T-Mobile KVD21 5G Home Internet Gateway manual

T-Mobile KVD21 5G Home Internet Gateway User Guide

Release 1.0.0

Manufacturer	Arcadyan Technology Corporation No.8, Sec.2, Guangfu Rd.,Hsinchu City 30071, Taiwan
Import from	Arcadyan Technology Corporation
Distributor	T-Mobile, Inc.

T-Mobile, the T logo, Magenta, the magenta color and the T-Mobile Internet logo are registered trademarks of Deutsche Telekom AG.

Safety Guidelines

Potential Equipment Damage

Follow these recommendations to protect yourself and the Product from harm:

Use the Product only in upright position as shown in the Quick Start Guide
Do not insert any sharp object into the openings of the Product
Do not put the Product near a heat source
Avoid placing the Product in direct sunlight
Do not put the Product in damp or wet locations; for example, near a bathtub, washbowl, kitchen sink or laundry tub, in a wet basement, or near a swimming pool. Do not spill any liquid on the Product
Do not touch the Product or its power adapter or cord with wet hands
Do not place the Product on an unstable surface or support
Do not place anything on top of the Product
Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners; unplug the Product and use a soft, dry cloth for cleaning
When connecting a PC or other electronic device to the Product, make sure you use the right cables and connect the device to the right port of the Product
Incorrect connections may damage the device and/or the Product
Do not open or try to open the Product
Opening or removing covers can expose you to dangerous high voltage points or other risks
Do not attempt to access, manipulate, insert foreign objects into, remanufacture, or immerse or otherwise expose it to water
Do apply care to avoid accidental drops along with the Product
If the T-Mobile 5G Gateway is dropped—especially on a hard surface—or in the case of suspected damage, contact your nearest T-Mobile service center for inspection

Risk of Electric Shock or Fire

Follow these guidelines when using the T-Mobile 5G Gateway:

Connect the Product power adapter or cord to the right supply voltage (120V AC in USA)
Pay attention to the power load of the electrical outlet and possible extension cord
An overburdened power outlet or damaged cords and plugs may cause electric shock or fire
Check the power cords If you find any damage, replace the cord immediately
Do not connect the plug into an extension cord, receptacle, or other outlet unless the plug can be fully inserted with no part of the blades exposed
Leave adequate space for heat dissipation to avoid any damage caused by overheating the Product
Do not cover the Product or its ventilation holes. Blocking the ventilation holes may cause fire
Use the power adapter provided with your Product and do not fasten the power cable to building surfaces
Ensure the cable can move Do not place heavy objects on the cable
Do not use the Product outside, and make sure all the connections are indoors
Do not install, use, or service this Product during a thunderstorm
There is a remote risk of electric shock from lightning
The standby power consumption of the Product is 4.5W

Introduction

This document explains how to operate the T-Mobile 5G Gateway at home using visual cues to achieve the best placement and performance.

NOTE
This document is a supplement to the Quick Start Guide and T-Mobile Internet mobile app. Use the Quick Start Guide to get up and running quickly The contents of this guide are subject to change without notice.

Getting to Know Your T-Mobile 5G Gateway

You will find the following items in the box:

Gateway
Power adapter
Quick Start Guide
T-Mobile Terms and Conditions
Safety and Regulatory Notice

The gateway offers 4G/LTE or 5G/NR WAN mobile network connectivity by way of four wide band OMNI antennas that supports all LTE/5G bands. It functions as the connection point between the WAN outside your home and the LAN inside your home.

Physical Interfaces

The gateway’s physical interfaces include those shown in the diagram.

Setting up the T-Mobile 5G Gateway

Recommended Setup: Use the Mobile App

Using the Quick Start Guide and the T-Mobile Internet mobile app provides the easiest setup experience. The T-Mobile Internet mobile app can be downloaded from either Google Play or the App Store.

NOTE
The first time you access your gateway, the “How to navigate this interface” displays on the LCD panel. Select “OK” to continue the start up.
Download and install Mobile app using your smart phone, then the Mobile app establishes communication and connects to the gateway.

