Data sheet

Ericsson Cradlepoint RC1250

2026-08-31

The Ericsson Cradlepoint RC1250 is a ruggedized Captive Modem accessory that is paired with select Ericsson Cradlepoint ruggedized routers. In some deployments, a captive modem accessory must be located optimally to secure the strongest cellular signal, or multiple captive modems build reliable, multi-WAN networks.  This accessory can be added to select versions of prior Ericsson Cradlepoint 5G or LTE routers so that they can take advantage of the latest 5G Stand Alone (SA) functionality and extend the installed product’s longevity.

 

Captive Modem mode enables the RC1250 to operate in a separate physical location from its paired Ericsson Cradlepoint router while still being controlled as a single entity within NetCloud which simplifies management and licensing. In this mode, the RC1250 appears in NetCloud as a modem WAN interface, capable of adding additional active or passive WAN connections to the network, enhancing Wireless WAN capacity for load balancing, redundancy, or standby failover.

 

Leveraging 5G SA connectivity, the RC1250 provides access to advanced capabilities such as network slicing for dedicated service tiers made available through cellular Carriers and eSIM functionality, allowing seamless carrier switching without physically replacing SIM cards. This accessory supports all Wireless WAN features found in NetCloud for routers with an embedded modem, including Smart WAN Selection, WAN Verify, and automatic failover/failback, while the router serves as the controller to streamline deployment, centralized management, and reduce licensing costs.

High-Performance Vehicle Connectivity

For high-performance vehicle connectivity, the RC1250 Captive Modem delivers resilient, low-latency 5G SA links tailored for mobile offices and mission-critical transport applications. Its ruggedized form factor is engineered for in-vehicle use, with tolerance for wide temperature ranges, shock, and vibration, ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments. Dual-SIM dual-standby provides near-instant failover between carriers so in-vehicle systems such as dispatch, video, telemetry, and passenger stay connected without interruption.

 

When paired with the Ericsson Cradlepoint R2400 ruggedized mobile router, up to five RC1250 captive modems can be connected via plug-and-play 2.5GbE ports, allowing easy future upgrades with new modem releases and delivering greater aggregated bandwidth and carrier diversity. This multi-modem architecture provides more connectivity and carrier options than any Ericsson Cradlepoint router before, giving customers improved uptime, bandwidth aggregation, and route diversity for better operational continuity and user experience.

Product PageEricsson NetCloud ServiceQuick Start Guide

The following features are delivered through the hardware.

INTERFACES 
Modem:

Embedded 5GF NR FR1 low-, mid-band, and 4G LTE Category 20 modem

  • 4 x SMA cellular antenna connectors†
Ethernet:1 x 2.5 GbE RJ45 (LAN/WAN switchable)
PoE:N/A
Wi-Fi:N/A
Bluetooth:N/A
Expansion / Console:N/A
GNSS / GPS:N/A
ENVIRONMENTAL 
Temperature:
  • Operating: -40 °C to 70 °C (-40 °F to 158 °F)
  • Storage: -40 °C to 85 °C (-40 °F to 185 °F)
Humidity:
  • Operating: 5% to 95%
  • Storage: 5% to 95%
Ingress Protection:IP64 (dust tight and splashing water)
POWER 
Required:

DC input steady state voltage range: 9–36 VDC (requires in-line fuse for vehicle installations)

  • For 9–24 VDC installations, use a 3 A fuse
  • For > 24 VDC installations, use a 2 A fuse
  • Connector type: 4-pin 2x2 Molex micro-fit
Features:
  • ISO 7637-2 reverse polarity and transient voltage protection
  • Ignition sensing (automatic ON & time-delay OFF)
Consumption:
  • Sleep: 15 mW
  • Idle: 1.7 W
  • Typical: 3.3 W
  • Heavy: 8.7 W

Conditions:

  • 12 V or 24 V input
  • 25 °C (77 °F)
PHYSICAL 
Size:108 x 93 x 31 mm (4.23 x 3.65 x 1.21 in)
Weight:328 g (11.6 oz)
RELIABILITY 
Calculated MTBF:2,540,101 hours (Telcordia SR332 at 25 °C)
CERTIFICATIONS 
Safety:
  • UL/cUL
  • CB Scheme
  • EN 62368-1
Vehicle:
  • E-Mark
  • SAE J1455
Substance Compliance:
  • RoHS 2011/65/EC and its amendments
  • REACH 1907/2006 and its amendments
  • TSCA 40 CFR Part 751 and 40 CFR 721
  • California Proposition 65
  • Canadian Toxic Substance Act SOR/2012-285
Shock/Vibration/Humidity:
  • Operational Vibration (MIL STD 810H: Part Two, Method 514.8, Procedure 1)
  • Functional Shock 40G (MIL STD 810H: Part Two, Method 516.8, Procedure 1)
  • Crash Hazard Shock 75G (MIL STD 810H: Part Two, Method 516.8, Procedure 5)
North American Fire Safety:NFPA 130
Flame Smoke Toxicity Test:

