The LTE network rollout is progressing steadily, and the 5G network is also slowly gaining a foothold in Germany. The german telecom for example, reports that it already provides LTE to more than 98 percent of the population. Expansion is even more advanced in many other countries. In addition, consumers throughout the european union enjoy high-speed internet at low prices: since 2017, they no longer pay roaming charges.
For travelers at home and abroad, these are excellent conditions for setting up their own independent WLAN. Then you can provide several devices with wireless Internet at the same time and no longer have to rely on public hotspots to surf the web. A fast and secure WLAN network for on the move is easy to set up with a mobile WLAN router.
What is a mobile WLAN router??
a mobile WLAN router, sometimes also called pocket-wifi, provides users with a wireless internet connection. The small device is mostly powered by battery or mains plug and fits in any pocket. Some models can also be plugged into a car’s cigarette lighter or come with a car charging cable. To set up its own WLAN network, the router requires a SIM card with a data tariff. The router converts the network connection into a WLAN signal and thus creates a private radio field that can be accessed by several smartphones, tablets or pcs with the appropriate password. Internet speed depends on the mobile network accessed by the router. The fastest connection is currently provided by the 4G or LTE network, as the successor 5G is not yet sufficiently developed.
Advantages of mobile WLAN routers
Mobile WLAN routers show their strengths especially when traveling. The devices provide constant Internet access not only during family vacations, but also during business trips. Powerful mobile WLAN allows workers to perform their tasks easily in other locations at home and abroad. If necessary Often more than ten devices connect to a router as long as users have the password.
Mobile WLAN routers are also practical for anyone who has recently moved or is planning to move: it can take several weeks to set up a home network. With a mobile WLAN router and a prepaid SIM card with data flat rate can you bridge the time gap. For example, it supplies the smartphones, tablets and notebooks of all household members with high-speed Internet.
Although smartphones also have a hotspot function, this consumes a lot of battery power. For those who are on the road for longer periods, a WLAN hotspot that is independent of the smartphone is a good idea.
Are surfsticks an alternative to mobile WLAN routers??
Like mobile WLAN routers, surfsticks are small devices that establish an Internet connection with the help of a SIM card. Users connect the surf stick via USB connection with a terminal device, which is then the only one with internet. Multiple devices can only be connected if users set up the stick as an additional WLAN hotspot. Due to the additional effort, this method is not a practical alternative to mobile WLAN routers. A surf stick is only suitable to a limited extent when you’re on the move, as it requires a USB connection or a suitable adapter to get started. On longer train journeys, for example, the surfstick can be connected to the notebook without any problems. For individuals in a new apartment, the surfstick is also a suitable transitional solution until, for example, DSL is set up. Surf sticks are an alternative for individual users and for more stationary use on a notebook or PC.
What to look for when buying
A suitable mobile WLAN router provides users everywhere with high-speed Internet and is so small that it fits in any pocket. At the same time, it must have space for all the necessary connections and allow a sufficient number of devices to access it in parallel.
SIM card and rates
A SIM card with a data plan is required to start using the mobile WLAN router. Most models allow the use of all users’ tariffs. However, it is possible that the WLAN router of a particular network provider can only be used with the provider’s SIM card.
The tariff can be part of a contract or prepaid. With a fixed contract, users are bound to the term and cannot change or cancel the tariff spontaneously. Every month the provider debits the costs from the customer’s account. Those who rarely use the mobile WLAN router still pay the full price. The minimum term is often one to two years; only a few plans can be canceled after one month. With a prepaid rate, the provider debits the amount from the credit balance. If the user does not top up the credit, there are no additional costs: he thus has full control over spending. For low users or limited periods of use, such as on vacation, prepaid rates or monthly contracts are the best choice.
The second decision concerns the data volumes required. This also depends on the user behavior, on the one hand on the frequency and on the other hand on the type of use. Videos and streaming services, for example, consume a lot of data volume: if you want to watch an hour of high-quality video on netflix streams, consumes one gigabyte, during one hour youtube-videos with a vertical resolution of 1.080 pixels look about 1.8 gigabytes required.
