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Get help setting up and using your 4G LTE CellSpot.

 

Set up a 4G LTE CellSpot

Get to know your CellSpot

Front of the 4G LTE CellSpot with LED indicators for Power, Internet, Status, GPS, 3G/4G, and 4G LTE.Back view of the 4G LTE CellSpot with GPS Cable Bracket, reset and power buttons, and GPS, WAN, and LAN ports.

  1. GPS Cable Bracket: Wrap GPS antenna cable here after installation and leave plugged in.
  2. Reset: Press and hold 5 seconds to reboot. Press and hold 30 seconds to reset to default settings.
  3. Power: Power on when power adaptor is plugged in.
  4. Grey LAN Port: Connect to other devices, if needed.
  5. Yellow WAN Port: Connect to Wi-Fi router or Wi-Fi cable modem/router.
  6. Round GPS Port: Connect to GPS Antenna & Cable. 

Set up your CellSpot service

Register the address of use

The 4G LTE CellSpot has to check its location when it sets up. If you need to register or update the address of use, follow these steps:

  1. Go to: https://my.t-mobile.com/home.html
  2. Sign in with your T-Mobile account.
  3. Select Profile in the upper right.
  4. Select Coverage devices in the bottom left.
  5. In the "Customer device use address box," select Edit.
  6. Update the address information.
  7. Select Save.

 

Open ports

 

UDP ports: All devices

 

For the 4G LTE CellSpot to work, UDP ports 123, 500, and 4500 must be open.

Contact your Internet provider (ISP) to ask if these ports are blocked. If these are blocked, you must ask your ISP to open these ports.

  • No port forwarding is needed.
  • These ports are used for:
    • UDP 123: Syncing clocks
    • UDP 500/4500: VPN or IPSec tunnels, business application
  • If your ISP confirms the ports are open, ask them to add the CellSpot to a DMZ.

Your ISP or equipment manufacturer can help with these settings. T-Mobile can't provide detailed help with non-T-Mobile service or equipment.

 

TCP ports: Windows 10 & 8

 

Port 80 is used as an example for the screenshots. You will need to substitute ports 123, 500, and 4500 for 80 where shown.

  1. Open a command prompt windows (Start, Run, CMD.exe).
  2. Enter powershell.exe. This changes the Windows command prompt to Powershell.
  3. Enter the command Test-NetConnection –InformationLevel detailed –ComputerName portquiz.net –Port 123.
  4. Wait for the command to run and verify the following output displays.
  5. If TcpTestSucceeded is True, the port is open. If it is False, the port is closed.
  6. Repeat these steps for 500, and 4500. All three ports must be open for the CellSpot to work.
 

TCP ports: Windows 7

 
  1. Open a command prompt windows (Start, Run, CMD.exe).
  2. Enter powershell.exe. This changes the Windows command prompt to Powershell.
  3. Enter the command (New-Object System.Net.Sockets.TcpClient).Connect('portquiz.net', 123).
  4. Repeat these steps for 500, and 4500. All three ports must be open for the CellSpot to work.
 

TCP ports: Apple Mac

 
  1. Hit Command+Spacebar to summon Spotlight.
  2. Enter Network Utility followed by the return key to launch the Network Utility app.
  3. Select the Port Scan tab.
  4. Enter www.portquiz.net into the window.
  5. Select the Only test ports between checkbox.
  6. Enter 123 in both fields, then select Scan.
  7. Repeat the process for ports 500, and 4500.

 

Light indicators

 

Lights & what they mean

 
Light indicators on the device and what they mean.
Light Color Light description & help
Power LineLink indicator showing a solid green light
Device self-testing and update complete.
Internet LineLink indicator showing a solid green light Successful Internet connection
Status LineLink indicator showing a solid green light Successful T-Mobile network connection
GPS LineLink indicator showing a solid green light GPS position locked (if GPS signal is present)
3G/4G LineLink indicator showing a solid green light Device is ready to provide 3G/4G service.
LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light
There is 3G/4G traffic is progress.
4G LTE LineLink indicator showing a solid green light Device is ready to provide 4G LTE service.
LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light There is 4G LTE traffic is progress.
 

Light sequences for issues

 
Light sequences that indicate errors and how to resolve them.
Power Internet
Status GPS 3G/4G 4G LTE Light pattern description & help
Any Any Any LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light Any Any

The device can't find GPS signal.

Without GPS signal lock, device is still able to proceed through setup and operate normally. You may receive SMS or email notification from T-Mobile to verify your device use address for emergency 911 call safety.

Follow the steps in Register the address of use.

LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light Off Off Off Off Off

Device self installation exceeds 2 hours.

  1. Restart the other Internet devices such as modem, Wi-Fi router or Wi-Fi cable modem router.
  2. Once upstream devices are stable, install 4G LTE CellSpot again.
  3. Check your Internet connectivity and check with your Internet Service Provider if ports UDP 500, UDP 4500 and UDP 123 are open.
LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light
Off Any Off Off

Device connection issue with the Wi-Fi router or Wi-Fi cable modem router.

  1. Check the Wi-Fi router or Wi-Fi cable modem router are correctly connected.
  2. Wait at least 2 hours after the device was originally plugged in and set up.
  3. If that doesn't help, contact us.

Flashing green light above 4G LTE CellSpot WAN port means good Internet connection and traffic in progress.

LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light
Off Any Off Off

Device is unable to reach T-Mobile network.

