‘Tis the Season: How Can the Holidays Effect Shipping?

We all love the changing of the leaves, the cooler temperatures, and the opportunity to enjoy time with family and friends.  Though the season brings many calming and enjoyable things on the surface, behind the scenes it is quite frantic and chaotic trying to make things happen.  

One behind the scenes factor is shipping.  With the way our world’s have changed over recent years we depend more on shipping now than ever and for everything.  From presents and gifts to household goods and groceries, there are more shipping trucks, vans, and even cars on the road than ever before. 

5GStore is no exception to the pains of dealing with high volume shipping.  Although 5GStore strives to ship the same day whenever possible, and usually does, we sadly can’t guarantee that your package will arrive on time once it leaves our warehouse in Illinois.  

Our primary source of shipping does not guarantee delivery by the day promised, unless the package is shipping overnight or internationally.  But at this time of year even those particular shipping methods will be exempt from being able to guarantee for the following dates,  Dec 13th through Jan 2nd.  

So what can you do to ensure you’re getting the products you need in a timely manner?

  • Plan ahead when possible.  Order early and allow extra time for the delivery process. 
  • Upgrade the shipping.  Try 2 or 3-day as opposed to regular Ground. 
  • Map your route.  Consider the distance between your destination and Illinois.  
  • Utilize pick up locations.  Many of the hubs have daily deliveries.  
  • Combine shipments.  Try to get 2 or more purchases to travel together.

As mentioned above, in addition to volume, weather plays a major role in how quickly you can get your products.  Since your package is coming from Illinois you should consider the weather there, where you live, and all points in between.  

Wishing a safe and healthy holiday season to you, your families, and business!

By 5G , , ,

Sierra Wireless AirLink OS Patch Release – Should I Update?

Sierra Wireless has announced AirLink OS 3.1.26, a patch release to 3.1, which is available on the Source and ALMS. 

The patch release includes:

  • New Verizon 5G certified radio module firmware enabling operation on Verizon’s C-Band network.
  • Bug fix for GNSS reporting when Ethernet is the only WAN link.

Any customer using the above capabilities through Sierra Wireless routers should update to AirLink OS 3.1.26. 

For more details on the release, you may reference the release notes.

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Why Won’t My Peplink Connect with WiFi as WAN?

Most WiFi WAN issues are related to the signal strength to the Peplink, interference in the environment, as well as how the WiFi network you’re connecting to is managed (i.e. from Hotel, campground, coffee shop, etc). There’s a few tips we’ve gathered that can help to troubleshoot some common connection issues. Read on to learn more. 

Confirm Connectivity with the WiFi Source

Take your mobile device or computer and try connecting to the WiFi WAN source directly. This will show you how initial connections are established – whether there is a splash page; their connection password and frequency – as well as the performance of the network. Keep in mind that users can see bandwidth degradation of up to 50% [when connected through the Peplink], depending on conditions. 

Confirm You’re Following the Proper Configuration Steps 

  1. [Depending on model] enable (OR, drag and drop from the left) only 5ghz OR 2.4ghz WiFi WAN to the priority needed
  2. Wait until the status says scanning
  3. Click on the wireless networks button
  4. Click the Connect button next to the network you are trying to connect to and enter the password when prompted.
  5. Click Save
  6. Wait for the Star or Check Mark to show up beside the network
  7. If needed, click Connect again next to the network
  8. Select OK
  9. Wait for the status to show Connected (This can take a few mins.)

Upgrade the firmware

If the firmware is not up to date, this could help resolve the issue. Go to System -> Firmware to check for firmware , or manually upgrade the firmware if needed. 

Check Signal Strength

  1. Log into your Peplink web admin and refer to the Dashboard page -> WAN Connection Status -> WiFi WAN. Click on the Wireless Networks button here.
  2. In the window that opens, you’ll see a table showing the WiFi names, channel, security and signal. The signal is represented by a negative number. The closer this number is to 0, the better the signal is. Generally, a signal of -80dBm or closer to 0 is needed to maintain the WiFi WAN connection. However, interference and obstructions between your Peplink’s WiFi signal and the WiFi WAN source can still cause issues with a stronger signal. 

