Good 4G LTE USB stick or router/modem?

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hello.

Does anyone know a good LTE USB stick or a special modem, or a whole router that is compatible with OpenWRT?

Budget up to 105$/100€

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3

I am looking for a modem/router or stick that I can easily integrate into my existing network.

I would prefer a stick that I can simply connect to my router and command via AT using OpenWRT.

The LTE device should serve as a backup to my cable connection. For example, I would like to be able to plug in an LTE data card, surf for a while and then simply unplug it again later.

I don't want to have to replace my entire router...

4

I already have a Huawei E5573s-320, but I can't address it using AT-Commands. If I remove the battery from the device and only want to charge/use it via USB, it can no longer be operated. There always has to be a battery in the device and I don't want the battery to pop at some point if I have the device connected to my router for a longer period of time and it is continuously charging...

5

If you're generally happy with your Huawei modem then I suggest you to find the way to enable comm ports on it and make it work without battery.

6

I am using Quectel EP06-E. Works alright. That being said, I'd rather use a miniPCIe module than a USB modem (even though in my case it still communicates via usb) simply because you cannot attach an antenna to an external modem.

7

With Huawei USB 150 mbit modems you can.

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8

Interesting.
Still, it is much more tidy if everything is in one box and there aren't any devices and cables sticking out unless absolutely necessary. But that's just me. If it has an antenna connector, looks don't really matter that much.

9

The ZTE MF287+ and MF287 Pro (https://openwrt.org/toh/zte/mf287) can be had for EUR 0-30 in used condition in Austria, branded as the "Drei Neo"-line of devices. They work very well with OpenWrt installed.

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10

Thanks for all the input! The ZTE devices sound quite tempting, but the Quectel EP06-E is also a good option.

11

There are other ZTE devices listed in the thread @AndrewZ posted earlier.

The MF286D is usually less than 40€ too, and it's faster.

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12

I took a closer look at the ZTE MF287 Pro and have a question. Can I use this device without restrictions in Europe after I have written OpenWRT on it? Can this router only be used with certain mobile phone providers from Austria?

I'm sorry if I'm asking stupid questions, I would like to be able to use this device throughout Europe with many different providers.

13

Depends on if it's sim locked, if it isn't, you can.

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14

The modem in the MF287 series can be unlocked trivially: https://www.aboehler.at/doku/doku.php/projects:zte_mf28x#carrier_unlock

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