Manual Setup: Identify An Ideal Location

You will start by identifying the ideal location for your gateway — that location will meet the following criteria:

Near a window where the signal strength is strongest
In an open space away from:
- Walls or obstructions
- Heavy-duty appliances or electronics such as microwave ovens and baby monitors
- Metal fixtures, enclosures, cabinets, reinforced concrete, or pipes
Near a power outlet
On an upper floor of the home or at least 6 feet off the floor

Connecting Power to the T-Mobile 5G Gateway

Place the gateway on a flat surface, such as a table top or similar; close to a window and near an electrical outlet
Minimize the number of obstructions as much as possible
Connect the gateway’s USB Type-C power cable to its Power port, then plug the other end of the power cable into a grounded electrical outlet
The USB Type-C power cable must be capable of supporting 100–240V (volts) AC adapter, 50–60Hz frequency and 3A of current at DC 15V

Starting the T-Mobile 5G Gateway

After the gateway is connected to a power source, the LCD screen displays an animated T-Mobile logo that indicates the gateway is starting up.

Four small dots displayed on the LCD panel indicates available screens. Take a moment to browse these screens to see what information is available. For more information about the LCD screen display, refer to the section “Understanding the LCD” on page 19.

The start up sequence is complete when the LCD shows:

Connection
Devices
Messages
Language

Connecting Devices

Connecting Wi-Fi Devices

Connect your wireless devices to your network using the Wi-Fi SSID (Wi-Fi name) and Wi-Fi Key (Wi-Fi password), which are found on the gateway’s rear panel. Here is an example of the label:

Connecting Ethernet Devices

The gateway has two (2) Ethernet LAN ports. Use an Ethernet cable to connect devices that don’t have Wi-Fi adapters or capabilities.

Viewing Connected Devices

The Devices LCD screen on the front of the gateway shows the number of devices currently connected to the network by way of either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

To view how many devices are connected:

Observe the LCD Connection screen
Press the right arrow on the LCD panel to display the Devices screen

Accessing Your Web GUI (Graphical User Interface)

NOTE
You can configure the gateway and any connected client devices via the T-Mobile Internet mobile app on a smartphone.

Ensure the Local Area Connection setting on your PC, laptop, smart phone, or tablet is configured to obtain an IP address automatically.
On your device, open a web browser, and enter http://192.168.12.1

NOTE
If you are unable to access the GUI at the above address, please contact customer support.

Home Screen

You should now see the dashboard screen, which provides network connection status and information about the gateway.

The Home screen contains five sections: internet connection status, connection quality of cellular signal strength, gateway information, Wi-Fi networks settings, and the QR code of T-Mobile Internet mobile app.

Connection status: shows network status of the connected devices, the gateway, and the cellular network connection
Connection quality: cellular signal strength is represented by number of bars
Gateway information
- Firmware version: variable
- UI version: variable
- Running time: how long it has been since the gateway’s last reset/power-cycle
- Serial number: variable

Wi-Fi networks settings: gives you a way to manage and configure wireless settings on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks
T-Mobile Internet mobile app: scanning the QR code with your smart phone for the easiest setup experience

NOTE
The advanced settings are not available with this version release of the web GUI.

Language Selection

From the GUI’s top-right corner of the screen, select your preferred language, English or Español, from the dropdown menu for user interface language.

Wi-Fi Networks Screen

Clicking Manage Wi-Fi Networks from the Wi-Fi networks menu gives you a way to manage and configure Wi-Fi settings on your networks.

The Wi-Fi Networks screen contains the following options:

Combined/Automatic (Recommended): provides the best Wi-Fi connection to the connected devices with automatic selection of the radio frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz). Your T-Mobile mesh network has the single Wi-Fi network enabled by default and this is recommended for most users
Separate Networks: you also can configure the following SSID-specific settings for different types of Wi-Fi devices
- 4 GHz radio frequency
- 5 GHz radio frequency

Click Learn more to see detailed information about the use of appropriate frequency for the Wi-Fi devices on your network.

To create a new Wi-Fi network:

The 4GHz and 5GHz options become available by selecting Separate Networks
Configure the following Wi-Fi settings for the new network

Setting	Options
Network Name	Enter SSID (Service Set Identifier) name.
Password	Enter a Wi-Fi password. You can click the eye icon to view the password.

NOTE
The gateway automatically steers client devices to the best band and channel combination for most situations.

Replacing the SIM Card

Access the SIM card from the backside of the gateway.

