Westward Sales Blog

High-speed internet connectivity is essential for industrial settings, and 4G LTE routers help you achieve this goal.

By integrating this technology into industrial networks, businesses can enhance operational efficiency, connectivity, and productivity. As the demand for reliable internet access grows, understanding the benefits of these routers becomes crucial for industrial applications.

This guide explores how these devices revolutionized industrial networks. It also helps you choose a suitable 4G router model and set it up for optimal performance.

What Is a 4G LTE Router?

A 4G LTE router is a specialized device that provides internet connectivity using cellular network infrastructure. This differs from traditional broadband routers that use wired connections. LTE routers utilize over-air connectivity to get your internet access.

As a result, LTE routers provide advantages when traditional internet lines are inaccessible or unreliable — such as in rural locations and mobile applications.

What Makes These Routers Different?

For users, 4G LTE routers feel much the same as any other routers. From an infrastructure standpoint, they provide critical differences.

Mobility and Flexibility

The primary reason to consider LTE routers is mobility (which ties into flexibility). You can use these routers anywhere within cellular coverage. That coverage dramatically exceeds traditional internet lines. On top of that, you can move and redeploy easily, as long as you stay within cell coverage.

Reliability

Cellular networks often provide more robust coverage than traditional broadband. Local power outages often take down broadband networks. Meanwhile, the redundancy in cell towers and their overlap means that such outages usually do not take down cellular connectivity.

Similar redundancies make cellular routers more reliable when downtime matters the most.

Scalability

It’s easy to add more LTE routers without the need for any additional infrastructure. Increasing broadband access often means laying more cables for connectivity, and that can get expensive and time-consuming pretty fast.

Scaling LTE routers is as simple as adding another router to meet the increased demand.

Assessing Your Industrial Network Needs

To get the right setup and coverage for your operations, you need to consider some key elements before making any purchases.

Scale 

How many users do you need to service? Each router has capacity limits (varying by model). You need to be sure you have sufficient hardware to provide reliable internet to every user. As your company grows, you can expand your capacity with more routers, but getting enough coverage from the beginning is crucial.

Clients

What kinds of devices need to connect to the network? Depending on their design and function, they may require more or less broadband. In some cases, you might reduce the number of users on a router in order to increase the broadband available to each connected device.

Coverage

Lastly, how big is your operation, physically? You need to overlap router coverage to make sure you don’t create dead spots within your facilities or workspaces. Extended-range devices and similar options help you create the right coverage for your organization.

Choosing the Right Router

Selecting the appropriate router for your industrial application involves understanding the different models available and their specific features. One popular choice is the Teltonika router.

The Teltonika Rut241 is renowned for its reliability and robust performance in industrial environments:

• High-Speed Connectivity: This router supports high-speed 4G LTE networks at Cat 4 speed (150 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload). It provides fast, reliable internet access for all connected devices.
• Durability: The Teltonika Rut241 4G LTE router resists extreme temperatures, humidity, and vibrations.
• Versatility: It also offers connectivity options, including Ethernet ports, Wi-Fi, and support for external antennas, providing flexibility in deployment.
• Easy Management: With a user-friendly interface and management capabilities, the Rut241 simplifies network management and monitoring.

Setting Up Your 4G Router

Deploying and configuring a 4G router in an industrial setting requires a systematic approach to ensure optimal performance and connectivity.

1. Select an Optimal Location – Place the 4G LTE advanced router in a location that maximizes signal strength and coverage. Avoid areas with heavy machinery that may interfere with the signal.

2. Install External Antennas – Connect external antennas to enhance signal reception. Then, connect your devices to your router using Ethernet cables or Wi-Fi.

3. Configure Network Settings – You can access the router’s management interface to configure network settings, including IP addresses, security protocols, and VPN connectivity.

4. Test Connectivity – After setup, thoroughly test all devices to ensure they are properly connected and the network is functioning correctly. The RUT241 requires a SIM card from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile (sold separately). Make sure to insert the SIM card before testing connectivity.

Leveraging 4G LTE Router Features

These routers come with advanced features that significantly enhance the performance of an industrial network:

• Support for External Antennas. External antennas boost signal strength and coverage, which is crucial in industrial environments with challenging connectivity conditions.
• VPN Connectivity. Virtual Private Network (VPN) support also ensures secure and encrypted communications, protecting sensitive data transmitted over the network.
• Remote Management. Many 4G routers, including the Teltonika Rut241, offer remote management capabilities. They allow you to monitor and control the network from anywhere.
• Failover Functionality. An advanced LTE router can switch to backup connections automatically if the primary connection fails, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

Maximizing Connectivity in Industrial Settings

These devices have vast practical applications and significant benefits in industrial environments. With 4G routers, you achieve real-time monitoring of industrial processes, ensuring timely interventions and minimizing downtime.

These routers also facilitate seamless machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, enhancing automation and operational efficiency. For facilities in areas with unreliable broadband access, routers like the InHand 4G router provide a reliable backup connection.

Elevate Your Industrial Network With 4G Routers

Enhancing your industrial network with 4G routers is a practical move that significantly improves connectivity, efficiency, and reliability.

Westward Sales offers a wide range of 4G routers for industrial applications. Explore our products to find the perfect one for your business. Connect with us today to learn more about us and our product offerings. We are happy to recommend the best 4G LTE routers.