use an extra router for. A good site / forum for general home networking info with sort of an emphasis on Asus hardware (you'll also find the above mentioned Merlin there) is smallnetbuilder.com. Good luck all! I'm pretty familiar with many "cellspot" related things, so if anyone has any other questions I'd be happy to help or at least point you in the right direction :good:

jazzmachine said:
It's actually the exact same hardware as the RT-AC68U. In fact I'm running builds of Merlin's custom RT-AC68U firmware on mine (I got mine soon after they became available before Tmo sent out an OTA that locked the bootloader).
Prior to getting my "cellspot", I actually had the exact same router that you do now The RT-AC66U is definitely a solid router, but I've found the 68U to be a fairly significant upgrade. I'd say that there's really no reason not to "rent" one for a refundable deposit. I was initially planning on keeping it for $100, but now I'm thinking that by the time I feel the need for a new router there will likely be better / newer models available for not too much more than that. Anyway, I get better and more consistent wifi performance with the 68 vs. the 66, it has more memory and more features (ex. QoS, which the 66U can't handle due to it packing less RAM), and if you decide to downgrade the bootloader to run custom firmware such as Merlin's (MAD soldering skills required!), then you can even overclock it!
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Wow, thanks for all the info. That is a good deal then. It's too bad to hear about the bootloader getting locked. The RT-AC66U actually has QoS, but it turns off hardware acceleration. I tried to use it once and it all but killed my internet access. Kind of odd, I remember using QoS on my ancient linksys router 10 years ago running DDWRT.

Grims said:
Wow, thanks for all the info. That is a good deal then. It's too bad to hear about the bootloader getting locked. The RT-AC66U actually has QoS, but it turns off hardware acceleration. I tried to use it once and it all but killed my internet access. Kind of odd, I remember using QoS on my ancient linksys router 10 years ago running DDWRT.
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Ah, my bad on the QoS... I leave QoS off, but that's one thing about the Cellspot: I'm pretty sure that it's enabled by default to prioritize VOIP and I don't think it's modifiable (the whole purpose being to "encourage'' wifi calling and all). I'm not sure if it does so to the degree that it'll slow down a download on a PC if you get a call... I suppose the biggest variable there is the speed of your connection. Actually by far, the most comprehensive source of info on it is actually a Slickdeals thread. It's insanely long, but the OP was edited into an extremely informative wiki! It is possible to downgrade the bootloader to flash alternative firmware, and doing so will actually cause it to identify itself on your network as an RT-68ACU rather than a TM-AC1900 and is explained by a guy named Engineer in that thread. It requires a pretty risky hardware mod involving some extremely precise soldering, but if you've got the skills I'd definitely recommend it. I'd like to actually do it myself sometime but need to work more on my soldering precision (semi OT but related to phones in a sense, I've gotten into buying relatively cheap headphones and modding them head-fi style to greatly improve the sq - classic ex. KSC75 )
Anyway, here's the thread with pretty much everything you'd want to know and more re: the cellspot https://slickdeals.net/f/7193262-t-...c-router-by-asus-free-for-postpaid-25-deposit

I have the T-Mobile router running on AP Mode since I use pfSense as my main router. I have been experiencing laggy internet on my Note 4. Not sure if it is related to QoS. I do hope T-Mobile releases a firmware update as their router is behind in updates compared to RT-AC68U.
Anyone else seeing this lag issue with TM-AC1900 router?

jazzmachine said:
I'm pretty sure that it's enabled by default to prioritize VOIP and I don't think it's modifiable [/url]
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The QoS feature is separate from the T-Mobile modifications. The tm1900ac still has the option to enable or disable QoS. Enabling this feature does turn off hardware acceleration though, just like an ac68u.

helpmejeebus said:
The QoS feature is separate from the T-Mobile modifications. The tm1900ac still has the option to enable or disable QoS. Enabling this feature does turn off hardware acceleration though, just like an ac68u.
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Is this feature under AP mode as well?

Yup I've had the router for about 2 months and it's nice!!! It's only $99 if u buy it outright!

SPreston2001 said:
Yup I've had the router for about 2 months and it's nice!!! It's only $99 if u buy it outright!
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I just receive it today it's great

You can also opt to get the free signal Booster instead, if you don't have WiFi

dotson817 said:
You can also opt to get the free signal Booster instead, if you don't have WiFi
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So it's not a singnal booster? Just wifi calling?

joe1blue said:
So it's not a singnal booster? Just wifi calling?
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The cell booster does lte. U need lte in area for it to boost. The WiFi router does WiFi and WiFi calling boost but not cell signal
BAD ASS NOTE 4

BACARDILIMON said:
The cell booster does lte. U need lte in area for it to boost. The WiFi router does WiFi and WiFi calling boost but not cell signal
BAD ASS NOTE 4
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So besides being a pricy router it doesn't do anything better than my old netgear that also allows me to do wifi calling?

joe1blue said:
So besides being a pricy router it doesn't do anything better than my old netgear that also allows me to do wifi calling?
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It depends on how technical your gonna get with it.. Setting it up stock blows any netgear or lnksys router right out of the water.
BAD ASS NOTE 4