Outdoor 5G Router Used for Indoor Broadband Network

What’s 5G outdoor router?

5G router is also called 5G CPE, 5G modem router or 5G SIM router, which is a 5G terminal integrating one or more SIM card slots and converting 5G signal into Ethernet LAN and/or WiFi signal so as to provide internet access for users and devices. 5G outdoor router is a 5G CPE specially designed for outdoor use, which can resist the harsh environmental conditions. An outdoor 5G CPE usually supports protection level of IP65 or above, i.e., being dust-proof, water-proof and wider operating temperature range.

Example 1 of outdoor 5G CPE: Huawei 5G CPE Win

Example 2 of outdoor 5G CPE: Hocell IM730G

Why do we need 5G outdoor router?

As explained above, 5G outdoor router could be deployed outdoors where the environmental condition is harsh. There are many outdoor application scenarios, for example, video cameras, TV broadcasting instruments and IOT gateways that are installed outdoors might need broadband network to transmit large-volume data.

There are also indoor areas where dust is heavy, or temperature is very low/high. In this case, an outdoor 5G CPE is more suitable than an indoor model for data transmission. A typical example is steel works.

Another popular scenario is simply for the purpose of receiving better 5G signal. As 5G network generally uses higher frequency bands, and the capability of signal penetration through walls and window glass is relatively weak, outdoor 5G signal could be obviously stronger than indoor signal after having 12-26 dB penetration loss.        

Can we use 5G outdoor router for indoor broadband network?

If you have read through the previous paragraphs, the answer is clear. The fact is that a major application scenario of outdoor 5G CPE is for the purpose of providing internet for indoor areas by benefiting from the stronger 5G signal outdoors. Higher signal bars bring better wireless performance. Sometimes the difference is not just about performance. The 5G signal indoors might be too weak to enable internet access, whereas the outdoor signal is still strong enough to have a good data rate.

In this scenario, you need another traditional indoor WiFi router (IDU, Indoor Unit) to provide WiFi coverage and Ethernet LAN ports. The WAN port of the WiFi router should be connected to the outdoor 5G CPE through an Ethernet cable.