Check Channel Settings

  1. In the same window (with the list of wireless networks), refer to the Channel column and make note of the channels in use. 
  2. Close the Wireless Networks window and click on the Details button to the right
  3. Scroll down to the Wi-Fi WAN Settings section
  4. Adjust Channel Width from 20MHz to 20/40Mhz
  5. If you found that most nearby networks are on the same channels in step #3 above, set the Channel to Custom and then select a channel not used or less used. Ideally, the channel selected should be as far away from the in use channels as possible. 

Adjust the Output Power

  1. The Output Power can be adjusted to control how much signal is broadcast to pull in the WiFi WAN connection. If you’re in a heavily congested WiFi area, sometimes lowering the power may provide better results. You can also enable the Boost to add extra power. 
  2. Click Save and Apply at the bottom when done. 

Change the DNS server setting

Changing the DNS server to match the IP address of its network could also help if nothing else does. When you create the WiFi connection profile (by clicking on the “Connect” button under the “Wireless Networks”) uncheck the box to “obtain DNS server address automatically.” Then, check the box to “use the following DNS server addresses.” Enter the Gateway/ Router IP address of the WiFi network in “DNS Server 1.” For “DNS Server 2” we entered one of Google’s DNS server addresses (8.8.8.8), but you may use a different server address if desired.  

We hope this information is helpful to you and welcome you to contact us if you have any questions. You can reach out to our team by phone, email, or chat!

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What is the Aviation Industry Saying About 5G?

It’s been months since Verizon and AT&T got the approval to roll out their 5G C-Band networks to customers. This was done despite some concerns from airplane pilots and the FAA. Now the topic of whether or not 5G frequencies can cause interference with aircraft tools is back in the spotlight. 

The FAA monitored service for some time before coming to an agreement with the cellular carriers. In the initial rollout, they agreed that power levels would be limited and exclusion zones created around 50 key airports. 

Thankfully, no “catastrophic disruptions” have occurred in the time C-Band service has been in play. Still, several international airlines like Air India suspended their flights to major U.S. airports for the first 48 hours it was available. 

It’s probable that the agreed-upon exclusion zones helped mitigate some problems, but the proposed zones didn’t stop aviation officials from voicing concerns and pushing for more delays. The C-band rollout may have been proven to be a non-event, however this doesn’t mean there are not legitimate concerns. 

The FCC has been testing back and forth since 2020. This is around the time they had first proposed auctioning off the new spectrum. Their tests allegedly showed that the new C-band spectrum, which operates in the 3.7–3.98GHz range, was far enough away from the 4.2–4.4GHz frequencies used by radar altimeters. FCC’s experts said this 0.22GHz (220MHz) gap would be more than enough to avoid interference.

The FAA disagreed with these findings and referenced a 2020 research paper by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA). The RTCA is an independent technology standards group representing the air transportation industry. The study showed that 5G telecommunications in the C-band spectrum could cause “harmful interference” to radar altimeters due to spurious emissions and “bandwidth pollution.”

The study conceded that the frequencies were far enough apart from each other that problems shouldn’t occur. However, the issue was that increased 5G usage was likely to result in a strong enough concentration of signals that they could “bleed through” into neighboring frequency bands.

Such interference could cause the radar altimeters in most commercial aircraft to show incorrect readings. This is why the FAA’s list of 5G-excluded airports includes many smaller regional fields that are prone to heavy fog and extended periods of low visibility.

According to a recent report by IEEE Spectrum, complaints about altimeter failures rose significantly following the January 19 deployment of the new C-band spectrum. A few instances occurred during multiple flights over Tennessee. Pilots experienced altimeter errors that made it impossible to maintain assigned altitude.” Another pilot reported having lost its autopilot completely and another who received errors upon landing at an airport. 

Specifically, 93 reports related to radar altimeter problems were filed between January and May this year. “January alone saw almost twice as many complaints of malfunctioning altimeters as the previous five years combined,” an analysis from IEEE Spectrum noted. 

