Is the Mobile Signal Light on your Smart Modem on? Let’s check.

Keeping you connected is our priority, so let’s get started – this will only take a few minutes.

First, select your modem type, and then follow the simple step by step instructions below.

For Telstra Smart Modem Generation 2

Plug removed from power wall socket

Step 1

Turn off your Smart Modem.

Modem back panel displayed showing location of SIM flap on right hand side above phone socket

Step 2

On the back of the modem, peel back the flap that is covering the SIM card port.

SIM in slot, arrow showing downward action

Step 3

Push down on the SIM card with your finger or a small flat object until you hear a click. The SIM will pop out slightly allowing it to be removed. If there was no click, the SIM may have been inserted the wrong way.

SIM is out of the slot, arrow showing outward motion

Step 4

Remove the SIM card.

SIM card being inserted into slot with arrow showing inward motion

Step 5

Reinsert the SIM card. It should be inserted notch-end first with the notch at the top and the gold contacts facing the Ethernet/WAN ports. If it is orientated the correct way you will hear a click and the SIM card will lock into place.

SIM flap cover moving towards SIM card slot

Step 6

Reattach the flap to cover the port again.

Plug is inserted into the power wall socket. 5 lights displayed on the Smart Modem panel. Green or orange mobile signal light is on

Step 7

Turn your modem back on . When the modem boots up (usually 2-3 minutes) the mobile signal light on the back of the modem should light up to a solid green or orange which indicates the modem has successfully contacted the mobile network.

Contact us or message us through the My Telstra app

Step 8

If the mobile signal light does not light up or is red, contact us or message us through the My Telstra app.

For Telstra Smart Modem Generation 1/Frontier Gateway

Plug removed from power wall socket, power light is off

Step 1

Turn off your Smart Modem.

Upright modem with arrow pointing to panel underneath. SIM is under a white square sticker

Step 2

Underneath the modem look for the SIM port. It may be covered with a white sticker that you can remove.

SIM in slot, arrow showing downward action and click

Step 3

Push down on the SIM card until you hear a click. You may need a small flat object to push it down enough to click and disengage the lock. The SIM will pop out slightly allowing it to be removed. If there was no click, the SIM may have been inserted the wrong way.

SIM is out of the slot, arrow showing outward motion

Step 4

Remove the SIM card.

SIM card being inserted into slot with arrow showing inward motion

Step 5

Reinsert the SIM card. There is a picture of the orientation the SIM card located next to the port. If it is orientated the correct way you will hear a click and the SIM card will lock into place. You may need a small flat object to push it down enough to click and engage the lock.

Plug is inserted into the power wall socket. Mobile signal green or orange light is on

Step 6

Turn your modem back on. When the modem boots up (usually 2-3 minutes) the mobile signal light on the top of the modem should light up which indicates the modem has successfully contacted the mobile network.

4 connection lights are displayed. Signal light is green. Mobile phone is shown

Step 7

If the mobile signal light does not light up or is red, contact us or message us through the My Telstra app.

Frequently asked questions

  • If you have followed the step by step instructions above, and your mobile signal light is still off, please message us through the My Telstra app. One of our agents will help you. 

  • There are currently three different generations of the Telstra Smart Modem. If you have any of these models (look on the back or base of your modem to find the model number), then you have a Telstra Smart Modem.

    • The Telstra Smart Modem 2.0 has ports arranged vertically down the back
    • The Telstra Smart Modem 1.1 and Telstra Frontier Gateway has ports arranged horizontally along the bottom edge on the back 
    • You can also check your Telstra Smart Modem model number by entering http://192.168.0.1/ in your browser and signing in with your username and password or you can use the default Username: admin and Password: Telstra. The model number will be listed as Hostname on the Home page.

    Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2

    • Model no.: LH 1000
    • Model no.: DJA 0231

    Telstra Smart Modem

    • Model no.: DJA 0230

    Telstra Frontier Gateway

    • Model no.: DJN 0231
  • Once your mobile signal light is on, it means that your Telstra Smart Modem is set up to automatically switch over to our backup mobile 4G network, if for some reason your normal connection drops out. Even if you don’t normally experience outages, by doing this you’ll be setting yourself up with a backup connection. So just in case something did happen, you’ll stay connected.

  • Understanding what the lights on your Telstra Smart Modem mean can help keep you informed about the status of your modem, including if it has switched over to the 4G mobile network. 

    Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2

    • If the light at the front of the modem is green it means your modem is connected to your normal home internet
    • If the light at the front of the modem is blue it means your modem is connected to the Telstra Mobile Network
    • It is also important to take note of the Mobile Signal strength indicator light when your modem is on the 4G mobile network. If the mobile signal is weak, you may need to move your modem for stronger signal strength.
    Front of Telstra Smart Modem showing indicator light on the bottom
    Back of Telstra Smart Modem showing mobile signal strength indicator at the top, green light is great, orange light is good, red light is weak

    Telstra Frontier Gateway & Telstra Smart Modem

    • If the “online” light on top of the modem is green it means your modem is connected to your normal home internet 
    • If the “online” light on top of the modem is magenta it means your modem is connected to the Telstra Mobile Network
    • It is also important to take note of the Mobile Signal strength indicator light when your modem is on the 4G mobile network. If the mobile signal is weak, you may need to move your modem for stronger signal strength - see below for how to optimise your Smart Modem.
    4 top light indicators shown on Telstra Smart Modem. Mobile signal strength indicator, green light is great, orange light is good, red light is weak. Online status light, magenta indicates connection to 4G backup, green indicates connection to fixed network