Arcadyan KVD21 Initial Setup

I started with Tmobile internet using the Askey TM-RTL0102, upgraded to the 5G Nokia FG-21, an yesterday received the new Arcadyan KVD21 gateway.   

Setup of the KVD21 is pretty straight forward but there are a couple odd niggles for the average user. 

Start by taking a photo of the amei, admin & login passwords on the side of the unit. Next pull out the rubber plug to expose the SIM card. Remove and take a clear close up photo of the numbers, re-install the SIM card. 

If you're upgrading, plug in the KVD21 and place next to your current gateway. Go to WiFi settings on your phone, log into the new network TMobile-7BC7 using the password from your photo. Open the T-Mobile Internet app, log in with the admin password from your photo. Follow the instructions to setup a new gateway.  You can skip the gateway placement tutorial  and password changes to speed-up the process.  There is a barcode you scan on the side of the unit. 
 
Time to call T-Mobile Home Internet 844-275-9310.  I called at midnight … only took 15 minutes even with the language barrier.  Besides your personal T-Mobile info, they need the AMEI#, SIM card# and order#. 

Lots of repeating lingo aside, they turn on your new SIM Card & turn off your old SIM card (if you're upgrading).  You will get a text when the Nokia SIM is turned off, bye bye internet for now. 

Now come the niggles. 

You can pretty much disregard all the niceties left to close the conversation with tech support, their job is done, they read from a script about it how it may take 24 hours, leave it plugged in, bla, bla,bla. 

The reality is the KVD-21 needs to be re-powered 3 times to get the latest firmware. 1.00.16.  Monitor the little screen on the unit, after a few minutes it will loose connection an ask to be re-powered.  It does this 3 times over 15 minutes … and your done.  Log back in to the admin on the app and you'll see the firmware has been updated.  Your now online!

Like others have mentioned, the download speeds dip a little but the upload speed triples compared to the Nokia. I connect to B66 for 4G & N71 5G low-band. You see this from the app under More/Advanced Celular Metrics. I find the tower connections more stable, a noticeable overall improvement. 

Well worth the time to upgrade IMO.