Assuming you’re after a 5G mobile broadband device though then the main alternative is the EE 5G WiFi. Dealing with Vodafone customer support on the phone was a nightmare. In hindsight, I would have requested a PAC code and switched to a new provider, automatically cancelling my contract.

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 one of a couple of 5G mobile broadband devices available on UK networks, and the only one available on Vodafone at the time of writing. ZTE MU5001(U) is a new 5G portable WiFi router which supports WiFi6 AX1800 and up to 32 wireless users to access the internet. Based on Qualcomm SDX55 chipset, ZTE MU5001(U) Router can provide high speed connection up to 3800Mbps for wireless terminals. And then there’s that 2.4-inch screen we mentioned. With a 320 x 240 resolution it’s crisp and clear, and it’s a colour touchscreen, so you can tweak settings as well as viewing the ZTE MU5001 5G’s status and data use.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 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). 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. So at the very least that means the Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot is future proofed. The device also supports Wi-Fi 6, and dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi. Features and software

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. For example, if you have a 5G-ready router and 5G networks are available, our antenna will enhance the 5G signal to give you a stronger, faster connection. If your router only works with 4G and 3G networks, or there are no 5G networks nearby, the Maxview external antenna will locate and connect to the next best network option. 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. Like most mobile broadband devices, the Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot is designed to be simple to get up and running. It includes an easy-to-use online interface, so just pop the SIM card in and follow the simple instructions.Adding an external antenna to your ZTE router setup is a good way to boost your internet speeds and reliability. This may be important if: 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. It's a directional antenna (advertised as 65 degree horizontal beam) so I can point it in the general direction of the mast I want to connect to. This should both improve RSRP and increase SINR by attenuating unwanted signals

Mobile routers and hotspots like the ZTE MU5120 and MU5002 aren’t compatible with external antennas, as well as the following routers: Like all types of ZTE router, the ZTE MC801A router uses a TS9 connector. Maxview’s antenna uses an SMA connector, so you’ll need to use an adaptor to attach the router to the antenna. We include an adaptor with each of our external antenna kits.Interfaces include a USB Type-C connector and an RJ45 Ethernet in addition to the Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, which is 2*2 MIMO dual-band compatible and able to support up to 32 users. All in all, while the Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot doesn’t have the most exciting of designs, it looks fairly good, and importantly it’s small enough not to be too inconvenient to take out with you. Setup I am not able to get 5G in my office, so most of my testing was done on 4G. I have also compared speeds with my Pixel 6 phone and the Netgear NBK752 Orbi 5G WiFi 6 Mesh System With this review, I didn’t test an external antenna as I found that the Poynting XPOL-1 V2 5G I used with the Netgear didn’t offer any benefits.

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.Support operating system: iOS, Android, Windows, Linux Mobile phone/tablet/computer/set-top box etc.. That’s all the more important because the ZTE MU5001 5G can get up to 32 devices online at once, so if you’re making the most of it to get a whole coach full of laptops, tablets, consoles and other gadgets online, then you’ll want all the speed you can get. This is worth noting, not just to point out that you need to fit the battery, but this always needs the battery in even if you plan to leave it switched on and plugged in permanently. It is generally not advised to leave a battery-powered device plugged in permanently. One option would be to attach this to a smart plug and have it switch off for a few hours per day. 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? Alternatively, find an antenna installer to mount and set up your antenna. They’ll be able to set up your antenna in the best position for optimum internet performance.