You can get the Mudi from amazon here in the USA. LINK
I have had a mobile hotspot router in some form or another since the mid 00’s. As a mobile professional, phone provided hotspot just doesn’t cut it for me. So, instead of buying another carrier device this time around, I decided to give the mudi a try. This is by far the best cellular router that I have ever owned, and I will be returning my MR1100!
Some things to know:
- Yes, this will work on AT&T (and AT&T based MNVOs) if your SIM is provisioned properly. Fair warning: it is a kind of in depth process and not for the non-technical. But, I’d imagine if you are buying this device, you are probably a tech pro anyway.
- Yes, this will also work on T-mobile. But….. beware, flipping back and forth between t-mobile and AT&T is a PAIN, and required multiple modem resets and reboots of the device. Same for GoogleFI (t-mobile MVNO with a different APN)
- Not supported on Sprint, Verizon, or their MNVOs. Seriously, not going to happen. They require IMEI/SIM pairing and certification. Unless you work for them (or know someone), it just isnt going to happen even if the band support is there.
- This device uses a Quectel EC25-AF modem, a CAT4 LTE device, and is going to get you 25mbps down and 10-15mbps up here in the USA (+/-) Be sure that this meets your bandwidth needs. Else, consider a device with a CAT6 or a CAT10 modem with multi-MIMO. The modem is NOT m.2 format, and is NOT interchangable!
- No external antenna ports. But, IMHO, that is not the way to go anyway. Boosters > antennas in my experience, and ts9 connectors are very fragile. If you find yourself in need of better signal, try going into AT commands, and manually switching bands to find the best throughput for you. I’ve gotten some better performance flopping between B66 and B14 on AT&T, and B12 and B71 on T-mobile… but this is highly dependent on location. YMMV.
- recommend installing an openVPN profile from your VPN provider, and then setting the side switch to connect your OpenVPN client automagically when flipped. I am not a huge fan of the TOR functionality at this time. But, more experimentation may yield better results.
- you can install miniDLNA from the applications tab if you want to mediashare from the router. Just be advised, CPU utilization on the device may be higher while using it. I have successfully added a 256gb SD card, filled it with media, and streamed to my Samsung TV. Good performance!
- I set my Ethernet port to WAN, and plugged into my local switch. Confirmed WAN offload to Ethernet and no data plan usage. This is very useful in hotels, etc!!!!
- Confirmed MAC spoofing for basic captive portals is working. If you are in a hotel with a basic captive portal, connect using an ephemeral MAC on a single device, now use that same device to connect to the management page of the router, and enter that MAC into the captive portal page. Now, change your MAC back on the other device and reconnect. You have now bypassed the captive portal using the router, and can connect multiple devices to your router without having to go through the captive portal. VERY USEFUL!!!!!
Time will tell how this device holds up to the rigors of travel. For the moment, I am a happy camper! Thanks Gl.iNet!