---
title: "Can I also insert a 5G card (MRcard MSI.5G) into an MRX (not an MRX.neo)—and what are the pros and cons of doing so?"
slug: "can-i-also-insert-a-5g-card-into-an-mrx-not-an-mrx-neo-and-what-are-the-pros"
updated: 2026-06-18T07:22:02Z
published: 2026-06-18T07:22:02Z
canonical: "docs.insys-icom.com/can-i-also-insert-a-5g-card-into-an-mrx-not-an-mrx-neo-and-what-are-the-pros"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.insys-icom.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Can I also insert a 5G card (MRcard MSI.5G) into an MRX (not an MRX.neo)—and what are the pros and cons of doing so?

Yes, in principle, this is a reasonable **upgrade path for existing MRX installations**. The biggest advantage lies in **investment protection**: In many cases, existing infrastructure, the familiar platform, and existing concepts can continue to be used, while at the same time enabling the transition to 5G. This reduces the migration effort and can be very attractive from an economic standpoint.

However, it’s important to have the right expectations:

- While a classic **MRX** can be retrofitted for 5G, the maximum usable data rate is limited by the device’s **100 Mbit/s Ethernet** base. The bottleneck, therefore, lies not in the 5G radio interface, but in the **Ethernet ports**. For existing systems, the **MRcard MSI.5G** is therefore particularly appealing if you want to modernize specific components and benefit from 5G availability, technological advancements, and investment protection—without replacing the entire device.
- If, on the other hand, you’re planning a **new project** and/or want to make the best possible use of higher 5G data rates on the Ethernet side as well, the **MRX.neo** is the better choice. The reason is its **1000 Mbit/s Ethernet** base.

Here, up to **1 Gbit/s** (theoretically) is available at the device interface. This allows the **MRX.neo** to handle high data streams significantly better than a classic MRX.

In short:

- The **MRcard MSI.5G** in the MRX is a powerful upgrade option for your existing equipment.
- **MRX.neo** is the better solution if you want to take advantage of high 5G data rates directly at the device

## Related

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- [Does MOROS.neo support 5G? If not, what alternatives are available for 5G projects?](/does-moros-neo-support-5g-if-not-what-alternatives-are-available-for-5g-projects.md)
- [What is the Access Point Name (APN)? Is it also required for 5G, and why does it need to be set manually in the router (but not on the smartphone)?](/what-is-the-access-point-name-apn-is-it-also-required-for-5g.md)
- [4G, 5G SA and 5G NSA: What do these terms mean?](/what-applications-is-4g-5g-sa-and-5g-nsa-what-do-these-terms-mean.md)