Tag: A1 Net Cube

Alcatel Linkhub HH40 WiFi Router Review

Since more and more 4G Mobile WiFi Hotspots are with Ethernet ports, the network equipment supplier Alcatel also presented a new 4G Mobile Hotspot with Ethernet port. The model number is Alcatel Linkhub HH40. It was available for some network providers in Europe, such as A1 Austria and re-named it as “A1 Net Cube 2”, which is following the first generation A1 Net Cube Plus B528. For carrier congstar in Germany, it got a new name as “Homespot WLAN Router“. Then what the new WLAN router could bring to us, let’s have a check the Alcatel linkhub HH40 Specifications and features.

Alcatel Linkhub HH40 Specs and Features
Manufacturer and model Alcatel Linkhub HH40
chipset Qualcomm MDM9207
LTE Category Cat. 4
Download rate 150Mbit/s
Upload rate 50 Mbit/s
Supported LTE bands 800, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 MHz
Backwards compatible with UMTS, EDGE, GPRS
Support for LTE-Advanced No
MIMO Support Yes
Connection for external antenna: Yes, two SMA connectors(Buy Alcatel LinkHub HH40 Antenna)
Telephone
With integrated telephone system: Yes
Connection for ISDN phones: No
Connection for analogue phones: No
DECT: No
integrated answering machine: No
Network | LAN & WLAN
LAN ports: 2x 100 Mbit LAN (RJ45)(One for LAN/WAN)
WLAN standards: WLAN 802.11 b/g/n
5 GHz WLAN support: No
encryption: WEP, WPA, WPA2
WLAN hotspot function: Yes
Others
Battery pack No battery available
Dimension and Weight 134 x 134 x 31.5 mm / 310g
USB unavailable
Memory card expansion No
Release 10/1/17
Price: 169.00USD
Available at: » www.4gltemall.com (unlocked version)
File download
Manual as PDF Alcatel Linkhub HH40 User manual
detailed data sheet: » Alcatel Linkhub HH40 Datasheet

Alcatel Linkhub HH40 – Fast Speed Connection but not the best

Alcatel Linkhub HH40 could support LTE category 4, which means it could achieve maximum 150 Mbit/s in the download and up to 50 Mbit/s in the upload. For most applications, this speed should be enough, but in fact, this router is even closer to the data highway in reality. Neither the LAN port nor the WLAN interface of the Alcatel Linkhub HH40 actually provides the 150 Mbit/s. However, there are many LTE-A pro mobile routers with Ethernet port, which could support peak download speed to 1Gigabit/s, such as Netgear Nighthawk M1 or Huawei E5788u-96a. So Alcatel Linkhub HH40 is just decent WiFi router for normal daily use.

 

Alcatel states that up to 32 users can contact the HH40 router simultaneously, but then the bandwidth would (at best) be around 3.1 Mbps. After all, an optimal reception is ensured because the network device uses the multi-antenna technology 2 × 2 MIMO. In addition, external LTE antennas can be connected via the two SMA connectors. In terms of frequency diversity, Alcatel linkhub HH40 could support all the popular LTE frequency bands in Europe, including B1, B3, B7, B8, B20. The unlocked Linkhub HH40 could work with all the network carriers in Europe without any limit.

 

Alcatel Linkhub HH40 – Easy to take but no battery pack

If you want to take the 4G lte broadband router with you on the road, for example, to be able to control the Internet with your laptop while on the move, you will not need much space with this Linkhub HH40 router. The three centimeters thick and the 13 centimeters dimensions ensure high mobility. And the low weight of only 310 grams makes it easy to take in bag or pocket. What Useful are the indicators for connection status and reception.

 

However, unlike other Alcatel 4G mobile WiFi routers, there is no battery pack with the device, the power of the Linkhub HH40 is supplied via a standard micro USB connection. Therefore, if you want to use the Linkhub on the move, you’d better to take a mobile power bank for it. It’s really a negative feature: The manufacturer has not thought of a battery.