  1. Check your internet works on other devices. If not, contact the Internet provider.
  2. Check with Internet Service Provider on network settings. Ensure ports UDP 500, UDP 4500 and UDP 123 are opened and place the device in a DMZ.
  3. Unplug your modem/router and CellSpot.
  4. Plug in your modem and wait for it to power up completely.
  5. If you have a separate router, plug that in and wait for it to power up completely.
  6. Plug in the CellSpot router and wait for it to power up completely.
  7. Wait at least 2 hours after the device was originally plugged in and set up.
  8. If that doesn't help, contact us.
LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light Any Off Off

Software did not load properly.

  1. Unplug the 4G LTE CellSpot, wait 5 seconds and plug it back in.
  2. Press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds. The device will reset and update its software.
  3. If that doesn't help, contact us.
LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a solid or flashing orange light.
Any Off Off

Unable to activate the device with T-Mobile network.

  1. Follow the steps in Register the address of use.
  2. Wait at least 2 hours after the device was plugged in.
  3. If the lights don't change, contact us.
LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a solid or flashing green light.
Any Off Off

3G, 4G, 4G LTE service is not available.

Device may not be used in T-Mobile market or remote disabled by T-Mobile.

Please contact us for help.

LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light Any LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light

Maximum voice calls reached.

The device has the maximum 8 active voice and data connections for each technology.

Attempt to call again after existing calls are terminated.

LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light Any LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light

Internet connection does not meet the minimum requirements

  1. Test your broadband connection and make sure your ISP is not having an outage.
  2. If the Internet is working, confirm the device is set up correctly and CellSpot is plugged directly into the modem.
  3. If that doesn't help, contact us.
LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a solid green light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light Any Off Off

CellSpot is not installed at a licensed T-Mobile location

The 4G LTE CellSpot is not installed at a licensed T-Mobile location where we have an established relationship with local 911 public service answering point.

Move the device to an approved location, or return it to T-Mobile.

LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light LineLink indicator showing a flashing orange light

The device is overheated.

Move it to a cooler, ventilated location. Keep it out of direct sunlight, and make sure it's installed in a place with airflow.

LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light LineLink indicator showing a solid orange light

The device may have a hardware issue.

Wait at least 2 hours after the device was plugged in, If the lights don't change, contact us.

 

Troubleshoot issues with your 4G LTE CellSpot

Before following these steps, ensure the following:

  • Ensure the issue only happens when using the 4G LTE CellSpot. Otherwise, use signal issues on device.
  • Follow the setup video on this page for best results.
  • Make sure at least two hours have passed since following the setup. (It can take the CellSpot this long to configure.)
  • Check for light indicators.

If your device meets the criteria, but the issue persists, proceed with the next steps.

 

SMS or email notification - Can't confirm your address

 

T-Mobile needs to confirm the location of the coverage device, but there's a problem locating your device.

If before day 8:

  • If the address is correct, respond to the message to confirm. This completes the device setup.
  • If you need to update the address, follow Register the address of use.

If day 8 or later / If you can't respond:

Please contact us.

 

SMS or email notification - Device is in a location where T-Mobile can't offer service

 

T-Mobile can activate coverage devices only within its operating area. The device will not work in the current location, because it is outside the T-Mobile network. You'll receive an SMS or email notification if your 4G LTE CellSpot is in an area we can't activate.

If you're in the location:

  • Temporarily, you can set up the device after you return it to a T-Mobile area.
  • Permanently, you should return the device to us, and ask about other coverage solutions.
 

No signal / Blinking green light / Did not complete setup

 
  1. Confirm you have high-speed Internet with at least the speeds listed. If unsure, run a speed test to check:
    • Download: 2 Mbps (or more)
    • Upload: 0.5 Mbps (or more)
    • Ping/latency: 200 ms (or less)
  2. Move the GPS antenna as close to the window if possible, to reduce the 911 location identification time.
  3. Make sure the 4G LTE CellSpot is not in direct sunlight, as overheating can disable it.
  4. Are you using multiple routers? If you are, plug the 4G LTE CellSpot directly into the modem/router combo unit (not your secondary router).
  5. Stop using programs that use a lot bandwidth like video streaming, to speed the download of the latest software from the T-Mobile network.
  6. Unplug the 4G LTE CellSpot.
  7. Turn off your modem/router combo unit and router.
  8. Turn on your modem/router combo unit first, and then any other routers.
  9. Turn the 4G LTE CellSpot on.
  10. Restart the setup​.
  11. On the modem or modem/router combo unit:
    • Open ports
    • Verify bridge mode is enabled. It can help troubleshoot problems. Contact your ISP or search online for steps. Bridge mode may turn off the Wi-Fi function of the bridged router. If bridge mode turns off Wi-Fi with a T-Mobile Wi-Fi CellSpot Router, contact us.
  12. If all troubleshooting has been completed and the issue continues, contact us.
 

Calling, messaging, or data problems (after setup)

 
  1. Check the Light indicators on the 4G LTE CellSpot, and use any help for your light pattern.
  2. Confirm you have high-speed Internet with at least the speeds listed. If unsure, run a speed test to check:
    • Download: 2 Mbps (or more)
    • Upload: 0.5 Mbps (or more)
    • Ping/latency: 200 ms (or less)
  3. Check if the issue is happening only on the 4G LTE CellSpot. If it also happens on the T-Mobile network or Wi-Fi Calling, it is not a CellSpot problem. Follow troubleshooting for the T-Mobile network.
  4. Turn off Wi-Fi Calling on your connecting device.
    • This is just to make sure you're placing calls over the CellSpot instead of Wi-Fi.
    • If you have problems when on Wi-Fi Calling, 
  5. Turn off the device, and then turn it back on.
  6. If all troubleshooting has been completed and the issue continues, contact us.

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