Forum Discussion
Please share your experience with tethered cellular
We've recently added a new docs page to include more information on connecting HoloLens to cellular networks. You can find it at https://aka.ms/HL5G. While hotspot / WiFi is sufficient for most use c...
hey Jared, we've tested successfully with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 mobile phone, plus collaborated with Netgear to test with their Nighthawk M1 (up to 1Gbps) and M2 (up to 2Gbps) mobile internet routers. We suggest the Netgear devices, as opposed to mobile phones, to our clients for a few reasons:
- avoid any risk of damage/drain of battery of a mobile phone, which may be needed for more important reasons later, e.g. emergency calling or location tracking
- not all users may have a suitable mobile phone (including appropriate data SIM) issued to them or that they're willing to use, whereas a dedicated mobile internet router and SIM is purposely there for its need then and can be shared between other users, especially if the HL2 is shared
- they're cheaper than most mobile phones
KEY THING TO NOTE: due to the USB-C standard, the HoloLens 2 will always try and charge the tethered device, which obviously has an impact on the battery life. We reported this to engineering a while back and unfortunately there's no way to get around it. For this reason, we also advise customers to consider something like the Belkin 'BOOSTCHARGE' 20K power bank (we collaborated with Belkin to find a suitable product for HL2) to enable remote workers to have easy access to mobile charging (even whilst using the HL2 if they're not using the USB-C port for anything else). I've also got a Galaxy S20+ and Microsoft Surface Duo phone here currently that i can test if that's any use?
- avoid any risk of damage/drain of battery of a mobile phone, which may be needed for more important reasons later, e.g. emergency calling or location tracking
- not all users may have a suitable mobile phone (including appropriate data SIM) issued to them or that they're willing to use, whereas a dedicated mobile internet router and SIM is purposely there for its need then and can be shared between other users, especially if the HL2 is shared
- they're cheaper than most mobile phones
KEY THING TO NOTE: due to the USB-C standard, the HoloLens 2 will always try and charge the tethered device, which obviously has an impact on the battery life. We reported this to engineering a while back and unfortunately there's no way to get around it. For this reason, we also advise customers to consider something like the Belkin 'BOOSTCHARGE' 20K power bank (we collaborated with Belkin to find a suitable product for HL2) to enable remote workers to have easy access to mobile charging (even whilst using the HL2 if they're not using the USB-C port for anything else). I've also got a Galaxy S20+ and Microsoft Surface Duo phone here currently that i can test if that's any use?
I have an unlocked Samsung S10 I am attempting to connect to HL2 via USB-C. It has not showed up as a connection as yet, can you share your specific Note 10 settings?
I am also currently testing the following devices with a goal of connecting HL2 to CBRS LTE networks;
Inseego Mifi 8000 - Can select USB Tether mode when HL2 connects but it does not show as available interface.
AMIT IDG120 - Not detected, tried both Windows Moe and Chromebook Mode
Sercomm Wingle - Not detected even though it is an RNDIS compatible device.
I'll share any progress as I work with the various vendors to develop a working solution.
Thanks all!
JR
- sure, it's basically the 'USB tethering' option on the USB settings. When i connect the cable, an item appears in the notifications list for the USB connection and it may default to something else such as 'Charging phone only'. If i select USB tethering then the HL2 will immediately detect the phone as an Ethernet connection and i'm good to go. I do also have the 'USB controlled by' setting set as 'This phone' instead of 'Connected device', in case that helps.
- I have confirmed the Sercomm USB Wingle uses RNDIS driver on two Win10 devices, a desktop and a Zebra Tablet. I saw Ethernet appear for a fraction of a second but then immediately went to 'No Internet' status. No Ethernet interfaces showed up in settings.