BSS 7239

Hazardous Locations:Class I Div 2
CLOUD SERVICES 
Service Plans:Ericsson NetCloud Service for Mobile Performance
Service Add-Ons:NetCloud Exchange, Ericsson NetCloud Advanced
Support:Ericsson NetCloud packages include support for the full subscription term.
Warranty:All Ericsson Cradlepoint hardware products are covered by a limited lifetime warranty for as long as they have a subscription license to an active Ericsson NetCloud Service plan.
Device Management:NetCloud Manager for the full subscription term.
Software Updates:NetCloud Manager for the full subscription term.
PERFORMANCE†† 
IP Passthrough Mode:2.0 Gbps
Standard NAT Mode:2.0 Gbps
Captive Modem Mode:1.3 Gbps
COMPATIBILITY 
Supported Ericsson Cradlepoint Routers:
  • IBR1700 ruggedized router
  • R920 ruggedized router
  • R980 ruggedized secure appliance and router
  • R1900 5G router
  • R2400 ruggedized router
LEDs 
 Refer to the RC1250 Captive Modem Quick Start Guide.
†All antenna interfaces require cabled out external antennas and are not compatible with direct-attached antennas.

††Performance testing was conducted based on requirements as defined in RFC2544 using fixed-frame 1518-byte packets. Throughput results reflect unidirectional UDP traffic with less than 1% packet loss as tested with wired connections. Results do not reflect performance of the cellular wireless operator networks.

SPECIFICATIONRC1250-5GF-NA (Americas)
Technology:

5G FR1 NSA/SA and 4G LTE

  • LTE Advanced Pro Category 20
  • Dual SIM slots, 4FF form factor, dual eSIM
  • 3GPP Release 17
Carrier Aggregation:

5G SA

  • Downlink:  Up to 3 CA (Max 200 MHz bandwidth)
  • Uplink: 2 CA

5G NSA

  • Downlink: Up to 2 CA (5G NR) + Up to 5 CA (LTE)
  • Uplink: 1 CA (5G NR) + 1 CA (LTE) 

LTE

  • Downlink: Up to 5 CA
  • Uplink: Up to 2 CA

See Understanding Carrier Aggregation.

Peak Rates:
  • Downlink: Up to 4.9 Gbps
  • Uplink: Up to 900 Mbps
MIMO:
  • Downlink: 4x4 MIMO
  • Uplink: 2x2 MIMO
Modulation:

5G FR1

  • Downlink: Up to 256 QAM
  • Uplink: Up to 256 QAM
5G NR Bands:

NSA and SA

  • Power Class 1.5: n41 (2500), n77 (3700), n78 (3500)
  • Power Class 2: n2 (1900), n25 (1900), n41 (2500), n66 (1700/2100), n71 (600), n77 (3700), n78 (3500)
  • Power Class 3: n2 (1900), n5 (850), n7 (2600), n12 (700), n13 (700), n14 (700), n25 (1900), n26 (850), n29 DL (700), n30 (2300), n38 (2600), n41 (2500), n48 (3500), n66 (1700/2100), n70 (2000), n71 (600), n77 (3700), n78 (3500)
4G/LTE Bands:
  • Power Class 2: B38 (2600), B41 (2500), B42 (3500), B43 (3700)
  • Power Class 3: B2 (1900), B4 (1700), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B12 (700), B13 (700), B14 (700), B17 (700), B25 (1900), B26 (850), B29 DL (700), B30 (2300), B38 (2600), B41 (2500), B42 (3500), B43 (3700), B48 (3500), B66 (1700), B71 (600)
Power:

5G NR

  • Power Class 1.5: 29 dBm
  • Power Class 2: 26 dBm
  • Power Class 3: 23 dBm

LTE

  • Power Class 2: 26 dBm
  • Power Class 3: 23 dBm

Transmit power may be lower on select bands due to regulatory restrictions.

Tolerances according to 3GPP TS 38.521-1 and 3GPP TS 36.521-1

GNSS/GPS:N/A
SMS:Yes
Regulatory:
  • FCC (U.S.)
  • IC (Canada)
Network Operator Standards:PTCRB (U.S., Canada)
GCF Global Operators:https://www.globalcertificationforum.org/membership/gcf-members-directory.html†
PTCRB North America Operators:

https://www.ptcrb.com/about/

Network Operator Certifications†:
  • AT&T
  • T-Mobile
  • Verizon
Public Safety Network Certifications:
  • FirstNet Trusted™ (Certification in progress)
  • T-Mobile T-Priority
  • Verizon Frontline Verified (Certification in progress)
Private Cellular Network:Yes, includes FCC Part 96 (CBRS Band 48)
SPECIFICATIONRC1250-5GF-GL (EMEA, APAC, and parts of LATAM)
Technology:

5G FR1 NSA/SA and 4G LTE

  • LTE Advanced Pro Category 20
  • Dual SIM slots, 4FF form factor, dual eSIM
  • 3GPP Release 17
3G:WCDMA/UMTS/HSPA+
Carrier Aggregation:

5G SA

  • Downlink: Up to 3 CA (Max 200 MHz bandwidth)
  • Uplink: 2 CA

5G NSA

  • Downlink: Up to 2 CA (5G NR) + Up to 5 CA (LTE)
  • Uplink: 1 CA (5G NR) + 1 CA (LTE)

LTE Only

  • Downlink: Up to 6 CA
  • Uplink: Up to 2 CA

See Understanding Carrier Aggregation.

