Carriers broadcast their networks on several Bands, or ranges of frequencies. They offer different bands in different areas depending on signal, tower, and population density. The different bands offer differing speeds and coverage ranges. The bands with the highest frequencies offer the highest speeds, but smaller coverage areas. Below is a table of the most common bands/frequencies used in the US.
| Carrier | 4G LTE Bands | Frequencies |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T(Blue) | 2, 4, 5, 12, 17 | 1900, 1700 abcde, 700 bc |
| Verizon Wireless(Red) | 2, 4, 13 | 1900, 1700 f, 700 c |
| T-Mobile(Pink) | 2, 4, 12, 66, 71** | 1900, 1700 def, 700 a, 600 |
| Sprint(Yellow) | 25, 26, 41 | 1900 g, 850, 2500 |
Scanning for available Bands
First, we'll use the band scanner to identify which bands are even visible to the MoFi.
Log into the MoFi's web browser at 192.168.10.1. The default username is root and the password is 'admin'.
In the left-hand menu, Select Network --> Internal Modem --> Band Scanner
Click Start Scan
Note the available bands after the report finishes
Locking the MoFi to a Band
Next, let's try locking to the different bands. You'll try for each of the available bands and do a speed test after the device reboots to determine the fastest band available in your area. Note: The strongest band is not always the fastest.
- Log into the MoFi's web browser at 192.168.10.1. The default username is root and the password is 'admin'.
- In the left-hand menu, Select Network --> Internal Modem --> Band Lock
Select the band you want to lock onto and click next and follow the process to lock the band.
Wait for the MoFi to come back online and then browse to the website speedtest.net. Click the large "Go" button to perform the test and take note of the upload and download speeds. Repeat this test several times with several minutes in between to get a good idea of consistency. For reference, in order to seamlessly stream an HD video, an internet connection capable of at least of 10 Mbps download speed is recommended.
Repeat steps 1-4 for each available band in your area and finally lock the MoFi to the band that reported the most consistently fast results.