# MikroTik LTE and 5G router SIM cards, tested with ThingSIM

> MikroTik's LTE and 5G routers all run RouterOS, so one set of steps covers a Chateau on a desk, an LtAP in a van and a KNOT gateway in a cabinet. A ThingSIM connects once its APN profile is set on the LTE interface.

## Setting up a ThingSIM in RouterOS (WebFig and WinBox)

The APN goes in **/interface lte apn (Interfaces → LTE → LTE APNs in WinBox and WebFig)**.

1. Activate the SIM in the ThingSIM portal, then insert it.
2. Create an APN profile with the APN from the portal and no authentication, for example /interface lte apn add name=thingsim apn=<your APN> authentication=none ip-type=ipv4.
3. Use it on the LTE interface with /interface lte set lte1 apn-profile=thingsim.
4. Allow roaming with /interface lte set lte1 allow-roaming=yes. It defaults to no, and some modems then register but never get an address.
5. On two-slot boards choose the slot with /interface lte settings set sim-slot=… (the slot names vary by board).
6. Check with /interface lte monitor lte1, which shows registration, the roaming flag and signal.

**Two SIMs:** RouterOS switches SIM slots only when told to; changing slot restarts the modem. Do not use MikroTik's example dual-SIM script as written, because it switches slot when it detects roaming and a ThingSIM always roams.

**Checking it works:** /interface lte monitor lte1, or the LTE interface's status tab in WinBox or WebFig.

## ATL

- **ATL 5G R16**: Outdoor unit, 5G NR + LTE Cat 20, 1 SIM slot. Directional outdoor 5G receiver for fixed wireless access.
- **ATL LTE18 kit**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 18, 1 SIM slot. Directional outdoor LTE receiver for long-range fixed links.

## Chateau

- **Chateau LTE12 (2025)**: Office router, 4G LTE Cat 12, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Home/office LTE router.
- **Chateau LTE7**: Office router, 4G LTE Cat 7, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Budget home/office LTE router.
- **Chateau LTE18 ax**: Office router, 4G LTE Cat 18, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. High-speed LTE office router with Wi-Fi 6.
- **Chateau LTE7 ax**: Office router, 4G LTE Cat 7, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Budget LTE office router with Wi-Fi 6.
- **Chateau 5G R17 ax**: Office router, 5G NR + LTE Cat 20, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Home/office 5G primary router with Wi-Fi 6.
- **Chateau LTE6-US**: Office router, 4G LTE Cat 6, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Home/office LTE router for US/Canada bands.
- **Chateau 5G** (no longer sold): Office router, 5G NR + LTE Cat 20, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Home/office 5G router (Wi-Fi 5).

## CME

- **CME Gateway**: IoT gateway, LTE-M, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Rugged low-cost CAT-M modem connecting Ethernet devices such as meters.

## KNOT

- **KNOT**: IoT gateway, LTE-M / NB-IoT, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. IoT gateway with BLE, RS485/Modbus and CAT-M/NB uplink.
- **KNOT LR8G kit**: LoRaWAN gateway, LTE-M / NB-IoT, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. 868 MHz LoRaWAN gateway with CAT-M/NB backhaul and GPS.
- **KNOT Embedded LTE4**: Industrial router, 4G LTE Cat 4, 1 SIM slot. DIN-rail-size industrial LTE gateway with GPIO.
- **KNOT LR9G kit**: LoRaWAN gateway, LTE-M / NB-IoT, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. 915 MHz LoRaWAN gateway with CAT-M/NB backhaul and GPS.
- **KNOT Embedded LTE4 Global**: Industrial router, 4G LTE Cat 4, 1 SIM slot. Industrial LTE gateway with GPIO, global bands.

## LHG

- **LHG LTE18 kit**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 18, 1 SIM slot. High-gain outdoor LTE dish for rural fixed access.
- **LHGG LTE7 kit**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 7, 1 SIM slot. High-gain outdoor LTE antenna/router.

## LtAP

- **LtAP LTE7 kit**: Vehicle router, 4G LTE Cat 7, triple Mini SIM, Wi-Fi. Rugged vehicle/remote-site router with GPS and 3 SIM slots.
- **LtAP mini LTE kit**: Vehicle router, 4G LTE Cat 4, 2 SIM slots, Wi-Fi. Compact in-vehicle/IoT LTE router with GPS.
- **LtAP LTE6 kit** (no longer sold): Vehicle router, 4G LTE Cat 6, triple Mini SIM, Wi-Fi. Rugged vehicle/remote-site router with GPS.

## LAMP

- **LAMP 5G R16**: Outdoor unit, 5G NR + LTE Cat 20, 1 SIM slot. Omnidirectional outdoor 5G unit, no alignment needed.

## SXT

- **SXT LTE7 kit**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 7, 2 SIM slots. Outdoor LTE CPE for fixed sites.

## cAP

- **cAP LTE12 ax**: Office router, 4G LTE Cat 12, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Ceiling-mount LTE access point/router.

## wAP

- **wAP LTE kit**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 4, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Low-cost weatherproof LTE router/AP.
- **wAP ax LTE7 kit**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 7, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Weatherproof LTE router + Wi-Fi 6 AP for outdoor sites.

## SXTsq Embedded

- **SXTsq Embedded LTE4**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 4, 2 SIM slots. Low-cost PoE outdoor LTE unit.
- **SXTsq Embedded LTE4 Global**: Outdoor unit, 4G LTE Cat 4, 1 SIM slot. Low-cost PoE outdoor LTE unit, global bands.

## KNOT Gateway

- **KNOT Gateway LR8**: LoRaWAN gateway, 4G LTE Cat 1 bis, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Outdoor 868 MHz LoRa + BLE asset-tracking gateway with LTE uplink.
- **KNOT Gateway HL9**: IoT gateway, 4G LTE Cat 1 bis, 1 SIM slot, Wi-Fi. Outdoor Wi-Fi HaLow + BLE asset-tracking gateway with LTE uplink.

## Questions

### Does a ThingSIM work in a MikroTik Chateau?

Yes. Add an LTE APN profile with the APN from the portal, allow roaming, and select the profile on the LTE interface.

### Do I need to allow roaming in RouterOS?

Yes. A ThingSIM always connects as a roaming SIM, so the APN profile must allow roaming or the router will not use data.

Suggested plan: 1 GB, UK 4-network, £2.40 a month per active SIM, ex VAT.

Source: https://thingsim.com/devices/mikrotik