Several years ago I spent or living in a home where broadband is not available or costs so much money that it is easier to move to the city. Since then, a lot of terabytes have been transferred and I became interested in what is now on the market for good network access via LTE or 4G. So, I collected some old and new routers with the ability to work through cellular networks and compared the speed of work and their functions. For the results, I ask under cat. By tradition, if anyone is too lazy to read, they can watch the video.
Let's start with the fact that I did not set myself the task of finding out which of the cellular operators provides the best speed, but I decided to find out which of the modem routers provides a higher speed under the same conditions. Beeline was chosen as the provider. The following operators are available in my region: Beeline, MTS, Megafon, Tele2, Yota, WiFire. "Striped" was chosen only because I already had his sim card. I do not give preference to any of the providers - each of them just makes money.
Testing technique
To the base station, in a straight line, about 8 km, according to the router. All tests were carried out on a weekday from 11 to 13, since at this time the least load on 4G networks. In principle, I do not consider 3G networks in the test, since they also carry the load of voice communication, and only data is transmitted via 4G. Warning talk about VoLTE, I will say that voice over LTE has not yet been launched at the testing site. The test was carried out three times using the Speedtest service, the data was entered into a table and the average value of the download, data transfer and ping speeds was calculated. Attention was also paid to the capabilities of the router. Testing conditions: clear weather, no precipitation. There are no leaves on the trees. The height of the equipment is 10 meters above the ground.
Tests for all devices were carried out separately for a "bare" router, in the factory configuration. The second test was carried out when connected to a small directional antenna, if the device has the appropriate connectors. The third test was carried out with a connection to a large panel antenna.
In the last column, I added the final cost of the solution: for example, a router + modem + antenna can receive better than just a router, but cost less. Color gradation is introduced to visually identify a particular base device to which an additional antenna can be connected.
I will give a scan of the radio to understand the conditions for receiving the signal and the presence of a BS within the radius of the router.
small antenna
TTH:
Antenna version: Indoor
Antenna type: wave channel
Supported communication standards: LTE, HSPA, HSPA+
Operating frequencies, MHz: 790-2700
Gain, max., dBi: 11
Voltage standing wave ratio, max: 1.25
Characteristic impedance, Ohm: 50
Assembly dimensions (without attachment point), mm: 160x150x150
Weight, no more than, kg: 0.6
big antenna
TTH:
Antenna version: outdoor
Antenna type: panel
Supported communication standards: LTE, WCDMA, HSPA, HSPA+, DC-HSPA
Operating frequencies, MHz: 1700-2700
Gain, max., dBi: 15-18
Voltage standing wave ratio, max: 1,5
Characteristic impedance, Ohm: 50
Assembly dimensions (without attachment point), mm: 450x450x60
Weight, no more than, kg: 3,2 kg
Huawei E5372
TTH:
Network support: 2G, 3G, 4G
Protocol support: GPRS, EDGE, HSPA+, HSUPA, HSDPA, LTE-FDD 2600, LTE-FDD 1800, LTE-TDD 2300
An old, but very lively router. Works in 2G/3G/4G networks. It has connectors for connecting an external antenna. Equipped with a built-in battery, which is enough for a couple of hours of very dense work on the network or 5 hours of leisurely surfing. There is a place to install a microSD card, which is available when accessed via a local wireless network. The cost is not too high, and when connected to a small and even large antenna through various pigtails and cable assemblies, it gives a very decent result, taking fourth place in the speed rating. The router is very convenient when traveling and traveling by car, as it takes up little space, but provides everyone with the Internet in a small radius of action. This is where the minuses come from: the range of the router is not very large - it will not cover the entire area of \u2.4b\uXNUMXbthe cottage. There are no Ethernet ports, which means that wired IP cameras and other network equipment that wants to connect to the network via cable cannot be connected. Supports only Wi-Fi XNUMX GHz, so in places with a large number of networks, the speed may even be limited. In general, an excellent mobile router for working in the fields.
+ good battery life, support for all types of cellular networks, high data transfer rate when external antennas are connected
— inability to connect wired equipment
Keenetic Viva + modem MF823
TTX MF823:
Network support: 2G, 3G, 4G
Protocol support: LTE-FDD: 800/900/1800/2600MHz; UMTS: 900/2100MHz;
EGPRS/GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz; LTE-FDD: DL/UL 100/50Mbps (Category3)
The only router in this test that does not work with cellular networks itself, but it does have two USB ports and support for almost all USB modems that work with cellular networks. Moreover, you can connect an Android or iOS smartphone to USB and the router will use them as a modem. In addition, Keenetic Viva can use any Wi-Fi source as a source of access to the Internet, whether it is the Internet of neighbors, a public access point or a shared Internet from a smartphone. Well, at home, this router connects to the network via a regular Ethernet cable and allows you to work in networks at speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second. That is, a universal combine that can be used both at home and in the country. Plus, you can connect an external drive to a free USB port (there are two in total) and the router itself will start downloading torrents or act as a local server for storing video from CCTV cameras. As for working with 4G networks via a modem, this bundle took second place in the test, although for this it was necessary to connect a large external antenna. But even without it, for only 9 thousand rubles, you can get an excellent router with a lot of functions and stable Internet access. It's nice that the 4G modem can be used as a backup channel: when the wired provider "falls", the router itself switches to work from the USB modem. And if the modem freezes, then the router will reboot it by power. A wonderful combine, and nothing more.
