Huawei B618 LTE Router VS Huawei B528 LTE CPE

More and more Huawei LTE advanced routers are available for many network providers in the market. Among them, Huawei B618 LTE router and B528 routers may be the most attractive models. They don’t have the appearance of common LTE routers, but they look cool in the cube shape in white color. Somebody may ask, what’s the difference between Huawei B528 and B618 LTE-A router? Which one is better? If buying from one of them, which one to buy? After reading this article, we suppose you will find the answer.

Appearance

Huawei B618 and B528 LTE CPE are both available in 2017 and firstly presented the Europe market. The popular models for them are Huawei B618s-22d and Huawei B528s-23a. The Huawei B618s-22d LTE router is now available for Telekom in Europe. The Huawei B528s-23a was introduced by Vodafone to its product range. It’s also named Vodafone GigaCube or Vodafone B528s. Another network provider A1 also gets the B528s-23a CPE for its contract plan, and named it “A1 Net Cube Plus”. So the B528 may have Vodafone logo or A1 logo on the device. And the firmware may be customized by the network providers.

The Huawei B618 is in square cube shape while Huawei B528 is in a cylinder cube. But they both look cool and the touch feel is good when handing them even though the body material is made of plastic. On the front of the Huawei B628s-22d, there are 8 indicators for the connection status and WPS button is in the indicators. Huawei B528s-23a has 4 indicators with the power button and WPS button. The power button of Huawei B618 is at the back with two gigabit LAN ports(one for LAN & WAN) and one USB port, above which, two connectors are covered a small cap. The Huawei B528s-23a has only one Gigabit LAN (RJ45) port and one VoIP port.

At the bottom of the Huawei B618 and B528, the SIM card slot is located with the device information label, where the product name, IMEI number, S/N number, SSID and WiFi key, certifications are listed. In addition, the reset button is also available at the side of the SIM card slot.

Technical Specs

Regarding the technical features, you can have a clear review of the specs:

 

Model Huawei B618s-22d Huawei B528s-23a
Product type LTE WiFi Router LTE WiFi Router
Category LTE Cat.9/ Cat.11 LTE Cat.6
Chipset HiSilicon Balong 750 HiSilicon Balong 722
Data rates DL 600Mbps/UL 100Mbps DL 300Mbps/UL 50Mbps
Supported 4G LTE frequency bands LTE B1, B3, B7, B8, B20, B38 LTE B1, B3, B7, B8, B20, B32, B38
WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band 2.4GHz & 5GHz
Max support users 64 users 64 users
MIMO 4 X 4 MIMO 2 x 2 MIMO
Connector for external antenna Two, TS-9 jacks Two, TS-9 jacks
App management Huawei Hilink APP Huawei Hilink APP
SIM type Micro SIM Micro SIM
Battery NO NO
Dimensions 95mm × 95mm × 208mm 105 mm x 90mm x 181 mm
Interfaces * 1 x LAN port(45)
* 1 x LAN/WAN port (45)
* 1 x telephone port(RJ11)
* 1 x USB 2.0 port
* 1 x Gigabit LAN (RJ45)
* 1 x RJ11 (VoIP)
Other features DHCP Server, DNS RELAY and NAT, VoLTE, IPv4 /IPv6 dual stack IPv4 /IPv6 dual stack
Price 449.00USD 399.00USD

Summary

From the specs table, we can see that the Huawei B618s-22d is more advanced than Huawei B528s-23a. It could support faster download speed than that of B528 based on more LTE technologies. And more interfaces are available in Huawei B628s-22d for more connection possibility. Huawei B528s-23a has fewer interfaces and the speed is not as fast as Huawei B618, but for most users, the speed is still fantastic. And Huawei B528s-23a supports LTE band 32, which is not available in Huawei B618s-22d. Huawei B618s-22d LTE router has advanced features; consequently, the price of Huawei B618s-22d is higher than that of Huawei B528s-23a. So you are looking for an LTE advanced router with a budget price, Huawei B528s-23s seems more suitable for you. But if you need a future-proof router and would accept the high price, it’s no doubt that Huawei B618s-22d router is the best one for you.

Huawei B618 LTE Router User Manual

Many people are already getting or planning to get the Huawei B618 4G LTE Advanced Pro router, but many users may want to know how to use or setup the Huawei B618 router. Today, we will guide you know the Huawei B618 and use the Huawei LTE router well.

 

Getting to know your LTE CPE B618

Note:

* During thunderstorms and rainy weather, turn off and disconnect the LTE CPE B618.

* The LTE B618 CPE function descriptions and illustrations in this article are for your reference only. The product you have purchased may vary.

 

Application scenario

The Huawei B618 LTE CPE can:

* Provide Internet access for Wi-Fi® devices and a computer.

* Connect to a telephone for voice services.

* Expand LAN coverage together with a hub or a switch.

 

Note:

When the Huawei LTE CPE B618 is in use, you can alter its position or orientation to improve signal reception.

 

Selecting the installation environment Obstacles such as concrete and wooden walls will affect the transmission of the network signal. It is recommended that when you install LTE CPE you choose an open space. Keep the LTE CPE away from equipment that generates strong magnetic and electric fields, for instance microwaves, refrigerators, and satellite receivers.

 

Appearance

  1. External antenna sockets (* Connect to external antennas).
  2. Power button Press and hold to power the B618 on or off.
  3. USB port Connect to a USB device.
  4. WAN/LAN port

– Working as a LAN port when connected to a computer, switch, or other LAN device.