Power off the gateway by removing the power cable from the gateway and from the electrical outlet
Remove any Ethernet cables connected to the gateway’s LAN ports (LAN1 and LAN 2)
Use the finger pull to open the SIM door
The SIM card socket supports push-in and push-out installation
With the SIM door open, press the pre-installed SIM card into the slot and the SIM card pops out
Carefully remove the pre-installed SIM card
Insert and press the new SIM card into the slot

Be sure the SIM card clicks into place to ensure that it is properly installed
Close the cover of the SIM card slot and ensure the cover is securely closed on the SIM door

Resetting the T-Mobile 5G Gateway

Resetting the T-Mobile 5G Gateway to factory default deletes all configuration changes made since

setup.

Using the Reset Port

You can reset the gateway using a paperclip and the Reset port, which is located on the device’s backside.

Press-and-hold a paperclip in the Reset port for 5 seconds

Withdraw the LCD shows:
- Factory reset in progress
- T-Mobile animated logo
- Power up animation
On the LCD, press OK on the LCD panel and you will see the Connection screen

Troubleshooting

No Signal

This LCD alert indicates there is no network signal, which could mean local cellular equipment is down for any number of reasons, or the gateway may need to be re- positioned.

If the connection does not improve in a reasonable amount of time, you can contact T- Mobile customer service or refer to the section “Manual Setup: Identify An Ideal Location”.

Prevent Overheating

Make sure that obstacles never obstruct airflow vents on the top or bottom of the gateway’s enclosure. Allow at least 100mm/4in clearance on all sides of the enclosure. Ensure the gateway is at least 3 feet from baseboard heaters.

If the gateway feels hot to touch, unplug it immediately and let the device cool before plugging it in again.

T-Mobile 5G Gateway Does Not Start

If the gateway does not start up, verify the provided power cord is connected to an outlet. If the gateway is connected to an outlet and power still does not start, contact T-Mobile technical support.

Poor Internet Experience

If you feel your overall internet experience is poor, try repositioning the gateway; refer to the section “Manual Setup: Identify An Ideal Location”.

Forget Your Admin Password?

If you configure a custom admin password and forget it, use the password reset function found within the T-Mobile Internet mobile app to reset the password to factory default.

Understanding the LCD

The gateway’s LCD is located on front of the device. The LCD serves as a dashboard where you can quickly obtain information of the following types:

Connection
Devices
Language Settings
Messages

Press left or right arrow ( < or > ) on the LCD panel with your finger to move between screens. The position of the illuminated dot on the bottom of the screen indicates where you are in the screen sequence.

The Connection screen is the first displayed after a successful start up sequence.

Connection

Like your phone, the gateway displays up to five bars on its Connection screen, indicating signal strength.

The number of bars you see represents the strength of the gateway’s current connection to the cellular network.

An X indicates the gateway is not connected to the cellular network.

Devices

The Devices screen indicates how many devices are currently connected to the gateway. This is true for both wireless and wired devices.

Messages

These messages come from the T-Mobile network and may provide outage information or other important updates.

The Messages screen allows you to view the message contents by pressing < and > to scroll between messages.

To delete a message:

Press O (OK) on the panel to select VIEW MESSAGES and view unread messages
Select NEXT and read next message

Select DONE when your read all messages

Select DELETE to delete a message

When prompted a message of asking you to confirm deletion, select YES to confirm

Language Settings

The gateway supports both English and Spanish on its LCD. You may change the language by doing:

From the Language screen, select CHANGE

From the Language screen, choose English or Español

Press O (OK) on the panel to set the language

Technical Specifications

Dimensions	191 (H) x 115 (W) x 120 (D) mm
Weight w/power adapter	1.097 kg 2.412 lbs
Operating environment	0 to 40 oC 32 to 104 oF
IoT / GPS	Bluetooth 5.1 GPS
Power adapter	AC
Power input	100 – 240V, 3A @ DC 15V, 50/60Hz
Theoretical power consumption	45 W
Wi-Fi connectivity	11ax 4×4 2.4G 11ax 4×4 5G Seamless roaming
Security	WPA/WPA2/WPA3
Buttons	Reset (recessed switch) Arrow Keys (Left & Right) Enter (OK)
Display	TFT LCD Non-Touch Panel 2.4-Inch 240×320 Resolution
Mobile Band	5G NR: n25, n41, n66, n71 4G LTE: B2, B4, B5, B12, B41, B46 (for RX only), B66, B71
Physical Interfaces	GE LAN (Yellow) SIM Card Socket (4FF Only) USB Type C x 1 (Regular Power Source) USB Type C x 1 (Data and other USB Port Purpose)

