How to make a 4G/LTE Router hotspot with Rooter and a Mikrotik Routerboard

Thanks for another great video, Marc. I have been using OpenWrt and ROOTer routers as LTE to WiFi hotspots for several years I used to live in a countryside. My house is out of normal mobile network coverage, and the only tower in the area is about 11-12 kilometers away, so I can’t even have the mobile connectivity on my phone to make calls or send SMS, but with a LTE modem and directional 1800 MHz (LTE band 3) MIMO antenna I got pretty nice and solid network connection with about 20-40 Mbits/sec DL and 5-10 Mbits/sec UL.

I might add a small note. If a router is supported by both OpenWrt and ROOTer and you plan to use it specifically for LTE connection - pick ROOTer.

Don’t get me wrong. It is completely possible to download and install all the packages on normal OpenWrt, but one big advantage of ROOTer builds over standard OpenWrt is that they include certain kernel modules and scripts and hacks for connection modes like MBIM and QMI which don’t usually work nice and smooth under Linux.

If you use LTE cat.4 sticks like Huawei e3372h-153 or ZTE MF823 that emulate USB ethernet network adapter under the hood, then there will be no difference between OpenWrt and ROOTer. But if you use Quectel modems, like EC25, and especially higher grade LTE categories like EM-12G, then there will be simply a huge difference in performance. ROOTer, as far as I could figure it out, includes proprietary drivers as kmods, and some scripts that apply settings to the modem itself, and in my case Quectel modem worked 10x times faster on ROOTer than on OpenWrt. You can of course make the same setup on clean OpenWrt but why make all this effort if firmware developers already did it for us?

Also folks, don’t forget that not only your router, but also your modem needs to be properly configured, and sometimes even flashed with a custom improved feature-rich firmware. Because for stable and solid connection you surely want to fix the carrier frequency to make sure your modem will not constantly try to search for other towers, hop between towers and make reconnection attempts, and set some other parameters as well.

Thanks again for a video, Marc. This LTE modem to an OpenWrt/ROOTer setup is simply a lifesaver for many people that don’t have a proper FTTB internet in their areas

how to downgrade openwrt? or change openwrt to another version

Great video! I use a similar solution in the car with EP06 modem and for navigation and tracking I use luci-app-gpoint! An excellent modem and even with GPS on board makes it only better!

where is the sim card slot on the RMB33G?

Great video Marc!

Couple of questions:
1. Would PCEngines be better suited for a multi-modem setup? I would like to build a cellular bonding router with 2x or 4x cellular modules.
2. Do you look into whether a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and RF isolator improved the performance?

Thanks for the great content! I have just bought a GL.iNET X750 v2 LTE router using a flavor of OpenWRT 19.07. It's based on the Quectel EP06 modem. Unfortunately the ROOter community has not released a supported version for the X750-v2. I am checking how to get CELLID and supported bands with AT commands. Second step would be to check how to implement Cell Lock and Band Lock to stick with the antennas of my wireless providers that provides best speed in my area. This may vary during the hours of the day depending on number of users attached to each of the possible antennas, as I have large companies offices around. It would be good to show in your video how ROOter is managing the CELLID, Cell Lock and Band lock aspects. Thanks again for your wonderful videos!

Did you get a chance to make the video on how to add the Rooter bits and pieces to an OpenWRT install on an APU board?

Thank you for these videos, I always learn something.

I know a few things about routers but I am not sure what to think about these 🫚-ers

Please do a plain openwrt edition of this video, thankyou very much.

Could you recommend any internal antennas, looking to make a travel router...

Thank you for the video! I’m building this right now for home internet and I bought a DW5821e modem that’s m.2 but after reading the manual for the motherboard it says it’s for only storage. My question if you could help me is will it still work if I install the modem in the m.2 slot? Or can I buy a mini pcie to m.2 adapter to use it in the mini pcie slot? Or would it be better to get a usb3 to m.2 adapter? Thank you so much!

wow great video, I randomly found it searching for rbm33g... you explained everything in a super easy understandable way and still did not skip anything important. will definitely watch your other videos!

Wow, interesting video. I was thinking of doing something like this. Thanks Marc. I missed to watch this earlier.

I looking somethng for livestiming on the way so need good stable conection by LTE, can you recommend something for that or some DIY project with cellular bonding ?

Please cover the RBM11G board from routerboard. This board is POE and the gigabyte LAN would work awesome for my 4G LTE WWAN as it puts the modem 6inches away from the Antenna which I need for max signal and flexibility.

Thank you so much! I learned a lot in this episode. I was intrigued on how industrial modems were built and I wanted to also build one using my preferred hardware. I am also already using ROOter but theres some minor bugs that are hard to pinpoint the cause and fix like network status being stock on connecting (thus no signal information is displayed even though AT+QCAINFO sends back proper information) despite the modem being connected and has a connection. Looking forward to the next episodes!

I don't understand anything about this networking stuff but I enjoy watching your vids.. I might use your words to tilt 45° of antenna for better reception I think on my V4 MIMO feedhorn. What do you say Sir? Will it increases the performance or not?

