SIMBROS INSEEGO M2000 5G MIFI WiFi-6 Ultimate Hotspot T-Mobile Including a T-Mobile 5G SIM Card SIMKEY New in Box Complete All OEM

As a current T-Mobile customer, I’ve been eyeing this product for a while. The $335 price tag on the T-Mobile website for this MIFI device, though, is a bit tough to swallow. But when I saw this incredible price of $200 via this Amazon retailer, I decided to pull the trigger.This review is not about the unit itself. You can find a well-written and very positive review on this product at PC Mag’s website. Just google “T-Mobile Inseego 5G MiFi M2000 Review – PCMag” to find it. And, this review is not a comparison between the Inseego MIFI device at T-Mobile vs the Inseego MIFI device sold through Verizon. Both, in fact, are pretty identical. The only comment I will make about these two Inseego MIFI offerings is that, IMHO, T-Mobile offers better long-term value. Although you can readily find the Verizon Inseego device for $200, T-Mobile currently offers access to a more expansive 5G network, and the $50/mo for 100GB plan can’t be beat.But that’s not why you’ve come to read this review. I think what you, the reader, is asking yourself is this: Is This the Real Deal?The answer is … YES!I know this because I used to have this same product when it first came out at T-Mobile (right after they merged with Sprint) and took it for “test drive” before returning it. I returned it and cancelled the MIFI plan back then because I came to the conclusion that I didn’t really have enough use (100GB after all) for it and I thought then (as I still do now) that $335 is pretty expensive. But my needs have changed since then and I think that having this portable MIFI device would indeed be beneficial: My car has an infotainment system that requires wifi to stream music/movies; I find myself on the road more for work and need reliably accessible wifi wherever I may be to connect my laptop to the internet; I’ve invested in a cloud-based dashcam which needs a steady wifi connection wherever so that I can access the dash cam remotely on those instances when my car and I are separated. My phone’s hotspot and the allocated 40 GB of hotspot of data can only do so much for me. So, I’m glad devices like this exist.Here are some things to note.1. Because this purchase includes the T-Mobile sim card, all you really need to do to activate the MIFI device is to contact T-Mobile customer service. I find that the way to avoid any possible “service fees” and to be able to do it in the comfort of your home is to download the T-Mobile app on your phone and to contact them through the app.2. It’s probably best to activate when you have a lot of down time (like one night around 10p) because in a best case scenario, I think you would want to budget 2 hours for the T-Mobile online customer service rep to actually go from start to finish in activating it. Hoo-boy. I think that the lengthy interaction may be due to the customer service rep likely not having a lot of experience in activating a MIFI device not purchased through T-Mobile (they’ll need to obtain verifications; check the IMEI number; ask about the Sim Card; etc…) … or they may be servicing several calls simultaneously.3. Honestly, the fastest way to purchase and activate is to just do it via their website. Once you input the required information, T-Mobile will send you the MIFI device that’s ready to go. But that’s the $335 way.4. Be forewarned on a potentially long online conversation. But, we’re talking about $200 vs $335. I guess you’ll have to ask yourself if your patience for answering questions over the course of two hours is worth saving $135.5. To help expedite your online interaction, you’ll want to take a photo of the screen that shows the IMEI number (MENU > About). BTW, what you’ll also see on this screen along with the IMEI number is a field for “Wireless Number”. That’ll be blank until T-Mobile sets up your account.6. You’ll also want to take a close-up picture of the included Sim Card (with all of the numbers). When you speak with customer service via your phone, the chat line allows you to attach pictures. So, you’ll want to send to them a pic of both the IMEI number and the info on the Sim Card. That will help them speed up the activation process a bit. After all, they are just going to ask you for that info anyway.7. Once everything has been completed, the MIFI device will then turn “ON” about 2-3 hours later.So, yes, 5 stars. It’s the same device that you would otherwise get on the T-Mobile website. It is the Real Deal.

Had problems initially connecting with the T-Mobile SIM that came with the unit. The unit would connect with a strong signal for a few minutes, then shut down with an "Invalid SIM" message. Shutting down, removing and reinserting the SIM, and restarting seemed to solve the problem - for about 5 minutes until it shut down again with the same message.Problem resolved when I figured out the MiFi was trying to connect to the T-Mobile CellSpot extender in our house, instead of to the carrier network. Turning off the CellSpot solved the problem, but other CellSpot users may find this a problem if they need to keep the CellSpot running at the same time.Tested reception and throughput unscientifically at different locations with varying cell signal strength around town: almost 500 mbps download, 60 mbps upload with 5 bars of 5G signal, down to 1.45 mbps download and .04 mbps upload at 2 bars of 5G (barely connecting).One more small issue - be careful that the unit doesn't turn on accidentally in a jacket pocket or if bumped around in a backpack or messenger bag. IMO the InseeGo case is too bulky, but a bit of bubble wrap and a rubber band does the trick in my messenger bag.### MoreThe unit is advertised as being unlocked, but I later discovered it won't work with non-T-Mobile SIM cards. One clue is that the splash screen keeps displaying the pink T-Mobile logo, even after changing SIM cards and doing a factory reset from the device menus. Somehow it must be hard-wired for T-Mobile only. Glad I discovered this before my trip overseas! Am returning the device to Amazon.

EDIT:Updating to say it did work in Brazilia, Brazil and Caldas Novas, Brazil.I think I had to change the APN to "h2g2" instead of "fast.tmobile.com", which was fine in Mississippi.It generally connected to 3g/4g/LTE bands and not 5G like my (Samsung S22) phone, but it was still a viable option with the data only SIM.---------------I put my Google Fi Data only SIM in it, and turned it on. Within a few minutes it was connected, but then after a few more minutes went to "Invalid SIM."I told it to update the firmware. I had to reboot once so it could briefly connect to the data and download it. Rebooted. I was stuck on a home screen telling me "Click to Update" but telling me the battery has to be 40%+ to apply the update (even though it was over 50% already). I couldn't get past this Update screen. I let it sit and charge to above 60% and the update then worked. It rebooted and then applied another update? All I know is it went through the process twice.Finally I had it updated to 2022-11 firmware.It hasn't given me "Invalid SIM" again.I've seen download speeds (over WIFI) hitting anywhere from 65-330 with 3/5 bars of 5G.I have the 5000mah battery. Looks like it'll last from 15-20 hours based on the drain.I got this device because it has the International LTE bands that work in Brazil. All I know so far is it works in Mississippi. I know my Google FI Phone's Voice/Data SIM worked last year in Brazil, but I'm curious about the Data Only SIM in this hotspot.Will update.