Product Overview
Availability note: Ericsson ended new sales of the E100 on March 11, 2026 and supports it through March 11, 2031. RCN's units are new, in original packaging, with a full NetCloud term. For new standardization, the E400 is the current small-branch platform.
The Ericsson Cradlepoint E100-5GC is a micro branch router: a 5G modem, a five-port gigabit switch, Wi-Fi 5, and a stateful firewall in one desktop appliance for small offices, pop-up locations, clinics, and kiosks that need enterprise connectivity without a rack. Cellular can be the primary link, a failover behind a wired circuit, or the only link at a temporary site.
It is the smallest FirstNet Trusted router in the Cradlepoint line, which is why counties and public-safety agencies use it for satellite offices and remote facilities. An optional battery keeps it online for up to eight hours when site power fails.
What the SKU includes: every option on this page bundles the router with its Ericsson NetCloud plan for the term you choose (Essentials, or Essentials + Advanced, for 1, 3, or 5 years). NetCloud is required to configure and manage Cradlepoint hardware, and the hardware warranty runs for as long as the plan is active.
Specifications
| Cellular | 5G FR1 NSA/SA (3GPP Rel. 16) with LTE Cat 19 fallback; 4x4 MIMO; peak NSA 3.4 Gbps DL / 550 Mbps UL, SA 2.4 Gbps / 450 Mbps, LTE 1.6 Gbps / 200 Mbps |
|---|---|
| SIM | Dual 4FF SIM slots; SIM-based automatic carrier selection |
| Ethernet | 5x GbE RJ45, LAN/WAN switchable |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band concurrent 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5): 300 Mbps + 867 Mbps; up to 248 clients; WPA3 |
| Antennas | 4x SMA cellular paddle antennas included; passive GNSS muxed with cellular antennas |
| Expansion | 1x USB 2.0; optional lithium-ion battery (7,800 mAh, up to 8 hours) |
| Performance | Stateful firewall 850 Mbps; IPS 250 Mbps; IPsec VPN 40 Mbps; 20 VPN tunnels; 32,000 sessions; typical 25 clients |
| Power | 12 VDC 3 A external supply (included); 4 W idle, 19.5 W typical while charging a battery |
| Environmental | 0 to 40 C operating; 10 to 90% humidity; indoor |
| Size / weight | 135 x 270 x 48 mm (5.3 x 10.6 x 1.9 in); 0.83 kg (1 lb 13 oz) |
| Certifications | FirstNet Trusted; AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon; PTCRB; FCC/IC; UL/cUL 62368-1; CBRS Band 48 (Part 96) |
| Management | Ericsson NetCloud Manager (plan included in each SKU); RCN's U.S.-based 24/7 NOC is available as a managed service (quoted separately) |
| Lifecycle | End of sale March 11, 2026; end of support March 11, 2031 |
Ericsson Cradlepoint E100 series datasheet
Right for you if
- You need a wired switch, Wi-Fi, and 5G in one small box for a site with 25 or fewer users
- The site is a satellite office, clinic, kiosk cluster, or pop-up that may never get a wired circuit
- You want FirstNet Trusted hardware at the smallest footprint Cradlepoint makes
- Battery-backed uptime matters and a UPS is overkill
E100 vs. E300 vs. E400
Choose the E100 for small sites where 850 Mbps of firewall throughput and 25 typical clients are plenty. Step up to the E300-5G for Wi-Fi 6, a 10 GbE SFP+ port, 940 Mbps firewall, and an MC400 slot for a second carrier. The E400 is the current-generation replacement: Wi-Fi 7, 2.5 GbE ports, embedded eSIM, and a 2.4 Gbps firewall. A pre-owned E100-C7C (LTE) is also available.
Common deployments
County satellite offices, small clinics, pop-up retail, temporary construction offices, election and polling sites, and branch failover behind an existing firewall.
What RCN adds
- Pre-provisioning: RCN can stage the unit in your NetCloud account so it ships ready to power on
- Installation nationwide through RCN's in-house install team (quoted separately)
- U.S.-based 24/7 NOC monitoring and support as a managed service (quoted separately)
- Purchase on GSA Schedule, NASPO ValuePoint, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, or Equalis Group, or on a PO for approved accounts
FAQ
Is it a problem that the E100 is end of sale?
Not for a deployment that fits it today. Ericsson supports the E100 through March 2031, NetCloud plans renew normally, and RCN's units are new. If you are standardizing a fleet for the next five-plus years, look at the E400 instead.
Does it need an external antenna?
The four SMA paddle antennas in the box are enough for most indoor sites. For a metal building or a basement closet, RCN can quote a wall or ceiling antenna kit and route the cable during install.
Is the NetCloud subscription included?
Yes. Each SKU pairs the E100-5GC with the NetCloud plan and term shown in the option name. Renewals are quoted before the term ends so the device never drops off management.
Does it come with antennas and a power supply?
Yes. Cradlepoint ships the cellular paddle antennas and the power supply in the box for these part numbers; see the specifications above for what is included with this model.
Can we purchase on a purchase order or government contract?
Yes. RCN sells through GSA Schedule and cooperative contracts including NASPO ValuePoint, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, and Equalis Group, and can invoice approved accounts on a PO.
What if it turns out to be the wrong model?
Talk to RCN before you order. We deploy this hardware every week and will tell you if a smaller or larger unit fits better; the comparison section above is a good start.
Antennas that fit the E100
The E100 comes with four cellular paddle antennas. When it sits in a metal building, a basement closet, or a rack, moving the antennas to a window or an outside wall usually improves signal. These Panorama 4x4 MIMO antennas connect to its four SMA cellular ports:
- Panorama DMM4-6-60 desk antenna: 4x4 MIMO cellular on a desk, wall, or adhesive mount, for moving signal pickup to a window. Covers 617–960 and 1427–6000 MHz, with 2 m cables.
- Panorama WMM4-7-49 wall/mast antenna: 4x4 MIMO cellular for an outside wall or mast, rated IP55. Covers 698–960 and 1710–4900 MHz. Choose the 5 m SMA Male option.
- Panorama DWMM4-6-60 omnidirectional antenna: 4x4 MIMO omnidirectional antenna for a desk, wall, mast, or pole, rated IP66. Choose the SMA Male, 5 m option.
- Panorama WMM4G-6-60 directional antenna: 4x4 MIMO directional panel with up to 9 dBi gain, for aiming at a distant tower from a wall or mast, rated IP65. Choose the SMA Male, 5 m option.
Compare more options in the antenna finder, or request a quote and we will confirm the right antenna and cable length for your install.
Need a formal quote, want to pay by PO, or not sure which model fits?
Request a quote or pay by PO | Call an RCN specialist: (865) 315-7373
Shipping is calculated by weight at checkout. Return requests are accepted within 30 days of purchase. See the shipping policy and return policy.