Ten years ago, EDGE speed of 400 kbit/s seemed to be the recklessness, but today no surprise on even the possibility of mobile Full HD video. Technology does not lag behind the growing demand: the standard LTE-Advanced is already implemented, allowing you to transfer data twice as fast compared to conventional LTE. One of the best devices the newest standard router Alcatel One Touch Link Y900, which will be discussed in this review.
Alcatel One Touch Link Y900 Specifications
* Technology:
– GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
– UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
– LTE Band 1,3,7,8,20(800/900/1800/2100/2600MHz)
* SIM: micro-SIM
* Wireless interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
* Support Memory Card: microSDHC up to 32 GB
* Battery: 3600 mAh removable
* Dimensions: 89 x 62 x 16,6 mm
* Weight: 125 grams
Below are the a full complement of accessories in the package with Alcatel Y900.
In addition to the router, buyers will get the power supply cable, micro-USB 3.0, cable USB OTG (with connector micro-USB 2.0) and warranty card.
Appearance
The body of Alcatel Y900 router is made of soft-touch plastic in two colors: gray-white and black. Both will not collect fingerprints. In small dimensions, the gadget is a little bit heavy because of the large battery.
On the front panel, there is a LED power indicator and a large four-level indicator of network signal: depending on the power of the contour, segments are highlighted in blue. But the battery charge level can be found only in the web-based interface.
Three more LEDs are on the left side of the router. They show which network the device is connecting.
The top of the body is the power button and WPS button for fast set-up Wi-Fi. Port micro-USB 3.0 is at the lower bound of the gadget.
Under the rear lid are the removable battery slot for micro-SIM and memory cards microSD.
Interface
Get access to the Alcatel router in two ways: either by connecting the device to a Wi-Fi (the password for the initial configuration is located on the back of the back cover), or by connecting the gadget to PC USB-cable. In the second case, you must first install the driver that is in the memory of the router. By the way, the computer recognizes the device as a CD-drive.
Web-based interface of Alcatel One Touch Link is available at «http: //y900.home» and is password protected. At the entrance, the red button “off the Internet” attracts the attention. This decision was taken for good reason: to change a number of settings is possible only with the disabled connection, and it can be done at any time, without returning to the home screen. Next to the duration of the session the current data rate is displayed. If network access is disabled, the inscription changes to “Connect the Internet.”
Most actions can be operated directly from the web-based interface with SIM-card, which allows reading and sending SMS, contacts and work with USSD-command.
After log in the web interface, Alcatel One Touch Link Y900 begins in the “Settings”, and the most useful of them is that the possibility of switching to 4G, which offers a much higher rate than other standards even at a weak signal.
In the «Wi-Fi», there are all wireless network settings, you can select the SSID and disable its broadcast, set the type of encryption, and set the maximum number of clients from one to maximum 32. In the tab “Advanced Settings” to choose between the 2.4 or 5 GHz band, but the simultaneous operation in both would increase the power and cost of the router significantly.
On the “Energy Saving” in the “Device”, you can adjust the range of the Wi-Fi network. If the router is in your bag, and you want only share the network to your devices (such as a smartphone and a laptop), the setting will be enough “Small range Wi-Fi networks.” Then the gadget will last much longer time without recharging in this case.
Section “Firewall” to configure port forwarding, and the demilitarized zone (DMZ). This functionality is sure to be useful to power users in the event of a “white» IP-addresses.
DHCP-server settings are located in the “router” if automatic assignment of customers to IP-addresses is not desirable, you can turn off the server and assign them manually.
Despite a decent functionality, the Alcatel One Link Y900 router is as simple as possible for inexperienced users to log into the network, simply insert the SIM-card and enable the device, no further adjustments are required.
Despite the fact that the gadget is sold by the operator “Beeline”, and its web-interface explicitly made in the company’s “bee” style, the Link Y900 router can work with any SIM-cards of other operators. This possibility can not be overestimated, especially to those who travel frequently and avoid overpaying for roaming.
The router supports microSDHC – memory card up to 32 GB, which allows it to act as a card reader. When connected to a PC You can transfer files in both directions, but the memory card access via Wi-Fi manufacturer somehow had not foreseen.
Thanks to high-capacity battery, the One Touch Link Y900 can charge other devices, and this is useful for a complete cable USB OTG. It is unlikely that such a function should be considered among the basic, but it can be very useful in an emergency, such as when you need to make a call and your phone battery is at zero.
Another feature of the device is the support of USB 3.0. The speed of data transmission in LTE-Advanced can reach 300 Mbit/s and a maximum speed through Wi-Fi 802.11n with one antenna is 150 Mbit/s, the use of USB 3.0 for connecting the device to a PC or notebook looks quite reasonable.
Wireless interfaces
Alcatel One Touch Link Y900 supports all generations of mobile networks up to LTE-Advanced (or sometimes referred to as the standard 4G +). LTE-A network provides data transfer rates up to 300 Mbit/s, but unfortunately, it’s not yet very common.
Do not forget that the 300 Mbit/s speed of data transmission is in perfect conditions and close proximity to the base station. And if you want it in the LTE-A, you need find out whether there is coverage in the location where you want to use a router.
As for Wi-Fi, the device has the support of all modern standards 802.11a/b/g/n/ac in the frequency bands 2.4 and 5 GHz. Alcatel Router is equipped with Li-Ion battery impressive capacity 3600mAh. For eight hours of continuous operation of the device battery has run about 40%.
Conclusion
The Alcatel One Touch Link Y900 manufacturer TCL managed to find a balance that can reconcile a variety of user groups. The device does not require any special installation – Insert the SIM-card and you’re done, but amateurs with their hands “pull splitting” will be pleased with the rich possibilities of functions, in which the router bypasses most competitors.
The main feature of Alcatel Link Y900 – support for LTE-Advanced, allowing you to enjoy access to the internet at ultra-high speeds. But even if the network is not available LTE-A, the gadget will be one of the best 4G-routers with support for all Wi-Fi standards and significantly longer battery life. It’s a great mobile 4G router!