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ZTE MC801A Review

It's having a fair few issues today:
Date and timeStatus
06/13/2022 4:56:34 PMOnline
06/13/2022 4:56:12 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 4:56:05 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 4:55:58 PMOnline
06/13/2022 4:55:16 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 4:55:14 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 4:33:41 PMOnline
06/13/2022 4:33:24 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 4:33:17 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 4:33:10 PMOnline
06/13/2022 4:32:28 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 4:32:26 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 12:48:22 PMOnline
06/13/2022 12:48:11 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 12:48:05 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 12:47:57 PMOnline
06/13/2022 12:47:15 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 12:47:14 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 10:30:16 AMOnline
 
That's really bad! Thanks for the link to the extension as I'd never heard of it before.

Date and timeStatus06/13/2022 4:49:10 PMOnline

This is mine, I don't know how to insert the fancy table like you:-)
 
That's really bad! Thanks for the link to the extension as I'd never heard of it before.

Date and timeStatus06/13/2022 4:49:10 PMOnline

This is mine, I don't know how to insert the fancy table like you:)
Highlight the cells in the table then Ctrl C and Ctrl V :)
 
Rang the helpline, I was asked to factory reset the router with a paperclip.
Chap also said my tower was 'yellow' on his system and that some work would be scheduled to be done on it (he never really explained that) - but he had no dates. He also suggested that it may be that there were too many users going through the tower?
I asked him if he could read the logs on my router to see if there was any info that could help - he said that he could not see them (don't know if that means there aren't any or that he just couldn't see them remotely).

He then said as I was within the 2 week grace period he could start the cancellation procedure.
I said that I'd wait until the weekend to see if anything changes.

As I am typing this, the bl00dy thing has gone down again :( Arrrgghhh

Let's see what happens over the next 6 days or so and I'll cancel next week if there's no real improvement.
 
Most likely problems with your tower, are you able to test the device at another location(different tower of course!).
 
Is it expected that the router stops working entirely when losing signal? As in, dropping wifi connectivity altogether? I am new to mobile broadband but my expectation was that wifi would be maintained upon loss of signal, just without internet connectivity?

While on this topic, are there recommendations for affordable antenna compatible with the three version of this router?
 
Rang the helpline, I was asked to factory reset the router with a paperclip.
Chap also said my tower was 'yellow' on his system and that some work would be scheduled to be done on it (he never really explained that) - but he had no dates. He also suggested that it may be that there were too many users going through the tower?
I asked him if he could read the logs on my router to see if there was any info that could help - he said that he could not see them (don't know if that means there aren't any or that he just couldn't see them remotely).

He then said as I was within the 2 week grace period he could start the cancellation procedure.
I said that I'd wait until the weekend to see if anything changes.

As I am typing this, the bl00dy thing has gone down again :( Arrrgghhh

Let's see what happens over the next 6 days or so and I'll cancel next week if there's no real improvement.
I've been having exactly the same problem. Signed up for 5g last week with Three.

Asked about trying another hub in case mine was defective. Told there would be a charge of £12.95 for a replacement hub, "but if its faulty, then why am I paying?". Ended up cancelling my contract and then resigning up for a new hub, bit crazy if you ask me.

I am using an Xpol 1 v2, but it didn't make any difference to the signal whatsoever. Read a previous post about how brittle the antenna connections are and they could be broken.

So was hoping the new hub will work better. Anyway, turns out we're having issues with our network in Telford, lol. At no point in time did one of the customer service agents mention that. Only by chance looked at the online service status to find the issue.

Will be very careful installing the antennas on the new hub tomorrow and hopefully services are back up.
 
@Monkeyrear, what version of MC801A are you using? Three Mobile has its own firmware and is currently B04. The ones sold by Sotel have German T-Mobile firmware and its current firmware is B09 although it has previously sold B06. If you have the latter, do not attempt to upgrade or downgrade the firmware. People on this forum have tried and bricked their devices.

If you have the Three mobile version then Three is responsible for any changes in service level.

As for power extension, instead of running a long mains cable you might consider a DC 12v extension cable instead.
I used this with my Huawei for a while.
Thanks for the suggestion, it works perfect 👍
 
No log data at all under those pages. Frankly useless.
I may at least (unless there are better out there) just use the afore-mentioned Chrome extension on a device that's hardwired to the router, then at least I know if it's the wifi dropping or (as I suspect) the entire device is soft-rebooting every hour or so.
What are you using for DNS?
Is it expected that the router stops working entirely when losing signal? As in, dropping wifi connectivity altogether? I am new to mobile broadband but my expectation was that wifi would be maintained upon loss of signal, just without internet connectivity?

