Best 4G or 5G Ethernet Router for GUDP Plan

[diesteldorf]

I have a GUDP Plan that I've been using in a a Novatel T1114 4G Broadband Router with Voice for many years.
I know Verizon is shutting off their 3G Network at the end of December, and forcing people off of devices that aren't Volte compliant.

Does anyone know any current Ethernet routers that are 4G/5G only and able to be used with a GUDP Sim?

I know that GUDP plans don't have access to 5G wideband spectrum, but could could the sim still be used in a 5G device and get 4G-only access, similar to what I am getting with the T1114 now?

The Novatel T1114 uses a Micro sim, and I know many of the newer devices use a Nano sim, but this should be an easy hurdle to overcome. However, I am more concerned that my old sim may not be recognized in the new device.

I know I could use it in a Mifi or Jetpack, but I need something specifically with an Ethernet Port.

I am considering a Netgear Nighthawk M1, a Cudy LT18, or a Verizon Home Internet Router LVSKR1 5G, and was wondering if anyone had any experience using an original GUDP plan with those devices.

[VVivian]

Remember that the newest 5G devices also have the best LTE capabilities because LTE has continued to be upgraded — for example, X65 modem equipped devices are able to hold onto an LTE signal for longer and are able to speed up the connection through AI-enhanced antenna tuning.

You’ll get the best results with your grandfathered unlimited data plan plan by using the MiFi X Pro, which has the X65 modem. However, as always, I recommend checking the prices of current plans because unless you use over 150 GB/month of data or you have some sort of super discount on your grandfathered unlimited data plan plan, you’d save money by switching to the Premium hotspot plan ($80/month for 150 GB of hotspot data that, unlike the grandfathered unlimited data plan plan, includes 5G UW access).

I also recommend checking on Verizon’s 5G and LTE Home Internet offerings because it’s both cheaper and easier to go with an officially-sanctioned solution than the jankiness necessitated by using the grandfathered unlimited data plan plan for home Internet. Even if your house isn’t eligible, there’s a pretty good chance a nearby address is — or perhaps the address of a friend or relative; Verizon apparently doesn’t enforce only using the FWA devices at the registered service address.

And it’s worth checking Dish’s coverage where you are, because Dish has official, truly unlimited hotspot for only $20/month. $20! That’s a bargain, especially considering that you’d probably be the only person on the tower given how few customers Dish has. Dish even advertises the hotspot as being for both mobile and home use, and it has free unlimited roaming on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Basically we’re to the point where keeping the Verizon grandfathered unlimited data plan plan only makes financial sense for very very VERY narrow set of circumstances:

• The hotspot will at least occasionally be in a place where Verizon is the only carrier with usable coverage
• Verizon does not have your address whitelisted as eligible for LTE or 5G Home Internet
• You can’t or won’t circumvent that ↑ red tape by picking up the FWA device from another address
• Not all three of the above are true, BUT you’re somehow paying less for your grandfathered unlimited data plan plan than you would for Verizon’s official LTE/5G Home Internet or for Dish’s $20/month hotspot
• The first three conditions are all true, AND you use more than 150 GB/month OR you pay less than you would for the modern mobile hotspot plan that fits your data usage

[Orlimar1]

I would suggest getting the Cudy LT 18. That is if you don’t mind some imei trickery. It’s super easy to make the Cudy look like a phone. So when Verizon looks at your account they would see a phone. I also strongly suggest you use the imei of a phone you own.

I have a friend currently using my pudp in one and it’s working great. I of course understand that is a data only plan. The Wi-Fi is fairly strong and it has lots of lte bands and Ethernet ports.

[PaulCrawhorne]

Would this work with Visible, to get multiole devices hooked up to the unlimited (yes slow) hotspot?

[Orlimar1]

Would this work with Visible, to get multiole devices hooked up to the unlimited (yes slow) hotspot?

In the past it would. You could alter the ttl to avoid the speed throttling. But it seems like Visible is catching on and may actually be doing deep packet inspection. But yes you can still use it for the 5mbps hotspot use.

