Want to make sure you get the best gateway for your T-mobile 5G Home Internet? Here’s a speed test of the Sagemcom Fast 5688W vs Arcadyan KVD21 vs Nokia 5G21 Gateways on 4G LTE, 5G Extended and 5G Ultra Capacity. T-Mobile has released a 3rd 5G Home Internet gateway, its call the Sagemcom Fast 5688W and it has a similar appearance to the Arcadyan KVD21. I will have many videos on this unit including external antenna install and testing, stock speed comparison to the Nokia 5G21 and the Arcadyan KVD21 gateways. Consider subscribing to the channel or looking below for more content!
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Sagemcom Fast 5688W User Guide:
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U.FL to SMA adaptor cables:
U.FL to N-type adaptor cables:
Adapter Cable SMA Male to TS9 Female:
11 dbi panel antenna:
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Netgear indoor antenna (also need TS9 adapter):
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I just received my TM Nokia Gateway (not very clean from the last customer) setup seemed smooth although the app does not think the gateway is configured. I am connected and getting 300 down and only 2-3 up. The uploads may be a deal killer but I will try moving the gateway around and loading more of my network on it. I did not realize that this was a wifi router. What is everyone's experience on using your existing mesh network for all of your iot devices? It will be interesting to see how Ring and Homekit perform on this. I am currently using Spectrum as they have been the only game in town for years. This definitely rivals them.
Sagemcom for me is not working great but my nokia is more reliable.
Nokia(trash can) for me all the way is a winner!!! NYC
Hi Nate. I received the Nokia modem router from TMobile. I’m seeing that you have a different modem router. Would I have to call T-Mobile to upgrade to the new one
Nate, I hope can help me, I have the Nokia, and I'm getting good download speeds of 256 to 400 8 to 11 up ping is 52 to 56. The problem is buffering, I'm 1 mile from tower my ping use to be 38 to 42 I have talked to T-Mobile with no help would adding an external inside antenna help or would an outside antenna be the best or do I even need an external antenna or do you have another ideas I get 3 bars and have moved gateway to the best location and on its side is better for me the highest SINR I get is 12 but mostly 9 or 10. I would appreciate any help you can give me.
Does anyone know if you can hook up a router (like the TP-Link AX55) to the SageMCom Gateway and does it need to be in "Access Point Mode" ? Also, does DHCP need to be off on the router? Help appreciated.
Thanks… I am doing the T-mobile trial of 5G wireless and works really good… So your video is very helpful… Great information👍👍👍👍👍
where you get the fan
IS there a gateway from Tmobile that allows me to actually make the device a modem and not a gateway to avoid double NAT / using my Deco Mesh in router mode instead. thank you
Subsribed to your great and informative channel / I just recv my Sagemcom gateway 8-9 days ago, and i already used your script to turn off wifi and now using my own mesh.
Question: Can the sim card be switched from one model of Tmo Gateway to another – Sagemcom vs Arcadyan vs Nokia
Hi Nate! Have you noticed the latest firmware update on the Arcadia disabling external antennas? Trying to see if it's just my device. When I use the stock antennas built in I get service. When I use the external antenna from one of your other videos it will connect but not output any internet. Modem shows good signal but won't actually send that signal to devices.
Ive had this for a while.. the black new one. sometimes in the morning it will say excellent connection but not be putting out any actual internet connectivity. I like playing computer games online and some are fine, but others are very not ok. I am out of omaha NE yet my ip is out of denver. i wish tmobile did better as im literally 5 houses away from a wired tower.
Thanks!
Hey I really need help, my gateway has been showing weak signal all week and my husband hasn’t been able to do his normal work from home work. We have had it 10 months and never had this problem before, it has always worked great. What should we do
I’m confused, those speeds are lower than I recall you talking about previously for t-mo, I thought you were getting 200-500Mbps? Or is that what you get with Verizon? I thought you said t-mo was faster? …anyway, t-mo is finally saying available for a limited number of ppl in my area, but, I’m not sure about it. I have the Verizon 5G box, but no 5G towers here, it gets anywhere from 5Mbps (or less) to nearly 40Mbps, but, the ping and jitter are great, it works much like cable internet. It’s just that when I ask Verizon when they are going to have 5G here they use terms like “diligently working” and “coming soon”, very non commital. I’ve been using it for, going on six months and still waiting on 5G, with them saying the same thing they said six months (edit: make that 7 months) ago. I also use my own router, the gateway is set up as basically a modem, I don’t think you can do that with any of the t-mo gateways? I don’t really care if the speed is only 50Mbps, it’s just me so that is plenty for what I do. I’m just not sure it will be a better overall experience. (But with my current Verizon service it can have difficulty streaming HD video during the day…small city, but, large tourist traffic). …OH, Nate, so, T-mobile don’t say “unlimited” nor 50GB, they say no data cap, at least before you sign up, but, you can’t use the service for certain things, the way it’s worded I think people were bogging the towers down doing crypto coin data mining (or whatever you call it) or maybe for web servers? So, I guess it’s back to unlimited but they aren’t using that term. Maybe you can read up on it and give us an update?
Hey Nate Have you made a video testing the 1×1 mimo antenna for the 5688w I saw the one where you took it apart just wasnt sure what wires you decided to use . Thanks 🙂
Hey There. Your content is great. I am struggling with my ping with the Nokia. I got them to send me a replacement Nokia.. but its still terrible. Which one has best steady connection. I get N71 and N41 at my house. I am in 5G extended range. Just trying to get decent online gaming in. Thanks for your help. Wondering what you have to say.