Other features of the Alcatel Linkhub HH40

The Alcatel Linkhub HH40 can be configured not only via a web interface from the computer and mobile phone, but also by means of an app. For these, a smartphone with an operating system from iOS 5.0 or Android 4.2 is required. What has to mention with such a compact LTE router is the RJ45 connection. One RJ45 is for both LAN/WAN and the other is for LAN. A convenient convenience feature is the WPS button, so the annoying entry of the network key is not necessary when connecting a device for the first time.

 

Actually, here now there are many advanced Alcatel LTE Routers supports high-level LTE technologies. If you don’t have great demand for internet speed, Alcatel Linkhub HH40 is good to consider.

A1 Net Cube Huawei E5180 Cube Test

Huawei E5180 Router, also better known as A1 Net Cube, has a completely new design like a cube. Today, let us have a look at the most beautiful LTE router on the market. First of all, this is from the Chinese Manufacturer Huawei. Whether the LTE cube E5180 with the beautiful appearance also has other advantages, we will have a review in this test.

 

I have rarely seen such a router: Most such devices would not necessarily have such a beauty shape. The box is kept in a very simple and pleasant design. The decorative LED is at the top. The LED top could aslo turn on and off the E5180 cube by pressing the Huawei logo. This simple design element makes this router very user-friendly. By a long press on the Huawei logo, user can turn off the cube.

 

In the package, we will find a LAN cable, power supply and a Quick Start Guide. The Huawei E5180 Wi-Fi router itself still has the following features: Two LED indicators on the front – they inform us of the WLAN and the network status.

On the back we find a network WAN port, the power connection and a telephone connection port. No more LAN or USB ports can be found. And there is no external antenna connector. The micro-SIM card is inserted into a slot at the bottom of the E5180 cube. There we also find the reset button.

 

The operation of Huawei Cube E5180 is very simple: Simply insert the SIM card and get started. The settings for the network will automatically configure normally. We find the SSID and wireless password on the bottom of the router. Connect your device to the SSID and then you can surf freely.

 

The A1 Net Cube Huawei E5180 Router uses all major network standards: GSM, UMTS (HSDPA Dual Cell) and LTE. However, LTE Carrier Aggregation, also called LTE Cat6, is not supported. But this should not be a problem because LTE Cat4 bandwidths of up to 150 Mbit/s support; for most users that is fast enough. In practice, I have achieved the download speed up to 85Mbit/s and upload speed to about 43 Mbit/s.

 

 

One of the most important purchasing criteria for a router is the network capability. The Huawei E5180 offers the current standards with the 802.11b/g/n, but only in the 2.4 GHz range, the area around 5 GHz is not supported. The wireless coverage range is 250 meters according to Huawei, in practice I had good reception in my whole house (old building). Up to 32 clients could access the WiFi network for surfing. A small disadvantage is the speed: The Ethernet LAN connection only allows a maximum of 100 Mbit/s.

A1 Net Cube Huawei E5180 Technical data at a glance

LTE: Cat 4 until max. download up to 150 Mbit/s, up to max. 50 Mbit/s upload
UMTS: DC-HSPA+, up to max. 42.2 Mbit/s for down, up to max. 5.76 Mbit/s upload
GSM: EDGE, GPRS
connections: 1x Ethernet LAN connection 100 MBit/s, 1x RJ-11 for telephone
WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, 2.4 GHz for up to 32 Equipment and 4 SSIDs; 250 meter range

 

 

The web interface looks very tidy and clear. On the home page, the most important information such as the link status and network strength are displayed. In addition, SMS can be sent and interface settings are made around the network. The connection type can be changed by a few clicks, you can switch the network in 2G, 3G or 4G. Basically, the built-in router antenna seems to do a good job, with the A1 Net Cube I had better reception than at the same location with the phone.

The Huawei E5180 Cube router can also configure via App. Through the  Huawei Mobile WiFi app,  SMS can be sent, to make network settings and statistics can be accessed. The Chinese manufacturer Huawei saves us much time for unnecessary and complicated barriers to entry. Thus the Huawei E5180 router is recommended quite clear for those of us who do not want to stay long with the service or the study of manuals themselves.

 

Those who want more LAN ports, a USB port, gigabit LAN or advanced networking configuration options, the A1 Net Cube may not meet your requirements. Another Huawei E5186 4G LTE router is recommended.