According to this, many users who consume a lot of data volume at a time need the most of it. A data volume of five gigabytes is already recommended for frequent users who use their devices primarily for writing messages or surfing the Internet. Three gigabytes are enough for occasional users who watch videos.
Mobile communications standard
Since the mobile WLAN router converts mobile radio signals for its own network, the young woman speed of the mobile radio standard of the selected tariff from. The fastest mobile communications standard currently available with good network coverage is 4G or LTE. This standard allows data transmission of up to 300 megabits per second. In theory, 5G is much faster, but the network in Germany has not been expanded to the point where it can deliver its full performance. A 5G-capable modem can therefore not be recommended without reservation.
But for heavy users with high speed requirements who want to be ready for the future, the extra cost of a 5G router and data plan can be well worth it. In addition, coverage is more advanced in some countries – especially Asian ones such as china or south Korea – so that travelers in those locations benefit from 5G. For most users, however, 4G is perfectly adequate: it provides high-speed Internet and has good network coverage, even in European and non-European countries.
3G, also known as UMTS, is not recommended in the long term, as the three major german network operators telecom, vodafone and O2 want to switch off this mobile communications standard between june 2021 and early 2022. The freed-up frequency spectrum will then be used for the LTE radio network.
For all those who want to travel with their mobile WLAN router, especially outside of europe, it is recommended to, pay attention to the frequencies, that the device can receive. Otherwise, the router cannot access the mobile network and establish a connection. The frequency ranges or bands used for the respective mobile networks differ from country to country and from provider to provider. Europe, africa and the middle east have a similar structure. The second group comprises the Americas and the third Asia and the Pacific.
Which LTE frequency bands are needed in germany??
The most important mobile network in germany, LTE, has around 40 different frequency bands worldwide: although there are uniform LTE standards worldwide, the mobile data transmission takes place regionally on different frequencies instead of. The most important bands used by German mobile communications providers are LTE band 1 with frequencies of 2.100, band 3 with 1.800, band 7 with 2.600, band 8 with 900, band 20 with 800 as well as band 28 with 700 megahertz. Many of the bands used in germany are also used in other countries, but not all of them. This also makes the purchase of imported products problematic, as essential bands may be missing: in the case of products for the Chinese market, for example, this is LTE band 20.
WLAN standard
In addition to the mobile radio standard, the WLAN standard used is important in the transmission from the router to the terminal device: it defines the maximum transmission speed and possible frequency range. Wireless LAN, WLAN for short, is usually based on the IEEE-802.11 standards for ethernet-based wireless networks. These have existed since 1997 and have evolved continuously since then. The next generations process more data, improve range and security, and ensure better cooperation between branded devices. To make the standards more understandable for normal consumers, they got simpler names: the original IEEE-802.11 was given the name wi-fi 1 internationally, and in germany WLAN 1. Subsequent generations are:
- WLAN 2 / wi-fi 2: IEEE-802.11b
- WLAN 3 / wi-fi 3: IEEE-802.11g
- WLAN 4 / wi-fi 4: IEEE-802.11n
- WLAN 5 / wi-fi 5: IEEE-802.11ac
- WLAN 6 / wi-fi 6: IEEE-802.11ax
With mobile WLAN routers, consumers usually encounter the n, ac or ax standard and the two frequencies 2.4 and 5.0 gigahertz, instead of the corresponding "WLAN" designations. All standards are downward compatible, so they can also use the newer versions with older devices.
The frequency bands have a certain number of channels, most of which overlap – for example, 13 channels in the 2.4-gigahertz frequency range. With WLAN radio technology, all network subscribers share the available channels. While the 2.4 gigahertz frequency band has a longer range than the 5.0 gigahertz frequency band, the latter is usually faster with good signal strength and quality. In addition, the channels are not as busy as in the 2.4-gigahertz band.
Although the latest wi-fi standards transmit data much faster, no version, regardless of its age, reaches the maximum speeds indicated: real-world transmission depends on environmental conditions such as walls and other wireless networks, the number of subscribers, and distance, and often reaches only a fraction of the possible rate. For the sake of high speed and security, the most up-to-date standard possible, such as IEEE-802.11ac or ax advisable.
