Teltonika RUT286 Global LTE Cat 4 Router

Teltonika RUT286 global LTE Cat 4 router with eSIM, RS232/RS485 and dual PoE input

The Teltonika RUT286 (RUT286AAAAA0) is an industrial LTE Cat 4 router built for global deployments where serial equipment integration, flexible power input, and broad band coverage matter. Its Telit modem covers LTE FDD bands B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B9, B12, B13, B14, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, and B28, plus seven UMTS bands and four GSM bands, making it compatible with networks across Europe, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Africa. It ships as the A***** hardware variant without a PSU, so order code RUT286AAAAA0 is the standard package.

What sets the RUT286 apart in the RUT range is the combination of RS232 and RS485 on a single 6-pin terminal block, a triple SIM architecture (two Mini SIM slots plus integrated eSIM), and a power input range that stretches to 57 V DC. Active 802.3af PoE input on the LAN port and passive PoE Mode A/B through the same port mean the router can be powered over Ethernet without a separate supply run, which simplifies installations in panels, kiosks, and enclosures where separate cabling is impractical. RutOS provides the full industrial protocol stack: Modbus TCP and RTU, DNP3, DLMS/COSEM, OPC UA, and BACnet, alongside the complete VPN suite.

Key features

• Global LTE Cat 4 via Telit modem: 150 Mbps down, 50 Mbps up, 18 LTE FDD bands, 7 UMTS bands, 4 GSM bands, 3GPP Release 10.
• Triple SIM architecture: 2 x Mini SIM (2FF) in a double-stacked tray plus integrated consumer eSIM supporting up to 7 downloadable profiles. Auto-switch on weak signal, data limit, SMS limit, roaming, no network, network denied, or data connection fail.
• RS232 and RS485 serial: Both interfaces on a single 6-pin terminal block. Supports Modbus RTU (RS232 and RS485), DNP3 RTU (RS232 and RS485), DLMS/COSEM (RS232 and RS485), serial over IP, and NTRIP client.
• Flexible PoE and DC power: 9-57 V DC on 2-pin industrial connector; active 802.3af PoE input on LAN port; passive PoE Mode A/B 16-57 V DC on LAN port. Reverse polarity protection, surge protection to 58 V DC.
• Industrial protocol stack: Modbus TCP/RTU client and server, OPC UA client/server (TCP), DNP3 station/outstation (RTU and TCP), DLMS/COSEM client (RTU and TCP), BACnet router (RTU RS485, TCP), Modbus MQTT Gateway.
• Full RutOS VPN suite: OpenVPN (27 encryption methods), IPsec (IKEv1/IKEv2, 14 methods), WireGuard, ZeroTier, GRE, DMVPN (Phase 2 and 3), L2TP, Stunnel, SSTP, Tinc, EoIP, OpenConnect.
• Micro SD card slot: Internal slot, up to 2 TB, supports FAT32, NTFS, ext2, ext3, ext4. Usable for Samba share and local data logging.
• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11b/g/n): Access Point and Station modes, up to 50 simultaneous clients, WPA3-SAE, WPA3-EAP, WPA2-PSK, WPA2-Enterprise, 802.11r fast roaming, 802.11s mesh.
• Compact aluminium enclosure: 83 x 25 x 83 mm, 132 g, IP30, -40 to +65 °C operating range. DIN rail, wall mount, and flat surface mounting kits available separately.
• Teltonika RMS compatible: Full remote management, configuration, alerts, FOTA, and RMS Connect access. Integrates with Azure IoT Hub, AWS IoT Core, ThingWorx, and Cumulocity.

What is the RUT286 used for?

Smart metering and utility telemetry

Water, gas, and electricity meters using DLMS/COSEM or Modbus RTU over RS485 connect directly to the RUT286 serial port without a protocol converter. The global band support means the same hardware can be deployed across UK, European, and international utility networks. A fixed IP SIM allows the head-end system to initiate connections to each meter point without requiring port forwarding through carrier-grade NAT.

Remote substation and DNP3 SCADA

DNP3 outstation mode over RS485 makes the RUT286 a direct serial gateway for IEC 61968-compliant SCADA systems monitoring remote substations and distribution equipment. The 57 V DC input tolerance accommodates substation battery bus voltages, and the passive PoE option simplifies power delivery at sites where a single Ethernet cable can reach the cabinet from a managed switch. SIM auto-switch, once configured in RutOS, provides automatic failover between two physical SIM cards on network loss or signal degradation.

Industrial automation and OPC UA edge connectivity

OPC UA server mode on the RUT286 allows PLCs and SCADA clients to subscribe to router parameters, mobile signal quality, and interface status over TCP. Combined with Modbus TCP client polling of downstream devices, the router acts as a lightweight protocol bridge for factory automation and process control applications. The Modbus MQTT Gateway adds a path to cloud IoT platforms without custom middleware.

