
Product Overview
The Ericsson Cradlepoint R1900 is a ruggedized 5G router built for vehicles that cannot lose their connection, including police and fire units, EMS, transit, and utility fleets. Its embedded 5G modem reaches a peak of 4.14 Gbps down and 660 Mbps up with 4x4 MIMO, and it falls back to Cat 20 LTE when the vehicle leaves 5G coverage. Wi-Fi 6, four gigabit ports, Bluetooth LE, and discrete GNSS with dead reckoning are built in.
What separates the R1900 from smaller vehicle routers is headroom and expansion. Cradlepoint rates it for 100 typical clients and 940 Mbps of firewall and IPS throughput. The optional RX30-MC accessory adds a second modular modem for simultaneous dual-carrier connectivity, the RX30-POE adds four 802.3bt PoE ports, and the router can control a separate Cradlepoint 5G wideband adapter mounted on the roof.
What the SKU includes: every option on this page bundles the router with its Ericsson NetCloud Mobile Performance 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. Per Cradlepoint, these part numbers ship without an AC power supply or antennas.
Specifications
| Part numbers | MB0x-19005GB-GA (Essentials) and MBAx-19005GB-GA (Essentials + Advanced), where x = 1, 3, or 5 years |
|---|---|
| Cellular | 5G FR1 NSA/SA (3GPP Rel. 15) with LTE Advanced Pro Cat 20 fallback; 4x4 MIMO; peak 4.14 Gbps DL / 660 Mbps UL; CBRS Band 48 |
| SIM | Dual 4FF SIM slots |
| Ethernet | 4x GbE, LAN/WAN switchable |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band concurrent 2x2 MU-MIMO 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) with DFS: 574 Mbps + 1,200 Mbps; WPA3; 802.11k/v |
| Bluetooth | Embedded Bluetooth Low Energy 5.2 |
| GNSS | Discrete active GNSS with dead reckoning; GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou |
| Antenna connectors | 4x SMA cellular, 2x RP-SMA Wi-Fi, 1x RP-SMA Bluetooth, 1x SMA GNSS; cabled external antennas required (not included) |
| Expansion | 1x USB 2.0, 1x DB9 RS-232, 8-pin GPIO; optional RX30-MC (modular modem slot + 4x GbE) or RX30-POE (4x 802.3bt PoE, 60 W budget) |
| Performance | Stateful firewall 940 Mbps; IPS/app-aware 940 Mbps; IPsec VPN 400 Mbps; 20 VPN tunnels; 32,000 sessions; typical 100 clients; 64 VLANs |
| Power | 9 to 36 VDC with ignition sensing and ISO 7637-2 protection; 11 W idle, 19 W typical, 22 W heavy |
| Environmental | -30 to 75 C (-22 to 167 F) operating; 5 to 95% humidity; IP64 |
| Ruggedization | MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration; Class I Div 2; SAE J1455; E-Mark; EN 50155 Class S1; NFPA 130 |
| Size / weight | 172 x 148 x 41 mm (6.77 x 5.82 x 1.61 in); 0.98 kg (2.15 lb) |
| Certifications | FirstNet Trusted, T-Mobile Connecting Heroes, Verizon Frontline Verified; AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon; PTCRB/GCF; FCC/IC; UL/cUL |
| In the box | R1900 router, GPIO power cable (2x2, 3 m), mounting screws and template; no AC power supply or antennas |
| Management | Ericsson NetCloud Mobile Performance plan (included in each SKU); RCN's U.S.-based 24/7 NOC is available as a managed service (quoted separately) |
Ericsson Cradlepoint R1900 series datasheet
Compatibility
- Works with: the Cradlepoint RX30-MC managed accessory and MC400 modular modem (second modem), the RX30-POE managed accessory (PoE switch), and Cradlepoint 5G wideband adapters sold as R1900 captive modem accessories, such as the W1850 and W1855 captive models
- Antennas: cabled external antennas with SMA cellular and GNSS connectors and RP-SMA Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectors; the R1900 is not compatible with direct-attached antennas
- Power: 9 to 36 VDC vehicle wiring through the included GPIO cable (an in-line fuse is required for vehicle installs), or the optional Cradlepoint 12 V power supply for fixed or bench use
- Limits: RX30 accessories are not supported when the router operates above 70 C
Right for you if
- You are outfitting police, fire, EMS, transit, or utility vehicles and need FirstNet Trusted 5G
- The vehicle carries many devices, such as laptops, tablets, cameras, and sensors, and needs room for up to 100 typical clients
- You want the option to add a second carrier later with the RX30-MC instead of replacing the router
- You need GNSS with dead reckoning for automatic vehicle location
R1900 vs. R980 vs. R920
Choose the R1900 for the most capacity and expansion in a vehicle. The R980 is smaller and costs less, with a Release 16 5G modem, eSIM, and network slicing, but it has two gigabit ports, a typical client count of 50, and no RX30 expansion. The R920 is the LTE option (Cat 7, 300 Mbps) for fleets that do not need 5G. For a portable kit built on this router, see the PNK R1900 Single Modem and the PNK R1900 Dual Modem. A pre-owned R1900-5GB is also available.