Power supply
Mobile WLAN routers can be powered either by battery or by power supply unit. Devices with rechargeable batteries are connected to independent of an external power source can be used everywhere. As long as the battery is not depleted, consumers can enjoy continuous wireless internet on beaches, in the mountains and during city tours, for example. if you plan to use the router for long periods of time, it’s best to pay attention to battery life.
For devices with power supply they are location-bound. The models are worthwhile for use indoors or, if a suitable connection or adapter is available, in the car. At home, for example, it can replace a fixed DSL network; in vacation homes or hotel rooms, it also provides a network.
Number of possible connections
Mobile WLAN routers also differ in the number of devices they can supply with wireless Internet. While some models can connect less than ten devices, other pocket wifis allow more than thirty. The more people have parallel access the network, the more devices the router must support. For families and small groups, at least ten connection points are advisable.
What connections do mobile WLAN routers have??
In addition to the SIM card slot, each mobile WLAN router is equipped with a connection for the power supply. It is advisable to pay attention to the size of the SIM card: although it is possible to cut a SIM card that is too large and buy an adapter for one that is too small, it is easier to already have the right size – often a microsim card. A microusb port is usually available for recharging the battery. Alternatively, the devices have a connector for the power supply or a car charger cable. With a LAN connection, the device can also be coupled directly with the devices to increase the transmission speed. Some models have a connector for external antennas. A slot for memory cards and a USB port are common on many models. A USB cable can be used to connect a printer, for example. The files that are on the storage medium, are accessible for all end devices.
Scope of delivery and accessories
The scope of delivery of mobile WLAN routers is often small. While a charging cable or power supply are usually included, only a few manufacturers add accessories to the router such as a SIM–card adapters or adapter attachments.
A SIM card adapter is a practical extra, however, as the nanosim cards of modern smartphones do not fit into the microsim slot of the router. For those who use their router for long periods of time or who rarely have time to recharge the battery while traveling, a powerful powerbank is a good idea.
To additionally boost the router’s WLAN signal, users can use a battery-powered WLAN repeater if required. This picks up the radio signal from the WLAN router and sends it out again. This allows the range to be increased and signal interruptions to be reduced. Alternatively, consumers can amplify the signal using an antenna if the device has an appropriate connection.
Overview of the different networks
Originally, mobile telephony was only possible using analog voice transmission. Only its successor, 2G, made mobile data transmission possible. Subsequent generations ensure faster and interference-free transmission rates. Designations such as 3G, 4G, 5G, UMTS and LTE describe the respective mobile communications standards. The following section explains the detailed differences between the individual standards.
2G: the digital beginning
The 2G mobile communications standard is the first digital network to enable data transmission in addition to telephone calls. It based on GSM–standard ("global system for mobile communications"), which was introduced in 1992 and is the most widespread fully digital mobile radio standard. The 2G network is mainly suitable for telephony and text messaging, as the data transfer rate is only 9.6 kilobytes per second.
GPRS and EDGE: more efficient data processing
The GPRS–standard ("general packet radio service) from 2001, also known as 2.5G is known, is a further development of the first 2G network. This mobile radio divides the information to be sent into several packets and sends them; when it reaches the recipient, it reassembles the small packets to form a complete. This approach only puts a load on the network while the package is being sent, so users save data volume. Transmission speeds of up to 54 kilobytes per second: sending a two-megabyte photo takes about five minutes, provided there are no interruptions.
The EDGE–standard ("enhanced data rates for GSM evolution") or 2.75G represents an improvement of the packet-oriented GPRS service. Due to more efficient processes, the transmission rates of the packets have risen sharply, to up to 220 kilobytes per second. This speed enables applications such as e-mail or instant messenger.
D-net and E-net: the origin
Originally, the telekom and the vodafone-predecessor D2 mannesmann the GSM network with frequencies available around 900 megahertz. This is today’s D-network. In the mid-1990s, the E-plus the so-called E-network, and uses a 1.800 megahertz frequency range. In the meantime, D-network and E-network no longer describe the frequencies – all providers use 900 and 1.800 megahertz – but the providers. The E-network belongs to telefonica, the combination of E-plus and O2.
