Category: 5G Modem Router

LongSung Releases Two New 5G NR Modules

At the MWC 2021 in Shanghai China, LongSung announced the first 5G NR module EX630, which is compliant with 3GPP Release 16 standard and supports both Sub-6Ghz and mmWave networks.

 

The LongSung EX630 is based on Qualcomm fourth generation Snapdragon X65 5G modem (4nm technology) and  RF system, so it will support the fastest 5G speeds up to 10Gbit/s and work on various networks frequency bands.

 

 

With the EX630 module, LongSung also presents another 5G NR Module EX620, which is based on Qualcomm fourth generation Snapdragon X62 5G modem (4nm technology). To meet the mobile broadband application, the LongSung EX620 supports 5G mmWave to 400MHz and 5G Sub6GHz to 120MHz, and can achieve download speed up to 4.4Gbps.

 

The two new generation 5G wireless modules supports multi-mode networks such as 5G NR, LTE, WCDMA(DB-DC-HSDPA), TD-SCDMA, CDMA1X, GSM/EDGE etc…They can also support DSS and multiple CA(carrier aggregation) combinations(FDD-TDD, FDD-FDD, TDD-TDD), covering all the 5G bands.

 

The two LongSung 5G modules could be widely used in many wireless terminals. They can be used in 5G Industrial Gateway, which can help users access high-speed internet quickly and realize safe and reliable data transmission. It is suitable for EMS (energy management system), MES (manufacturing execution system) and production process of manufacturing and processing enterprises signal acquisition and data transmission, thereby achieving industrial automation.

 

Through the 5G wireless modules, loads of image, video and sensor data captured by the robot can be transmitted to the intelligent brain in the cloud, so as to improve the intelligence level and service capability of the robot. Cloud intelligent robots are gradually becoming an important service force in community, medical care, retail and other scenarios.

Quectel Launched New 5G NR Sub-6 GHz Modules

At CES 2021, the Chinese wireless telecommunication equipment manufacturer Quectel Wireless Solutions launched three 5G New Radio (NR) Sub-6 GHz modules, including models RM500Q-AE, RM502Q-AE and RM505Q-AE, with the aim of foster the massive deployment of 5G smart connections around the world.

 

Leveraging Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 commercial 5G modem, all three Quectel 5G NR modules feature ultra-fast technology, low latency, and an enhanced Carrier Aggregation (CA) system, and are now ready to be sampled for supporting a wide range of enhanced mobile broadband networks and IoT applications such as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), 4K/8K live streaming, online meeting applications, telemedicine, transportation intelligent and industrial IoT.

With their stand-alone and non-stand-alone modes, the three 5G wireless modules enable global coverage of the 5G NR Sub-6 GHz, LTE-A and WCDMA frequency bands and provide reliable 5G solutions to international IoT customers.

 

Other key features of the modules:

 

  • Global coverage of 5G frequency bands
  • Multigigabit data rate up to 5.0 Gbps
  • DL 4X4 MIMO for 5G NR and LTE-A bands
  • Multi-resource GNSS capabilities
  • Abundant interfaces: USB 3.0 / 3.1, PCIe 3.0 and eSIM
  • Dimension M.2, compatible with Quectel LTE-A Cat 6 / Cat 12 / Cat 16 modules
  • All three modules also integrate GNSS capabilities, with the RM505Q-AE supporting active GPS L1/L5 signals for more accurate positioning services. This allows industrial terminals like rugged tablets and on-board computers to operate in weak signal environments, such as valleys, forests and urban canyons.

 

At present, the Quectel RM502Q-AE module has obtained IC / FCC / PTCRB / GCF / RED / RCM certifications, while the Quectel RM500Q-AE and Quectel RM505Q-AE modules have obtained CE / RCM certifications. These mandatory approvals with Global Launch Base (FW) firmware help customers quickly enter each local market and reduce their device development and certification costs.

Netgear Nighthawk M5 5G WiFi Router Test

Netgear Nighthawk M5 is a new 5G mobile WiFi hotspot which is already available in many countries. Regarding the performance for internet connection, we will take a test and you will read the detail in the following.

 

We have already shown what the Netgear 5G router looks like and which accessories are included in our picture unboxing linked above. In the first weeks of testing, the hardware of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 proved to be quite robust. Unfortunately, the touchscreen magically attracts fingerprints, so we had to clean it several times with a cleaning cloth.

