Is this a good 4G router?

I

InternetSwag

Expert Member
Joined
Jan 24, 2012
Messages
3,955
Reaction score
329
Location
Cape Town
What should I be looking for when buying a 4G router anyways?

I'm getting MTN Fixed LTE through Axxess. They want to give me a ZTE MF286C Router, I already own this one though;

www.tp-link.com

AC750 Wireless Dual Band 4G LTE Router

This 4G LTE router lets you share your mobile network with up to 64 devices. Enjoy uninterrupted HD movies and rapid file downloads. The router comes with 4× fast Ethernet ports.
www.tp-link.com www.tp-link.com

Which one is better?
 
InternetSwag said:
What should I be looking for when buying a 4G router anyways?

I'm getting MTN Fixed LTE through Axxess. They want to give me a ZTE MF286C Router, I already own this one though;

www.tp-link.com

AC750 Wireless Dual Band 4G LTE Router

This 4G LTE router lets you share your mobile network with up to 64 devices. Enjoy uninterrupted HD movies and rapid file downloads. The router comes with 4× fast Ethernet ports.
www.tp-link.com www.tp-link.com

Which one is better?
Click to expand...
I was just about to post a similar question. The lan port on my B618 seems faulty so I need to replace it. Is B618 still in the best option or is there something newer around?

@cavedog?
 
Last edited:
ZTE MF286C is a cat 6 router
TP-LINK Archer MR200 AC750 is a cat 4 router

www.cnet.com

Know your 4G: The different types of LTE explained

4G is a catch-all name for a wealth of wireless data systems, with each service provider using its spectrum in different ways. If you want a better insight into 4G, 4GX, 4G Plus and beyond, we've got all the 4G flavours explained right here.
www.cnet.com www.cnet.com
.

TP-LINK Archer MR200 AC750 work on all frequencies , 900mhz, 1800mhz, 2100mhz, 2300mhz, 2600mhz (All lte network will work)

ZTE MF286C only support 900mhz, 1800mhz, 2100mhz, 2600mhz (missing Telkom 2300mhz band)

I like the TP-Link but for mtn the Zte MF286C is fast. Maybe ask @cavedog his opinion. The best router is still a Huawei b618s-66d

Edit: if you really like TP-link check out the TP-Link MR600 AC1200 GB 4G Router.

Search results for: 'tp link ac1200 dual band gigabit router enjoy 4g speed sharing everywhere' - Incredible Connection

Incredible Connection is a brand of JD Consumer Electronics and Appliances. We have the widest range of leading national and international brands and work hard at supplying products that, while pushing the technology boundaries, make a practical difference in any home or business environment.
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za
 
Last edited:
Speedster said:
I was just about to post a similar question. The lan port on my B618 seems faulty so I need to replace it. Is B618 still in the best option or is there something newer around?
Click to expand...
Maybe the Huawei LTE CPE B818-2634G Cat19 Router
Link:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
 
DanDango said:
Maybe the Huawei LTE CPE B818-2634G Cat19 Router
Link:

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com
Click to expand...
That looks like a beast! How does it compare to the above mentioned tp link?
 
Speedster said:
That looks like a beast! How does it compare to the above mentioned tp link?
Click to expand...

Huawei LTE CPE B818 is better/faster, If it's in your budget I'll get it. The biggest problem is 5G is rolling out but I don't see any local router stock of Huawei 5G CPE Pro H112-372 or H112-370

Huawei 5G CPE Pro, SmartHome 5G dual-band Wi-Fi, for ultra-fast connection in med-large homes, businesses or travel homes. Connects to 64 devices, App for complete control & 2 year warranty: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy
www.amazon.co.uk
 
DanDango said:
ZTE MF286C is a cat 6 router
TP-LINK Archer MR200 AC750 is a cat 4 router

www.cnet.com

Know your 4G: The different types of LTE explained

4G is a catch-all name for a wealth of wireless data systems, with each service provider using its spectrum in different ways. If you want a better insight into 4G, 4GX, 4G Plus and beyond, we've got all the 4G flavours explained right here.
www.cnet.com www.cnet.com
.

