Black Friday is hereShop new DoorbustersShop now

Skip to content
Gift Ideas
Main Content

Questions & Answers

No content
  • Angle. NETGEAR - Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot - Black.

NETGEAR - Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot - Black (AT&T)

Model:
MR5100
SKU:
6407157
Your price for this item is $14.17per month
for 36 months; 0% APR
Page Showing 1-20 of 48 questions
Ask a Question

  • QuestionDo you have to have a phone plan with AT&T to use this device?

    Asked by m24.

    • Answer You can buy it outright without an AT&T plan. Get it unlocked for any service provider. I can verify it works on T-Mobile 5G with a couple of setting changes and a T-Mobile HOT SPOT plan.

      Answered by TMoCustomer

  • QuestionI have an AT&T Wireless Internet plan that utilizes a 2017 model AT&T MF279. Can I use the SIMS card (and existing AT&T plan) out of the MF279 and reinstall it in this Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot without having to change plans or do anything with AT&T?

    Asked by 4Foot31.

    • Answer I had the previous version to this model, which is LTE based, and I had inquired about this. I was told that I absolutely could use the SIM, however.... This device would not have access to the real 5G network. Only the enhanced 5Gish capabilities of the LTE network. I moved the SIM and it did work. I did not get the performance that I used to get with the older device. It varies up and down in speed all the time. We never had that problem with the previous model. We use an external antenna and find that reception can be had even in a lot of remote spots. It may mean we have to spend some time walking around with the antenna to see where it will get reception. It might be only one place, but if we can get two bars, that is usually enough to email, browse the web and probably even watch TV (one) at the same time. I love the device. I would buy it again. I think the carriers are doing a little bait and switch with plans, trying to make some (well a lot) money off of the new tech. So, the simple answer is yes. It is just that it doesn't get you the full monte. Why don't I just change my plan to the 5G? Well, I actually have one of those plans that is unlimited and it only costs me $10 a month for this device to be on it. If I switch to the 5G, I have to allow them to upgrade my plan and then the fake unlimited will be imposed and it will cost over $100 for just that device. By fake unlimited, I mean, they say unlimited but it only gets you maybe 15 or 20 gig a month, unrestricted. We are full time RVers. We use this for our content streaming. It is not unusual for us to use as much as 500g or more a month. Hope this helps.

      Answered by JustAUser

  • Questioncan this work on Verizon as well if it's unlocked?

    Asked by Thumper.

    • Answer I have unlocked mine and it actually works great with Verizon. It was the fastest carrier of the three I was able to test.

      Answered by SnowDog

  • QuestionIf I have at&t home internet service would that be ok or would I need a at&t cell phone to get this? I would like to use this for my tablets and other devices when we travel?

    Asked by Bella.

    • Answer The best plan I’m aware of for this unit is under the AT&T prepaid program and does not need to be tied to any other AT&T programs. My current plan is $55/mo for 100GB of data and supports 5G networks where they exist, otherwise you’ll see 4G LTE speeds. Once you receive the unit, you can activate it online at the AT&T Prepaid site and use it wherever you travel. Of course performance will depend on network coverage, but so far I’ve found better throughput with this unit than using an iPhone 12 as a hotspot in the same location, especially if you invest in some external antennas for the unit.

      Answered by MotoPixel

  • QuestionCan you use this device to livestream video?

    Asked by Bigbob.

    • Answer By livestream video, I'm assuming you mean using Zoom, Facebook, Facetime or some similar two-way or multipoint video chat/conferencing application. If you're in an area with good 5G or 4G LTE coverage with 3 or more bars, you should absolutely be OK for HD resolution up and down. To do 4K origination, you'd need to be in a true 5G cell with good signal and not be on an overly congested cell tower. I live in somewhat of a fringe area and rarely see above 2 bars with typically 15-30Mbs download and 1.5-4Mbs upload...this is with a pair of "Paddle" external antennas added to the external antenna ports, which though very cheap, did provide a more consistent upload speed. If I use the unit in a true 5G cell on a mobile basis (in my truck or RV), I will see very high speeds up and down, of 100Mbs or more. Much depends on your location and where you position the hotspot. When I have mine setup at home, it's in my attic or near a window on the side of the house towards the active cell tower. Hope that helps!

      Answered by MotoPixel

  • QuestionHow does this device work?

    Asked by Anonymous.

    • Answer If you search youtube for "netgear nighthawk m5 or 5g" there are some pretty good recaps on specs, unboxing, and data plans

      Answered by bobby

  • QuestionIs it good for gaming and streaming?

    Asked by Finesse.

    • Answer Depends on what system you’re playing on. The settings on a PS4 set the NAT Type to Strict (NAT Type 3), so it throttles my speeds to ~90/4 hard-lined, whereas my PC gets ~125/25 over WiFi (I’m only connected to 4G LTE, not 5G. Unsure if the speeds on 5G would be faster, or if it would still throttle to the 90/4ish because of the NAT Type 3). You can port forward and get around that though if you are willing to take the security risks. Unsure if any other console has the same issue. If you’re PC gaming, should be just fine. That being said, I’m not a hardcore gamer, so the speeds I get are good enough for me. Moral of the story, if you’re on PC, good to go. If you’re on PS4, and a hardcore gamer, you’ll need to port forward and change a few settings to get the great speeds. If you’re on another console system, I have no info. And also, I don’t know how being on 5G would affect my speeds. Obviously 5G is faster, unless the NAT Type would still restrict me to the 90/4.