However, you shouldn’t expect the Netgear Nighthawk M5 MR5200 to respond as quickly as a smartphone touchscreen. Sometimes the software took a small millisecond in our test before it responded to our input. We encountered a phenomenon with the Nighthawk M5 that owners of previous Netgear 4G routers reported. If the nano-SIM card is blocked with a PIN, a PIN query appears after the 5G WiFi router starts up. However, this screen is visually incorrectly designed. You can enter the PIN easily using the numeric keys, but the confirmation button is partly outside the visible area and must be aimed very precisely with your finger.

 

Otherwise, we did not notice any serious software errors when using the router.

 

 

Firmware: Latest version is required

At this point we still have to go into more detail about the software: If you buy the Netgear Nighthawk M5, you should make sure that you have the latest firmware in the “Settings – Software” menu immediately after booting up and connecting to the Internet the number 10.29.10.00 from November 17th and install it. With the old firmware, the router may only contact LTE networks, which is not the point of a 5G router.

 

We also observed with the Netgear Nighthawk M5 that WiFi modules from Android smartphones, which otherwise find any 5 GHz WiFi without any problems, have problems finding the 5 GHz WiFi set up by the Nighthawk M5 and connecting to it. Even manually entering the SSID and password failed in our test on at least three Android devices.

One device that the 5 GHz WiFi of the Nighthawk M5 could always find and connect to was an iPhone 11 Pro used in the test. The Android smartphones could connect to the 2.4 GHz network of the Nighthawk M5. Due to the regional overload of the 2.4 GHz band and the lower data rates, it is of course quite pointless to use a 5G router in this case if it cannot pass on the high 5G data rates via WLAN.

 

Features of the software

In terms of operation and functions, the software of the Netgear Nighthawk M5 is of course quite sophisticated, as always. On the start page, network information, time and battery charge status are displayed in the status area. This is followed by the SSID and password of the 2.4 and 5 GHz WiFi hotspots. With a mobile tariff with a data throttle, you can also see how much data volume is left on the home page. At the bottom you can see how many devices are connected via WLAN and whether new SMS messages have arrived.

In the settings menu the user can configure things like the APN. The brightness of the screen can be regulated or an unlock password can be assigned. The Netgear Nighthawk M5 also supports USB tethering; the function can either be activated at the same time as the WLAN or as an alternative to the WLAN hotspot. The Netgear Nighthawk M5 can also be integrated into an existing WLAN or Ethernet network via the data-saving mode and then only serves as a network bridge for the connected devices.

 

 

Data rates in the test

For our test of the Nighthawk M5, we received 5G-capable SIM cards from CSL and PCCW. After the firmware update, the hotspot immediately logged into the available 5G networks.

 

The measured data rates come close to the values ​​that we measured with the 5G router from HTC: HTC 5G Hub. In CSL’s 5G network, we determined maximum data rates of up to 781 Mbit/s in the downstream and 134 Mbit/s in the upstream. In the PCCW network, the data rates we measured in the downstream were a maximum of 187 Mbit/s in the downstream and 82 Mbit/s in the upstream. The CSL data rates at the locations we measured actually corresponded to a typical LTE value rather than a 5G value.

Of course, we also took measurements with a laptop that was connected to the Nighthawk M5 via the Ethernet interface rather than WLAN. Here we could observe that the measured values ​​were always around 12 to 15 percent above the values ​​measured via WLAN.

 

Netgear has not received any further error messages about the problem with the 5 GHz WLAN under Android.

 

Battery life in the test

The Netgear Nighthawk M5’s 5040 mAh battery is strong, but it doesn’t work miracles either. Even if the router’s display switches off in the meantime, the maximum battery life is around 6 hours. That is a decent value, but not a top performance either. If you really have to work with the Nighthawk M5 all day long, you should have access to a socket again in between – or take a mobile power bank with you.

 

Conclusion

With the current firmware, the Netgear Nighthawk M5 did its job properly and without any real errors. In the 5G network, the router achieved peak values ​​of just below 800 Mbit/s at the locations we tested. We are in contact with Netgear about the 5 GHz WiFi problem. The battery lasted around 6 hours in the test. There was little to criticize about the intuitive operation of the router.

 

 

 

NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 5G Mobile Hotspot Review

The manufacturer NETGEAR has launched the first MiFi 5G with Wi-Fi 6 technology to achieve the best possible wireless performance in all circumstances. The new model is the NETGEAR Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot, and it is designed to offer the best possible experience in the mobile broadband network, and also so that we obtain the maximum speed when we connect devices via Wi-Fi. Do you want to know all the details of this new model?