TP-LINK Archer MR200 AC750 work on all frequencies , 900mhz, 1800mhz, 2100mhz, 2300mhz, 2600mhz (All lte network will work)

ZTE MF286C only support 900mhz, 1800mhz, 2100mhz, 2600mhz (missing Telkom 2300mhz band)

I like the TP-Link but for mtn the Zte MF286C is fast. Maybe ask @cavedog his opinion. The best router is still a Huawei b618s-66d

Edit: if you really like TP-link check out the TP-Link MR600 AC1200 GB 4G Router.

Search results for: 'tp link ac1200 dual band gigabit router enjoy 4g speed sharing everywhere' - Incredible Connection

Incredible Connection is a brand of JD Consumer Electronics and Appliances. We have the widest range of leading national and international brands and work hard at supplying products that, while pushing the technology boundaries, make a practical difference in any home or business environment.
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za
Click to expand...
Thanks
My initial thoughts are usually that service providers are trying to screw us over with the routers they give.
So if you guys say that ZTE is good, I'll go ahead and take the plunge?

Any objections?
 
DanDango said:
Huawei LTE CPE B818 is better/faster, If it's in your budget I'll get it. The biggest problem is 5G is rolling out but I don't see any local router stock of Huawei 5G CPE Pro H112-372 or H112-370

Huawei 5G CPE Pro, SmartHome 5G dual-band Wi-Fi, for ultra-fast connection in med-large homes, businesses or travel homes. Connects to 64 devices, App for complete control & 2 year warranty: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy
www.amazon.co.uk
Click to expand...
When is 5g going live is the rollout faster than fiber?
 
I think you can only use one of four routers for MTN Fixed LTE on Axxess - Huawei B525, B612, B618 or ZTE MF286. If you have to pay R1800 as well as an additional R50 per month over the SIM only option I would rather look for a secondhand B618 Cat 9 router on MyBroadband Classifieds, Carbonite, Gumtree or OLX. I have seen secondhand B618-22d (Rain version) selling for around R1500. I don't think that it's worth spending R2000+ on a Cat 6 MF286 router as the new 4G and 5G devices are much more capable and only cost a bit more. The B818 is selling for around R3300 I believe but it has still not been approved for use on the MTN Fixed LTE network.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Yuu
Webafrica apparently sells refurbished B525 and B618 routers for R999 but I'm not sure whether there are any conditions attached.
www.webafrica.co.za

Fixed LTE | Fixed Wireless Internet - Webafrica

Webafrica Fixed LTE hooks you up with racy-fast Internet at sexy prices using our free-to-use plug and play wireless router.
www.webafrica.co.za www.webafrica.co.za
 
Can I switch my Axxess MTN fixed LTE sim from the ZTE router to a B315 , will MTN block it ?
 
DanDango said:
Huawei LTE CPE B818 is better/faster, If it's in your budget I'll get it. The biggest problem is 5G is rolling out but I don't see any local router stock of Huawei 5G CPE Pro H112-372 or H112-370

Huawei 5G CPE Pro, SmartHome 5G dual-band Wi-Fi, for ultra-fast connection in med-large homes, businesses or travel homes. Connects to 64 devices, App for complete control & 2 year warranty: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Buy
www.amazon.co.uk
Click to expand...
Are there different versions of the B818 (like with the B618)? @cavedog
 
Speedster said:
Are there different versions of the B818 (like with the B618)? @cavedog
Click to expand...

I think there is. I saw on 4gltemall different versions of it.

Huawei B818-263 5G Router | Huawei B818 5G LTE Cat19 Gigabit CPE Specs

Check Huawei B818 5G LTE CPE features, specifications, Huawei B818 external antenna, firmware, interfaces, Huawei B818-263 5G Router settings, user manual/guide, buy Unlocked Huawei B818 5G LTE CPE from www.4gltemall.com
www.4gltemall.com www.4gltemall.com

Ideally you want Huawei B818-263 it supports every single band on every network in SA.
 
cavedog said:
I think there is. I saw on 4gltemall different versions of it.

Huawei B818-263 5G Router | Huawei B818 5G LTE Cat19 Gigabit CPE Specs

Check Huawei B818 5G LTE CPE features, specifications, Huawei B818 external antenna, firmware, interfaces, Huawei B818-263 5G Router settings, user manual/guide, buy Unlocked Huawei B818 5G LTE CPE from www.4gltemall.com
www.4gltemall.com www.4gltemall.com

Ideally you want Huawei B818-263 it supports every single band on every network in SA.
Click to expand...
Ordered on Takealot. Once that arrives I'll be flogging my B618-65d. I've heard they're popular...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X