Uploaded June 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In this video, I will show you how to install & configure the 5G/4G/3G module in OpenWRT with ModemManager. For the hardware, I used the Intel N5105 2.5GbE Router PC and the Quectel EC25E module.
Besides x86, the guide can be applied for most of the routers running OpenWrt, no matter it is ARM-based devices such as the NanoPi R6S, NanoPi R4S or MIPS-based devices such as the Xiaomi R3G, Xiaomi Router 4, etc.
In order to use with ModemManager, it is recommended that the 4G module is working on the QMI USB mode. You can change the USB mode to QMI with AT+QCFG=“usbnet”,0 command (if you are using Quectel module).
Video timeframe:
00:00 - Intro
00:53 - The Quectel EC25 4G module
01:42 - The USB to Mini-PCIe adapter (USB bus)
02:42 - The IPEX to SMA-Female cable
03:19 - The cellular antenas (SMA-Male connector)
03:45 - Install the Quectel EC25 module on the Intel N5105 Router PC
05:28 - Download & Install OpenWrt 22.03 on the USB drive
06:53 - Connect Ethernet cables & Boot up the Router PC
08:15 - Access LuCI & Walkthrough
09:56 - Overview of the installation procedure
11:10 - Install the Kernel modules for 5G/4G/3G support
12:02 - Install ModemManager & luci-proto-modemmanager
12:42 - Install minicom
13:45 - Connect to the LTE modem with minicom
14:30 - Check the network operator, signal and band
15:41 - Reboot the router before proceed
16:11 - Remove Ethernet to the WAN port (to use LTE only)
16:31 - Setup the LTE interface on LuCI
20:00 - Change the LTE module USB mode (QMI, CDC_MBIM, etc)
Resources:
- ModemManager docs - openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wan/wwan/modemmanager
- Advanced guide for QMI mode - openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wan/wwan/ltedongle
Components (affiliate)
- USB to Mini-PCIe Adapter for LTE - amzn.to/431D2Mm
- Quectel EC25 (for US) - amzn.to/46yGscL
- USB to Mini-PCIe, Antenas & Cable kit - amzn.to/3CLYIl6 (if your PC don't have Mini-PCIe & simcard slot)
Thanks for watching and good luck!
In this video, I will show you how to install & configure the 5G/4G/3G module in OpenWRT with ModemManager. For the hardware, I used the Intel N5105 2.5GbE Router PC and the Quectel EC25E module.
Besides x86, the guide can be applied for most of the routers running OpenWrt, no matter it is ARM-based devices such as the NanoPi R6S, NanoPi R4S or MIPS-based devices such as the Xiaomi R3G, Xiaomi Router 4, etc.
In order to use with ModemManager, it is recommended that the 4G module is working on the QMI USB mode. You can change the USB mode to QMI with AT+QCFG=“usbnet”,0 command (if you are using Quectel module).
Video timeframe:
00:00 - Intro
00:53 - The Quectel EC25 4G module
01:42 - The USB to Mini-PCIe adapter (USB bus)
02:42 - The IPEX to SMA-Female cable
03:19 - The cellular antenas (SMA-Male connector)
03:45 - Install the Quectel EC25 module on the Intel N5105 Router PC
05:28 - Download & Install OpenWrt 22.03 on the USB drive
06:53 - Connect Ethernet cables & Boot up the Router PC
08:15 - Access LuCI & Walkthrough
09:56 - Overview of the installation procedure
11:10 - Install the Kernel modules for 5G/4G/3G support
12:02 - Install ModemManager & luci-proto-modemmanager
12:42 - Install minicom
13:45 - Connect to the LTE modem with minicom
14:30 - Check the network operator, signal and band
15:41 - Reboot the router before proceed
16:11 - Remove Ethernet to the WAN port (to use LTE only)
16:31 - Setup the LTE interface on LuCI
20:00 - Change the LTE module USB mode (QMI, CDC_MBIM, etc)
Resources:
- ModemManager docs - openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wan/wwan/modemmanager
- Advanced guide for QMI mode - openwrt.org/docs/guide-user/network/wan/wwan/ltedongle
Components (affiliate)
- USB to Mini-PCIe Adapter for LTE - amzn.to/431D2Mm
- Quectel EC25 (for US) - amzn.to/46yGscL
- USB to Mini-PCIe, Antenas & Cable kit - amzn.to/3CLYIl6 (if your PC don't have Mini-PCIe & simcard slot)
Thanks for watching and good luck!
