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ZTE MC801A Review

Try this to see the antenna switch
First log in to router interface then replace url by
Hit enter.
Aha! Cheers!

I believe that's done the trick, gain is about +10 improvement...

Happy with that signal strength, to be honest the signal is decent even without the poynting xpol attached but it's not the best location for the longer term.

Planning on getting the xpol mounted on the rear wall where there's line of sight to the mast

So just a quick recap on the Three issued hub:

Bridge mode ✔
Custom DNS ✔
4G / 5G SA / 5G NSA Selection ✔
APN Add/Edit ✔
External antenna ✔

antenna.jpg
 
Aha! Cheers!

I believe that's done the trick, gain is about +10 improvement...

Happy with that signal strength, to be honest the signal is decent even without the poynting xpol attached but it's not the best location for the longer term.

Planning on getting the xpol mounted on the rear wall where there's line of sight to the mast

So just a quick recap on the Three issued hub:

Bridge mode ✔
Custom DNS ✔
4G / 5G SA / 5G NSA Selection ✔
APN Add/Edit ✔
External antenna ✔

View attachment 2205
One last thing : what firmware do you have , and if it is a three custom one not a global ,is there a way to disable updates ??
I am saying this as some1 mentioned an update to the previous three model and the bridge mode disappeared after that.
 
One last thing : what firmware do you have , and if it is a three custom one not a global ,is there a way to disable updates ??
I am saying this as some1 mentioned an update to the previous three model and the bridge mode disappeared after that.

Oooft, thanks for the heads up - I've disabled auto update, current versions:

HW version: MC801AHW-1.0.0
WEB version: WEB_UKH3GMC801A1V1.0.0B04
WA INNER version: BD_UKH3GMC801AV1.0.0B04
update.webp
 
Trouble with a network branded device is that you never know if or when the network us going to push an update to the device and remove a feature or function you rely on.
 
Trouble with a network branded device is that you never know if or when the network us going to push an update to the device and remove a feature or function you rely on.
Will disable autoupdates or changing imei prevent that??
 
Changing an IMEI in the UK is illegal and so one shouldn't do such a thing. 👀🤷🏼‍♂️

If the auto update option is available within the GUI and you turn it off then the device won't update unless the Network forces one remotely. I doubt the networks would force the device to update unless absolutely necessary? Regardless, one should always disable auto updates as the networks almost always try their best to cripple these devices.
 
@ cenuij
Can you switch OFF the DHCP on the Three router? I use Pi-Hole to stop ads and also for encrypted DNS (to Cloudflare).
Can confirm, just got one from sotel to replace a B818, it has the option to disable the DHCP server in the "Advanced Settings -> Router" tab
Sorry - that's for the T-Mobile version, which isn't what you asked for,d'oh
 
Last edited:
Can confirm, just got one from sotel to replace a B818, it has the option to disable the DHCP server in the "Advanced Settings -> Router" tab
Sorry - that's for the T-Mobile version, which isn't what you asked for,d'oh
Yep - disable DHCP for LAN / WiFi is available in the Three hub, note that in bridge mode LAN/WiFi is not routed to the interwebs
 
Have you ever tried to set ZTE MC801A in bridge mode?

I'm thinking of buying the device, but at the same time I want to be sure that I will not have problem with AVG Fritz Box 7590AX Modem Router.
Yes. Works fine. I only use bridge mode.
 
Holy mackeral batman, I spoke too soon. Seriously f***ing impressed.

View attachment 2209

fast.com is known for showing very high results. It shows my 350mbit cable as being 500+ mbit sometimes. Speedtest/Ookla are more reliable as is nperf. Having said that your previous ookla test is impressive, the closest i've seen was on my phone with 875/112 on three and i've got sims for all the UK networks.
 
Yep, three sim
Thanks. This little router is a serious competitor to the CPE Pro 2. Even limited as it is by telco firmware, my Sotel version hangs in there with a decidedly weak 5G signal that my phone cannot see at all from my home location, indoors or out. I'm well pleased with my purchase.
 
Thanks. This little router is a serious competitor to the CPE Pro 2. Even limited as it is by telco firmware, my Sotel version hangs in there with a decidedly weak 5G signal that my phone cannot see at all from my home location, indoors or out. I'm well pleased with my purchase.
Actually I think the internal antennae are pretty decent all things considered. I was seeing really strong quality signal on the window sill where the xpol is now attached (-62 rsrp, -8 rsrq)
 
Nvdia & Microsoft GamePass sevices blocked via Three or ZTE 5g router settings?
Hi - apologies in advance for whether this question is stupid and/or has been asked before! Basically, I received the MC801a 5g router from Three Home Broadband a couple of weeks ago, and it works great in terms of signal and download etc (500-600 Mbps down, 50 Mbps up), but has one critical problem in that it seems to have blocked all access to Nvidia and Microsoft game streaming services, in some way that is not connected to any adult/content filter, as I've had them all taken off. This is a big problem for me as I own an Nvidia Shield, which is unable to start up properly without contacting the Nvdia server, and our household uses the Geforce Now and Game Pass streaming services, neither of which will connect via any device (Windows desktop, Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, the Shield). I've attempted:
  1. Putting the ZTE router into bridge mode with a Netgear Nighthawk router behind
  2. Activating the Plug and Play functionality on the ZTE router
  3. Changing the dns settings on my own devices to alternatives
  4. Activating the Port Forwarding and Filtering functionalities on the ZTE router
  5. Phoning Three's tech help team, who tell me there are no blocks and I should contact ZTE - I did this a week ago and after supplying some mnore details have heard nothing more back from them
Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
 
Nvdia & Microsoft GamePass sevices blocked via Three or ZTE 5g router settings?
Hi - apologies in advance for whether this question is stupid and/or has been asked before! Basically, I received the MC801a 5g router from Three Home Broadband a couple of weeks ago, and it works great in terms of signal and download etc (500-600 Mbps down, 50 Mbps up), but has one critical problem in that it seems to have blocked all access to Nvidia and Microsoft game streaming services, in some way that is not connected to any adult/content filter, as I've had them all taken off. This is a big problem for me as I own an Nvidia Shield, which is unable to start up properly without contacting the Nvdia server, and our household uses the Geforce Now and Game Pass streaming services, neither of which will connect via any device (Windows desktop, Samsung Galaxy Note 10+, the Shield). I've attempted:
  1. Putting the ZTE router into bridge mode with a Netgear Nighthawk router behind
  2. Activating the Plug and Play functionality on the ZTE router
  3. Changing the dns settings on my own devices to alternatives
  4. Activating the Port Forwarding and Filtering functionalities on the ZTE router
  5. Phoning Three's tech help team, who tell me there are no blocks and I should contact ZTE - I did this a week ago and after supplying some mnore details have heard nothing more back from them
Any advice or ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Try a vpn on the shield ETHERNET Wired and see .
I had a huawei pro2 with three for a about a year untill last august . It was ok with the shield .
My shield 2018 has always been problematic with networking .
 
Failed streaming services crop up a lot on these pages particularly with Three. This is often because Three doesn't support IP v6. If the router APN definition allows it then streaming services will attempt to use it and will fail.
Select Settings/APN and check that the PDP type is IP v4. If it is IP v4/6 then select manual and add a new definition with a new name but the same APN (usually 3internet) but selecting IP v4 only. Leave authentication/use/password blank.
 
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