 

Thanks to this 5G portable router we have the latest mobile and WiFi technologies, with which we can stay connected at home or away from home, while enjoying a connection with fast speed, low latency and improved bandwidth.

 

This year we have seen an increase in teleworking, due to the fact that more and more work is done remotely, and the coronavirus pandemic has also contributed to accelerating the process. Since many work or study from home right now, they need to have a fast and secure Internet connection with WiFi connectivity that meets their needs.

 

 

The Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot Pro will allow us to bring a quality Internet connection to our home with 5G. In small and medium-sized towns especially, we find that cable, DSL or other service is not good enough.

However, thanks to the 5G connectivity offered by this Netgear 5G mobile Hotspot, we will be able to obtain fast speed connections. That’s not all, thanks to WiFi 6 technology it will allow us to deliver those speeds to your connected devices without affecting bandwidth or connectivity when we have many wireless clients. That means we will not have delays or interruptions when working or studying at home. That extra bandwidth that WiFi 6 provides us compared to the previous WiFi 5 technology will allow us to do videoconferences or other activities in a more fluid way.

 

 

 

The Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot Pro comes equipped with the chipset of the Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 mobile platform to offer us next- generation 5G connectivity . Thanks to this 5G modem, we can achieve high download speeds of up to 7 Gbps and upload speeds of up to 3 Gbps.

 

 

 

In addition, it has WiFi 6 technology that allows us to have more devices connected and transmitting simultaneously without penalizing performance. With a greater capacity compared to WiFi 5, we can rest assured that our smartphones, tablets and computers will have the necessary bandwidth to carry out any task.

 

 

It also allows us the 5G connection in our home or office through the use of its Gigabit Ethernet port. To do this, we can connect the 5G mobile router to our home or work router and thus we can enjoy 5G speeds in our local network from which all devices can also be used.

 

With a secure and reliable network we can avoid the risks of public WiFi networks thanks to the compatibility with VPN Pass-through and password protection. Regarding the capacity of this model, it allows us to connect up to 32 WiFi devices such as smartphones, tablets and laptops regardless of where you are.

 

 

This model has a 5,040 mAh rechargeable battery that will provide us with a long duration to use it all day. We can also use it without a battery since it can be connected to a power outlet at home so that it works throughout the day. In that sense, we could keep it connected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by removing the battery.

 

As for the Nighthawk M5 Mobile Hotspot Pro, it has a 2.4-inch color LCD touch screen that is intuitively operated. Thanks to it, we can easily control the use of data, see the name and password of WiFi, as well as the strength of the mobile signal. We can also manage device and network settings. On your lock screen it shows important information such as the time, date and the use of data that we have consumed. On the other hand, we have the NETGEAR Mobile app to manage and configure our device.

 

 

D-Link Presents New 5G Router and 5G Mobile Hotspot at CES2021

At CES 2021, D-link presented a number of new products, which include some 5G products, more precisely a 5G router and a 5G mobile hotspot. Both products should go on sale in the market in the course of the year. Unfortunately, there isn’t too much information available yet

 

D-Link DWR-978

The new AC2600 Wi-Fi router DWR-978 not only supports fast WiFi, but also the new 5G cellular standard. This makes it ideal for households that do not have a fast DSL or fiber optic connection. Of course, the prerequisite is 5G reception and an inserted nano SIM card in the corresponding slot. If there is no 5G coverage, the device switches to LTE.

 

 

The internet signal is distributed wirelessly to the surrounding area via WLAN ac. A combined rate of up to 2,600 Mbit/s (AC2600) is possible here. Two external antennas are responsible for sending and receiving the signals and should ensure optimum reception. In addition, four LAN ports with gigabit speed are available. A total of 128 devices in a home network can be connected to the new DWR-978 router from D-Link.

 

D-Link DWR-2101

The D-Link DWR-2101 is a mobile hotspot with 5G support. The device not only masters the new cellular standard for fast, mobile internet, but thanks to Wi-Fi 6 it can also be quickly distributed to surrounding devices. According to the manufacturer, up to 1.8 Gbit/s are possible, whereby the two frequencies 2.4 GHz with up to 574 Mbit/s and 5 GHz with a maximum of 1,200 Mbit/s add up. WPA encryption ensures security. Alternatively, a Gigabit LAN port is available if wired devices are to be connected to the D-Link DWR-2101 while on the move. The 5,260 mAh battery of the Mobile Hotspot is charged via the USB-C port. One battery charge should provide enough energy for a constant connection throughout the day. Operation is via a 2.4 inch touchscreen.

