Using a Business Gateway on a T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Plan | Inseego Wavemaker FX2000

In this video I discuss how to use a T-Mobile Business Gateway on a T-Mobile 5G Home Internet Plan. This video specifically covers the Inseego Wavemaker FX2000, how to set it up, the firmware, mobile app, WiFi Speed Tests and Ping in comparison to the Home Internet Gateways.
Music: Epidemic Sounds - Ballpoint - Paid in Full

[@EKTORF]

I purchased the inseego M3000 with the $50.00 prepaid voice plan. The guy who sold it to me told me that there will be no speed restrictions. Do you know if I can get the FX2000 since the M3000 is not for “always on” use?

[@helphq]

Are you asking me if your service provider will swap the device out for you or if the FX2000 would work for you on your current plan? In either case I’m not sure. I would note that going to an actual corporate owned store (at least for T-Mobile) as opposed to a third party store usually yields better results when needing help. Some of the third party store will look like it’s a corporate T-Mobile store, but they’re not. You can see which ones are / are not on their website. You could try to pickup the FX2000 second hand if they won’t help you. Just make sure it’s not locked and there’s no money owed on the device.

[@hftowers]

Maybe the Inseego has the IMEI number edited and it's like a normal "smartphone" operating inside the network. Don't try switching the sim to another device unless they did something during activation to "mask" the device identification step and be able use the sim in any device (don't ask me I'm not a Tmobile engineer).

[@gift3rs]

So do you get a static IP or is that not available? Also I'm searching for documentation on the S2000E but haven't found anything that references what bands are covered by which antenna ports (we have band 25 and 71 here for 5g) but it looks like they should be covered.

[@helphq]

Waveform has an article on their website that covers this gateway and the antenna ports. T-Mobile will not provide you a static IP unless you are a business customer. This gateway was tested with a home internet SIM card. Now if you want to assign static IPs for home devices within your gateways IP range that’s different.

[@gift3rs]

Apparently the FX3100 has the capability of using external antennas in the useful bands, looking through support documentation now @@helphq

[@gift3rs]

Except the Inseego documentation states the antennas are for C band only

[@mayson4688]

Thank you for the helpful information. I am not sure why changing the ip address of the router to a .12.1 would make the internet work. The IP address of the router is a local LAN address not a public address. I will keep the information for when I get my FX 3100. For best signal I moved mine outside in a waterproof box in a clearing. I ran underground power and Ethernet back to my main network. I went from 3 bars inside to 4 bars outside. Another thing, The home router was fussy in bad weather but, now I have more of a stable connection. I am a home user that needed static IP for my server so I went with business. Bummer about the antenna ports. I was going to buy a 5G antenna but, sounds like a waste of money.

[@helphq]

You have to match the home internet gateways if you’re using a home internet SIM card. If you have a business internet plan then you do not have to do that.

[@brianstreet627]

If the modem was changed to 192.168.12.1 what was your router? I’m having issues with the pass through feature. My Synology seems to work fine but certain clients are getting weird addresses outside of the dchp range.

[@helphq]

Router is in bridge mode and getting all ip addresses assigned via DHCP from the modem. This modem in particular also has ip pass through which is as close to bridge mode as you can get. If you choose to go that route then the router connected to the modem would assign all the ip addresses.

[@brianstreet627]

@@helphq Thanks for the quick reply, you mean you have your modem in pass-though, not your router correct? I have the INSEEGO FX3100 in pass-through mode. My issue is that some of the wired devices are not getting the correct DHCP from my Synology and I didn't know if this was the result of some setting in the INSEEGO or if it is something weird that the Synology is doing, it has never had this issue before and the INSEEGO is the new equipment. But it was the easiest modem that I have ever owner to get bridge mode working.

[@helphq]

So I don’t use this modem anymore. I used it for a limited window for the KZbin video. I use an invisagig 5g modem from haven technologies day to day. When I did use this modem I used it normally with no router attached and had no issues, I tried it in ip pass through mode and found that my speeds weren’t as good. I then tried it not in ip pass through mode and instead made my eero mesh system in bridge mode. Doing this will disable the router functionality and basically just use it as an access point. When I did this I also disabled the WiFi on the inseego. It worked fine doing this as well. One thing to note is this modem is not made to handle a household of 50 plus devices so if you’re trying to use it above the cap of I think 30 ish it will bog it down. The only thing I have plugged in via Ethernet is my synology NAS and it worked fine in any of the configurations. Obviously for the way you are setup you want your Ethernet devices plugged into your router and not your modem.

