Using mobile broadband to connect to the NMU Network

Mobile broadband technology, also called wireless wide area network (WWAN) technology, provides mobile Internet connectivity. To use mobile broadband to connect to the NMU LTE Network, you need a LTE data card or LTE CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) and an NMU assigned SIM card.

What is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband technology, also called wireless wide area network (WWAN) technology, provides wireless high-speed Internet access through mobile portable or home fixed devices. This technology is supported built into the notebooks and tablets in Windows 7, 8, and 10, and when converted with a CPE to WiFi, all WiFi capable devices. With mobile broadband, you can connect to the NMU Network (Internet) from any location where NMU GSM based LTE cellular service available.. With mobile connectivity, you can maintain your Internet connection even as you move from place to place. The NMU network is a Band 7 FDD LTE network, most equipment that supports Band 7 FDD LTE will connect and work on the NMU LTE network with an NMU SIM card installed. The IT Services website provides a list of equipment that has been tested and certified to work on NMU LTE network.

Mobile broadband technology has its own special terminology:

  • A data card is a small card or device that provides mobile broadband Internet access (connection to the NMU LTE network). Removable data cards can be USB cards or dongles. Data cards can also be embedded laptop modules.
  • A CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) is a device that is located in the home to convert the LTE signal to WiFi.
  • A subscriber identity module (SIM) is a small, removable card that contains subscriber identity and security information for mobile broadband services and network access.
  • An access point name (APN) or access string is a combination of letters and numbers provided by NMU to identify the type of network access you have. NMU uses nmulte for its APN name for students, staff, and faculty.
  • Autoconnect refers to the mobile broadband connection manager that automatically establishes a connection to a mobile broadband network.

Connecting to NMU LTE with a Notebook Computer running Windows 10

If you have the internal data card, ensure that the wireless switch, if present, is turned on. The wireless switch is usually found on the front or side of a laptop. Then, to configure your mobile broadband settings, follow these steps:

To set up a mobile broadband connection for the first time (Windows 7 example)

  1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon (Description: Picture of the wireless network icon or Description: Picture of the wired network icon) in the notification area.
  2. Right-click your mobile broadband network, and then click Connect.
  3. If prompted, type the access point name (APN) nmulte. The user name and the password are not used to connected the NMU Network and are left blank.
  4. Change any autoconnect settings that you want to change, and then click Continue.

To change mobile broadband connection profile properties (APN, access string, user name, password, and autoconnect settings)

  1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon (Description: Picture of the wireless network icon or Description: Picture of the wired network icon) in the notification area.
  2. Right-click your mobile broadband network, click Properties, and then click the Profile tab.
    • Note: If the Profile tab isn't available, see "To set up a mobile broadband connection for the first time," above.
  3. Type the access point name (APN) nmulte. The user name and the password are left blank and not used. Under Autoconnect, select one of the following options:
    • Always connect automatically
    • Connect automatically except when roaming
    • Never connect automatically
  4. If your computer is already connected to the Internet through a local area network (LAN) connection and you want to prevent Windows from automatically establishing a connection, select the Autoconnect only if no other alternate Internet connection is available check box.
  5. Click OK.

To connect to the Internet using mobile broadband

  1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon (Description: Picture of the wireless network icon or Description: Picture of the wired network icon) in the notification area.
  2. Click the name of your mobile broadband network, and then click Connect.

To disconnect a mobile broadband Internet connection

  1. Open Connect to a Network by clicking the network icon (Description: Picture of the wireless network icon or Description: Picture of the wired network icon) in the notification area.
  2. Click the name of the mobile broadband network, and then click Disconnect.

If the NMU LTE network is seen and enough signal is present the Notebook or CPE will connect.

If you can see the NMU LTE network but are having problems connecting or staying connected move around to try and improve signal strength.

Depending on the type of device and/or the software you are using to connect to NMU’s LTE network, the following LTE statistics terminology may be available to you to provide information on your connection to NMU’s LTE network.

Signal Strength

  • RSRP - Reference Signal Received Power (4G LTE)

RSRP

Signal Quality

  • RSRQ - Reference Signal Received Quality (4G LTE)
  • SINR - Signal to Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (4G LTE)

RSRQ

SINR Value

For 4G LTE, RSRP, RSRQ, and SINR are the metrics to check.

Note: Moving around within an area as much as a few feet can make a significant difference in signal strength in low signal strength areas.

Speeds to expect from the LTE network are highly dependent on signal strength. You can expect anything from up to 5Mbps upload and up to 25Mbps download depending on your signal levels. In general, one should expect 500Kbps – 5Mbps upload and 5Mbps -25Mbps download. As with any wireless system, building construction, trees, and other natural terrain can severely affect signal strength.

The LTE network is not targeted to work in the residence halls or on campus. When you are on campus, disconnect from LTE and connect to Wi-Fi or plug into a wired data jack. When you are off campus, LTE may be your best option to access the NMU network.