EE 4G routers - manufacturer?

[PM4]

When I joined EE a few years ago, I took a 4G pay monthly package and EE provided a Huawei 4G router.  Not liking Huawei I bought a TP Link Archer MR600.  This router has worked ok though not giving the same speeds as the Huawei did. 

The latest storm has taken out the masts that usually provide my signal, leaving a new EE mast less than a kilometre away which as yet only has a satellite feed (pending connection of the fibre).  Ironically this mast is still operational and my neighbour using a Huawei router still has a signal.  I do not.

EE say that because the mast has only a satellite link it does not yet have the full spectrum frequencies - so only 800mHz, and therefore no 2G or 3G.  Just 4G for the ESN and for people with compatible 4G devices.  It therefore appears that my TP Link router cannot receive the 800mHz signal while the EE supplied Huawei router can.

As the TP Link router has never worked as well as that supplied by EE a solution would probably be to purchase a new EE supplied 4G router.  I don't want one made by Huawei.

Does anyone know if EE can now supply 4G routers manufactured by someone other than Huawei?  And how I can get one.

[EssexBoyEE]

I would be very surprised if your TP Link Router didn't support Band 800mhz as it a very common LTE Band these days especially UK and EU, anyway, there is a good chance that your Neighbors Huawei is picking up the signal as they are quiet RX Sensitive, shame you don't like Huawei as they do make good kit.

The later versions of EE 4/5G Routers are a ReBadged Asus Router, but I've never tested one of those yet.

Personally I would never buy a Network Branded LTE Router, appart from the SIM Lock, even after Unlocking they still retain the Networks Firmware and any restrictions imposed by the Network, I would always buy a Unlocked Global or Region which is Network Free and unrestricted Firmware.

If your not fussed about 5G and definitely don't what to do the Huawei route, then I would suggest picking up a Netgear Nighthawk MR1100, there a good 4G+ LTE Router, quiet bulletproof and can readily be picked up second hand, just a word of warning make sure to get the correct version for the UK/EU though.

[PM4]

Thanks EssexBoy really helpful 🙂  I just have to go out; back later with some questions if I may. 

[PM4]

I would be very surprised if your TP Link Router didn't support Band 800mhz as it a very common LTE Band these days especially UK and EU, anyway, there is a good chance that your Neighbors Huawei is picking up the signal as they are quiet RX Sensitive,

I was surprised at the EE Tech suggesting this too, especially as the M600 spec seems to suggest it can support 800mhz; which means there must be some other reason that the TP Link router won't pick up the signal, and the Huawei will.  Could this be to do with the better RX Sensitivity of the Huawei?  And if so, will the Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 have at least the same sensitivity as the Huawei?  I don't want to spend nearly £300 just to find I have the same issue as with the TPLink!!

I found it HERE - which I hope is the UK version. 

Thanks again for your help. 🙂

[mikeliuk]

Hi @PM4 ,

I got the MR1100 for £188 some time ago from Amazon so by waiting, it should be possible to buy it for less than the price you've quoted. As of a recent firmware update, I've been able to connect via B1 whereas previously it was always via B3 and B7.

If the cost is not as lot more, the MR2100 is worth considering, or a DrayTek dual-WAN router.

[PM4]

@mikeliuk 

Thanks for that.  I will definitely look at the price, and also the MR2100.

Do you mind me asking what speeds you are getting?  I've never achieved more than about 30 Mbps with the TPLink, although reception is poor here and the router never shows more than 75%. 

EE tech seem to think that 80 Mbps should be achievable once the new nearby mast is fully powered up and has a fibre link rather than the temporary satellite it has at present.

Do you get anywhere near 80 Mbps with the MR1100?

[mikeliuk]

Hi @PM4 ,

The best I've seen on the MR1100 is 130 Mbps at 0400 one early morning (others have reported quite a bit higher on here in the early days when out and about, and possibly near-ish an uncongested cell tower).

In actual 4K UHD streaming usage, not more than 40 Mbps is seen as probably not more than that needed. I think Disney+ and Netflix's guidance that 25 Mbps is sufficient is pretty accurate.

Over some seven months I've probably obsessed too much with bandwidth and network utilization, as long as you can get stuff done without too many painful delays, that's probably sufficient to call a win. I've found the SINR parameter to be the most useful and hopefully that's not too atrocious in your area (I aim for better than 10 dBm and would restart the radio if it's too low, to force a reconnection). Luckily I've not needed an external antenna although I had previously thought about it before repositioning my router.

[EssexBoyEE]

I can't vouch for the one on Amazon without knowing the Model Number, as said you need to get the correct version.

To help you the Official Unlocked Network Free UK/EU model was MR1100 100EUS SKU, there were some others floating the UK market, 100EEEUS and 1RDMES bothe of them were locked to EE with EE Firmware and an O2 Model which I can't remember the Model now.

They are good Routers for 4G+ with CAT16 4x4 MiMo and up to 256.QAM all of which EE support on some of there better Masts.

Best I've done with a MR1100 is 430 DL and 100+ UL a few years back pre 5G days, but don't expect them speeds from every Mast.

You could look out for the MR2100 which is CAT18 but I don't believe you going to see any real improvements over the M1. 

Good luck with you hunt for one, not sure I would be paying nearly 300 quid for one though, reckon second hand around to 100 to 130 for one, sure I saw some on the Bay a week or so ago, New and just under 200, but as said check the model numbers first, and don't touch any of them from the USA, Asia, or Aussie land as they will have a different Bands.