FrameworkLTE Expansion Card
The FrameworkLTE is a custom Framework expansion card that provides LTE data access with a physical SIM card, enabling cellular connectivity — including calls and texts — directly from a Framework laptop. Created by community member lonersoft (Lolo280374) and published on GitHub in April 2026, the project houses a stripped ZTE MF79U LTE modem inside a 3D-printed expansion card enclosure1.
The creator received a Framework laptop through the Hack Club Siege event and built the card to solve the problem of losing internet connectivity when their phone battery died during commutes1.
Design
Approach
The project takes a donor PCB approach — rather than designing a custom LTE modem PCB from scratch, it strips the PCB from a commercially available ZTE MF79U LTE USB modem dongle and repackages it inside a Framework expansion card housing. The modem's USB-A output is connected to the Framework motherboard's USB-C interface via a ribbon cable adapter1.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Modem | ZTE MF79U (stripped donor PCB)1 |
| Modem type | LTE Cat 4 (150 Mbps down / 50 Mbps up)2 |
| Bands | FDD LTE B1/B3/B7/B8/B20/B38; WCDMA B1/B8; GSM 900/18002 |
| SIM slot | Micro SIM (3FF), on the modem PCB2 |
| Connection | USB-A (modem) → USB-C (Framework motherboard) via ribbon cable1 |
| Enclosure | 3D-printed expansion card housing1 |
| Thermal management | 1mm thermal pad1 |
| Shielding | 5mm Kapton tape between modem and frame1 |
| OS support | Windows and Linux1 |
This project uses a donor PCB from a commercial LTE modem rather than a custom-designed circuit board. The creator notes they do not have a soldering iron, so the USB-A output is connected to USB-C via an off-the-shelf ribbon cable adapter rather than a proper USB-C connection soldered directly to the PCB1.
Bill of Materials
| Part | Purpose | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 3D-printed enclosure | Housing the stripped modem | $5.00 |
| USB-A to USB-C ribbon cable | Linking modem USB to Framework motherboard | $5.68 |
| 1mm thermal pad | Cooling the modem | $2.00 |
| 5mm Kapton tape | Shielding between modem and frame | $1.16 |
| ZTE MF79U dongle | Donor PCB: LTE modem | $35.72 |
| Total | ~$49.56 |
All parts sourced from AliExpress and Hack Club PrintLegion1.
Limitations
- No custom PCB — Uses a donor modem PCB rather than a purpose-designed circuit board, limiting form factor optimization
- USB-A to USB-C adapter — The connection uses an off-the-shelf ribbon cable rather than a soldered USB-C connector, as the creator does not own a soldering iron1
- No regulatory certification — Community-built LTE cards lack FCC/CE certification for intentional radiators
- Antenna — Relies on the modem's built-in antenna; no external antenna connectors
Related Projects
| Project | Description |
|---|---|
| LTE Cat 4 Cell Modem Card | Long-running community effort for a custom-designed LTE expansion card using Quectel EG95 |
| LoRa Expansion Card | Community LoRa wireless expansion card for mesh networking |
Technical Details
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Creator | lonersoft (Lolo280374) |
| Repository | lonersoft/frameworkLTE |
| License | MIT |
| Stars | 0 |
| Created | April 2026 |
| Language | — |
| Modem | ZTE MF79U (donor PCB) |
| OS support | Windows, Linux |