How to install LTE external antennas on Deco 4G Products

When You Set Up
Updated 04-09-2025 09:02:38 AM Number of views for this article76217
This Article Applies to: 

NOTE: Both external antennas must be installed to ensure the Deco's LTE network operates properly, providing optimal performance and stable connectivity.

When working in 3G/4G Router mode, you can install LTE external antennas (not included in the product package) manually to strengthen the LTE signals of your Deco.

Before You Start

  • Ensure the external antennas support the working frequencies listed below:

E-UTRA Operating Band

Uplink (UL) operating band

BS receive

UE transmit

Downlink (DL) operating band

BS transmit

UE receive

Duplex Mode

FUL_low – FUL_high

FDL_low – FDL_high

1

1920 MHz–1980 MHz

2110 MHz –2170 MHz

FDD

3

1710 MHz–1785 MHz

1805 MHz–1880 MHz

FDD

5

824 MHz–849 MHz

869MHz–894MHz

FDD

7

2500MHz–2570 MHz

2620 MHz–2690 MHz

FDD

8

880 MHz–915 MHz

925 MHz–960 MHz

FDD

20

832 MHz–862 MHz

791 MHz–821 MHz

FDD

28

703 MHz–748 MHz

758 MHz–803 MHz

FDD

38

2570MHz–2620 MHz

2570MHz–2620 MHz

TDD

40

2300 MHz –2400 MHz

2300 MHz–2400 MHz

TDD

41

2550 MHz –2650 MHz

2550 MHz–2650 MHz

TDD

  • Two SMB to SMA adapters are provided in your Deco product package. Make sure your antennas have the same connector type (SMA Male).
  • Ensure your Deco is working in 3G/4G Router Mode. If not, open the Deco app and go to More > Advanced > Operation Mode to switch the mode.

Deco app’s "More" menu, showing options like Deco Lab, Reports, SMS, Wi-Fi Settings, Guest Network, WPS, Internet, QoS, Block List, Data Settings, Network Optimization, and Advanced.Deco app’s 'Advanced' settings menu, displaying various options such as Operation Mode, IPTV/VLAN, MAC Clone, DDNS, 3/4G Backup, LAN IP, DHCP Server, Address Reservation, Fast Roaming (Disabled), Beamforming (Enabled).The operation mode page. The modes include 3G/4G Router (default selection), Wi-Fi Router, and Access Point.

Follow the steps below to install your external antennas; here, we take Deco X20-4G as an example:

1. Remove the cover on the back of your Deco X20-4G.

Remove the antenna cover on the back of Deco

2. Insert the provided SMB to SMA adapters to the External antenna ports, and then connect both of your LTE external antennas to the adapters.

Note: The image of antennas is for reference only and may differ from actual products. We cannot guarantee the performance while using any third-party LTE external antennas.

Connect external antennas to the antenna ports of Deco

3. Open the Deco app, go to More > External Antennas, and enable External Antennas. When enabled, the Deco will use the external antennas instead of the internal ones.

Deco app's "More" menu, showing options like the Internet, QoS, Block List, Advanced, Connection Alerts, Managers, LED Control, External Antennas (highlighted), and System.Deco app’s "External Antennas" page, showing options to turn on or turn off.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.

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