The FAA told IEEE Spectrum that it has received around 550 submissions since January, although it’s only investigated about half of them so far. The agency couldn’t rule out 5G interference in about 80 reported incidents. However, it was quick to add that none of those incidents that could have been caused by 5G had any impact on systems related to aircraft safety. Regardless, the increasing number of reports has pilots and others within the aviation community spooked. 

Fortunately, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which advises the President on telecommunications and information policy issues, has been working with the Defense Department, mobile carriers, and the aviation industry to continue studying the impact of the new 5G frequencies.

The NTIA reports that there was a “low level of unwanted 5G emissions” in the frequencies used by so-called radar altimeters. To be clear, the report isn’t saying that aircraft instruments are immune from 5G interference. Instead, it confirms that the precautions exercised by the aviation industry and the mobile network operators have been helping.

That being said, we won’t be seeing Verizon’s Ultra Wideband or AT&T’s 5G Plus network at major airports anytime soon. Since these higher-tier 5G services mostly use the C-band spectrum, the carriers have to wait until the FAA has given them approval to proceed. That should only happen once all of the potentially impacted radar altimeters have been patched or replaced.

The FAA notes that radio-altimeter manufacturers have been working swiftly to develop and test filters and installation kits for aircrafts. The work will mostly be completed by next July.

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How Do I Perform a Cellular Site Survey?

When it comes to boosting cellular signal, it can be extremely helpful to perform a site survey. This is a simple cellular network strength test of signal and bandwidth.

Verifying where you have the best signal and bandwidth speeds first, will not only help determine the ideal placement for your external antenna, but that there is enough available signal to increase network performance. Even the best outdoor antenna or amplifier kit can only increase your signal if there is a signal available to draw in. On the other hand, if your signal is already strong, a signal booster might not provide enough benefit to be cost effective.

While this is mainly done for fixed applications. such as at your home or business. You may also do this if you’re traveling and planning to stay in the same location for an extended period. 

There are tools like the SureCall Site Survey kit which is made specifically for testing signal strength. However, unless you need an easy way to test multiple carrier signals, a cell phone or cellular modem can be sufficient. Cell phones will, of course, be limited to only the carrier they are linked to. Though if you have a cellular modem – Peplink, Cradlepoint, Digi, Inseego, Sierra Wireless, etc – you can test any carrier for which you have an active SIM card. 

Before you get started, it’s important you understand the data you’re looking for. RSSI, (Received Signal Strength Indicator), as well as RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power). These are both values that measure signal strength. RSRP is what you will want to refer to when looking at LTE and 5G signals. These signal values will be represented as a negative number. The closer this number is to 0, the stronger the signal strength. 

Also note the RSRQ (Received Signal Received Quality) and SINR (Signal to Noise Ratio). These values are what you’ll refer to for the signal quality of LTE and 5G connections. The SINR value will be the only value that is a positive number. Not all modems will list this value.  

Each of these values varies for different technologies and carriers as they depend on the particular abilities of the modem – essentially how well it can extract a signal. The values shown in the charts here are what we typically reference. 

We cannot guarantee a particular signal or improved performance, regardless of the signal strength and quality.  This is because of the many factors which affect signal values. Such as:

  • Distance to the cell tower.
  • Tower load.
  • Physical barriers (mountains, buildings, trains, etc).
  • Competing signals.
  • Signal from a cellular booster.
  • Weather.  

Unfortunately, there is no clear cut answer to what constitutes a successful connection. It is possible to disconnect with excellent, as well as poor values. You have to take both signal strength and signal quality into account. You could have an excellent signal, but disconnect because of poor quality. And vice versa. You may also stay connected because of good signal, but have poor bandwidth speeds because of poor signal quality. 

The variance of a signal is a significant factor in the success of a connection. Measurements of signal strength and signal quality for a specific moment do not reflect on the stability of a connection, as these values will vary as conditions change. 

Some factors, like cell tower load, can’t even be measured. You can only gain some idea as to whether or not tower load affects your connection by testing at different times of day. This allows you to find averages, but also helps to confirm if you’ll see any improvement when the tower is at full load.  