 

D-Link DWP-1020

The D-Link DWP-1020 is a 5GNR Sub 6GHz + mmWave CPE that can be mounted on the exterior wall of a home or business to maximise signal reception, especially for mmWave frequencies.

The device is rated to IP65 which means its waterproof to protect it against the elements and is PoE-powered via a 5Gbps Ethernet port for easy installation.

 

 

 

No price has yet been given for the D-link 5G Routers. The release has not yet been precisely scheduled either, but should take place in the course of the year.

Siemens Presents Industrial 5G Router MUM856-1

Siemens has presented the first industrial 5G router that can be used to connect local industrial applications to the public 5G network. The Siemens 5G router is named Scalance MUM856-1.

Scalance MUM856-1 is coming in 2021

The new 5G router Scalance MUM856-1 should be available in spring 2021. Thanks to the new device, users can remotely access machines, controls and other industrial applications via the public 5G network. In this way, simple remote maintenance of these applications is possible. Here, users benefit from the well-known high data rates that 5G enables.

Sinema Remote Connect, a management platform for VPN connections, also enables customers to conveniently and securely access systems or machines remotely. This even works if they are also integrated in other networks.

Growing demand for remote access

Siemens is serving a booming market with the new 5G router. In industry, the demand for solutions for remote access to machines and systems is constantly increasing. In order to overcome the usually large distances between user and machine, the public cell phone network is used. Participants can even be located in other countries and service technicians can access machines to be serviced from anywhere via mobile radio.

 

5G will therefore play an important role for industry – not only for private campus networks. The public 5G networks are also important for remote access and remote maintenance solutions. Therefore, a rapid 5G expansion is essential important. The new cellular standard enables significantly faster transmission rates, as is possible with UMTS and LTE. This is especially true at the edges of radio cells and in rural areas, where lower speeds are achieved in favor of larger cells. If 5G is not available, the new Scalance MUM856-1 can also use 4G and thus ensure operation without a 5G network. In addition, the device also supports integration into private local 5G campus networks. Siemens is currently testing this application in its own automotive test center in a standalone 5G test network, where driverless transport systems are connected via 5G.

 

 

HTC 5G Hub Router Review

HTC 5G Hub is an innovative device that combines the functions of a 5G WiFi router, a Android Tablet, and a multimedia speaker. The built-in high-capacity battery makes it easy to take HTC 5G Hub on the road and surf the Internet wherever you have a reliable 4G / 5G signal.

Supports the popular European 5G standard n78

The HTC 5G router supports the 5G n78 standard, which occupies the frequency range of 3300–3800 MHz. The maximum speed of the HTC 5G Hub Internet connection in the fifth generation networks reaches 2.63 Gbps per reception, which is significantly higher than the available 4G speeds.

 

HTC 5G Hub

When working in 4G networks, the 5G router supports the LTE Band 3 and LTE Band 7 standards, which are used by all domestic operators. A wide range of operating frequencies allows HTC 5G Hub to operate not only in Asia, but also in other European countries.

The router is equipped with a slot for a Nano-SIM card and is not tied to a specific operator. The HTC 5G Hub can be freely used in the networks in Europe and Asia.

 

HTC 5G Hub

Android platform and LCD touchscreen with enhanced color reproduction

The router-hub runs on the Android 9 Pie operating system, which makes HTC 5G Hub similar to tablet computers and smart home devices. The high performance of the device is ensured by the use of an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and a modern 5G Snapdragon X50 5G modem.

HTC 5G Hub is equipped with a 5-inch high-definition touchscreen (1280×720), which allows you to not only configure the router, but also display graphics, play videos and launch various Android applications. Built-in dual speakers (90dB) play music, radio or other audio in high quality. The manufacturer declared support for broadcasting 4K video to an external screen (for example, your TV) and optimization for online games. VPN can be used to connect to a secure corporate environment.

HTC 5G Hub

The high-speed WiFi module supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards (2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies), as well as the rather rare 802.11ad standard (60 GHz frequencies). The Internet Center is designed for simultaneous operation with 20 wireless devices. Also, the router is equipped with a Bluetooth 5.0 module for connecting a wireless headset.

A gigabit LAN port is available for wired connection to devices (computer, Smart TV, game console, etc.). The multifunctional USB Type-C port can be used to charge the battery, transfer data, connect an external storage or display (DisplayPort support).