Peak Rates:
  • Downlink: 4.9 Gbps
  • Uplink: 900 Mbps
MIMO:
  • Downlink: 4x4 MIMO
  • Uplink: 2x2 MIMO
Modulation:

5G FR1

  • Downlink: Up to 256 QAM
  • Uplink: Up to 256 QAM
5G NR Bands:

NSA and SA

  • Power Class 1.5: n41 (2500), n77 (3700), n78 (3500), n79 (4900)
  • Power Class 2: n41 (2500), n77 (3700), n78 (3500), n79 (4900)
  • Power Class 3: n1 (2100), n3 (1800), n5 (850), n7 (2600), n8 (900), n20 (800), n28 (700), n38 (2600), n40 (2300), n41 (2500), n75 DL (1500), n77 (3700), n78 (3500), n79 (4900)
4G/LTE Bands:
  • Power Class 2: B38 (2600), B41 (2500), B42 (3500), B43 (3700)
  • Power Class 3: B1 (2100), B3 (1800), B5 (850), B7 (2600), B8 (900), B18 (850), B19 (850), B20 (800), B28 (700), B32 DL (1500), B38 (2600), B40 (2300), B41 (2500), B42 (3500), B43 (3700), B68 (700)
3G Bands:1, 5, 6, 8, 19
Power:

5G NR

  • Power Class 1.5: 29 dBm
  • Power Class 2: 26 dBm
  • Power Class 3: 23 dBm

LTE

  • Power Class 2: 26 dBm
  • Power Class 3: 23 dBm

Tolerance according to 3GPP TS 38.521-1, 3GPP TS 36.521-1 and 3GPP TS 34.121-1

GNSS/GPS:N/A
SMS:Yes
Regulatory:
  • CE (EU)
  • RCM (AU/NZ)
Network Operator Standards:GCF (Worldwide)
GCF Global Operators:https://www.globalcertificationforum.org/membership/gcf-members-directory.html†
PTCRB North America Operators:https://www.ptcrb.com/about/ 
Network Operator Certifications:
  • EE
  • Telstra
Public Safety Network Certifications:ESN (4G)
Private Cellular Network:N/A
†Cellular carriers and operators throughout the world may only require telecom industry certifications, like PTCRB or GCF, to operate on their network. Some carriers require additional testing and approval, beyond telecom certifications, to operate on their network. A listed carrier means Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions completed additional testing and acquired technical approval for that given carrier. Any carrier not listed may not require additional testing or approval beyond telecom industry certifications to operate on their network.
†Cellular carriers and operators throughout the world may only require telecom industry certifications, like PTCRB or GCF, to operate on their network. Some carriers require additional testing and approval, beyond telecom certifications, to operate on their network. A carrier listed in the approvals section means Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions completed additional testing and acquired technical approval for that given carrier. Any carrier not listed may not require additional testing or approval beyond telecom industry certifications to operate on their network.

SIM Card Info

The Ericsson Cradlepoint RC1250 captive modem is an accessory for an Ericsson Cradlepoint R2400 router that is licensed to a NetCloud Service Plan.

For details on the features available to a licensed Ericsson Cradlepoint router by service plan, refer to the summary on the NetCloud Service webpage and the detail in the NetCloud Service Features document

Ordering Options for the RC1250 Captive Modem

REGION PART NUMBER
North America:
U.S. & Canada		5G Captive Modem Accessory, Ruggedized Mobile, Americas170900-023
United States:
Federal Government		TAA Compliant 5G Captive Modem Accessory, Ruggedized Mobile, AmericasTAA-170900-023
Rest of World:
Australia, European Union, New Zealand, and United Kingdom		5G Captive Modem Accessory, Ruggedized Mobile, Global170900-024

INCLUDEDPART NUMBER
Power Cable, 2x2, 3 M, 20 AWG170864-001
Small Accessories KitN/A
OPTIONAL 

One of the following:

  • Power Supply, 12 VDC, 2x2, 1.5 meters (North America Type A)
  • Power Supply, 12 VDC, 2x2, 1.5 meters (North America-United Kingdom-Europe-Australia Types A-G-C-I)

 

 

170716-001

170717-000

Mounting Bracket170942-000

The Ericsson Cradlepoint RC1250 captive modem is only sold as a component of Ericsson NetCloud Mobile Performance Essentials or Essentials + Advanced packages.

  • Ericsson NetCloud packages include support for the full subscription term.
  • All Ericsson Cradlepoint hardware products are covered by a limited lifetime warranty for as long as they have a subscription license to an active Ericsson NetCloud Service plan.

 

Find the most up-to-date information at cradlepoint.com/rc1250