We understand that finding RSRP and RSRQ on a cell phone could be a bit tricky compared to cellular modems and routers. Some phones will only list RSRP. In the event you cannot locate these specific values from your cellular device, doing a site survey using the signal bars as a reference is fine. At a minimum, the signal bars will give you some data to compare with. It’s also best if you can perform speed tests in multiple points at the location. This can help determine if bandwidth performance improves. Especially when you’re not seeing a change in signal bars. 

To perform the site survey, try to answer the following, as best you can.

  • What is the RSRP indoors, at the location you use your device?
  • At that location, what are your speeds? You can use a site like speedtest.net to check your download and upload speeds.
  • What is the best RSRP you could find immediately outside and around the building?
  • At that location outside, what are your speed test results?
  • If the signal outside the building is not significantly better than it is inside, walk or drive in the direction of a better signal until you find a significantly better signal. At that location, what are your speedtest results?
  • What’s between you and that optimal signal? Trees? Elevation? How far away is it?  

For your reference, you can find instructions for locating your RSRP and RSRQ/ SINR on the Apple iPhone, Samsung, Google, Blackberry, and Nokia phones here.  

For different router instructions, check out our YouTube Channel.

If you have more questions, or would like assistance determining if an antenna or amplifier system can help you, reach out to our team by phone, email, or chat!

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Who Can Host My Company’s 800 Number?

Looking for a company to host your 800 number? Stop, 5Gstore is your place!

5Gstore’s TFNP service allows you to port in a toll-free number (800, 866, 833, etc) and forward it to any local US number (including a One Talk number). 5Gstore takes care of the porting, setup, and forwarding and bills you monthly.

It’s quick and easy to order, there is a one-time setup fee of $49.99 (for new customers) or $9.99 (for customers who purchased One Talk with Verizon/5Gstore or are doing so while porting a toll-free number) per order.

  • Monthly: 3 plans are available:
    • Low Usage: $10/mo, includes 250 minutes, additional minutes $0.06/ea
    • Medium Usage: $20/mo, includes 500 minutes, additional minutes $0.05/ea
    • High Usage: $30/mo, includes 1000 minutes, additional minutes $0.029/ea
  • Usage: Each plan includes an allowance of minutes. If additional minutes are used, the per-minute rate will be charged.
  • Other Fees: Taxes and regulatory fees, along with other associated account servicing fees, are billed to you monthly for charges accrued the previous month. These fees are calculated based on minutes used utilizing a base per-minute rate and will vary depending on your usage. Taxes and fees are subject to change when changes to the law are enacted.

To manage your 800 service, view usage, billing history, as well as updating your credit card for monthly billing, log into your account at 5Gstore.com. Navigate to “My Account” and then select “Toll-Free Number Service” Click “settings, usage, charts, call logs and billing. 

Let 5Gstore host your 800 number today. Click here to read more about our 800 number service.

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How Do I Choose A Mobile Router?

Are you looking for a product that will best fit your mobile/marine needs? Or are you looking for a product that can assist with your large deployment project where cloud management is critical? Peplink has recently launched several products that would fit those needs and we wanted to talk to you about some of the key differences and similarities. 

With so many models having been phased out, knowing what replacement option will work best can be a challenge. It’s also frustrating when you are in need of the right solution with a quick turn around time for implementing it, and at the right price point!

The UBR Plus was recently announced and we are excited to highlight this product along with a few others that may be a better fit depending on your needs.

How do these products work and what is their main purpose?

  • These routers can fulfill the needs for small and large scale projects.
  • Perfect for cases where you are looking for something that will work well with a yacht/vehicle or for large deployments that need a solution that can be easily managed at all locations without having to physically be onsite.
  • These are cost effective options that offer easy installation in locations where space is limited.
Use Case:
Mobile
Marine
Large Warehouse
Railroad
Robotics		Use Case: 
Home
Small Office
Mobile
Robotics		Use Case: 
Marine
Mobile
Large Office/Location