HTC 5G Hub

Autonomous operation of the router is ensured by the built-in 7660 mAh battery. Thus, HTC 5G Hub owners can freely take the device with them on the road and use it as a mobile router. According to the manufacturer, one battery charge should be enough for the whole day of intensive use of the router.

Controlling HTC 5G Hub with your voice

The advanced features of the 5G hub include a motion sensor and support for voice commands. When used with add-on software and an external display, the HTC 5G Hub can function as a game console, including cloud PC gaming.

HTC 5G Hub

Due to its portability and light weight, HTC’s 5G router is perfect for home, office, car, or on vacation. The body of the HTC 5G Hub is made of soft-touch plastic. The ergonomics of the device are thought out to the smallest detail.

The HTC 5G Hub expands the capabilities of your mobile router by introducing a hub device that can replace your tablet PC, wireless speaker and voice assistant. In addition to creating a wireless network with access to the mobile Internet, HTC 5G Hub can be used as an independent gadget that does not require the connection of peripheral devices.

 

HTC 5G Hub Router Specifications
Frequency ranges LTE FDD: Band 1/3/7/8/32 (2100/1800/2600/900/1500 MHz)
LTE TDD: Band 38/40 (2600/2300 MHz)
5G TDD: Band n78 (3500 MHz)
Maximum speed of mobile connection reception up to 2.63 Gbps, transmission up to 287 Mbps
SIM format Nano-SIM
WiFi frequency bands 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 60GHz
WiFi standards 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ad
Maximum number of WiFi client devices 20 (802.11ad AP supports 4 devices)
Bluetooth standard Bluetooth 5.0
Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (Snapdragon X50 5G Modem)
RAM 4 GB
Built-in memory 32 GB
operating system Android 9.0
Connectors 1 x LAN
1 x USB Type-C (with DisplayPort support)
1 x MicroSD
1 x Nano-SIM
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
LCD screen 5-inch touch (capacitive) screen with 1280×720 resolution
Additional features stereo speakers (90 dB), motion sensor, Google Assistant support
Power (adapter) 12V, 2.5A
Battery 7660mAh, built-in
The size 128 x 100 x 43 mm
The weight 340 g
Equipment router, power adapter, USB cable, manual

 

Huawei 5G CPE Win (H312-371) Review

Huawei 5G CPE Win is the first 5G outdoor router from the world famous network equipment manufacturer. Placing the Huawei H312-371 router outside, the premises provides high quality signal reception and transmission and significantly increases the speed of 4G and 5G mobile Internet, including when used at the border of the cellular network.

HUAWEI 5G CPE WIN H312-371

The Huawei 5G CPE Win outdoor router is one of those universal solutions that simultaneously support the 5G n78 and n79 standards. The device can work in both 5G networks in transition (NSA) and autonomous 5G networks (SA), which guarantees compatibility at all stages of the introduction of new technology.

High speed mobile internet 4G / LTE and 5G NR

Using the state-of-the-art Balong 5000 chipset, the Huawei H312-371 outdoor router supports download speeds up to 1.65 Gbps on 5G networks. The downlink channel provides speeds up to 250 Mbps.

If there is no 5G connection, the Huawei 5G outdoor router automatically switches to 4G mode. The cellular module of the router belongs to the LTE Cat class. 19 and supports all 4G standards. Up to 5 frequency bands aggregation, 4×4 MIMO technology and state-of-the-art 256QAM modulation enable download speeds up to 1.6 Gbps. In this case, the “upload” speed corresponds to LTE Cat. 13 and reaches 150 Mbps. Such high rates make it possible to recommend Huawei 5G CPE Win today as a powerful solution for settlements with modern 4G infrastructure.

HUAWEI 5G CPE WIN H312-371

The SIM slot of the router is designed to work with Nano-SIM cards of any telecom operator. Huawei H312-371 can be used today: you don’t have to put a new router on the shelf and wait for 5G to appear. At the current stage of development of mobile technologies, the device will show itself perfectly when working in 4G networks!

 

Built-in 4×4 MIMO antennas for weak signal reception

Huawei 5G CPE Win combines the capabilities of a router, 5G modem and an outdoor 5G antenna. Supporting for MIMO 4x 4 technologies provides simultaneous data transmission in four independent streams. Antennas with a gain of 5.5 dBi (main antenna) and 4 dBi (auxiliary antenna) are installed inside the router.

 

HUAWEI 5G CPE WIN H312-371

According to Huawei research, outdoor performance, well-thought-out design and the use of additional technologies can increase the range and speed of the router by 20% compared to conventional indoor models.