[@brianstreet627]

@@helphq I appreciate your comments. I might try putting the INSEEGO back in charge and out of the pass-through mode then put the Synology mesh system in AP mode to see what happens. It could be that the Synology needs reset, I haven't tried that, it might be something weird going on with it hanging on to Frontier DSL settings. I simply have no clue as to where it is picking up this IP for my Apple TV when it is using ethernet, when it is on wifi it pulls an IP in the correct range and subnet.

[@mazur50]

Did you request the gateway from t-mobile or did you buy it 3rd party

[@helphq]

I purchased it brand new (sealed) on eBay.

[@greencertifiedweb]

I have the Inseego FX2000 with a business account. So far, I'm still struggling to get it working... When you put it in Passthrough mode, it turns off Wifi. So now, I can't connect with my phone using the Inseego WiFi, and I can't connect via LAN, because it's passthrough and there is no gateway on the Inseego to connect with. I did get a dedicated IP, it's only $3 extra with the business account. I'm trying to get it to work with a Plex server. This is my 3rd modem. I sort of almost had it working, but when I added the dedicated IP, it quit working... So now I get to start all over.

[@helphq]

I’m not sure if you’re asking a question or just venting. If you have it in pass through mode to do have it connected to another router? Because that’s the intent … you’re using the routing and WiFi from another device. If you’re not then you don’t want to have this in pass through mode

[@greencertifiedweb]

@@helphq Sorry, I see I wasn't clear... I build custom backend websites, and manage my own servers. I'm not a "true IT expert," but I know my way around Active Directory, among other thing, so not a novice. Oh, and I was a Fire Control Technician in the Navy, and a radio station engineer, so while I probably forgot more about radio waves than I used to know, I can follow along. I currently run a D-Link DIR-859 router. On Spectrum Business, I set their modem to bridge, used my own router, and everything was fine. I port forward TCP/UDP Port 32400 to my plex server on a fixed IP and it has worked great... when I switched to T-Mobile, outside people couldn't connect to my PLEX. T-Mobile said it was a double NAT problem. They sent me the Inseego FX2000. I put it in IP Passthrough, which I assume is Bridge Mode. I was on the phone with Tech Support, the made sure all firewalls were removed... It sort of started working, but it was intermittent... So I went ahead and paid the extra $3 for a dedicated IP. Now, as it sets, occasionally, people connect, but for the most part, my plex server says, "Not available outside your network." As I'm typing this, I have a friend logged on, watching a movie, it's buffering, but my plex server still says "Not available outside your network" I've thought it could be a poor signal. A DSL check sometimes says 5 Mbps, sometimes, 20 Mbps. But in passthrough mode, as far as I can tell, I can't check the radio signal without resetting the Inseego to give me access to the web user interface. So, yes, I'm venting, I'm frustrated, but I'm also asking a question... How did you get PLEX to work? Now, assuming it's just a bad radio signal, I'm also wondering if I need an atenna, and if there is one for less than $100 that will get the job done? Or should I tell T-Mobile to send me a different modem? I got this one last August! BTW, thanks for noticing my post!

[@greencertifiedweb]

​@@helphq That's crazy, I thought I replied to this yesterday... Thanks for noticing my post. I guess a little of both. I'm frustrated and venting because I can't get my PLEX to work through my T-Mobile... And I'm trying to troubleshoot this problem and wondering if you might be willing to help! I understand routers, networks, ports, etc. I'm a web developer and by necessity, manage my own servers. So don't feel like you're talking over my head. I was also Fire Control (radar) in the Navy, and AM/FM radio engineer back in the 80s (I forgot a lot about radio signals, but can follow along). Previously, on Spectrum, I put their modem in bridge, and just did everything on my D-Link DIR-859, including Port Forwarding 32400 UDP/TCP to the Plex server, and it's worked perfectly for years. When I installed T-Mobile business, last August, I couldn't connect to the PLEX... Their Support concluded it was a double NAT, so they sent me the Inseego FX2000. I installed that, and it didn't work. I was busy, so stayed on Spectrum until last month, and now I'm just trying to get T-Mobile to work. When I put the Inseego FX2000 in IP Passthrough, we were able to see the plex content remotely, but couldn't get it to play any media. T-Mobile support made sure they had no firewalls or content blocking in my router's path, still nothing changed I had them issue a dedicated IP for $3, thinking that would help, it didn't. So they recommended I talk to my rep so I can get to a higher tier of support. Right now, my PLEX "Remote Access" tab switches shows "Fully accessible outside your network" for a few seconds, then switches to "Not available outside the network" and back again on an irregular basis. I've had a friend login and start watching a movie, but after a couple minutes he got a warning the connection was too slow. Ookla speed tests generally give me 7-12 Mbps down and 10-20 Mbps up. While I get a full blue light (good 'signal') most of the time, I'm wondering if signal quality, speed, dropped packets may be the problem. Maybe i need an antenna. Since I have no "good" configuration to compare to, I find myself wondering: 1. Is there something not being set, either on my end, or at T-Mobile I need to have changed? 2. Is it possible the low bandwidth is my issue? 3. Is there an antenna I could get, preferably for less than $100 that would help? 4. Should I look at the Inseego FX3100 modem instead of the FX2000? 5. Should I give up and look at AT&T as a solution? I won't go back to prison... I mean Spectrum! If you read this, thank you for your time.