Remote kiosk, retail, and payment terminal backhaul

The 9-57 V DC input range and 802.3af PoE input make the RUT286 easy to install in kiosk and payment terminal enclosures that typically carry 12 V, 24 V, or 48 V bus rails. The integrated eSIM removes the need to pre-provision a physical SIM before deployment in multi-country rollouts. Once configured, SIM profile selection can be managed remotely via RMS without physical access to the unit.

Construction site and temporary infrastructure

Construction sites, event venues, and temporary facilities often power equipment from 24 V or 48 V DC distribution, which the RUT286 handles natively. The RS485 port covers site sensors, access control panels, and environmental monitors using Modbus RTU. Wi-Fi provides local connectivity for site office equipment, with the cellular WAN providing the backhaul independently of fixed broadband.

Pro tip

The RUT286 supports both active 802.3af PoE and passive PoE on the same LAN port, but these are not interchangeable. Active 802.3af PoE input requires a compliant 802.3af power sourcing equipment (PSE) on the switch side. Passive PoE on the RUT286 operates at 16-57 V DC and uses Mode A/B on all four pairs. Do not connect a 48 V 802.3af switch port to the RUT286 LAN and expect passive PoE to function correctly. Check your injector or switch output type before connecting. For panel installations, a dedicated 24 V passive PoE injector matched to the panel supply voltage is the most reliable approach. See our Teltonika RMS explainer for guidance on remote management once the unit is powered and online.

Frequently asked questions

Does the RUT286 support dual SIM failover?

Yes. The RUT286 has two Mini SIM (2FF) slots plus an integrated eSIM, giving three SIM inputs in total. SIM switching must be configured in the RutOS WebUI. Auto-switch triggers include weak signal, data limit reached, SMS limit, roaming, no network, network denied, and data connection failure. For inbound connections and remote management, a fixed IP SIM removes the carrier-grade NAT constraint that affects standard mobile data connections.

What serial interfaces does the RUT286 have?

The RUT286 has both RS232 and RS485 on a single 6-pin terminal block on the rear panel. RS485 is half-duplex 2-wire. RS232 is without hardware flow control signals. Both interfaces support Modbus RTU, DNP3 RTU, and DLMS/COSEM. Serial over IP and NTRIP client are also available via RutOS. The 6-pin connector pinout is: D+ (RS485), GND, TX (RS232) on pins 1-3 and D- (RS485), GND, RX (RS232) on pins 4-6.

How does PoE input work on the RUT286?

The RUT286 accepts two types of PoE input on its LAN port. Active 802.3af PoE input works with any standard 802.3af compliant PSE switch or injector. Passive PoE input accepts 16-57 V DC using Mode A/B across all four pairs. These are separate input modes: do not mix a 48 V 802.3af injector with a passive PoE configuration. The 2-pin DC power connector accepts 9-57 V DC and can be used instead of or alongside PoE. Read our VPN on cellular routers guide if you need to configure secure tunnels once the unit is installed.

What is the eSIM on the RUT286 and does it include a data plan?

The RUT286 includes a consumer-type integrated eSIM supporting up to 7 downloadable profiles via standard eSIM provisioning. The eSIM does not include a data plan. An active eSIM data plan must be obtained separately from a compatible operator. The bootstrap eSIM profile is pre-installed at the factory for initial provisioning. For more on eSIM router deployments, see our eSIM routers explainer.

What SIM card format does the RUT286 use?

The two physical SIM slots use Mini SIM (2FF) format in a double-stacked tray. This is the older, larger SIM format. The tray is on the front panel, accessible by removing the panel as indicated on the housing. Check the SIM format before ordering as most current phones and IoT SIM suppliers default to Nano (4FF) or Micro (3FF), both of which require an adapter. A SIM adapter kit is included in the standard package.

What is Teltonika RMS and is the RUT286 compatible?

Teltonika RMS (Remote Management System) is a cloud platform for monitoring, configuring, and managing RutOS devices remotely. The RUT286 is fully RMS compatible. Via RMS you can check connection status, signal strength, and interface state; push configuration updates; trigger FOTA firmware updates; and use RMS Connect to establish remote CLI or WebUI access without a public IP. See our Teltonika RMS explainer for full details on credits, features, and setup.

Related products and further reading

For serial-equipped deployments needing dual-SIM, GNSS, and four Ethernet ports, see the Teltonika 4G routers range including the RUT956. For eSIM-specific guidance, our eSIM routers explainer covers provisioning, bootstrap profiles, and operator compatibility. Pair the RUT286 with an external antenna from our 4G antennas range for enclosure installations where stub antennas underperform. Fixed IP SIM cards are strongly recommended for any deployment requiring inbound VPN tunnels or direct SCADA polling over cellular.