– Working as a WAN port when connected to an Ethernet port on the wall.

  1. Landline phone port Connect to a telephone.
  2. Power input Connect to compatible power adapter.
  3. Signal indicators Green: signal reception available (more indicators mean better reception).
  4. WPS button Press and hold to active WPS connection when Wi-Fi is turned on.
  5. Indicators
  6. Micro-SIM card slot Accommodate a micro-SIM card.
  7. RESET button Restore the LTE CPE to its factory settings.

 

* Power LED indicator

Off: Power off.

On: Power on.

 

* Status LED indicator

Off: Data server connection is disconnected.

Blinking in green: Firmware update.

Green: Get IP address of WAN.

 

* LAN LED indicator

Off: No device is connected to a LAN port.

Blinking: data is being transmitted through a LAN port.

Green: At least one of the LAN ports is connected to a device.

 

* Wi-Fi LED indicator

Off: Both 2.4G and 5G Wi-Fi is closed.

Blinking in green: WPS open.

Green: Both or one of the 2.4G and 5G Wi-Fi is opened.

 

* Mode LED indicator

Steady cyan/blue/ yellow: connected to a mobile network.

Steady green: connected to an Ethernet network.

Steady red: The SIM card is not recognized, the PIN has not been entered, or the PIN verification failed.

 

 

 

Huawei B618 Setup

  1. Installing the micro-SIM card Install the micro-SIM card according to the illustration.

– Note: When removing the micro-SIM card, gently press the micro-SIM card in, then release. The card will automatically pop out.

– Do not remove the micro-SIM card when the LTE CPE is powered on. Doing so will affect the performance of your LTE CPE, and data stored on the micro-SIM card may be lost.

– Note: When removing the micro-SIM card, gently press the micro-SIM card in, then release. The card will automatically pop out.

– Do not remove the micro-SIM card when the LTE CPE is powered on. Doing so will affect the performance of your LTE CPE, and data stored on the micro-SIM card may be lost.

 

  1. Connecting to a power adapter

– Install the power adapter according to the illustration.

 

Note: Use the provided power adapter. Use of an incompatible power adapter or one from an unknown manufacturer may cause the LTE CPE to malfunction, fail, or could even cause a fire. Such use voids all warranties, whether expressed or implied, on the product.

 

Connecting to your LTE B618 router’s Wi-Fi network

Once the router has connected to a mobile data network, you can connect your computer or mobile phone to the router’s Wi-Fi network to access the Internet. Please refer to the label on the bottom of the router for the default wireless network name (SSID) and password (Wi-Fi KEY).

Note: 1.) When the Wi-Fi LED indicator is steady on, Wi-Fi is enabled. To enable or disable Wi-Fi, refer to the help section on the router’s web-based management page. 2.) Ensure that you promptly change the Wi-Fi network name and password on the web-based management page to prevent unauthorized access to your Wi-Fi network. Once you have changed the password, you will need to reconnect to the router’s Wi-Fi network.

 

 

 

Configuring your Huawei B618 router

You can configure the router using the web-based management page. Please refer to the label on the bottom of the router for the default IP address, user name, and password. More information can be found in the help section of the web-based management page.

Note: You will be prompted to change the default login password for the web-based management page to prevent unauthorized users from changing the router’s settings.

 

 

Optional configurations

Note: The features described in this section are for reference purposes only. Your router may not support all of these features.

  1. Connecting multiple devices You can connect a computer, or landline phone to the router to access the Internet, make telephone calls, and more.
  2. Installing external antennas You can install external antennas to improve signal reception. Please contact your network service provider to purchase the antennas.

Note: Turn off the router and unplug the power adapter before installing any external antennas. External antennas are only suitable for indoor use. Do not use external antennas during thunderstorms. Only use external antennas provided by your network service provider.

 

  1. Accessing the Internet through an Ethernet port

You can connect the router to a wall-mounted Ethernet port using an Ethernet cable to connect to the Internet when you have used up your data allowance. Configure the relevant settings on the web-based management page before connecting to the Internet through an Ethernet port. More information can be found in the help section of the web-based management page.

  1. Restoring to Factory Settings

If you forget some configuration parameters, you can restore the LTE CPE to its factory settings and then configure the LTE CPE again. Use a sharply pointed object to press and hold the RESET button until the Power indicator turns off. The LTE CPE is then restored to its factory settings.

 

Note: After you carry out this operation, the LTE CPE’s personal configuration parameters will all be deleted. All configurations on the web management page will be restored to the factory settings.

 

 

  1. Establishing a WPS Connection

If the Wi-Fi device to be connected to the LTE CPE supports WPS, the wireless network encryption key is generated automatically and there is no need to enter it manually. The steps for WPS connection are as follows: 1.) Turn on the CPE. 2.) Turn on the Wi-Fi device to be connected to the LTE CPE. 3.) Activate the LTE CPE’s WPS. 4.) Activate the Wi-Fi device’s WPS.

 

Note: Press and hold the WPS button for two to five seconds to set up a 2.4 GHz WPS connection, or press and hold the button for more than five seconds to set up a 5 GHz WPS connection. For specific instructions for the Wi-Fi device, refer to the device’s user manual.

 

  1. Downloading Huawei HiLink App

Scan the QR code to download the Huawei HiLink App and configure the router from your phone.