Forum Discussion
Do you have 1609 gateway firmware update yet and how is it working for you?
It’s September 14, 2021, and the awaited 1.2101.00.1609 gateway firmware update was finally pushed out to me automatically. You can see if you have it yet in the GUI. Select “Overview” and It is called “Software Version” below the gateway icon to the right.
You can see the GUI for your gateway by typing 192.168.12.1 in the address window of a browser. If you haven’t gotten the new 1609 version pushed out to you yet, you will see the old version 0178 still. Please note that Tmobile does these gateway upgrades automatically, pushing them out over weeks, so you may not get yours for a few weeks yet.
According to the T-mo Report of a month ago, here is what is in the update:
The update claims to fix two known VPN issues, one with Cisco AnyConnect and one with GlobalProtect. More importantly, the update claims to improve the poor 5G signal experience. Apparently, this fixes situations where a 5G signal is poor and the LTE signal would be a better connection.
If you think that means if you have a poor 5G signal, and this update will make the signal stronger, like you’ll be getting more bars or something, please re-read the statement. That is NOT what it is saying. It says that for people with a better 4G speed than 5G at their house, this software update is supposed to help their gateway connect to the 4G (Primary only) band, instead of their gateway getting stuck on what is for them a very slow 5G band combination (Primary and Secondary).This is probably a situation involving only about 5% or less of Tmobile customers. Before this fix, people in that situation would have to revert to the old 4G white rectangular modem/router if they wanted faster speeds.
I’ve been on Tmobile home internet for three months and I believe this is the first gateway firmware update since April. For me, no noticeable differences so far. If anyone gets the update and notices any changes in their service, good or bad -- faster speeds, fewer disconnections, whatever -- please mention them in this thread.
Lastly, if someone who doesn’t have the update feels there is a compelling reason for them to get it, like they are one of these people with faster 4G LTE speeds than 5G in their location, they can call up and request it be pushed out to them while they wait online. I didn’t do that because I do not have either of those two VPN issues, and 5G is many times faster than 4G at my house.
There could be other improvements in the update that we don’t know about.
shelnian wrote:
Had the 1609 update for a while. Gateway used to connect to bands B66 and n41 at 100 to 200MB. After the update the gateway connects to bands B2 and n41 at 200 to 300MB. So it appears the 1609 firmware picks bands that provide higher data rates.
I get the same two band combinations as you with similar speed differences, only my top speed is 100 higher. After the 1609 update, I still connect “naturally” (without doing anything) to the slower combination about 80% of the time, but I can get the faster B2/n41 all the time just by restarting the gateway in the morning, being sure to pause 5 seconds with it off for it to drop the slower band, and then it will usually remain connected for the rest of the day on the fast combination.
It’s good to hear that someone got your benefit out of the update though, because a few of the first responses at the time of the update were that it did the opposite -- a few people were unable to get a fast combination they used to get after the update.
Had the 1609 update for a while. Gateway used to connect to bands B66 and n41 at 100 to 200MB. After the update the gateway connects to bands B2 and n41 at 200 to 300MB. So it appears the 1609 firmware picks bands that provide higher data rates.
I removed the battery and have the gateway plugged into a digital timer that turns it off and on nightly. I did this after it dropped out several times on the 0178 update. This resolved the drop outs. I haven’t noticed any drop outs on the 1609 update in this configuration.
It has been a month now since I got the 1609 update, and it’s time to report what changed for me. I no longer get disconnected. I haven’t been disconnected even once since the update a month ago. Before the update, I got a disconnect about every other day. It would always reconnect after restarting the gateway. It was a minor problem for me in an otherwise great experience with this service. I read a comment of one other person, not on this board, who got disconnected a few times every day and the 1609 update also helped him, no more disconnections. I understand that for the vast majority of users with this disconnection problem, the update probably did nothing.
Same FW no issues with Cisco Any Connect everything works.
Probably a config issue on your VPN check the options.
