Three UK Launch New 4G Home Broadband Router, Declines to Identify it

Mobile operator Three UK has quietly begun to ship a new router (hub) alongside orders for their mobile-based unlimited 4G Home Broadband service, although unusually they’ve chosen not to share the exact specifications and model number because this is said to be “commercially sensitive“. But it looks like a ZTE.

At present, new customers who take their 4G based unlimited home broadband package will typically pay from £22 per month for it on a 24-month contract term (there’s a 5G version too, albeit from £29), which includes the new router. The current promotion will also bundle in a free 32″ LG Full HD Smart TV on orders made before 31st August 2021, or until the stock runs out (they have about 11,000 of these available).

We’ve never had any difficulties getting the manufacturer and model code details for a new router from Three UK before, partly because they’ve usually been clearly stated on their website. Indeed, there’s little point in trying to conceal such information behind the cloak of “commercial sensitivity,” particularly when you’re talking about a product that is on open public sale (i.e. it’s not going to stay secret for very long).

On the other hand, Three’s new 4G Hub includes their own branding, which might help to explain their approach (in the past they’ve tended to leave the manufacturer’s branding in place). The official specification list on Three UK’s website is also fairly vague, although it does offer a few clues as to the identification of the unit, and so does the visual design.

Specification for Three’s New 4G Hub

Performance and speed

Maximum download speed: 600Mbps

Typical download speeds: 50Mbps-100Mbps

Wi-Fi 5 certified for greater performance on modern devices

LTE band support: 1,3,7,80,20,32

FDD/TDD/UMTS/GSM LTE CAT12/13

Up to 4×4 MIMO & 256QAM supported

Connectivity

4x Ethernet ports for ultimate reliability. Perfect for plugging in computers and games consoles

Maximum connected devices: 64

Supports 5Ghz and 2.5Ghz Wi-Fi bands

SIM type: Standard size (mini) SIM

Dimensions

H: 180mm W:170mm D: 30mm

Naturally, members of our discussion forum have been busy trying to identify the unit (here), and the closest match seems to be one of ZTE’s models in the MF286 series (it’s closest to the MF286D or MF286R). Three’s own spec sheet doesn’t say it, but most of the MF286 series also come with 1 x LAN/WAN port, 1 x USB 2.0 port, 2 x External LTE antenna ports (SMA-Female) and 2 x Telephone Ports for VoIP (RJ11). Some models can also be battery powered for portability, and we believe the device is based on the Qualcomm MDM9230 chipset.

Sadly, one catch with Three’s 4G Home Broadband service is that their availability checker is still quite restrictive, which means that many consumers will live in areas where they can’t officially order the related packages through their website, even though the operator may have a good 4G or 5G signal in your area. Admittedly, you can get around this by purchasing an unlimited data SIM and 4G router separately.

Finally, we should point out that while both Huawei and ZTE are categorised as “high risk” vendors by the UK Government (i.e. mobile operators are effectively banned from installing new radio/mast kit from them within their networks), this does not extend to consumer end hardware (CPE) like routers or mobile phones. Indeed, many operators are still shipping such kit.