Model: UBR-PLUS-LTEA-US-T-PRM
Model:MAX-TST-DUO-CORE-LTEA-R-T-PRM



Model: MAX-BR2-PRO-5GH-T-PRM
Enclosure: 
Indoor Metal
Enclosure: 
Indoor Metal
Enclosure: 
Indoor Metal
Wi-Fi Standard: 
Wi-Fi 5 (2×2 MiMo)
Wi-Fi Standard: 
N/A
Wi-Fi Standard: 
Wi-Fi 6 (2×2 MiMo)
Ethernet Ports: 
1 Gigabit WAN + 4 Gigabit LAN
Ethernet Ports: 
1 Gigabit WAN + 3 Gigabit LAN
Ethernet Ports: 
2 Gigabit WAN + 4 Gigabit LAN
Recommended # of Users: 1-60Recommended # of Users: 
25-150
Recommended # of Users: 1-150
Dimensions:
6.8 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
Dimensions:
6.3 x 3.8 x 1.3 inches
Dimensions:
8.58 x 7.68 x 1.61 inches
Operating Temps:
-40° – 149°F
-40° – 65°C
Operating Temps:
-40° – 149°F
-40° – 65°C
Operating Temps:
-40° – 149°F
-40° – 65°C
Package Contents:
1x UBR Plus
4x LTE Antennas (ACW-235)
2x Dual Band Wi-Fi Antennas (ACW-341)
1x GPS Active Antenna (ACW-232)
1x 12V 2A 4 Pin Power Supply (ACW-632)		Package Contents:
1x MAX Transit Pro 
1x 12V 2A 4 Pin Power Supply (ACW-632)
4x 4G LTE Antennas (ACW-234)
1x GPS Active Antenna (ACW-232)
1 Pair of Mounting Brackets (ACW-724)		Package Contents:
1x MAX BR2 Pro 5G
1x 12V3A Power Supply 
8x LTE/5G Antennas 
2x Wi-Fi Dual Band Antenna 
1x GPS Antenna
Price and additional information:
Click Here!
Price and additional information:
Click Here!
Price and additional information:
Click Here!
  • A few key features with the UBR Plus:
    • Supports Bands B14, B66 and B71 ( ATT Firstnet and Tmobile Band 71 for 4G)
    • Power Port with Ignition Sensing – this allows the cellular router to start up or shut down when the engine of the vehicle it is connected to is started or turned off.
      • Perfect for Vehicle fleets that have GPS Monitoring when they are moving or need to maintain a connection for equipment.
      • Has the ability to be configured to stay on for select periods of time even when the vehicle is not running.
    • Swap carriers at any time with the UBR Plus’ built-in eSIM, or connect one of our SIM Injectors and remotely manage 8 additional SIMs from up to 100m away!
    • With a max speed of 900 Mbps, the UBR Plus brings you an unbreakable connection to keep your network running smoothly.

Want to know more about these items – visit our site by using the links below for more information on each product.

Still unsure what might be a good fit for your needs? Contact Us Today!

  • Email: sales@5gstore.com
  • Call: 1-833-5GSTORE (1-833-547-8673)
  • Chat: Click HERE to chat with an expert at 5Gstore!
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How Much SpeedFusion Cloud Usage Do I Get with My Peplink Care Plan?

In November of 2020, Peplink added SpeedFusion Cloud (also known as SpeedFusion Connect) to their Care plans (EssentialCare, PrimeCare, SmartCare and TotalCare). This means any Peplink model under a Care plan can take advantage of the global infrastructure of their SpeedFusion network. 

SpeedFusion Cloud is a VPN technology. It utilizes Peplink’s infrastructure that provides access to a global network of SpeedFusion endpoints and technology without requiring additional hardware. This includes Bandwidth Bonding, Hot Failover, WAN Smoothing, and Bandwidth Overflow features. Simply enable the SpeedFusion Connect VPN on your Peplink device and you’re ready to go.

Each Peplink model comes with a different SpeedFusion Cloud package. Check out the chart below to see what your model includes. 

Still have questions? Check out Peplink’s FAQ here. 

Want to know more about the SpeedFusion configuration? Watch our setup video here. You may also reach out to our team by phone, email, or chat!

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Why is 5G Advanced Important?

5G Advanced is the next step before we get to 6G. This cellular standard promises to enhance current 5G networks with organic updates, and will also introduce major new functionality primarily targeting enterprise networking. New features include Sidelink, Reduced Capability (RedCap) and advanced positioning. 5G Advanced will be specified by The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Releases 18, 19 and 20, after which 3GPP’s work will focus on 6G.