+ An excellent combination of a router and a modem will provide Internet, both in the apartment and in the country. Works with almost all modems. Great functionality
— Does not work with cellular networks without a modem
TP-Link Archer MR200 v1
TTH:
Network support: 3G, 4G
Поддержка протоколов: 4G: FDD-LTE B1/B3/B7/B8/B20 (2100/1800/2600/900/800MHz)
TDD-LTE B38/B39/B40/B41 (2600/1900/2300/2500MHz)
3G: DC-HSPA+/HSPA+/HSPA/UMTS B1/B8 (2100/900MHz)
This router exists in three modifications - v1, v2 and v3. The fundamental difference is that the v1 modification has external antennas for 3G / 4G networks, and Wi-Fi antennas are built-in. Other versions are the opposite. That is, you can connect an external antenna to the first modification, but it is no longer possible to connect to the second and third. It should be noted that the router has good basic antennas with good gain. The functionality of the firmware is also quite rich, although it is inferior to the model from Keenetic. Standard SMA connectors are ready for an external antenna, which allowed me to triple the speed, in my case. But the router also has drawbacks: judging by the forums, TP-Link’s technical support is extremely weak, firmware is rarely released, and there were a lot of bugs in the first modification, which is so valuable for summer residents. In my case, the router has been working without problems for several years. He traveled with me a lot of cities, worked in the fields, eating from an inverter in a car, providing the whole company with the Internet. Decent router if you find the first modification.
+ Communication via cellular network with external antennas (v1), which can be replaced to improve reception. Simple and functional device.
— A lot of complaints about glitches and marriage in the desired modification of the router.
Zyxel Keenetic LTE
TTH:
Network support: 4G
Protocol support: 791 - 862 MHz (Band 20, FDD), 1800 MHz (Band 3, FDD), 2500 - 2690 MHz (Band 7, FDD)
An old, but not outdated model from Zyxel. The router is very rich in functionality: sensitive LTE antennas, SMA connectors for connecting external antennas, two ports for connecting analog telephones, 5 Ethernet ports, a USB port. In fact, this router is a whole combine, which both the Internet will provide and the phone will allow you to connect, since there is a built-in SIP client. In addition, the LTE module can serve as a backup Internet connection if the main, wired, channel stops working. That is, the router can work both at home (in the office) and in the country. The USB port can be used to connect an external drive or printer. As speed tests show, it is only slightly inferior in downloading to TP-Link Archer MR200, while its price is one third lower. The model has been withdrawn from sale, but it is easy to find in the secondary market. There are only a couple of drawbacks: it only works in 4G networks and does not receive firmware updates. The second is not so important, since the current firmware is quite stable and functional, but working only in 4G networks suits me quite well - after all, it is in these networks that cellular companies operate that provide unlimited Internet.
+ Feature-rich router, allows you to connect an external antenna, you can connect a telephone set
— Works only in LTE networks, firmware is not updated
Zyxel LTE3316-M604
TTH:
Network support: 3G, 4G
Protocol support: HSPA+/UMTS 2100/1800/900/850 MHz (Band 1/3/5/8), WCDMA: 2100/1800/900/850 MHz, LTE FDD 2600/2100/1800/900/850/800/ 700 MHz, LTE TDD 2600/2500/2300 MHz
A very interesting router, which is a logical continuation of the Zyxel Keenetic LTE, but with a modified filling and design. The stylish little white device still has a couple of outputs for connecting an external antenna, thereby demonstrating support for MIMO technology. This is all the more interesting, because the router supports data transfer in both 3G and 4G networks. But it differs from the old model in the absence of a USB port and only one FXS connector, that is, you can connect only one analog telephone set. By the way, this model does not have a built-in SIP client and calls will be made through the installed SIM card. If the network supports VoLTE, then you can continue to work with the network and communicate at the same time, otherwise, the router will switch to 3G and Internet access may be interrupted. Again, when compared with the previous model, the information content of the menu has become worse, but the speed indicators in the LTE network are delightful! The previous model Zyxel LTE3316-M604 overtakes almost one and a half times both when connecting an external antenna and when working with the built-in one. Able to work with two Internet providers (by wire and LTE) and switch if the main channel drops to the backup one. In general, a highly specialized router, but with a decent modem!