      Answered by Bob1

  • QuestionCan this be unlocked to be used with a different carrier like t-mobile?

    Asked by Cs1987.

    • Answer Yes. I have done it. You have to tweak a couple of network settings after it is unlocked. You have to have a T-Mobile HOT SPOT plan.

      Answered by TMoCustomer

  • QuestionI do not have internet in my apartment that is secured. Can this be used with my desktop or laptop the same as a router? And is the service dependable?

    Asked by Carolann.

    • Answer Yes, it can be used as a router to provide internet connectivity. I use this to provide internet connection for several laptops, tables and other internet capable devices when I am working remotely. You will need to get a mobile hotspot capable service plan from an cellular provider for it to work..

      Answered by Sam51

  • QuestionIs this unlimited hotspot. ?

    Asked by Cm26.

    • Answer It depends on the service plan you choose with your mobile provider.

      Answered by Aaron

  • QuestionIs it better to purchase the Nighthawk 5Gm Mobile Hotspot devise from a retailer, or directly from ATT? Or does it matter? I already have ATT cell service. Thx

    Asked by jblAZ.

    • Answer I don't think it makes much difference. They will both offer you various upgrades or extended warranties. BB couldn't allow me to purchase the device outright as AT&T wanted it to be on an installment plan. I was able to pay 90% up front though. I don't know if you can directly purchase 100% from AT&T or not. Hope that helps. I'm happy with the device. I was pleased to learn that I can make calls & texts with my NON AT&T phone through it.

      Answered by NoKY

  • QuestionHi, how do you "Unlock" this hotspot - currently have Verizon phone plan and would like to stay with Verizon. Thank you..

    Asked by Newbie.

    • Answer AT&T requires the device be active on a network plan for 60 days or so before you can request them unlock it. It is impossible to buy the AT&T branded MR5100 and use it on Verizon without using it on AT&T first for 2~ months.

      Answered by MikeA

  • QuestionWhat is the speed of this equate to? Ie; 40mbs, 50mbs, etc?

    Asked by Tmulrney.

    • Answer The connectivity speed is totally dependent on the connection to the tower, but I usually get 100+ mbps, oftern 250+ mbps.

      Answered by Sam51

  • QuestionDoes it have a jack for a Ethernet cord

    Asked by Kat.

    • Answer Yes it does have a Ethernet jack

      Answered by Ravenhunter

  • Questioni dont have internet i need to boost my cellular signal will this work to boos the signal with out internet

    Asked by nevets.

    • Answer This is a WiFI Hotspot that connects to the cellular network and provides internet to your other devices. It is not a cellular signal booster.

      Answered by Sam51

  • QuestionDoes this get hot when plugged in. I know the M1 would get hot and overheat if left plugged in. Does this have the same issue?

    Asked by Zmoney.

    • Answer Does it get hot, well kinda. No where near the point of over heating. We leave ours on for days at a time, never an issue.

      Answered by JustAUser

  • QuestionDoes this device have a jack for a cordless phone?

    Asked by phoneless.

    • Answer No. It is an RJ45 jack for connecting into a wired network.

      Answered by JustAUser

  • QuestionDo,you need an outside antennae with this

    Asked by Hotspot.

    • Answer Totally depends on your location. I added a cheap pair of "paddle" type antennas and the helped considerably with upload speeds and made download speeds more consistent. I live in a rural area and rarely see more than 1-2 bars on this unit or my iPhone 12. If you typically see 3 or more bars on your phone, likely you would be fine without external antennas, though they might improve upload speeds somewhat.

      Answered by MotoPixel

  • QuestionHas anyone tried this on Cricket? It usually works on ATT locked devices.

    Asked by John.

    • Answer The Nighthawk 5G device does not work on Cricket Wireless plans. I've tried it in the past. This MR5100 is locked to specific AT&T plans only, AT&T has some type of whitelisting system in place like Sprint had in the past to avoid people using certain plans on it.

      Answered by MikeA

  • QuestionIs it possible to use this hotspot with my Consumer Cellular data plan that uses ATT towers? Consumer Cellular no longer sells hotspots and mine is 3G.

    Asked by Sue.

    • Answer I am not "sure" but I would assume not. ATT has an exclusivity contract on this specific model and their data plan options for data only are pretty horrendous at the moment. I am hopeful that as more towers and users come into the market that plans will be updated or new ones made available. So far, everything I have seen suggests ATT is limiting utility of older data plans by locking out specific models of hotspots and specific SIM chipsets. You are welcome to try but I suggest you get into an ATT shop for a definitive answer before buying the tech.

      Answered by bobby

Page 1, Showing 1-20 of 48 questions