The Austrian network operator 3 has once again added a new 4G LTE router to its product range: the 3neo by the Chinese manufacturer ZTE. At first glance, the design of the router looks unusual and definitely not like a usual wireless router. Technically speaking, the 3neo router comes from the factory model ZTE MF287, which has an LTE Cat6 modem for up to 300 MBit/s in the downlink and up to 50 MBit/s in the uplink. As a special feature, there is an integrated rechargeable battery, so you can use the 3neo as mobile router when on the go. 
3neo LTE router
The design of the 3neo is unusual, but also has the connections to be found at the back, like the ZTE MF286 and Huawei E5186. On the side there is a LED light bar for the status display and on the top there is a LED light ring for the display of the network mode. Both the LTE antennas and the WLAN antennas are permanently integrated in the device and are not visible from the outside.
The modem of the 3neo can use LTE of category 6 and reaches up to 300 MBit/s in the downlink and up to 50 MBit/s in the uplink. Of course the router is also downwards compatible with the older 3G/UMTS technology, and up to 42.2 MBit/s in the downlink is possible. If desired, the mobile radio reception can be improved by an external LTE antenna, the required connections are hidden under a cover on the back. 
In addition to the two connectors for an external antenna, there are also four RJ-45 Gigabit LAN connections as well as an RJ-11 telephone connection. Also the connection for the power supply is on the back, the plug for 12V/5A is also suitable for operation on an external battery/Powerbank, but unfortunately no MicroUSB connection for power supply has been installed. The built-in rechargeable battery in the 3neo / ZTE MF287 has a capacity of 3020 mAh and is supposed to allow an operating time of up to 4 hours without power supply. 
The WLAN in the 3neo runs on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, the router can supply up to 64 devices at the same time. As a convenience function, for example, a guest network function as well as a WLAN timer is available. The connection is to be set up quickly thanks to QR code and “3Home” app for the smartphone without complicated password input.
Availability
The 3neo LTE router is now available in Austria. However, the 3neo LTE router has a netlock, so it can only be used with SIM cards from 3 Austria. If you want the unlocked 3neo, you may check www.4gltemall.com and the unlocked version of 3neo would be available in future time. 