MikroTik

Does the M.2 slot on RBM33G work for 5g cards?

Currently, I'm using an LHG R with adapter to support m.2 cards. It would be nice to be able to install these in an m.2 slot directly but the specs on this device only mention that it is for storage. I would like to use MBIM interface to the modem on that slot and have a connection from that slot to SIMs.

For expanding storage, microSD and a PCIe M.2 slots are provided.

The "Block Diagrams" often tell the story on Mikrotik devices on these things. It shows the SIMs are wired to the miniPCIe, so if you placed a modem directly in M.2 slot it have no SIMs available. And if M.2 modem used USB, it also would NOT work, since only PCI is available to M.2 slot on RBM33G. See below.



If your M.2 adapter and modem combo is working/stable, I'd keep that combo.

I do wish they support M.2 for LTE modems on the boards – miniPCIe is VERY limiting. To get CAT18 on Mikrotik in US, I'm limited to the Telit LM960A18 since most modems at CAT18+/5G are M.2. I've never gone the M.2 adapter route, since I keep hoping Mikrotik release some M.2 for LTE on their boards. But I'm not sure we're all that close since they just released the L23UGSR, but those are also miniPCIe.

Thanks a lot for the detailed answer!

Hopefully they implement a Routerboard with M.2 for modem. Also, having dual SIM connected to the same m.2 would be ideal.

Also, another idea (in case Mikrotik engineers read this):

Could a board be built so that the SIM slots can be set to different PCIe/m.2 interfaces with jumpers? That would make the board more versatile without adding too many SIM slots.