Huawei Portable Mobile Router.

TP-Link Mobile Router.

There are two classes of mobile router as illustrated by the images. A 'mobile' mobile router is one that can be carried about, in a pocket and is battery powered. A 'fixed' of 'home' mobile router is similar to a standard router, not really moveable and requires electricity to work. However both of these use the same underlying technology. They deliver WiFi in the house or room but rather than providing the backhaul over copper or fibre connections, it is provided via the mobile network. There are a number of factors to take into account when considering using a mobile router rather than a standard router :

• Speed : The connection speed of the mobile router depends on the strength and usage of the mobile signal locally. However in areas of good 4G signal a speed of 70Mbps is quite likely. The maximum speed of a broadband signal with FTTC is 76Mbps but often the signal will be less than 35Mbps. Area with fibre are likely to see speeds higher than 100Mbps.
• Capacity :How much data, per month, is used. Broadband contracts will usually have an unlimited amount of data available. There are mobile SIM contracts that give the same unlimited data. Lower capped data limits may in reality not be an issue except for users that do a lot of online gaming or watch home movies.
• Price : A contract for a mobile SIM only with Three is £25pcm for unlimited data using 4G or 5G mobile connections. For a BT contract of 38Mbps broadband contacts with BT is also around £25pcm. BT contracts for 100Mbps can be £38pcm.

Advantages of a mobile router : In areas of good 4G signal the mobile broadband is comparable to a fixed home router. It can be situated anywhere in the home. Also smaller mobile broadband devices are mobile and can be taken on holiday, used whilst travelling, used in hotels and cafes with a greater level of security. No landline is needed in the home with potentially a cost saving.

Disadvantages of a mobile router : The mobile signal varies more than the fixed broadband especially at times of heavy mobile use. To use mobile broadband a good signal is needed to get a usable s peed comparible to a broadband speed. Faster for heavy broadband users and especially gamers

To deliver FTTP in the UK, the copper telephone wires used to deliver the backhaul need to be replaced. One solution is to install fibre in the streets at a considerable cost and inconvenience, digging up roads and pavements. Another option is to use 5G as the backhaul to the cabinet thus merging the distinction between the two flavours of broadband.