3G: the breakthrough
The third generation of mobile communications is the UMTS network, which stands for "universal mobile telecommunications system". It is only the 3G mobile communications standard that achieves the high transmission rates that enabling mobile Internet. Together with the radio access technology wideband CDMA ("code division multiple access"), multiple data streams can be sent and received simultaneously, enabling transmission rates of up to 384 kilobytes per second.
3.5G: enhanced UMTS
3.5G is a further development of the UMTS standard, but not yet an independent network. The enhancements include HSPA and HSPA+ ("high speed packet access"), each of which consists of an up- and a download accelerator. With HSPA, the data transfer rate increases to 7.2 megabytes per second, while up to 42 megabytes per second can be achieved with HSPA+. Compared to the pure UMTS standard, the enhancements create a significantly faster Internet connection.
4G: the high-speed solution
The fourth-generation mobile communications standard is called LTE ("long term evolution"). From a technical point of view, the original LTE corresponds to a 3.9G network, but as a marketing strategy this technology was given the name 4G. The transmission rate is 150 megabytes per second and the time it takes for the data packet to be transmitted is reduced by 20 to 50 milliseconds. This makes it possible to applications such as streams or large downloads, which have a high data volume, perform.
The actual 4G standard
LTE-advanced, also abbreviated as LTE-A or LTE+, is an extension of the LTE standard and corresponds to the actual 4G network. Transmission rates have increased enormously to between 300 and 600 megabytes per second. With a simple software update, compatible LTE base stations can be upgraded to the enhanced standard.
In germany, a technology called "carrier aggregation" ensures the high transmission rates. It allows the simultaneous use of several frequency bandsWhile LTE-advanced usually uses two bands, LTE-advanced pro uses at least three frequency bands. LTE-advanced pro, also 4.called 5G, it achieves speeds of up to 600 megabytes per second and is thus an intermediate step to the fifth generation.
5G: technology of the future
5G is the latest and fastest generation of mobile communications networks; data is theorized to be transmitted in real time. Latency times are less than one millisecond. This also enables home users, mobile operators say, to use applications such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) with any 5G-enabled device.
While the 5G network is already well established in some countries such as China, it is still in its infancy in Germany. Mobile network operators work with the 5G-NR standard, also known as 5G-NSA, in the rollout process. "NSA" stands for non-stand-alone and means that the 5G access network is added to an existing LTE core network. It does not work independently.
A special feature of the 5G network is network slicing, in which individual networks specialize in one function at a time. In the following video, a department head from the vodafone germany what this technology actually means:
However, only independent networks can use the slice function, so German users will not be able to benefit from the advantages in the foreseeable future.
Further test reports
Attention: this is a comparison of mobile wireless routers. We have not subjected the presented products to any test.
The foundation warentest took a close look at nine mobile LTE WLAN routers and the hotspot function of three smartphones. The editors tested the speed of data transmission, handling, power consumption and data transmission behavior of the app.
The test winner among the six battery-powered devices was the huawei E5885 as well as the netgear aircard 790, both with the test rating "good" (2.1). In the case of the three tested routers with a power connection, the gigacube flex the best result from vodafone with the test mark "good" (1.9).
Also the test center of CHIP tested the handling and equipment of nine mobile LTE routers. The testers paid particular attention to which network standards and SIM cards the test devices supported and whether storage options were available. According to the testers, none of the devices tested was unusable.
The test winner nighthawk M1 from netgear convinced with an easy installation and commissioning, a strong battery as well as extensive equipment. In addition to a USB-3.0 cable, the device comes with a USB power supply with type-C adapter for germany and type-G adapter for the united kingdom.
Due to its ease of installation and use, coupled with a good transmission rate as well as a low price, testers crowned the PWR-932 from the manufacturer D-link to the price-performance winner.
In the test of COMPUTER BILD also scored well, a mobile WLAN router from netgear: the aircard 810 not only has numerous features, it is also the only device that works with the fast WLAN-n standard. The operation is simple, but users have to select a suitable access point themselves. Thanks to its good WLAN performance and sufficient functionality at a low price, the TP-link M7310 the test mark "satisfactory" (3,3) and the title price-performance-winner.