3G Internet in the village - independent selection of components or a ready-made device?

Question

mobile connection

The most popular devices for accessing 3G networks are USB modems and devices that combine the functions of a modem and a WiFi router. There is usually no connector for connecting an external antenna. In case of poor reception conditions, you can mount the device on a pole (and come up with something to protect the device from moisture). For a USB modem, you will need a harsh active USB extension cable; for a WiFi router, only power is required (which is usually supplied via a USB connector; the eyeliner can be soldered from the first cable that comes across).

So far, I have used a 3G modem combined with a WiFi router as the easiest way to share the Internet with several devices. But some restrictions - for example, no more than 5 devices at a time - are very annoying, as is the general collective farm nature of the solution. Licking on 3G modem + WiFi routerin external performance.

But of course it’s more interesting to assemble such a device yourself :)

Attach an IP67 box to a pole, put a Microtik powered by PoE into it and plug in a USB 3G modem. If desired, the solution can be easily upgraded to LTE.

Has anyone already tried this, and what pitfalls await me?

PS. The distance to the BS is about 2 km. Line of sight is possible if you rise above the level of trees. The modem is fundamentally not soldered .

Answer 1

Right now I’m sitting according to this scheme - a standard MTS modem + 3G Connect 2.0 amplifier + D-Link Dir-620 stitched into Zyxel Keenetic. It is about 2 km to the BS, there is no direct visibility due to the forest.
The speed is 4-5Mbps, the ping is decent (at WOT about 70-80ms), but sometimes there are packet losses.
Region - Smolensk.

Answer 2

The length of the USB extension cable is confusing, it seems like the correct operation is declared only no more than 1.5 meters. My USB modem does not work on a 2 meter extension cable.

Answer 3

I have a Huawei E353 with Yagi 10dBi bought on ebay (the E353 has an input for an external antenna), and it's all plugged into a Netgear WNR3500L.

Answer 4

Everything is very individual. What region are you in? I use a Sierra 595U + Nexaria (read non-name) router in the Odessa region in the area indicated on the map as unreliable coverage (for some reason, the proximity of the river reduces the signal level on the Piplenet map). At the same time, this non-name allows me to connect all the devices that work on my network, of which there are five, and especially for you I can ask for another device to check if there is a limit on a larger number. Although for some reason I am sure that there is no such restriction. I would not dare to take an outdoor system, because what for, it will never justify itself. My Sierra 595U has an output to an external antenna, but so far I don’t see much point in it either, because 100-200 kilobytes (not bits) per second suits me for working and even watching videos online.

Answer 5

What prevents you from taking a mikrotik board with a minipci-e socket and, accordingly, a modem in this design?
wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Supported_Hardware
Of the bonuses, the ability to normally remove it into a hermetic box and connect antennas normally ...
If you plan to distribute wi-fi over a long distance, then it will be relevant for you. :)