Passive PoE and service WiFi

Huawei H312-371 is equipped with a single gigabit Ethernet port for indoor connection to a user’s device. This device can be a desktop computer, laptop, or a room WiFi router. An interesting find of Huawei engineers is to combine the Ethernet cable connector and the protective cover of the street block, which allows you to reliably isolate the Ethernet port and SIM slot from external influences. The case is protected against dust and moisture according to the IP65 class.

The street router is powered by Passive PoE technology (19V, 1.26A). Electricity travels over the same network cable as data. The PoE adapter plugs into the break in the Ethernet cable, which allows you to install the router outdoors (on a wall, bracket or remote mast) and not worry about the presence of an electrical outlet nearby.

HUAWEI 5G CPE WIN H312-371

The Huawei router is equipped with a WiFi service module (2.4 GHz) and can be configured using a regular smartphone or tablet. The manufacturer emphasizes that the WiFi network of the router is primarily intended for device configuration, and not for general access to the mobile Internet. Parameters can be changed via the web interface or the Huawei proprietary application.

Huawei 5G CPE Win comes with a flat coil Ethernet cable, PoE power injector, mast / bracket mount and instructions.

Huawei 5G CPE Win is an innovative solution that allows you to prepare for the arrival of 5G mobile networks today. The design of the router with built-in antennas in the outdoor case allows to significantly improve the quality of signal transmission and to operate the system not only in the city, but also outside large settlements. With many technical innovations and high-speed technologies, we can recommend Huawei H312-371 to users with high demands on home communication equipment.

 

Huawei 5G CPE Win Specifications
Frequency ranges LTE FDD: Band 1/3/5/7/8/18/19/20/28/32 (2100/1800/850/2600/900/850/850/800/700/1500 MHz)
LTE TDD: Band 34 / 38/39/40/41/42/43 (2000/2600/1900/2300/2500/3500/3700 ​​MHz)
5G TDD: Band n41 / n77 / n78 / n79 (2500/3700/3500/4700 MHz)
Supported 5G Modes SA / NSA
Maximum speed of mobile connection LTE: receive up to 1.6 Gbps (LTE Cat. 19), transmit up to 150 Mbps (LTE Cat. 13)
5G: receive up to 1.65 Gbps, transmit up to 250 Mbps
SIM format Nano-SIM
Antennas omnidirectional 4×4 MIMO antennas with up to 5.5 dBi gain
WiFi frequency range (service network) 2.4 GHz
WiFi standards (service network) 802.11b / g / n
WiFi security (service network) WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA / WPA2-PSK, WPS
Chipset Balong 5000
Connectors 1 x LAN
1 x Nano-SIM
Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps
Nutrition Passive PoE 19V, 1.26A
Maximum power consumption 24 watts
Hull protection IP65
Operating temperature from -40 ° С to + 55 ° С
Storage temperature from -40 ° С to + 70 ° С
Permissible humidity 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
The size 185 x 113 x 45 mm
The weight 567 g
Equipment outdoor router, PoE injector, Ethernet cable, mounting kit, manual

 

 

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi Router (E6878-870) Review

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi (E6878-870) is one of the first 5G portable routers on the market to support the innovative 5G mobile internet standard.

 

Support European and Asian 5G networks

In addition to the n78 and n79 networks, the Huawei E6878 model supports the n41 and n77 5G bands, as well as all popular 4G Internet standards. At the same time, it is possible to work both in full-fledged 5G networks (SA mode) and in the NSA transition mode, which operators will use in the first stages of creating 5G networks.

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi E6878-870

 

Download speed up to 1.65 Gbps

To ensure maximum performance when working with large amounts of data, Huawei has used its own powerful Balong 5000 chipset.

The maximum data download speed in 5G networks is 1.65 Gbps. Such high values, unattainable for cellular networks of previous generations, are now possible due to the use of wide bandwidth in new bands, as well as the use of assistive technologies. When working in 4G networks, the maximum download speed of information will be 300 Mbps.

 

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi E6878-870

The built-in WiFi module allows you to create a local wireless network at 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies. The high-speed 802.11ac standard enables data transfer rates of up to 867 Mbps between connected devices. The Huawei 5G pocket WiFi router supports up to 20 simultaneous connections.

 

Manage and configure Huawei E6878

On the body of the device there is a monochrome LCD screen (1.45 ″), with the help of which you can get basic information about the operation of the device (battery charge, signal level, number of connected devices, etc.). Access to deep user settings, allowing you to administer the WiFi network and configure the parameters of the mobile connection, is carried out through the proprietary mobile application or the web interface of the router.

