This is certainly not a groundbreaking solution, but it offered a great solution for my mom. The key takeaway here is that through this simple project, I have reliable remote access to my mom’s network and can make sure she has a smooth experience from a distance.

Why: Tackling the Challenge of Rural Internet Access

Living in a rural area has its perks—peace, space, and a close connection to nature. However, one significant downside is the lack of reliable and affordable internet options. My mom, who lives in a remote location, has been struggling with this issue for years. The available internet services were either prohibitively expensive or painfully slow, making even basic online tasks frustrating.

Recently, I discovered that T-Mobile’s 5G network had excellent coverage in her area. Unfortunately, their home internet service wasn’t officially available there. After speaking with a T-Mobile representative, they agreed to bypass this restriction, opening the door to part of the solution. I wanted to have a secure remote access solution that would allow me to manage the network from a distance, ensuring that my mom had reliable internet access and support whenever needed. T-Mobile doesn’t offer an off-the-shelf solution for this. This what the majority of this project is.

What: Crafting a Reliable, Remote-Friendly Setup

My solution involved using a Raspberry Pi 4 as a mini-server, paired with T-Mobile’s 5G service. I chose the Raspberry Pi because of its versatility, affordability, and small footprint—perfect for a simple, yet powerful home network setup. I installed CasaOS on the Raspberry Pi to give it a user-friendly interface and added features like JellyFin for media streaming, which I thought my mom would enjoy.

To address the need for remote management, I utilized Cloudflare Tunnels/Warp. This setup allows me to securely access the Raspberry Pi and the network remotely, making it possible to troubleshoot issues without having to drive over an hour to my mom’s house. Additionally, I configured the Raspberry Pi to use my mom’s phone as a backup hotspot connection. This means that if the T-Mobile internet goes down, my mom can unplug the Ethernet cable from the Raspberry Pi, turn on her phone’s hotspot, and I’ll be able to regain remote access to diagnose and fix the issue.

How: Step-by-Step Implementation

Getting T-Mobile 5G Up and Running

• Engaging with T-Mobile: After discussing my mom’s situation with a T-Mobile rep, they agreed to activate home internet at her location, even though it wasn’t officially supported.

• Setting Up the Router: Once the service was active, I configured the T-Mobile 5G router to ensure a stable connection. This involved optimizing the router’s placement to maximize signal strength and performing basic security configurations.

Setting Up the Raspberry Pi

• Installing CasaOS: I began by flashing CasaOS onto a microSD card and inserting it into the Raspberry Pi 4. CasaOS provides a simple, intuitive interface that’s perfect for managing the mini-server.

• You can easily install CasaOs by visiting https://casaos.io/

• Configuring Cloudflare Tunnels/Warp: With CasaOS up and running, I set up Cloudflare Tunnels/Warp to establish a secure, remote connection. This step was crucial for allowing me to troubleshoot the network from anywhere.

• Setting Up Backup Connectivity: I configured the Raspberry Pi to connect to my mom’s phone hotspot as a secondary network option. If the T-Mobile connection fails, I can still access the Raspberry Pi remotely by instructing my mom to switch to the hotspot.

Ensuring User-Friendliness

• Simplifying Recovery Steps for My Mom: To make the system as easy as possible for my mom, I documented a simple recovery process: if the internet goes down, she just needs to unplug the Ethernet cable from the Raspberry Pi and enable her phone’s hotspot. This restores remote access for me to diagnose and fix the issue.

• Adding a Personal Touch with JellyFin: Knowing that my mom enjoys watching movies, I set up JellyFin on the Raspberry Pi. This turned the Raspberry Pi into a media server, allowing her to stream her favorite content directly from the device.

The Outcome: Reliable Internet and Peace of Mind

Thanks to this setup, my mom now has reliable internet for the first time in over a decade. The combination of T-Mobile’s 5G network and the Raspberry Pi has provided her with a stable connection, and she’s been able to enjoy the perks of being online without the frustrations she faced in the past.

For me, the ability to manage and troubleshoot her network remotely has been a game-changer. I no longer have to worry about making long trips to fix minor issues, as I can handle everything from the comfort of my home. Plus, the added media streaming capabilities have made the setup even more valuable to her daily life.

Looking ahead, I’m considering further enhancements, such as setting up automated alerts if the network goes down or adding additional services to the Raspberry Pi that could be useful to my mom.

If you’re facing a similar challenge or want to explore a unique tech project, I encourage you to try something like this. With some creativity and the right tools, it’s possible to bring reliable internet and remote management capabilities to even the most rural locations.