While on this topic, are there recommendations for affordable antenna compatible with the three version of this router?
That's not expected at all.
Does the same issue happen over a wired connection?
 
Hi all, received my ZTE yesterday through Three and I am having the same disconnect issue as @Skip_2022 Hub will restart (only power light stays lit) and this is happening every 2/3 hours. I have spoken to ZTE support who said reset the hub and if that doesn't fix it to ask three for a new device.

Date and timeStatus
06/14/2022 1:48:32 PMOnline
06/14/2022 1:47:13 PMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 12:14:41 PMOnline
06/14/2022 12:13:22 PMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 12:13:20 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 10:06:35 AMOnline
06/14/2022 10:05:19 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 10:05:17 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 8:29:20 AMOnline
06/14/2022 8:28:00 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 8:27:59 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 6:25:47 AMOnline
06/14/2022 6:25:01 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 6:24:38 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 4:09:14 AMOnline
06/14/2022 4:07:27 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 4:07:26 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 1:52:50 AMOnline
06/14/2022 1:51:42 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 1:51:41 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 12:15:29 AMOnline
06/14/2022 12:13:55 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 12:13:53 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 7:28:17 PMOnline
06/13/2022 7:26:57 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 7:26:56 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 6:22:58 PMOnline
 
Hi all, received my ZTE yesterday through Three and I am having the same disconnect issue as @Skip_2022 Hub will restart (only power light stays lit) and this is happening every 2/3 hours. I have spoken to ZTE support who said reset the hub and if that doesn't fix it to ask three for a new device.

Date and timeStatus
06/14/2022 1:48:32 PMOnline
06/14/2022 1:47:13 PMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 12:14:41 PMOnline
06/14/2022 12:13:22 PMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 12:13:20 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 10:06:35 AMOnline
06/14/2022 10:05:19 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 10:05:17 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 8:29:20 AMOnline
06/14/2022 8:28:00 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 8:27:59 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 6:25:47 AMOnline
06/14/2022 6:25:01 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 6:24:38 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 4:09:14 AMOnline
06/14/2022 4:07:27 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 4:07:26 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 1:52:50 AMOnline
06/14/2022 1:51:42 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 1:51:41 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/14/2022 12:15:29 AMOnline
06/14/2022 12:13:55 AMNo internet connection
06/14/2022 12:13:53 AMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 7:28:17 PMOnline
06/13/2022 7:26:57 PMNo internet connection
06/13/2022 7:26:56 PMNo internet connection. Wi-Fi/Ethernet OK
06/13/2022 6:22:58 PMOnline
Given that there are quite a few users on here that encounter those exact symptoms, surely this is not a device-specific issue?

Is there anyone with a Three-provided ZTE MC801A with the current firmware who does not suffer from this issue?

I don't think it is related to signal strength easier, as it wouldn't explain why wifi shuts down as well. Symptoms indicate a full device reboot.

Very strange, hopefully Three support will be helpful?
 
Oh that's interesting - are those having issues on B09 as well?
I am experiencing these issues on B09

I have now called Three support and they are sending me a replacement device, hopefully can get this fixed before the 14 day cancellation date
 
As an experiment. I turned off 5G on the router (Network Selection > switched from 'Auto' to '4G Only') at 10am this morning. Connection hasn't dropped once so far. However, speeds are now 111Mbps down and 15 up (5G was 900ish/30ish).

111 is still much better than my landline (less than 44 down and around 15 up).

Also, this is £10 for 6 months and £20 for a further 18 whereas my previous ISP wanted £25 for a 24 month contract.

So I guess that I may still stick with this thing and see periodically (every weekend perhaps?) if it improves. Dunno - haven't really decided yet.

Incidentally, Three's 4G plan is £16 for 24 months so £36 cheaper over 24 months (than 6x10 + 18x20) maybe worth the extra to see if Three sort out the issues around my local mast?

What do you think?
 
As an experiment. I turned off 5G on the router (Network Selection > switched from 'Auto' to '4G Only') at 10am this morning. Connection hasn't dropped once so far. However, speeds are now 111Mbps down and 15 up (5G was 900ish/30ish).

111 is still much better than my landline (less than 44 down and around 15 up).

Also, this is £10 for 6 months and £20 for a further 18 whereas my previous ISP wanted £25 for a 24 month contract.

So I guess that I may still stick with this thing and see periodically (every weekend perhaps?) if it improves. Dunno - haven't really decided yet.

Incidentally, Three's 4G plan is £16 for 24 months so £36 cheaper over 24 months (than 6x10 + 18x20) maybe worth the extra to see if Three sort out the issues around my local mast?

What do you think?
Pretty much what I'm thinking of doing - even if it's only 4G, it's cheaper and at least twice the speed of any fixed line service I can get in the next 6 months or so.
 
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