Common deployments
Police patrol and command vehicles, fire apparatus and EMS units, transit buses and light rail, utility and public-works trucks, and mobile command centers.
What RCN adds
- Pre-provisioning: RCN can stage the unit in your NetCloud account so it ships ready to power on
- Vehicle 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
Does the R1900 come with antennas and a power supply?
No. Cradlepoint ships these part numbers without an AC power supply or antennas. The box includes the router, a 3-meter GPIO power cable for vehicle wiring, and mounting hardware. The R1900 needs cabled external antennas for cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GNSS, so plan a matched vehicle antenna and power accessory with the router. RCN can quote both on the same order.
Can it run two carriers at the same time?
Yes, with the optional RX30-MC managed accessory and an MC400 modular modem. The RX30-MC adds a second modem slot and four gigabit ports, which gives the vehicle simultaneous dual-carrier connectivity. Without the accessory, the R1900 has one embedded 5G modem and two SIM slots, so it can hold a second carrier's SIM but uses one modem connection at a time.
Is the R1900 FirstNet Trusted?
Yes. Cradlepoint lists the R1900 as FirstNet Trusted, and it also carries T-Mobile Connecting Heroes and Verizon Frontline Verified certifications. It is carrier-certified on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Agencies can activate it on FirstNet or on another certified carrier's public-safety plan without changing hardware.
What does the NetCloud plan include?
Each SKU includes the NetCloud Mobile Performance plan for the term in the option name. Essentials covers cloud management, software updates, and Cradlepoint support for the full term. Advanced adds threat management, web filtering, application visibility, analytics, and coverage maps. The hardware warranty lasts as long as a plan is active, and RCN quotes renewals before the term ends.
Will it work on a bus, train, or heavy truck?
Yes. Cradlepoint rates the R1900 for light rail at 24 VDC nominal and certifies it to EN 50155 Class S1, EN 45545-2 HL3, and NFPA 130 for rail fire safety. Its 9 to 36 VDC input with ignition sensing and transient protection suits bus and truck electrical systems, and the IP64 housing keeps out dust and splashing water.
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 purchase order. Use the quote link below to request a formal quote you can route through procurement, or check out online with a card.
Antennas that fit the R1900
The R1900 ships without antennas. It has four SMA cellular connectors, two RP-SMA Wi-Fi connectors, and one SMA GNSS connector, and Cradlepoint specifies cabled external antennas for these connections. These Panorama antennas match those ports:
- Panorama TK4SP2SPRVGPSME starter kit: Four cellular and two Wi-Fi paddle antennas plus a magnetic GPS antenna, made by Panorama for the R1900. It suits demos and bench tests; for an installed vehicle, Cradlepoint specifies cabled external antennas.
- Panorama BATGM4-6-60-D covert antenna: 4x4 MIMO cellular, 2x2 Wi-Fi, and GPS in one low-profile unit that mounts inside the vehicle on the dash or glass. Covers 617–960 and 1427–6000 MHz, with 3 m cables.
- Panorama GP-IN2680 Dual Sharkee kit: 4x4 MIMO cellular, 2x2 Wi-Fi, and GPS in a roof-mounted dual shark fin. Covers 617–960 and 1427–6000 MHz, with 5 m cables. Choose the GP-IN2680 option to include Wi-Fi.
- Panorama LG-IN2445 7-in-1 dome kit: 4x4 MIMO cellular, two Wi-Fi elements, and GPS in a roof-mounted dome. Covers 617–960, 1710–3800, and 4900–6000 MHz, with 5 m cables.
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.