3 Recommended Mobile Router, a major carrier, can connect smartphones and PCs and tablets [2019 latest version]

　With the exception of some models, recent smartphones are equipped with a function called "tethering (Internet sharing)" that allows you to share your Internet connection with a computer, tablet, game console, etc.

However, using tethering on a smartphone naturally consumes the battery faster. One of the options is a "mobile router (mobile Wi-Fi router)" that specializes in data communication.

　In this article, we will introduce points to check when choosing a mobile router sold by a major mobile phone operator (carrier), and three recommended models based on that.

What about speed? Check "Maximum communication speed"

　Mobile routers generally use the same LTE (4G) network as smartphones and mobile phones to connect to the Internet. One of the factors that affect the communication speed is the maximum communication speed of the mobile router.

　Generally speaking, the maximum communication speed of a mobile router is the "theoretical value", in other words, the "communication speed in an ideal environment where nothing interferes". You can't actually reach that speed. If the speed is about 80% of the theoretical value, it can be said that the environment is quite good.

However, the higher the theoretical communication speed, the faster the actual communication speed tends to be and the more comfortable you can use it. If you want to communicate as comfortably as possible, we recommend buying a mobile display with a high maximum communication speed. If you use a lot of video distribution and data uploading, you want to check the upload (transmission) speed as well.

Can it handle congestion? "Reach priority?" Check "Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) Standard" ) will be used. That's why I want to check the Wi-Fi (wireless LAN) communication standard that the mobile router supports.

　The wireless (radio waves) used in Wi-Fi can be broadly divided into those that use the "2.4 GHz band" and those that use the "5 GHz band", which have the following advantages.

On the other hand, it also has the following disadvantages.

　Current mobile routers support at least 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11ax, 11b, 11g, 11n: *3). If your Wi-Fi device supports 5GHz band Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11ax, 11ac, 11a, 11n: *3), choose a mobile router that claims to support 5GHz band.

(*1) Wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, Bluetooth device, etc. (*2) If it is compatible with outdoor use, it will be indicated in the pamphlet or instruction manual (*3) IEEE 802.11ax , 11n uses both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. If the standard used only in the 5GHz band is not specified, it is highly likely that it only supports the 2.4GHz band.

Let's check the compatible communication standards for Wi-Fi (the image is au's "Speed ​​Wi-Fi NEXT WX05")

　Some people find Wi-Fi connection settings surprisingly complicated I think. What I want to check there is whether or not there is a simple setting for Wi-Fi connection.

　In recent mobile routers, there is an increasing number of simple settings that display a QR code on their own display. In the case of this type, setup can be completed easily by reading the QR code with an iPhone, iPad, or Android device (a separate application for reading the QR code may be required).

　In addition, there are easy settings using a dedicated app and simple settings using a mechanism called "WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup)".

Many recent mobile routers support simple settings using QR codes (the image is Y!mobile's "Pocket WiFi 803ZT")

Home "light" and "CATV

If you use optical internet or CATV internet (hereafter referred to as "fixed internet") at home, you have a Wi-Fi router in addition to your mobile router. I think there are many. There must be some people who say, "It's troublesome to set up separately for home and mobile."

　In such a case, let's check if the mobile router has a cradle (docking station). If the cradle has a wired LAN (Ethernet) terminal, you can use it by connecting a fixed Internet router. You can combine Wi-Fi routers into one.

On the other hand, if you connect your home desktop computer or stationary game console to the wired LAN terminal of the cradle, you can connect to the Internet via a mobile router.

　The cradle may be included or optional (sold separately) depending on the model. Especially when using at home, be sure to check whether there is a cradle or not.

Recommended Mobile This is the router!

Based on the above 4 points, we will introduce 3 recommended mobile routers.

Wi-Fi STATION HW-01L: For people who love speed even on mobile

NTT DoCoMo's "Wi-Fi STATION HW-01L" has a maximum download speed of 1288Mbps and an upload speed of 131.1Mbps (*4). ) is a Huawei mobile router that supports high-speed communication. Of course, you can use uplink communication comfortably as well as downlink.

In addition to supporting easy connection of smartphones and tablets using a QR code, it also comes with a cradle with a wired LAN terminal that is convenient for use at home.

　Wi-Fi uses IEEE 802.11ac (maximum 867 Mbps), but you can maximize the speed by connecting directly to a computer using a USB 3.0 cable (sold separately).

(*4) Maximum speed in the Kanto Koshinetsu, Tokai, and Kansai areas. In other areas, you can communicate at a maximum download speed of 1038Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 112.5Mbps.

Speed ​​Wi-Fi NEXT W06: For those who want to focus on communication charges

UQ Communications' "Speed ​​Wi-Fi NEXT W06" has a maximum download speed of 1237 Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 75 Mbps (*5). Huawei mobile router that supports high-speed communication.

　The company's WiMAX 2+ service is attractive because there is no monthly communication capacity limit if you use "high speed mode". There is a 3-day communication capacity limit, but if you understand the rules of the limit firmly, you can use a lot while keeping the monthly fee down. It also has a "high-performance high-mode antenna" that improves communication quality in areas where WiMAX 2+/4G LTE radio waves are weak.

　Wi-Fi uses IEEE 802.11ac (maximum 867 Mbps), but you can maximize the speed by connecting directly to a computer using a USB 3.0 cable (sold separately). Cradle sold separately.

　This router is also available from au. People who want to use it with au's data plan should check it out.

(*5) Maximum communication speed when using "High Speed ​​Plus Area Mode" in Miyagi, Saitama, Tokyo, Aichi, Osaka, and some parts of Fukuoka. When using in high speed mode (WiMAX 2+ single mode), the maximum communication speed is 558 Mbps for downlinks and 30 Mbps for uplinks.

Pocket WiFi 701UC: Recommended for those who want to use it overseas

Y!mobile's "Pocket WiFi 701UC" is a uCloudlink mobile router that supports communication at a maximum download speed of 72Mbps and a maximum upload speed of 37.5Mbps. is.

　This router has a built-in "cloud SIM", and if you subscribe to the dedicated rate plan "overseas data flat rate" (3980 yen per month), you can use data communication overseas for 90 yen per day ( High-speed communication is possible up to 7 GB per month). It is cheaper than roaming overseas with regular Pocket WiFi.

　Just looking at the specs, it can't be called "ultra-high speed", but it is recommended for people who use it overseas frequently.