[@helphq]

@@greencertifiedweb So the problem with trying to access Plex or Emby or anything alike on 5G Home Internet is that you're stuck behind a CGNAT rather than on a Public IP Address. It will never work properly. You could try to use Packetriot to tunnel out but doing this will restrict your download and upload speeds to whatever the Plex relay is .. which if memory serves me is around 720p. packetriot.com/tutorials/posts/setting-up-plex/ I only have experience using waveform antennas so I cant speak for other brands. Their QuadMini is a great antenna. The antenna only is on sale right now for $119.00 and the whole kit is around $250.00. collabs.shop/iesoop I hope you are able to get it up and running, but you would be better off switching to a Cable, DSL, or Fiber Internet if your priority is accessing Plex remotely.

[@greencertifiedweb]

​@@helphq I noticed you had Plex on your system. I assume you figured out how to make that work, and I'm curious. As for my situation, it's fixed! Rather than using IP Passthrough, I rebooted the Inseego FX2000, and configured that to be my router. I shut down the D-Link and took it completely out of the circuit. I set Manual DNS, and Port forwarding TCP/UDP on port 32400, but I understand you don't have to forward UDP. Note: You must switch "Port Forwarding" on. I didn't notice it the first time, and it cost me an hour of pulling out my hair. I also got a dedicated IP. I'm not sure if you can do that on home internet, but T-Mobile gave me a dedicated IP on my business internet for $3 per month. Now I'm paying $53 a month, way less than the $169 I was paying at Spectrum. Before I did all this, I had reached out to T-Mobile. The guy said they have an internal firewall they had to disable for me. I was getting really crappy signal (7.6 dn/5.0 up). I'd heard when you are in IP Passthrough, you lose bandwidth. When I reset the Inseego, it got better (52.7 dn/14.5 up). when on the phone with them, the guy did "something" and within an hour, my signal was way up (263.9 dn/19.6 up). So getting a dedicated IP and using Port Forwarding worked. I have not seen a single other post saying someone got the Plex to work on T-Mobile. Feel free to use this if you want to make a video on it. I'd love to see others get help, and if it drives traffic to your channel, all the better!

[@prmikey]

will it give you a publicly routable ip?

[@helphq]

No not with a home internet SIM card.

[@timmturner]

You left out what I believe is the most important feature, the ability to enable 5GSA which you don't seem to be using for some reason.

[@helphq]

Fair assessment. So when I recorded the firmware piece it was set to NSA because at the time of recording the video my tower did not offer SA. I didn’t mention it because I couldn’t verify if it did or didn’t work and I don’t like bs’ing people. It was actually just upgraded though and I’m testing SA as we speak on a third party gateway. You are not wrong though it was set to NSA.

[@dstoll702]

How do I setup LAN for gaming? I hardwired my ps4 into the router and it won't work. I even tried the wifi and that wouldn't connect

[@dcving1two3]

Just make sure your router has dhcp server enabled and your ps4 should get an IP

[@helphq]

Are you asking specifically how to get it to connect to the internet or by LAN (Local Area Network) do you mean you’re trying to connect to a server internal to your home. An example of this would be a Minecraft server or otherwise.

[@dstoll702]

@helphq my ps4 wouldnt connect to either wifi or via ethernet. I guess there is a block of some sort

[@helphq]

You’re using the inseego wavemaker ? I was able to play Xbox fine.

[@redhawkshaman]

I hate how slow gateways are to update modems 🙄🤳x55? 😂that's 3yrs old atleast ...

[@helphq]

I feel like updates on service provided gateways are also slow. I use the invisagig from haven technologies, and before that I used their nexpro model. They are both overwhelmingly better than any tmobile provided gateway.

[@unknownwolf8555]

Uscellular had same one I leave my passwords off when I get routers

[@helphq]

Yeah us cellular offers the same one. How good is us cellular internet?

[@unknownwolf8555]

@helphq not very good I'm being throttle they didn't switch me over to 600gb plan like they promised I'm currently downloading Cyberpunk 2077 than I have download Starfield next

[@helphq]

Do you have a data cap? How is your ping for gaming?

[@unknownwolf8555]

@helphq well I have 600gb data cap my latency not so good 😕