Setting up the modem, which comes with its SIM already installed, is extremely easy: You download an app on your phone, turn the modem on, and use the display on the top of the modem to find a location with good signal.
There is no rental fee for the modem.
The modem needs to be in a spot with strong T-Mobile signal.
There are no obvious external antenna ports, but if you need better reception and you're a little handy, it's possible to open the modem and hook it up to a larger antenna from Waveform.