 

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi E6878-870

The USB Type-C port is for charging the battery and connecting the router to a computer. The Nano-SIM slot for installing an operator card is located behind a protective shutter. The 5G WiFi router has no restrictions on the operator used and can be used with SIM cards from any service provider.

 

Built-in 4000mAh battery

The Huawei E6878-870 router is equipped with a built-in 4000 mAh battery, which allows the device to work in a completely autonomous mode and provide Internet access for many subscriber devices connected via WiFi. According to the manufacturer, the battery capacity is sufficient for 20 days in standby mode. It also supports 18W fast charging (Quick Charge).

 

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi E6878-870

Huawei E6878-870 is a device at the cutting edge of modernity and high technology. The design of the router is attractive and detailed. The 5G router from Huawei is compact and lightweight and lightweight, easy to take with you on your business trip or vacation. The acquisition of the E6878-870 is an investment in the future, since it is in the development of 5G networks that operators will invest the main efforts.

 

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi E6878-870

 

Huawei 5G Mobile WiFi (E6878-870) Specifications
Frequency ranges LTE FDD: Band 1/3/5/7/8/20/28/32 (2100/1800/850/2600/900/800/700/1500 MHz)
LTE TDD: Band 34/38/39/40/41 / 42
(2000/2600/1900/2300/3500 MHz)
5G TDD: Band n41 / n77 / n78 / n79 (2500/3700/3500/4700 MHz)
Supported 5G Modes SA / NSA
Maximum speed of mobile connection LTE: Receive up to 300 Mbps, transmit up to 75 Mbps
5G: Receive up to 1.65 Gbps, transmit up to 250 Mbps
SIM format Nano-SIM
WiFi frequency bands 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz
WiFi standards 802.11a / b / g / n / ac
WiFi Max Speed up to 300 Mbps in the 2.4 GHz frequency range
up to 867 Mbps in the 5 GHz frequency range
Maximum number of WiFi client devices 20
Chipset Balong 5000
Connectors 1 x USB Type-C
1 x Nano-SIM
LCD screen 1.45 inch monochrome
Battery 4000 mAh, non-removable
Battery standby time up to 20 days
Nutrition fast charging 18W (Quick Charge)
Operating temperature from 0 ° С to + 35 ° С
Storage temperature from -20 ° С to + 60 ° С
Permissible humidity 5% to 95% (non-condensing)
The size 148 x 72 x 12 mm
The weight 172 g
Equipment router, power adapter, USB – USB Type-C cable, manual

 

Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 Router Test

The 5G router Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 (model number: H122-373) is now available in many countries since 2020. The device can use all currently available cellular technologies and, at around 450USD without a contract, is significantly cheaper than the previous Huawei 5G CPE Pro.

 

Appearance

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 is package in a simple box. In addition to the 5G WiFi router itself, it includes a power supply unit with a permanently connected power cable (output: 12V / 2A) and a short LAN cable. A printed, multilingual quick guide is also included, which is easy to understand thanks to some graphics.

At first glance, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 hardly differs from an ordinary 4G LTE router such as the Huawei B618 or Huawei B818. The Huawei 5G WiFi router is relatively compact and, thanks to the white plastic body in the cube design, quite inconspicuous. Only a large 5G logo on the top reveals that it is a top modern 5G router.

Weak point connections

On the back of the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 there are two RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, one of which can also be used as a WAN port. This is useful, for example, if you want to use an existing cable or DSL modem.

There is also a connection for the power supply unit and an RJ11 telephone connection on the back. Unfortunately, the telephone function may be deactivated in the software of the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 H122-373 offered in some countries.

The slot for the nano SIM card is located on the underside. This is protected by a rubber cover. Incidentally, the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 can be used with any SIM card; there is no SIM lock for the router models.

 

A reset button and a power button are also located on the bottom. In addition to the SIM card slot, there is also a USB Type-C connection. The connections are certainly one of the biggest points of criticism of the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2. With the LAN connections, at least a connection with a higher performance than 1 GBit/s would have made sense, after all, the router can theoretically achieve data rates of up to 3.6 GBit/s in the 5G network. Even in practice, speeds of over 1 GBit/s are not uncommon.

 

In addition, many users will miss connections for an external antenna. It is true that the use of an external antenna in 5G operation only makes limited sense, as a large number of frequency ranges are often bundled and more than 2 × 2 MIMO is used. Unfortunately, there is also no USB port, for example to integrate storage media into the network.

