TP-Link Box 4G, Router 4G+ LTE Cat.6 300 Mbps WiFi AC 1200 Mbps, 2 x SMA for External Antenna, 4 RJ45 Gigabit Ports, Removable Antennas, OneMesh, Modem SIM Card for Any Operator, Archer MR600

A good item but could be improved by a notification light on the front panel for SMS messages, it would also benefit from the ability to plug in a phone handset. TP-Link are great with routers but when dealing with mobile sim card dependant items they are a little lacking in their design from mobile phone makers as in order to use this properly with multiple wireless devices you need a high rate or unlimited data plan and these come with unlimited call and texts that this device makes hard to use on the SMS side and impossible for the call side. Data only plans I have found to be more expensive than plans including voice and SMS.After 1 month of using this I have had good signal strength throughout my house, the colour is great as it needs to be mounted in a window for best mobile reception and being white in sunlight prevents it from getting too hot, the power cable is not long enough for window mounting so have had to find a way to extend it (it was easier to move a mains extension to the plug than extend the power cable).Having to log on the router home page to check for messages is a pain so you can't really use the message side.Mobile broadband is good for singles or those with lower internet (non gamer and no HD streams) but you can't really plan how much data you will need, for example you tube does let you pick different resolutions but does not specify how much data you will need to watch a video. Not many singles and couples really need fibre band-with.As I am using this with an unlimited internet plan that gives me calls and texts unlimited too I have tried to switch to a Motorola FW410 4G (after only 1 month) which did not provide as good a signal throughout the house but was able to use all 3 parts of my plan - calls, texts and internet. unfortunately the hot-spot side of this item packed up after only 5 days of use, it was a hot-spot not a router.This TP-Link router is a good reliable solution for data only with limited SMS function. If calls are required on top (like with my requirement) you may need 2 sims and 2 devices (and 2 accounts/bills), 1 to handle calls and texts (a basic Nokia 105 mobile will do this for around £20 equipment cost) and this router which gives the added bonus of being able to accept add on aerials which can be either indoor or outdoor mounted further improving mobile reception (did not need these and have not tried these, may need after house move). Most people already own a mobile so should not have this issue, the use of a non smartphone is due to battery life, recharge interval and better reception.My circumstances: due to probate (death of the home owner who paid the broadband bill) I will be leaving this house soon, could not justify a 2 year broadband contract and mess around with number changes when I move. This mobile system means I pay less for phone services (no line rental), get the bandwidth I need, have uninterrupted number portability and choice (albeit limited) of my own equipment. Landlines are lv ike TV licences, a thing of the past that you don't need (if you don't use TV) and there are newer alternatives to consider. This way I only have to inform of number change once which with the house move is required anyway.

Sometimes it’s really useful to have a backup for when you have no or weak broadband but a good mobile signal. That’s where this device really comes into its own. My phone shows 4 bars of mobile and, once set up, we get 35-40Mbps download and nearly 15Mbs upload - fine for a couple streaming a single UHD TV plus browsing etc. although a larger family may struggle.Setting up was simple. We ordered a SIM from Smarty with unlimited data on a rolling monthly plan. Cheaper than our normal broadband contract and no rip off mid-contract price rises.Once fitted, activation was quick and easy. An ordinary mobile phone SIM was fine but don’t expect to use the phone service (wrong technology for a router). Messaging is supported via the TP-Link app but is really just for service messages. Better to get your SIM supplier to send its service / account messages to your email and ignore any phone number that comes with the SIM.The TP-Link app for the router is useful and simple to operate. If your SIM is on a rolling contract or has limited data per month, you can set the app to remind you when you need to renew and when you are running out of data. I found its measure of data consumed was close to that reported by the SIM provider.Once connected to the mobile network, I tried various locations around the house and, using a Speedtest utility on my mobile chose one that gave a good compromise between mobile speed and WiFi performance. One of the joys of broadband using mobile is that you are not tied to where a cable comes in to your premises so the router can be in a more convenient location.WIFi coverage from a single router is good for smaller premises but for large ones you will need a WiFi extender or a Mesh system. This TP-Link router claims Mesh compatibility. I haven’t tried it but it doesn’t look as though it is compatible with other TP-Link Mesh units let alone other manufacturers. I’d definitely suggest more research if this aspect is important to you.Finally, we connected this router to our existing internet devices. We turned off and disconnected our existing router. If you configure the TP-Link router with the same WiFi name as your old router, devices will eventually pick it up. However, it’s better to restart all the devices either by turning their WiFi off in their settings and then on again or by powering the unit off and on. This lets them get a new internet address allocated by your new router rather than the one allocated by the previous one that might clash with another device on your WiFi.