[diesteldorf]

Remember that the newest 5G devices also have the best LTE capabilities because LTE has continued to be upgraded — for example, X65 modem equipped devices are able to hold onto an LTE signal for longer and are able to speed up the connection through AI-enhanced antenna tuning.

You’ll get the best results with your grandfathered unlimited data plan plan by using the MiFi X Pro, which has the X65 modem. However, as always, I recommend checking the prices of current plans because unless you use over 150 GB/month of data or you have some sort of super discount on your grandfathered unlimited data plan plan, you’d save money by switching to the Premium hotspot plan ($80/month for 150 GB of hotspot data that, unlike the grandfathered unlimited data plan plan, includes 5G UW access).

And it’s worth checking Dish’s coverage where you are, because Dish has official, truly unlimited hotspot for only $20/month. $20! That’s a bargain, especially considering that you’d probably be the only person on the tower given how few customers Dish has. Dish even advertises the hotspot as being for both mobile and home use, and it has free unlimited roaming on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Basically we’re to the point where keeping the Verizon grandfathered unlimited data plan plan only makes financial sense for very very VERY narrow set of circumstances:

• The hotspot will at least occasionally be in a place where Verizon is the only carrier with usable coverage
• Verizon does not have your address whitelisted as eligible for LTE or 5G Home Internet
• You can’t or won’t circumvent that ↑ red tape by picking up the FWA device from another address
• Not all three of the above are true, BUT you’re somehow paying less for your grandfathered unlimited data plan plan than you would for Verizon’s official LTE/5G Home Internet or for Dish’s $20/month hotspot
• The first three conditions are all true, AND you use more than 150 GB/month OR you pay less than you would for the modern mobile hotspot plan that fits your data usage

Thanks for taking the time to provide such a cogent, thoughtful response to my post.
I typically use 200-400 gigabytes of data per month, and pay $10-$20 less than a modern single-line plan.

I was excited when you mentioned Dish's $20 hotspot plan, but quickly discovered that I was outside of their coverage area.

When I saw your link for the Mifi X 5G, I attempted to order one, but Verizon would only allow me to purchase if I added a new line to my account, or changed my existing plan to one that was compatible with the hotspot. I thought about getting the older, Inseego 2100 mode, but realized that was lacking the all-important eithernet port, so I settled on the Cudy LT18 snd will post an update once I get it hooked up.

Once again, thank you for the reply. It was extremely helpful and appreciated.

[diesteldorf]

I would suggest getting the Cudy LT 18. That is if you don’t mind some imei trickery. It’s super easy to make the Cudy look like a phone. So when Verizon looks at your account they would see a phone. I also strongly suggest you use the imei of a phone you own.

I have a friend currently using my pudp in one and it’s working great. I of course understand that is a data only plan. The Wi-Fi is fairly strong and it has lots of lte bands and Ethernet ports.

Thank you for the recommendation. I ordered one and should have on Friday. Hopefully it'll be a pretty simple process to remove the sim from the Novatel, cutting it from micro to a nano, changing some settings in the Cudy LT18 to one of my 4G compatible phones, and inserting the sim.

If you have any additional tips for a smooth activation, please share. Thanks again.

[Orlimar1]

Thank you for the recommendation. I ordered one and should have on Friday. Hopefully it'll be a pretty simple process to remove the sim from the Novatel, cutting it from micro to a nano, changing some settings in the Cudy LT18 to one of my 4G compatible phones, and inserting the sim.

If you have any additional tips for a smooth activation, please share. Thanks again.

I’ll post some notes for you soon to make everything simple.

[diesteldorf]

I’ll post some notes for you soon to make everything simple.

Thank you for you previous replies. I am still working to configure the router and would appreciate any tips you can provide.

[Orlimar1]

Thank you for you previous replies. I am still working to configure the router and would appreciate any tips you can provide.

I’m so sorry I dropped the ball on this. I am flying to Florida this evening but I’ll still try to get something typed up for you here this morning.

[Orlimar1]

Thank you for you previous replies. I am still working to configure the router and would appreciate any tips you can provide.

I sent you a pm with some tips.