Comparison ZTE MF986C vs ZTE U50

Theoretical wireless network speed in the 2.4 GHz band. It usually ranges up to several hundred megabits depending on the Wi-Fi standard, the number of antennas, and the class of the specific model. For example, speeds around 50 – 100 Mbps are typically sufficient for browsing, social media, music, and watching videos in Full HD. Speeds of about 200 – 300 Mbps are comfortable for multiple devices simultaneously, and speeds around 500 Mbps are suitable for fast file downloads, stable 4K video, and more reliable operation of a home network with laptops, smartphones, and televisions.

Theoretical wireless network speed in the 5 GHz range. It can exceed 1 Gbps, depending on the Wi-Fi standard, the number of antennas, channel width, and the class of the specific model. For example, speeds around 300 – 500 Mbps are already well-suited for 4K video, video calls, and simultaneous operation of several devices. Speeds of approximately 800 – 1200 Mbps are convenient for quick downloads, online gaming, and transferring large files, while higher values are especially useful in a home network with active traffic, where laptops, smartphones, TVs, and other devices are connected to the modem.

The largest number of devices that can be simultaneously connected to the modem via Wi-Fi (see "Connection").

The presence of this limitation is due to the fact that processing network requests from several devices at once requires a fairly large amount of computing resources, and there are not so many of them in miniature electronics like wireless modems. However, even inexpensive models can support about 5 – 6 devices, which is more than enough for most cases; and in more advanced modems, this number can reach 10.

The generation(s) of mobile networks supported by the modem.

Note that this spec is rather conditional and generalized, since one generation usually includes several data transmission technologies (see below), and the set of these technologies may vary in different mobile networks and in different modems. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the compatibility of a device with a specific cellular network using this parameter only approximately. Nevertheless, generation data may well come in handy at the preliminary selection stage: they allow you to at least select the generation you are interested in and then search further among models that are compatible with it.

As for specific generations, today they are as follows:

— 2g. Communication standards of the second generation implemented through mobile networks of the GSM standard. Support GPRS and EDGE transmission technologies. Due to low bandwidth, today they are considered obsolete and are gradually being replaced by the next generations of communication. However, this process is uneven, and in some countries 2G is still the main mobile standard (although everything is moving towards changing this situation). Also note that even the introduction of newer standards does not mean the replacement of GSM — many operators keep this technology as a spare and intended for the simplest mobile phone models. Actually, the second generation in its pure form is pract...ically never found in cellular modems — it complements more advanced standards.

— 3G. Communication technologies of the third generation. Includes W-CDMA, HSUPA, HSDPA, and HSPA+ technologies, and in CDMA networks, EV-DO Rev.A and Rev.B. Significantly outperforms second-generation standards in terms of both pure throughput and additional features. And the data transfer speed itself can be comparable to that of a fixed wired Internet connection, which allows you not only to comfortably browse the web, but also use video calls, listen to streaming audio, etc. However, in fact, the quality of communication depends both on the specific technologies used, on the signal level, and the workload of base stations, etc.

— 4G. The fourth generation of communication, the most advanced to date. It includes WiMAX and LTE technologies, which significantly exceed not only 3G standards in terms of data transfer speed, but also the usual fixed wired Internet connection via Ethernet. However such a connection is not cheap.

The 4G (LTE) mobile connection speed supported by the modem.

All modern LTE equipment is assigned one or another category (Cat.3, Cat.4, Cat.6, Cat.7, Cat.9, Cat.12, Cat.13, Cat.16, Cat.18, Cat.19, Cat.20, Cat.22), on which the transmission speed directly depends. This paragraph specifies both this category and specific speed indicators, moreover, in two parameters — for reception and for transmission. The transmission speed is always much lower, but given the specifics of mobile Internet access, this is usually not critical.

Note that equipment with different speed categories will be quite compatible with each other, however, the throughput will be limited by the capabilities of the slower device. It is also worth saying that this paragraph indicates the theoretical maximum; practical amounts can be noticeably lower (depending on the quality of the network coverage and the features of specific electronics). However, a modem with a higher speed category will perform faster in fact.

The capacity of the battery installed in the modem with the corresponding type of power supply (see below).

The higher the capacity, the longer the battery is able to work without recharging, all other things being equal. However, note that the situation of "other things being equal" is almost not found in modern wireless modems. First, different data transmission technologies (see above) have different power consumption; secondly, even models supporting the same standards can differ in power consumption (and battery life) due to design differences. Therefore, this indicator in most cases is purely reference information, and even very similar models can only be compared approximately. When choosing, it is worth focusing primarily on the claimed specs of the battery life (see below).