Buying a 5G router vs a modem (RUTM51 vs TRM500)

Confused between buying a RUTM51 (router) and TRM500 (modem).

The benefit with modem I see is that its quite portable but one concern I have is it might not have the customisation that a full fledged RUTM51 router might offer. Especially the bank selections in 4G/5G mode. (RUTM51 Mobile - Teltonika Networks Wiki).

  • Is this level of customisation (like that of RUTM500 for band-selection) possible in TRM500 via AT commands or OpenWRT interface? or will it be always be set to auto by default.
  • Is it possible to install the RutOS in a Raspberry Pi to mimic the functionality of a router similar to RUTM500 with TRM500 connected as a modem?

I understand that TRM500 offers high flexibility via the Type-C interface but wanted to understand the possibilities.

Hi,

TRM500 is USB modem, so no RUTOS inside, you can still control it using AT commands, like select different network modes.

There other 5G routers too, like recently release RUTM30 or TRB500 (if you don’t need WiFi), smaller size than RUTM51.

Good afternoon,

Some additional insights to your query :

RUTM51 router if you want an all-in-one device with easy setup, built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet ports, advanced features (like VPN, firewall, remote management), and a user-friendly interface for customisation such as band selection. It’s ideal for office, home, or industrial setups where you need stable, secure, and easily managed internet for multiple devices.
TRM500 modem if you need maximum portability, want to connect it to a laptop, Raspberry Pi, or other device via USB-C, and are comfortable managing settings using AT commands or custom scripts. It’s best for mobile, field, or industrial applications where size and flexibility matter more than having a built-in router interface.

Regards,
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