Great video... great info...
please consider a video on implementing a Captive Portal in openwrt...
I know there is a software (opennds) to do that in openwrt... but is that the best solution,,, are there better alternatives... and a demo would be very welcome! ;-)

great video Marc... again...
how about a video on the same line but for 5G networks... how it compares to LTE... ?distance to antenas
?are there already any PCIx/USB 5G devices to accept a SIM... or even a eSIM/vSIM (and operator support analysis)

I would love to build my own 5G modem. I already have some antenna on my house outside. I use a really expensive Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 but because it gives me 800 megabit 5G instead of the cable company that can just about give 300 but also mainly because the 5G gives me 100+ megabit upload but the cable gives 20 up. I think the 5G modems are too expensive and you can't control them very well like you can with open source equipment and you can't add external antenna to the Huawei that I have without modifying it. A linux based 5G open router would be awesome.

Could this be doable for 5G ?

I love the project but is a bit expensive! I have my self 1 openwrt portable with Nexx WT3020 but is only 2.4ghz and is to slow and offcorse i use usb dongle for 4g.

nice one Marc !! long time

Thank you for all the great videos. I'm learning so much from your channel. Would you consider doing a video on mdns across vlans for things like casting and HA discovery?

Support from 🇮🇳

why exchange Routeros against Rooter? Routeros has all features of Rooter and is by far superior with everything it offers. This is like replacing a V6 engine of a BMW with the engine of a VW Beetle.

Great video!

Rooter is a horrible abomination. I have no idea what the developers have done to break an otherwise very good OS. You can’t create your own network configurations contrary to the defaults, it will destroy and rename everything you’ve done and revert them. I found this really frustrating. It’s littered and bloated. I don’t see the advantage over vanilla OpenWRT.

Great video! More lte rooter videos please!

Thanks for covering even antenna placements, useful project. What would you use to also use 5g?

I bought the T-mobile 5g gateway. It was cheapest and most efficient solution. I would love to build one, but I wanted one that was easy to restart. My parents only need to unplug the power and replug it to restart the router.

Rooter also has an option to compile/ build a base install an add your required additional features during the installation. Only thing is that you really have to know what you’re doing when selecting packages. Other than that, the URL is kind of hidden so you’ll have to check the forum for the link… you can even customize and upload your own splash image. Freaking Awesome!!!!

I’ve made several projects with rooter and the same module ec25 with a cheap router, we826 from alixxx… Fun time…👍🏾❤️
PS. I also used to have a pretty decent business selling these routers on eBay. Really Fun Times…

great video!! please sir, on the next video make instalation with rpi 4 and lte hat from waveshare! and can it connect only with gpio ports?

Hi Marc, first of all, thank you very much for your videos. I would LOVE to see a raspberry pi implementation. I specifically have the use case for it so I'd appreciate it very much!!!

Excellent topic! Look forward to more on the subject.

Excellent! I have a very niche implementation that this may help me with. Our building is considered historical, so no cable or ISDN can be run to it. This looks like a much more robust solution than our current setup. I have two Hotspots tethered to an RPI running OPENWRT via USB, and as you say, the powered USB hub is a weak link. A dedicated "Rooter" implementation on a board with PCIE LTE sounds much easier to manage! I may have missed it in the video, but do you have more information on how you chose your antennas or models to consider? Thank you for the video.

GOD!!!My broo

I've never heard of Rooter. Cool vid

It makes me sad to hear that people in Germany still use DSL. We abandoned that unreliable technology 12 years ago. I use unlimited data on my phone for the entire home.
Marc, you might consider that topic: OpenWRT USB tethering using iPhone, Android, and LTE dongle.

I prefer clean official OpenWrt for the LTE. Rooter is a bloatware and based on snapshot. So installing additional kmods might be a problem. And OpenWrt has more Quality Gates...

Thank god Its a ROOTER not a Router. Routers are for wood ! Nice work Marc Keep up the Good fight fantastic info !

Thanks for this video! Do you know if any of the Rooter supported devices have a USB-3.0 port? I've got a Sierra Wireless EM9191 5G Modem, in a USB-3.0 connected enclosure. I've just updated my home PC to Kubuntu 22.04 LTS (kernel v6.0.1), and am trying to get the EM9191 working directly with it, but would rather it be hooked to the router, as my Internet uplink. I'd like to get an IEI Puzzle M902, but I can't find it in the USA (clicking on their USA E-Shop link takes me to the QNAP store, where a number of IEI devices are available, but not the M902). A less expensive (and less capable) option would be the NanoPI R5S.

Are you having Heartburn (Sodbrennen)? Because you swallow so often mid-sentences. The sound of that is really disturbing because your mic picks it up very clearly. Maybe use tablets against it, like Rennie (is that available in Germany too?) Or cut/mute these parts in post editing. ;-)

It's my first day in your class room and I must admit this is heady stuff indeed. I really would love to learn how to use a Raspberry Pi with 4G networks. Thanks a lot and stay well too.

This is certainly nice but it should be mentioned that if you have a modern android phone with a data service plan; and you are in a desperate need of a connection, you can use the hotspot feature in it to turn it into an LTE router (no need for USB tethering) to save yourself from a predicament. It probably wont be as fast and extensive as this, but it will get the job done.

This is great. I've been using a TP-Link LTE router at home for a couple of years. I wanted to build something like this for my campervan with an antenna on the roof and a wi-fi hotspot inside. Thanks for the inspiration!

Would be great to have demo of the usb adapter with sim on raspberry and openWRT. But this one was also great - I did not know about rooter, I might build my home backup connectivity like this. Thanks!

Thank you for keep updating with this extremely educative videos. I have a question, will be possible to use Voip with this firmware to make phone calls using the Sim card, Looking forward your answer, God bless you

Looking forward for plain OpenWRT.