Getting the Best Performance from Your 5G Router Leave a comment

(Teltonika RUTX50 Focus, UK Edition)
Written by the Millbeck team at 3GRouterStore.co.uk – specialists in industrial mobile broadband and advanced IoT connectivity.

---

Introduction: Why “Plug and Play” Doesn’t Work for 5G Routers

At Millbeck, we’ve been supporting businesses with mobile connectivity solutions for over 15 years. And while 5G promises unprecedented performance for industrial IoT, CCTV, and remote access applications, many customers discover that simply powering on a high-end router like the Teltonika RUTX50 doesn’t always deliver expected results.

If you’ve ever found your 5G router underperforming—slower than your phone, inconsistent upload speeds, or unreliable cloud access—you’re not alone. In this comprehensive guide, we unpack why performance fluctuates and show you exactly how to take control.

We use the RUTX50 as our reference, but the insights here apply broadly across all advanced industrial 5G routers, including models we stock at 3grouterstore.co.uk like the RUTM50, RUTX12, and our own Proroute series.

---

Understanding How 4G and 5G Networks Work

4G LTE

4G revolutionised mobile data by introducing Carrier Aggregation (CA) and more stable performance across a range of frequency bands.

Key features:

• CA Support (Cat 6+): Combines bands for better speeds

• FDD vs TDD: Most UK 4G is FDD (uplink and downlink on separate frequencies)

• Balanced Modulation: Uplink and downlink performance is generally symmetrical

5G NR (New Radio)

5G offers incredible improvements—multi-gigabit downloads, low latency, and better capacity for high-density deployments. But here’s the catch: most UK 5G still relies on a 4G core (NSA mode), especially for uploads.

---

UK Frequency Bands: Why They Matter

Performance depends heavily on the band your router is using. Here’s a quick breakdown.

4G LTE Bands

5G NR Bands

Most routers fall back to 4G if n78 is weak, which is common indoors or in rural areas. That’s why proper router placement and antenna choice matter—a lot.

---

Understanding Modem Categories

The RUTX50 uses the Quectel RM500Q-AE:

• 5G SA/NSA

• 4×4 MIMO

• Carrier Aggregation

• Sub-6 GHz support

For LTE:

---

Why 5G Uploads Are Often Worse Than 4G (And How to Fix It)

Despite being marketed as “ultra-fast,” real-world 5G uploads can disappoint. That’s because:

1. NSA Mode uses 4G for uploads—often falling back to slow bands like B20

2. Download-focused spectrum leaves little for uploads

3. 4G CA in “4G-only mode” can give better uplink due to multiple aggregated bands

Use 4G-Only Mode If:

• You’re running CCTV to cloud/NVR

• Remote monitoring or SCADA

• VoIP, Teams, Zoom calls

• VPNs with uplink sensitivity

On the RUTX50:
Network > Mobile > General > Network Mode > 4G Only > Save

---

Reading Signal Properly

Bars are meaningless. Use these:

Check via: Status > Network > Mobile

Low SINR but strong RSRP? You’re likely on a noisy, congested band.

---

External Antennas: Myths and Truths

Rule: Antennas relocate, they don’t boost.

Use external antennas only if:

• You’re mounting in a better signal area (e.g. loft, roof)

• You use quality cables (e.g., LMR200+)

• You’re going 4×4 MIMO—don’t mix paddle antennas with externals

RG58 at 5m = ~2 dB loss. That’s 50% signal gone per cable at high bands.

---

Band Locking = More Control

Auto band selection rarely picks the best combo.

How to Band Lock on RUTX50:

• Network > Mobile > General > Band Selection: Manual

• Choose B3+B7 or n78

• Click Save, then test performance

Document SINR, download/upload, and Cell ID with each change.

---

SIM Plans: Not All Are Equal

Potential Limitations:

• IoT SIMs: May block n78 or lack CA

• MVNOs: Often deprioritised

• Roaming SIMs: May avoid fast bands to reduce costs

• Throttling: Even “unlimited” plans can throttle high usage

Test with PAYG SIMs from EE, Vodafone, O2, and Three. Compare results.

Need fixed IP? We supply Fixed IP SIMs (public or private) pre-configured for VPN access.

---

Tower Mapping: Cellmapper and EARFCNs

Use www.cellmapper.net to:

• Identify nearby towers and bands

• Locate which tower your router connects to

• Check EARFCN, Band, Cell ID via router status

Disable fallback bands like B1/B20 if needed, and force high-speed towers with n78/B3.

---

Operator Performance at a Glance

---

Daily Congestion: Don’t Panic

If you see speeds drop in the evening, it’s likely network congestion. Test performance at:

• 7am (light usage)

• 1pm (average)

• 6pm–9pm (peak)

If performance varies by time—not location—it’s not the router. It’s the tower.

---

Final RUTX50 Tips from Millbeck

1. Update Firmware
   Always keep both router OS and modem firmware current: System > Firmware

2. Enable CA
   Avoid disabling too many bands—CA needs specific combos

3. Use Teltonika RMS
   We offer RMS credits for monitoring, remote config, alerts

4. Monitor Proper Metrics
   Track RSRP, SINR, EARFCN, and Cell ID—not signal bars

---

Real-World Troubleshooting Checklist

✔ Band connected = B3/B7/n78
✔ SINR > 13 dB
✔ RSRP between -70 to -90
✔ 4×4 antenna setup with matching cable lengths
✔ Test multiple SIMs
✔ Check Cellmapper
✔ Try 4G-only mode
✔ Log router events
✔ Confirm SIM privileges
✔ Inspect firmware & RMS settings

---

Conclusion: Make Your Router Work for You

At Millbeck, we don’t just sell 5G routers—we help you make the most of them. Whether it’s the Teltonika RUTX50, our own Proroute industrial range, or any LTE/5G solution from our store, success is about knowledge, not luck.

If you need guidance, expert support, or ready-to-go configurations—including VPN-ready Fixed IP SIM cards, preconfigured routers, and bundled antenna kits—get in touch with us at 3grouterstore.co.uk.

“High performance starts with high understanding.”
Let us help you build both.