Finally some information about the RDK-GW device on my gateway. I spoke to T Modbile about this several months ago. The person was honest, he didn't have a clue, suspected it was an engineering tool because they were doing upgrades in my area. Crickets, never heard another word.

Being that this is a "T Mobile forum" you would think someone from T Mobile would chime in and say, this is what the RDK-GW is and why it's there. Maybe I missed that entry. It's good to know I'm not the only one seeing this. I am a little paranoid sometimes ;-) 

I saw this as well when I first got the gateway and decided to block it. Started having issues with slower connections. Today, I re-enabled it after doing some research. I wouldn't depend on TMOBILE employees ever giving a straight answer to any questions. Their answers are often from employee manuals. If not found, then they're lost for answers. Techs as well.

Farmer151 wrote:

Additional - I do see RDK-B stands for "Reference Design Kit - Broadband". So I agree it is from TMobile or one of their associates to use to launch services - broadband, broadcast, hybrid cpe hardware.  

I’m guessing the GW is short for Gateway. And of course neither of the TMOBILE employees would know a thing about it if they wasn't the ones who write up the software. Meaning the software is part of the ROM system and is needed. I could be wrong. Who knows.

I see it too. My best guess is that it is a virtual device allowing you to access the gateway from the cloud. The Home Internet app is local only, but the T-Life app works over the Internet.

It is most unsettling, indeed. It is akin to purchasing a car and later discovering a device within it that appears to be part of the vehicle, yet, upon inquiry, neither the manufacturer nor anyone else can provide an explanation. You find no information about it, and instead of addressing the concern, they dismiss it with responses like, "It's merely a conspiracy theory you're fabricating, you users!" Such tactics are all too familiar-the device exists, but since one is not meant to know about it, efforts are made to silence and obscure its presence. Those who raise questions are met with ridicule and mockery.

I have zero Ethernet cables plugged into the gateway. Only hard wire is the power cable. Went through the power down reset but that connection is still there.  I just blocked it. Internet seems to work as before. 
 

Appreciate the input. Will send TMobile techs the question to see what they say. The initial call with support did not yield any answers. They said block it. 

HollowRen wrote:

nc1037 wrote:

Try turning off the gateway, unplugging the Ethernet cables from the gateway, restarting the gateway, and adding the wired devices back one at a time. Check HINT Control at each step. My prediction is the phantom device won't return.

Did not work for me same exact ID still connected. 

It is for the gateway I just googled it. It's supposed to be there

Same situation here.  So how does it help with internet?  I called T mobile help line and they had no idea of what this connection was.

It is T-Mobile so don't block it.  It is use to help with your internet.

BTW-my gateway is the TMO-G4SE.  I'd like to know something official from TM about what this thing is because it might be some sort of sniffing program or other nefarious device that has worked its way onto my network.