I just set up the Internet Gateway 2 days ago. It came with Firmware version .1609. I have to connect to my work via Cisco AnyConnect and it partially works. Can access Outlook email, the Cisco IP phone works just fine. I cannot access the internet though, neither via IE or Chrome. Called support and they suggested rolling the firmware version back to an older one.
I refused this in that I don’t want to get it to work then when an auto push update comes, having to go through the support process each and ever time to revert. Asked if they can set me up to not receive updates, and the tech could not answer that, so opted out.Unless they provide an update that allows the Cisco AnyConnect to work fully, will have to cancel. It’s unfortunate in that I am getting double the speed (400+ dl & 15+ul) than I received from Spectrum which cost twice as much.
Jazembas wrote:
https://community.t-mobile.com/tv-home-internet-7/external-antenna-makes-massive-difference-for-me-38494This upgrade helps with the Cisco VPN issue. I had been using an old firmware for the past few months, things broke again over the weekend. The tech pushed this new release and it is good, my sessions with VNC and Exceed turbo are working and not freezing.
I wish my signal was a little better, dropped from 3 to 2 bars, averaging about 75 on the download speed.This upgrade helps with the Cisco VPN issue. I had been using an old firmware for the past few months, things broke again over the weekend. The tech pushed this new release and it is good, my sessions with VNC and Exceed turbo are working and not freezing.
I wish my signal was a little better, dropped from 3 to 2 bars, averaging about 75 on the download speed.I had to call customer support to get an upgrade to 1609 firmware a few days ago here in the Washington, DC area because I was getting a reoccurrence of the Global Protect VPN problem (a downgrade to 168 had worked last month). For the last day or so, I’ve been getting consistently “good” speeds (around here w/all the buildings, that means at least 100-150 down, 5-10 up), but I attribute that to the 5G Ultra Capacity upgrades that T-Mo has been doing to the entire network because even the speeds for a primary only connection have improved. I still have to regularly reboot to get both primary & secondary signals.
Received my gateway this week. I live in a 5G Ultra Capacity area, speeds
average 400-700 down and 50-85 up. Not bad to be honest. I haven’t played online with my PS5 yet.
It shows 3 bars of 5G, I am getting fantastic n71 signal quality, and since the update the device has stabilized.
I average over 250Mb download and 50 to 100 up. About 1 mile from tower. I LOVE it . Our whole family does.
However.... There is always a BUT. The device should of came with external SMA connectors for external antennas, period. I am modifying my own device for my pole mounted Yagis.
Also. Remove the BATTERY! It overheats and causes the 5G modem to shutdown when under heavy use. Firmware didn't fix that I tried it before and after. That gateway doesn't need a battery, this is home internet.
The product is great already and getting better. Last issue I have is poor optional advanced menu for the device. It's vanilla as it comes. Coming from GoldenOrb, this is 5G for dummies and that's good and bad.
Best advice of all is to immediately disable the SSID broadcast and buy a nice WIFI6 system that has some good reviews.
I don't care what TMobile says their built in wifi 6 is hot garbage .There are about 15 SSIDs to disable so be prepared to sit for a while . You also may have to disable them multiple times to get it to shut it off.
These wifi broadcasted bands really don't jive well with a smart home setup. Massive amount of interference between bands and devices that need to chat with one another .
Shut it off, then buy a nice TP Link Deco system, eero (great devices trash software), Google WIFI6 , or any other WiFi 6 mesh home network!
They are plug and play and you will thank me later.
Last little thing. 5Gmodems get 🔥🔥🔥 hot!
What were they thinking not building in a active cooling fan and proper heatsink?! I've torn this thing down and it could of been much better than it is without added cost.
Replace the battery with a fan and bingo you got a solid performer for years.
Also if anyone wants help modding their modem so it actually performs like it is supposed to I am here to help and give guidance. Doing mods is at your own risk but honestly they are simple and easy to do.