Terms and Conditions

t-mobile.com/responsibility/legal/terms-and-conditions

Privacy Policy

t-mobile.com/privacy-center/our-practices/privacy-policy

Customer Support

24/7 Tech Support Line: 1-844-275-9310 Metro Support Line: 1-888-8Metro8

Need help? Visit https://www.t-mobile.com/internethelp
or call T-Mobile customer service at 1-844-275-9310
Metro support service at 1-888-8Metro8

FAQS

How does tmobile 5G gateway work?

You receive service through a 5G Gateway device (which combines the capabilities of a router and a modem), the Gateway device then converts the 5G signal to Wi-Fi, and provides a Wi-Fi signal accessible by all the devices in your home. Easy, self-installation – set up in as little as 15 minutes.

Why is my tmobile 5G home internet so slow?

If you’re only having problems with the browser, delete the cache, cookies and history. Turn off any VPN settings or apps, as well as any firewalls. Test on a different computer or device connected to the gateway. If it’s only on one device, there may be an issue with the device settings.

Can you stream TV on T-Mobile home internet?

“T-Mobile Home Internet supports most video streaming services, like YouTube TV or Netflix. However, at the moment, Hulu + Live TV is not supported due to a technical requirement in delivering the service.

Is T-Mobile home internet really unlimited?

T-Mobile’s service is reliable and offers steady (although not dizzyingly fast) speeds and an unlimited amount of data. Monthly service includes the use of a modem/router that creates a Wi-Fi home network, so there are no equipment costs. In many rural areas, T-Mobile Home Internet tops any other internet option.

Does T-Mobile throttle their home internet?

The Home Internet product offers unlimited data with T-Mobile touting that its home internet service also has no throttling. You don’t have to be a T-Mobile wireless customer to sign up for the service. If you decide to cancel all you will need to do is return the router back to the carrier.

What is the speed of T-Mobile 5G home internet?

T-Mobile 5G Home Internet customers see typical download speeds between 33-182 Mbps, which is great speed for streaming video, surfing the web, working from home and most types of online gaming. Speeds can vary depending on location, signal strength and availability, time of day, and other factors.

Is T-Mobile internet good for Netflix?

“T-Mobile Home Internet supports most video streaming services, like YouTube TV or Netflix,” a company spokesperson told Next TV. “However, at the moment, Hulu + Live TV is not supported due to a technical requirement in delivering the service. We’re working closely with Hulu to resolve this as quickly as possible.”

What is a good internet speed?

A good download speed is at least 100 Mbps, and a good upload speed is at least 10 Mbps. With 100 Mbps, you can watch Netflix or YouTube, attend Zoom meetings, and play most online games on several devices at the same time. Some people can get away with fewer Mbps, and others need more.

How many devices can connect to T-Mobile home internet?

Customers can connect up to 64 devices to their home Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi 6 also provides Muti-user MIMO, which creates more capacity as more users connect, improving individual speeds when many devices are accessing Wi-Fi.

Does T-Mobile home internet have Ethernet ports?

The gateway has two (2) Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. Use an Ethernet cable to connect devices that don’t have Wi-Fi adapters or capabilities. The Devices LCD screen on top of the gateway shows the number of devices currently connected to the network by way of either Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Who has faster 5G T-Mobile or Verizon?

T-Mobile has faster 5G and more “premium” data than Verizon for a lower monthly cost. However, Verizon tends to have better coverage, especially in rural areas. You’ll need a 5G phone to make the most of any of these plans.

Can you stream TV with 5G?

In theory, the answer to that question is yes. In practice, we probably aren’t quite there yet. 5G is faster than 4G in some areas of the U.S., offering higher download speeds and a more consistent connection. However, it’s unlikely that you’d be able to stream Netflix in 4K with 5G right now.

How do I connect the Product to my home network?

The Product can be connected to your home network by using an Ethernet cable. You can also use the Product’s built-in Wi-Fi capability.

How do I connect the Product to my wireless router?

You can connect the Product to your wireless router by using an Ethernet cable. You can also use the Product’s built-in Wi-Fi capability.

How do I set up the Product’s Wi-Fi connection?

See “Wi-Fi Setup” in the Quick Start Guide.