LEDs and fans

On the front of the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 there are some LEDs that signal the operating status and the reception strength. So you can easily see in which network technology (4G or 5G) the router is working. There is also an optically subtle LED on the underside, which Huawei calls “Ambient Light”. However, this LED light strip does not apparently fulfill a special function;

Since the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 can apparently get relatively warm during operation, Huawei has installed an active fan. In the test, however, this was not audible even in longer 5G operation.

Test in the 5G network

A total of 11 different 5G frequency bands are supported by the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2, including the bands n1, n3, n7, n28 and n78, which are relevant for Europe and Asia. 4G LTE Bands 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28 and 32 are supported in LTE operation. This means that the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 has very good compatibility with current and future cellular networks.

 

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 is currently one of only a few end devices that can use the 5G band n28 in conjunction with LTE band 20 as an anchor. Vodafone is expanding 5G band n28, especially in rural areas, as it enables very high ranges. This makes the router, which Vodafone markets as “Gigacube 5G”, ideal for 5G in rural areas.

In the test with a SIM card in the telecommunications network, the router ran smoothly on the frequency bands n1 and n78, of course always in NSA mode with an LTE cell as an anchor. In theory, however, the router can also use 5G SA as soon as a corresponding core network is available.

 

The speeds were very good both in 5G operation and in LTE operation. In the downlink, around 1 Gbit/s in the downlink and around 160 Mbit/s in the uplink were possible via 5G using band n78. When using band n1, up to 450 Mbit/s was achieved in the downlink. The latency times were pleasantly short, sometimes well below 15 milliseconds. In the LTE network, up to 450 Mbit/s in the downlink and up to 95 Mbit/s in the uplink were achieved.

The router could not be tested in the Vodafone 5G network due to the lack of a suitable 5G SIM card.

Very good WiFi connection

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 supports the new WiFi 6 standard and theoretically achieves up to 2402 Mbit/s in the frequency range around 5 GHz and up to 574 Mbit/s in the frequency range around 2.4 GHz. In practice, the data rates are usually significantly lower. As it turned out in the test, most WiFi 6 end devices can only use lower bandwidths, for example because instead of 4 × 4 MIMO only 2 × 2 MIMO antenna technology is used. Nevertheless, the router with WiFi 6 is significantly faster than older router models and with a current WiFi 6 device, data rates of around 1 Gbit/s can be achieved quickly, for example with the Samsung Galaxy S20 or the Oneplus 8 Pro.

In addition to the speed, the WLAN range was also convincing in the test. A large apartment can be supplied without any problems, unless there are super thick walls between the devices. In theory, other WiFi routers can also be combined to form a mesh network via the Huawei HiLink Mesh service.

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 can supply up to 128 devices simultaneously with a WLAN connection. The WLAN network on 5 GHz is preferred by the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 by default, i.e. even if you explicitly connect to the 2.4 GHz network, the connection is established on 5 GHz, provided the end device supports this frequency range. The user benefits from significantly higher speeds, but can of course also deactivate the function in the web interface if necessary. 

Software and operation

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 can either be configured via the Huawei AI Life app (Android and iOS) or via the web interface (IP: 192.168.8.1). Both the app and the web interface are visually appealing and easy to use. All important functionalities are available, including, for example, the ability to call up statistics on the Internet connection or information on the connected devices.

Basically, a little more functions are available via the web interface than via the app. For example, there are functions such as bridge mode or the option of routing the Internet connection via a VPN. More common functions such as guest WiFi can also be configured via the app.

 

 

 

Overall, the range of functions is unfortunately relatively limited, especially professionals and network experts will certainly miss some functions. It starts, for example, with a simple time switch for the WLAN and goes through to manual technology or frequency band selection for the modem. None of this is possible with the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2.

 

 

Not even meaningful information about the currently used radio cell can be read out. Windows users can at least help themselves with the unofficial tool “LTE-Watch H”, which can read out more detailed information about the connection. 

 

 

Conclusion on the Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2

The Huawei 5G CPE Pro 2 made a very good impression in the test. The device is very fast in both the 5G network and the LTE network and, thanks to WiFi 6, passes the internet connection on to connected end devices just as quickly. Operation is very easy thanks to the stylish app and clearly structured web interface.

The weak points are the connections (only Gigabit LAN, no connections for an external antenna) and the comparatively small range of functions of the software. If you can live with these points of criticism, you can get a very good 5G router for around 450USD.