You've tried everything, need some assistance!
You've tried everything, need some assistance!
Hello all, I'm just starting out on this forum but I recognize Linus and have seen plenty of tutorials, so I can offer some general advice when I need tech help—even if I'm not a seasoned pro. I'll focus on the current challenges I face: having a strict native type and a double native type, and I'll list all my devices in case anyone wants to research them. Since I'm also a console gamer, that's something to keep in mind too.
A bit about my setup and connection: I don't use a regular ISP; instead, I rely on a hotspot device with a prepaid AT&T card. This is unusual because most people expect a trusted ISP like Liberty or another common provider. The problem really started after Hurricane María hit my area. We were supposed to get around 10 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up, but in reality we only got about 3 Mbps. For years I was with Liberty, yet they never visited our place to inspect the cables or assist us properly—even though we paid $50–60 a month. Now, with the hotspot, I pay $30 a month and get triple the speed I used to from my ISP.
However, I've noticed that my connection isn't optimal because of my native type and double native settings. When downloading games, speeds can spike to 120 Mbps or 150 Mbps for just a few seconds, but I often see only 20–30 Mbps. If I could open more ports, maybe I'd unlock better performance. It would be ideal to switch to a true open native type, though it might cause issues during multiplayer sessions with friends.
I also learned that my double native is due to too many devices connected, but I only have two main ones linked to the hotspot: a TP-Link range extender with a Gigabit Ethernet port and another, which I can't disconnect because it's for my parents.
Here are some key points to note:
- The range extender I use (ZTE Velocity) supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz but not both at the same time.
- It has many settings like DMZ, Port Forwarding, UPnP—though I'm unsure if I'm applying them correctly.
- The hotspot offers options such as DMZ and port forwarding, which I haven't fully explored.
- I'm using a Cat8 cable to connect my Xbox, which is important for stability.
For more details, check out these links:
- [ZTE Velocity Hotspot](https://www.amazon.com/ZTE-Velocity-Mobi...B00O84PEWS RE650)
- [TP-Link TRINITYXTN WiFi Extender](https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networki...der/re650/)
I'm open to any additional info that could help, and I'm happy to share photos of my setup and Xbox if needed. Please let me know what steps you'd recommend—I'm ready to assist!
Real fact, every wireless provider relies on Carrier grade NAT. They lack sufficient IP addresses. What you can do isn’t much. Simply opening ports won’t boost your speed. What you’re dealing with is the maximum LTE performance available in your region. LTE isn’t the quickest option; for faster speeds consider Coax or Fiber internet. The ports you open let you run games and servers, but if you can’t forward ports because of NAT, there’s little else to gain. I should mention that wireless companies usually cap data usage too. For example, if you use a certain amount monthly they might slow your traffic during busy times—even on an unlimited plan. It’s unclear exactly what limits different carriers impose, but it depends on network congestion at the towers. Range extenders can halve your bandwidth, which is just part of the deal. That’s why experts advise against them unless you really need broader coverage.
I could possibly adjust the strict nat settings. The double nat just indicates there are too many devices connected. I’m still able to attempt port forwarding or Dmz. My concern is whether changing the address from the device to the extender, Xbox, and so on would be correct. Also, there isn’t much congestion in my area—I live near the tower and receive a lot of data. The device shows 692.10GB used, which works fine most of the time, and I consistently get around 20-30mbps at the end of the month. There are also sudden spikes to 120mbps or 130mbps for short periods, which has happened several times. In my case, it seems the opposite is true: starting with the main device gave me only 10mbps or 7mbps, but with the extender I get 20mbps or 30mbps steadily. I’m open to testing again with the device later to see if anything changes, but right now I’m staying with the extender since it’s closer and wired.
Nothing can be done about the NAT problems. This is the issue you’ll encounter with double NAT—even if you forward ports on your network, you still won’t be able to forward them at the ISP’s end. I’ve heard some people using a VPS as a VPN server and tunneling traffic, but that’s outside my area of knowledge. From a speed perspective, this is how wireless works. I’ve seen it many times with WiFi and phone data. You should also keep this in mind. You’re using LTE followed by WiFi, so the speed problems are probably due to WiFi. But wireless can be unreliable, and many factors can lead to issues.
I'm checking the VPS as a VPN option and gathering more details before proceeding. Since I can't take action, what advice would you give? There are also faster hotspot devices that support both 5GHz and 2.4GHz simultaneously—maybe you could look for one on Amazon?
WIred broadband offers LTE/5G connectivity, but you might be let down. Most carriers rely on carrier-grade NAT, which limits IP availability. Lower your expectations to avoid disappointment. Dual-band solutions could work better. However, 5GHz performs less well in range and struggles with wall penetration. If you face 2.4GHz coverage issues from distance, 5GHz won’t help much. Though it’s faster, it’s still LTE-based. If you’re using a 4G/5G gateway, check for a bridge modem—otherwise, upgrade to a solid router. Remember, it’s still LTE internet; adjust your expectations accordingly.
Actually I'm not focused on that 5G, I understand it's the latest trend but since it's still emerging it's not widely available. I'm just trying to set up my native type. The device is about 5 feet away from the Xbox and the extender. Sorry for seeming uninformed, but how would I confirm I have a 4G gateway? I do have 4GLTE on the hotspot device. For instance, I came across something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Explore-R...B06XR6NRYX Or https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-Explore-R...B06XR6NRYX (it's functional but I'd prefer a new one when I can afford it, it would be over 300 dollars).
Gateways combine a modem and router into one unit. When it supports WiFi and multiple Ethernet ports, it qualifies as a gateway. For hotspots, check compatibility with your carrier’s network—more bands generally mean better performance. I don’t have specific recommendations for hotspots since I don’t rely on LTE at home. I’m keeping an eye on 5G developments in case it becomes valuable enough to replace Comcast. Only time will tell.
Thanks a lot for your help! I really value the time you took to explain things clearly. I’ll keep looking for more information and won’t stop until I understand everything. Appreciate the guidance!
I reviewed the entire discussion but found it hard to grasp. To clarify, could you explain your network setup? Double NAT means using your own router after the ISP modem/router, right? The hotspot gets a public IP, while your internal device uses a NAT'ed network. If connected to Wi-Fi, only the NAT'd IP should be visible. Where exactly is the "Double NAT" happening? A diagram would make it easier. It seems you likely don’t have a Cat8 cable—maybe Cat7?