29 May 15:41
MegaFon laboratory experts analyzed the performance of more than 50 new models of 3G/4G routers from popular brands, which manufacturers send for testing before going on sale.
Engineers conducted tests for compliance with required parameters and helped vendors eliminate shortcomings so that users would not encounter errors in the future.
The main part of laboratory tests measures how routers work with the signal from the network and how efficiently they distribute the Internet. As a result, a list of typical errors for most samples was formed. It turned out that 45% of the tested models have problems specifically with Internet distribution (WIFI TPT): the router distributes traffic ineffectively and this causes the average connection speed to drop.
Another 40% experience problems with connection stability: the Internet disappears even with a strong signal. Deviations in the guaranteed data transfer rate (GBR) were detected in 55% of cases, and in 15% problems with the accuracy of signal strength measurements (RSRP/RSR) were recorded. Such shortcomings lead to the fact that the wireless connection speed is lower than the actual parameters of the operator’s network. For example, MegaFon guarantees 150 Mbit/s, and the Wi-Fi channel supports a lower one, this eliminates the possibility of simultaneous connection and use of several devices.
As part of testing, it turned out that routers interact differently with different generations of communication. For example, in 3G networks, 72% of samples experienced bandwidth problems; in 4G, this figure was 64%. This complements the overall picture of system shortcomings: all of them ultimately lead to the subscriber not receiving the declared speed.
In addition to technical inconsistencies, experts identified groups of shortcomings that affect the user experience of operation. For example, just over a third (34%) do not support sending USSD requests from a SIM card, that is, it is impossible to manage services using such commands. Another 32% do not have the ability to access individual connected devices while maintaining isolation of the rest (DMZ). In practice, this limits the ability to control and automate smart home equipment, for example. Another 17% do not allow setting up “port forwarding”, which is why owners will not be able to set up remote connection and management, for example, in cloud scenarios.
In every fifth router under study there is no Russian language in the menu, and 15% of all do not display the subscriber number (MSISDN) in the web interface, which complicates SIM card identification and management in the operator’s personal account. The same number of models do not allow you to change APN (Internet access point) parameters – a function that is in demand by advanced users for fine-tuning the connection.
It is important to note that all studies were conducted in laboratory conditions, which exclude hidden interference, third-party influence and other factors. Such a test helps identify inconsistencies with cellular communication standards in order to bring them to the attention of developers. MegaFon's laboratory works with most manufacturers of similar gadgets on the Russian market. Only after modification and final inspection, the equipment is delivered to the retail stores of MegaFon and Yota.
“Subscribers often take a mobile router with them both on short trips to provide loved ones with the Internet anywhere, and to the countryside to stay in touch and introduce smart technologies into country life. Understanding that this equipment will be in demand in the spring and summer, we sought to carry out checks and make sure that errors were corrected on the manufacturer’s side before the onset of the season. Since last year, the laboratory has examined more than 50 samples, and those that meet our requirements and fully support the parameters set by the network can be found in the MegaFon retail network,” emphasizes Alexander Jaconia, head of the MegaFon device research laboratory.
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