Cannot connect to T mobile band 71

Product Discussion
1

I have a Peplink MAX BR1 Mini 5G. It has the latest firmware 8.5.1.
Through months of investigating, I have determined that in our area, T Mobile throttles the connections of all available bands except 71 to text only speeds between midnight and 6:30am. My other T Mobile home internet gateway currently uses band 71 and works at normal speeds all the time. I would like to be able to use band 71 on my Pepwave after midnight to avoid this. I try to force use of all of the bands n71 and 71 but my Pepwave will never connect (display just shows “connecting”).
The signal is very strong -65 RSSI.
Any ideas as to why i cannot connect?

2

How old is your SIM? n71 is now SA but on older SIMs it might be NSA and need b2 or b66 as an LTE anchor band.

3

Did you update modem firmware to latest?
I have few 5g mini, will check it today.

4

Hi Andrew,
Thanks for the quick response. I have had the sim for a few years now. However it is provided by 3rd party so i dont know how old it really is.
Your comment about anchor bands prompted me to try some tests during the day (normal operation) which make this issue even more confusing:

  1. Selected bands b66 and b2 - Pepwave connected b66 Primary, b2 SSC1. Normal upload/download speeds
  2. Selected bands b66 and b71 - Pepwave connected b66 Primary, b71 SSC1. Text speed ul/dl speeds
  3. Selected b2 only - Pepwave would not connect
  4. Selected b66 only - Pepwave would not connect
  5. Selected b71 only - Pepwave would not connect

Looks like 2 bands are required for a connection but im not sure why im getting text only speeds with 66/2 after midnight and 66/71 all the time

5

Hi Andy,
I do have the latest firmware loaded but i am curious as to whether you are seeing simular issues.