Peplink has released a new Firmware 8.2.0 update that we've been beta testing for the past several weeks.
This update is particularly important for people who have Peplink 5G routers.
Here are the most interesting new features:
- 5G Manual Band Selection - This update at last adds manual band selection capabilities (also known as band locking) for 5G capable routers, like the MAX Transit 5G and MAX BR1 Pro 5G. You can now manually select both 4G and 5G bands that the router will attempt to connect to.
- SpeedFusion Cloud Home Sharing - This new feature lets you leave a Pepwave router (even a basic non-cellular one like a Surf SOHO) at a residential address somewhere, and your SpeedFusion traffic can then be directed to pop up onto the public internet through that device, instead of via the central server. So you can leave a router behind at a relative's house, and get online as if you were there - avoiding any blocks that might limit streaming, especially for things like local TV and sports.
- Dynamic Weighted Bonding - This new optional feature will adjust to changing connections on the fly, making SpeedFusion better suited to delivering good performance over cellular connections. This will be especially helpful when you are bonding a strong connection and a slow connection together. For more on bonding, see out guide:
Combining Connections: Bonding, Load Balancing & Auto Failover - DNS over HTTPS - This feature will route DNS queries over HTTPS, eliminating the ability for anyone upstream to monitor what sites you are visiting. This will make it harder for the likes of Verizon to track your browsing habits to sell to advertisers.
The new firmware should be available via the normal Peplink "Check For Updates" feature, or it can be downloaded here.
The full in depth release notes are here: Firmware 8.2.0 Release Notes
Key Mobile Internet Related Considerations:
- Being able to manually select 4G and 5G connection bands is an incredibly useful technique for optimizing performance in weak signal areas, and until now Peplink 5G routers did not support this. Adding this feature makes the BR1 Pro 5G a much more compelling router.
- We shared more on 8.2.0 in a recent members-only Peplink Product Webinar - including giving a hands-on demonstration. An archive is available in the Video Library.
- The new firmware is compatible with nearly all Peplink routers, even most older models - and in our testing it has been working well.
- The new SpeedFusion Home Sharing feature is a potential way to avoid streaming services blocking certain types of traffic, such as local TV stations or sports. But using this feature requires leaving a second Peplink router installed at a residential address to route your traffic - an option that will not be practical for most.
Video Story:
For more information:
- Website: Peplink Firmware 8.2.0
Related Content at the Mobile Internet Resource Center:
- Produce Line Overview: Peplink Routers & Antennas
- Guide: Bonding, Load Balancing & Auto Failover
- Guide: Optimizing Cellular Data Performance (including using Band Selection)
Related Updates:
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