5G Advanced technology will implement learnings from the deployment of early 5G networks. It will likely become the mobile network powerhouse for many years to come, at least until 6G takes over. When 6G is the primary standard, it too will build on the foundation of 5G Advanced and 5G. Some of the improvements it will introduce are in new directions, particularly in the enterprise domain. 

5G positioning, RedCap and Sidelink are showing new methods of connecting devices and utilizing the network. This may lead to new use cases and applications, and will likely create new ecosystems. Indeed, according to ABI Research forecasts, 5G Advanced will start to proliferate in 2025, when advanced use cases and applications will start to enter the mainstream. The following chart illustrates 5G Advanced infrastructure forecasts from ABI Research’s latest reports.

5G Advanced is likely going to bring radically new features that aim to introduce significant value for enterprise applications. Things like positioning improvements that aim to ultimately reach <1 Centimeter (cm) accuracy in the future; Sidelink, which will allow a much more flexible deployment approach for on-premises deployments; and RedCap, a more efficient terminal for IoT applications.

Addressing as many of the Real-Time Location Services (RTLS) use cases as possible is something else that 5G positioning aims to accomplish. It will be done by tapping into pre-deployed 5G infrastructure used for communications, rather than deploying numerous RTLS solutions (e.g., Ultra-Wideband (UWB, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, etc.). These are often use case-specific and require heterogeneous equipment (e.g., tags, anchor points and gateways). Ideally, this would aid in the efforts to drive down the cost and complexity of location services. It would also enable much more scalable deployments of positioning use cases over the next decade.

RedCap devices are important to the creation of mobile services with the user positioned firmly in the middle surrounded by multiple devices that act as enablers (i.e. a smartphone or tablet, automotive, set of wireless earbuds, or a smartwatch). With a focus on experience, the design moves devices to function as hubs that can support multiple devices. This means a system-level design needs to support and expand beyond just the main hubs to address all device types. It is important that the industry focuses on the enablement of these 5G Advanced use cases and experiences to embrace the wider implications of moving the market from a device-centric to an experience-centric ecosystem.

5G Advanced is an important milestone to prepare the industry for 6G, which will focus on distributed intelligence, the blending of physical and virtual worlds, and the full use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML) throughout the network. Several infrastructure vendors are now preparing the next wave of innovation in this domain, including Ericsson, Huawei and Nokia, which are starting to promote 5G Advanced.

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How are Cellular Carriers Handling the Hurricane?

As Hurricane Ian continues to wreak havoc on our East coast, many people will find themselves without power or cellular service. However, AT&T just made an announcement yesterday that they are taking new measures to ensure customers of other carriers can stay connected. Thankfully, Verizon and T-Mobile have announced similar efforts. 

During and after the storm, AT&T will have roaming available to all locations affected by the hurricane. In a statement they said the following:

“We are working to help the people affected by Hurricane Ian in Florida. To assist in the recovery, we’re now welcoming other carriers’ customers to roam on our networks so they can connect, even if their carrier’s service isn’t available after the storm. Once this roaming begins, customers will automatically be connected to our network.”

Verizon’s announcement also came yesterday. They are currently working on refueling generators at its cell sites to ensure they stay running. Their engineers also started to deploy mobile assets (temporary mobile network equipment), prioritizing core public safety and government EOCs including police departments, fire departments, search and rescue teams. In affected areas, customers will have unlimited calling, texting, and data until October 4, 2022.

T-Mobile made a similar announcement and will be providing unlimited connections to customers in affected areas until October 3. They explained that their teams are on the ground checking equipment where it’s safe to do so. Teams are also working in the hardest hit areas to restore service. Per their announcement:

“Additional emergency equipment and teams have been staged in Alabama, Georgia and parts of Florida and are deploying into impacted areas where it is safe to do so. This includes mobile network command centers, generators and fuel trucks, along with mobile network equipment such as COLTs and SatCOLTs (Cells on Light Trucks and Satellite Cells on Light Trucks) and COWs (Cells on Wheels).”

We wish all of those in Florida a quick and safe recovery and hope that our friends along the rest of the east coast stay safe as well.

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