In short: it’s definitely a strong option, with good battery life and competitive specs, but the competition is fierce, so it’s worth reading this review in full and considering the alternatives too. Design Upgrade your router — A 5G router can help you get better internet speeds when you’re in range of 5G networks. In this article, find out whether a ZTE external antenna is the right option for your vehicle, which external antenna you can use, and which ZTE routers are compatible. Should you connect an external antenna to your ZTE router?

Why should you have to go without your 5G network when travelling? With the ZTE MU5001, you always have the latest mobile communications standard with you and can surf your own WLAN network at up to 1800 Mbit. End devices such as notebooks can be connected to the ZTE MU5001 via the RJ-45 network connection using a LAN cable. The router also offers a USB-C connection for connecting additional devices. If you want to increase the reception even further, the ZTE MU5001 offers the option of connecting an external 5G or LTE antenna to the two TS-9 interfaces.The SIM tray is at the top, and just like most smartphones today, you will need a SIM ejector tool to be able to access it. The top is also where the power button and two slots for external antennas are placed. The Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot is a highly capable 5G mobile broadband device that strikes a good balance between price and functionality. That 5G support is arguably the highlight, as it means connected devices can get fibre-like speeds of potentially well over 100Mbps (as long as you’re in an area with 5G coverage).

The frame is a slightly different colour – more of a grey – and it houses various ports and buttons, such as the power button, the USB-C charging port, antenna ports, and an Ethernet port. This makes it quite a pricey device, but actually still a lot cheaper than its main rival (the EE 5G WiFi). So if you don’t need the features of that (highlighted above), the Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot is probably the better buy. Conclusion The Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot has a lot going for it beyond just speed. For one thing, it supports up to 32 simultaneous connections. That means this one little gadget can get up to 32 devices connected to the internet at 5G speeds, all at the same time.If your ZTE router isn’t performing, upgrading to a 5G-ready caravan router like the Roam 5G can help you get a more reliable internet connection when you’re on the road.

If your router model isn’t listed here, please get in touch with our support team. They can advise you if your router will work with our external antenna. What type of external antenna connector is on the ZTE MC801A? And as mentioned above there’s a 2.4-inch 320 x 240 colour touchscreen, which is a handy way to keep on eye on the data use, battery life, signal strength and more. As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.Please note that one reader has commented stating that Vodafone is now selling these without an Ethernet port. It is the same device, just a slightly different variant. However, they have confirmed you can get a wired connection using USB-C (but I am unsure if a USB-C to Ethernet adaptor will work). That’s a lot slower than 3.8Gbps then, but it’s in line with what you’ll find on some of the UK’s other5G networks, and peak speeds will be a lot higher. Average speeds may well increase over time too, as the network infrastructure improves. The Maxview 4G/5G 2×2 external antenna is compatible with many ZTE routers. This external antenna will connect to the best available network that’s compatible with your router.

Your ZTE router isn’t giving you the speeds or reliability you need for browsing, navigating, and social media. That’s very fast, but it’s also not realistic. Rather, you’ll be limited by what Vodafone’s 5G network is capable of, which itself will vary from location to location, depending on how close you are to a 5G mast, among other factors. With the ZTE MU5001, up to 30 devices can be supplied with Internet. The modem function can also be used via the USB-C port, but the special feature is the integrated RJ-45 connection. This is a major advantage of the ZTE MU5001 over other mobile routers. If you’re a Vodafone fan, then that could make your decision easy, but everyone else might be wondering whether this is the one to buy or not.

The ZTE MU5001 is an excellent hotspot even if you buy it at retail. It is cheaper than competing brands, and its performance has been excellent. With me so used to phones and their pre-fitted inaccessible batteries, it didn’t occur to me that this would arrive without the battery inside. Embarrassingly, I, therefore, spent about an hour wondering why the device would not take a charge or boot up properly.