Nate great video … can these various T-mobile Gateways be moved seamlessly between two residents? Or are they strictly tied to the cell towers that support a single address? I live between two residents and was wondering if I could just bring the Gateway with me depending where I'm living. Both locations have 4G and 5G signals. Ideally these Gateways would work anywhere in the country that T-Mobile has a signal. So the question is, are these Gateways tied to a single location or can I use them anywhere T-Mobile has a signal? THANKS!
I have the sagemcom gateway. When it works it is great. It keeps faulting out with an internet connection issue error code WAN002. The gateway has to be rebooted. Sometimes this will happen 2 or 3 times a day. Some days there are no problems. Anyone else having this problem?
My speeds tripled with the sgemcom.
Do you have a video on NAT type? I have a PS5, and it is extremely difficult to play online because the NAT type is put on Type 3. Sometimes it goes to NAT2, but when it gets to NAT3, it's basically impossible to play games online. Seeing how T-Mobile is the only option I have at the moment in my area, I was hoping you had a way to change the NAT type or something like that
why are you getting such terrible results with every unit? most people i have seen reach over 200 down without any special setup
I'm getting 50 to 100 and megabits per second with the Arcadian router. There is a tower down in my area and I believe it's the n41. Once that gets fixed I believe I should jump up to near 300 to 500 megabits download speeds
Handy Hint: If you're using a Nokia 5G21 and you have only a marginal (2 bars) 4G/5G combo connection while using the Nokia standalone (no external antennas), try putting it right up inside against an open window. At the best-performing window location, downloads went from 55 Mbps with LTE/N71 to 110 Mbps with LTE/N71. This after dozens of tests throughout the daytime on a Tuesday.
What is involved in replacing the Nokia "trash can" with one of T-Mobile's two newer gateways? Is it as simple as swapping the sim card? It seems there is scant info on this from T-Mobile itself or on the web (unless I missed one of your videos).
Hi, I just picked up one and 2 weeks to keep one. I wondered is there a decisive conclusion as to which is best? Is the Sagemcom the best one to have?
Thanks for the hard work in getting us this information
I have 3 gateway’s and just one being the Nokia . My Nokia always wins speed tests as compared to the others . The Nokia always shows less bars but always has better metric numbers and better speeds .
Hi, I am a T-Mobile customer and want to share my experience. I have the Nokia 5G21, 4 over 5 bars "Very Good" signal. The cell tower is within 1 mile apart where I live. My speeds during the day are 10Mbps Downspeed /12Mbps Up speed, and I am not happy about it. But, when I check how strong the signal is in the hours of 4 or 5 in the morning before going to work, they are much higher, ranging from 250-280Mbps Downspeed and 50-80Mbps Up speed. I am posting this here because what T-Mobile advertises publicly may not be 100 percent true, and I spoke with support a few minutes ago, and sadly, there is not much of what they can do.
As always, thanks for your efforts. I went from the Nokia with four LP antennas to the Sagemcom without and
I'm getting pretty good speeds with just its internal antennas. I'm about eight miles from the tower and usually
the Sagemcom locks into either B2 or B71, with N71 from time to time. I'll probably get up enough guts to open the Sagemcom and connect the antennas since I already bought and mounted them, but for now I'm pleased with the speeds that I'm getting, about the same as the Nokia with external antennas. Why is that? Beats me. T-Mobile
is the only game in town, other than HughesNet, for us.
Hey! How can I fix NAT D type with t mobile 5g using a Mac? The video you uploaded a month ago is for PC, it seems like a different process for Mac and I need help!
Garbage if there is no difference then why have different models…. T mobile answer was it’s the same 5G is 5G…I said well if that’s the case I guess T-Mobile and ATT are same thing phone service is phone service.
Its so spotty for me. I can get this morning over 300 down (no external antenna external router) and 21 up. Later in the day — same gateway, same location, same external router — I can get 30 down and 20 up. So much depends on the time of day. I find the mornings super fast before I start sharing the signals with other users on my TMobile antenna — then it drops during the day. I have 2 gateways in different locations and find the same. I still have to reboot my gateways every few days — not 100% stable.
Phew! Time consuming to put these units through the test, but you did it!. Remember folks your mileage may vary! Nicely done! 🙂
Just FYI: The Amazon link to the "Adapter Cable SMA Male to TS9 Female" gives a Page Not Found error.
Love these videos. Keep em coming!
Do you think your area is starting to get congested? Those N41 speeds seem slower than you used to get.
I installed MIMO antennas and my speeds are good. All my specs are good in Cellular metrics except SINR. On 4GLTE it’s at 3 and 5G it’s at 7. How can I make it better? I have a clear straight line of tower from my roof. It’s about 1.5 miles out but can see it clearly with no obstruction.
What would the test be like with all of them with external antennas
I really appreciate your channel. I've just finished my two week T-Mobile trial period. This home wireless internet service tested out better than my Comcast plan for less money. I've watched most of your videos and found them extremely informative and helpful from the basics of using cellmapper to how to hook-up an external antenna. In my limited experience, the tip that I have found most helpful is to reboot the gateway from time to time. I know you did a video on how to automatically program rebooting, but that was way more than I wanted to tackle. I always click the like button and I have subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work, It's appreciated.
Wow they are very close. I guess I’ll keep the trash can. Thanks for another great video!!!
What’s the best way to reduce noise. I live by some power lines and there’s lots of static bc of them. Any advice would be great.
SNR is the most important number on there.. that's pretty much the signal you are getting above the noise floor. It's really your true signal. It usually sucks if it's below 10.
I have 5 g at my house and t-mobile will not give me a chance to use the internet etc ! It's been over 6 months! Called etc no help !
Why?????