+ Excellent speed performance, the ability to connect an analog telephone for calls via a SIM card
— Not very informative menu, no SIP client
Zyxel LTE7460-M608
TTH:
Network support: 2G, 3G, 4G
Protocol support: GPRS, EDGE, HSPA+, HSUPA, LTE TDD 2300/2600 MHz, LTE FDD 2600/2100/1800/900/800 MHz
The evolution of the legendary Zyxel LTE 6101 router in the form of a single unit - Zyxel LTE7460-M608. In this model, everything is very interesting: the antenna itself, the 2G/3G/4G modem and the router are hidden in a sealed unit and can be installed outdoors without fear of any weather conditions. That is, even in our latitudes, such a device will survive both the hot summer and the fierce winter. There is also a younger model, LTE7240-M403, but it is guaranteed to work only down to -20 degrees, when the Zyxel LTE7460-M608 can withstand temperatures down to -40. In general, this device is perfect for those who do not want to bother with external antennas, cable assemblies, pulling additional wires, and more. The antenna is hung in the direction of the base station using a complete bracket, only one Ethernet cable is connected, which also supplies power (the PoE injector is located in any convenient place in the room), and then the user receives an Ethernet cable with access to the World Wide Web. That's true, for comfortable work, you need to install a wireless access point or some kind of router to organize a home wired and wireless network. As for the speed characteristics, this router did all the other models, until ... Until a large panel antenna was connected to the rest of the devices. Still, 2 built-in antennas with a gain of up to 8 dBi are inferior to a large panel antenna with a gain of up to 16 dBi. But as a ready-made solution for installation and operation, it can be recommended.
+ Work in networks 2G/3G/4G, excellent reception, work in any weather conditions, laying only one cable to the installation site
— You will need a separate Wi-Fi router to organize a wired and wireless network at home
The results
Looking at this histogram, it immediately becomes clear how much the reception and transmission speed depends on the antenna gain. In addition, during the first test, without the use of external antennas, the sensitivity of the own antennas and radio modules of the modems turns out to be obvious. The use of a directional panel antenna tripled the communication speed - isn't this the result when you want a lot of Internet for little money? But do not forget that the purchase of a router does not guarantee good communication and you need to add an antenna, especially when the communication tower is not visible to the naked eye. Sometimes, the cost of an antenna can be equal to the cost of a router, and here you should think about purchasing a ready-made device, like the Zyxel LTE7460-M608, where the antenna and router are assembled together. In addition, this solution is not afraid of temperature extremes and precipitation. But you can’t take a USB modem or an ordinary router outside, and in an ordinary attic they will have a hard time - in the summer it will freeze due to overheating, and in the winter it will just freeze. But increasing the length of the cable assembly from the antenna to the receiving device can offset all the benefits of installing a good expensive antenna. And here the rule applies: the closer the radio module is to the antenna, the less losses and the higher the speed.
For those who like numbers, I have collected the results of all tests in a table, and the last column was the cost of the assembly. I highlighted this or that device with the addition of antennas or without them - this is to facilitate the visual search for results.
Separately, I decided to test the operation of the router without an obstacle and with an obstacle in the form of a double-glazed window. That is, by simply installing the Zyxel LTE7460-M608 router behind and in front of the window. The reception speed dropped imperceptibly, but the transmission speed dropped almost three times. If the glass has any coating, the results will be even more deplorable. The conclusion is obvious: there should be as few obstacles as possible between the antenna and the base station.
Conclusions
According to the measurement results, it is obvious that the capabilities of the communication modules built into the routers differ significantly, but even without an additional antenna, this speed is quite enough to watch videos or video conferences via Skype. However, from the graphs it is quite obvious that the use of an antenna can increase the speed several times. But here it is necessary to strike a balance between the invested funds and the result obtained. For example: by purchasing a Zyxel LTE3316-M604 and a panel antenna, you can get even better results than the finished Zyxel LTE7460-M608 device. But then the panel antenna will be almost twice as large, and the router must be placed in close proximity to the antenna - this can cause difficulties.
As a result, the winner in the speed test is the Zyxel LTE3316-M604 with a large panel antenna. You need to tinker a little with the direction of the antenna, and the interface of the router only in English can cause discomfort for someone. The winner in the functionality test is Keenetic Viva with a 4G modem. This router can work both in an apartment with classic Internet, and in a country house, where only cellular networks are available from providers. The winner in the test of ready solutions is Zyxel LTE7460-M608. This all-weather router is good because it can be placed anywhere, it is not afraid of any weather conditions, but for full operation it will need a Wi-Fi access point, a mesh system or an organized LAN. For frequent trips and trips by car, the Huawei E5372 mobile router is well suited - it can work both autonomously and when connected to a charger or power bank. Well, if you want maximum speed for a minimum of money, then you should look for TP-Link Archer MR200 v1 - it has a good radio module and the ability to connect an external antenna, though there were defective copies.
ANNOUNCEMENT
I was fascinated by the idea of achieving maximum speed at a great distance from the base station of a cellular operator, so I decided to take the most powerful router and test it with three types of external antennas: circular, panel and parabolic. About the results of my experiments - in the next issue.
Source: habr.com