Connecting to the net via 4G

Some DSL/ADSL routers have a 4G connection as a backup, has anyone had experience of this?
Make/model of router please?

Once setup, the internet connection should I presume be available to any RISC OS computer RiscPC, Pi etc.

I’ve had an enquiry from a Risc PC user who currently connects his Windows computer to the internet using a USB 4G dongle, he doesn’t want to rely on the Windows computer being on. I realise a USB 4G dongle can’t be plugged into a RISC OS computer so a 4G attached Router seems the only way.

Definitely works on the Draytek model I use/install. Currently using a 2860ac model here.

I use a TP-Link Archer MR200 router.

It is a 4 port 4G Router, itself, so does not use a dongle.

It works with a wired connection as well as wireless, so is ideal for RISC OS on a Pi.

Mine is working perfectly now with an EE data only SIM card. I have also had it woking with Vodafone.

It uses a 12volt power brick, so it also works (direct off 12v) in the camper van in France ^note . (RISC OS Pi, Window XP, Windows 7, Mobile Phone wifi, etc all at once)

Yes, I could use my Draytek 2860 with a dongle, if I had one

^Note: France! I remember where that is.

Used my Billion Bipac 7800 DXL this way when my house move was screwed up. Presumably current models will also do.

Once setup, the internet connection should I presume be available to any RISC OS computer RiscPC, Pi etc.

Attached hosts are irrelevant, no?

Thanks for the quick and informative answers.

Definitely works on the Draytek model I use/install. Currently using a 2860ac model here.

Which 4G dongle are you using with it?
This might suit our own use. I’m looking at the differences between the 2860ac and the 2762n We don’t need the 5GHz band or extra VPN tunnels so I’m not sure we need to pay the extra cost

I use a TP-Link Archer MR200 router.
It is a 4 port 4G Router, itself, so does not use a dongle.

Looks like that or current similar models should suit the Risc PC user who enquired.

My ASUS RT-AC68U (replaced with a RT-AC86U) supports fail over to a 4G USB dongle. It came in very useful when we moved house and the new broadband provisioning got screwed up for 6 weeks – but hideously expensive!

It’s completely transparent to clients when failed over, apart from the difference in peak speed and latency, and will switch back to broadband when it is restored. Because of this, it’s probably not a good idea to have it enabled all the time in case it fails over, and you only notice when you’ve burned through your data allowance.

Because of this, it’s probably not a good idea to have it enabled all the time in case it fails over, and you only notice when you’ve burned through your data allowance.

Monitor it by doing a query to something like WhatsMyIP and alerting if it comes back with a 4G related IP

Could do, but I’ve already got a full time dual redundant monitoring system, if the internet goes down the two children will bleat within microseconds that they can’t play Roblox or watch Ryan’s World. I can then decide to enable 4G failover, should my wife or I need to use internet.

The only time I set it to automatic is when working from home, and see a BT van pull up in front of the cabinet across the street!

Which 4G dongle are you using with it?

It’s a Huawei one from EE – it’s not in use on mine here, but on a customer one in Wokingham, so I can’t tell you the exact model. It’s in a cafe for customer wifi and shop management use on two different subnets, using 4G as a failover – obviously shut at the moment due to Covid. I can’t even VPN into the router right now, so they may have powered it all down for now.

Could do, but I’ve already got a full time dual redundant monitoring system, if the internet goes down the two children will bleat within microseconds that they can’t play Roblox or watch Ryan’s World.

Oh, we have one of those at work. Single unit. Somewhat more expensive to run than a pair of children though.

I once commented that his only function was to surf the net, while sat in the same office¹ but he wasn’t paying attention, because the link to Google was fine.

¹ Subtle ain’t I?

I use a 5g Nokia router here in Australia the router has 3 1gb rj45 connections along with wifi 6 works great I get 250mb a second download 125 uploads much better than the 4g that it replaced can recommend it.