Three 5G Hub Unboxing, Speed Test, & Review - 2Gbps 5G Home Broadband?

In this video, we've unboxed and reviewed the Three 5G Hub, also known as the ZTE MC801A 5G router.

We've shown what the router looks like out of the box, how to set it up, what speeds you can expect, and tested how it performs when online gaming.

In our full review, we gave Three Home Broadband 4.3 out of 5, based on its speeds, WiFi signal, ease of use, and value for money.

0:00 Unboxing
3:19 Powering on the router
3:57 Connecting to Wi-Fi
4:17 Speed tests
5:45 Gaming tests
6:21 Conclusion

About us

[rcgamer]

I live in high rise flats, landline broadband, was around 15 mbs but the last month or so it’s just got really bad, I got this to try out, very impressed, far better than the one I had, phoned up and cancelled the line broadband, as contract is due next month. Great decision to get this. Kids are happy too stable internet, which means no nagging to me lol.

[shmeemoo]

Have had this now for just over two months and whilst it started out brilliantly with at various points receiving 250mb speeds, have now been struggling with download speeds of between 1mb and 90mb, fluctuating throughout the day - meaning I’ve had to end work calls prematurely and unplug and re plug in the router several times throughout the day to get the speeds back up. Upload even on a good day will only ever hit a max of 5mb. This is not good. I’ve tried speaking with customer services but they’re even more clueless than I am and repeatedly tell me to go visit a Three store to get more help. It’s certainly not the signal in the area as my phone fares far better and occasionally acts as a tether for my computer. I am deeply unimpressed by this. It is NOT reliable.

[kelvingomersall]

For anyone thinking of getting this for a PS5. I did it and I haven't looked back. My old internet was 14mbps down, 1up at 27mS ping. Now I get 700mbps down, 70up and 33mS ping. Despite the slight drop in ping performance, this is unnoticeable on fast paced car or shooting games and friends have said that my connection is always seamless.

My home is 2100sqft and I get wifi6 through the lot of it.

Make sure you get Three to remove any adult filter if TV apps like Sky won't work. If you have further problems, I have a screenshots on my phone from an IT boffin who helped me log into the routers settings. He seemed much more qualified than the reps at Three.

[craigwoodgate]

I have just got this router I had the 4G hub and now that I have this when I finally get 5G connectivity in my area it will definitely be a lot faster as I'm already seeing an improvement

[John-fjqw]

I have just read your review and found it helpful for me. Unfortunately this 5g broadband from Three is not yet available in my area. I took out a 24 month contract for Three`s 4g broadband in January and am very pleased with it, i think this is the way forward for broadband, no wires or cables and the flexibility to put the router where you want it. Also the signal around the house is very good and all my smart stuff works well. When 5g becomes available i intend to upgrade. Thanks for your honest and comprehensive review. i have subscribed to your channel.

[shaun]

Anyone know of I can use my Deco mesh extenders with this device?

[DankyFPS]

Does anyone know if I can connect a Wi-Fi extender to one of these?

[timminsk]

I have this router, pay £10 a month for first 6 months and with the ookla speed test im getting over 600mbps in the same room and upload speeds around 90 to 110mbps in other rooms I averaged 250 to sometimes 400 plus download, it looking into getting the wifi antennas to make it even faster than it already is and I’ve had not one single problem over the weeks I’ve had it

[grozaloredana]

Hi. I want to change frequency from 5G to 2.4 because some devices are not working. Can you help me please?

[porotothorpe]

Does anyone know how to connect a wifi extender to the hub? I have tried using a TP Link AV600 powerline extender but with no success.

[RBCRAM]

Getting this today, but you did not cover placement. They say near windows is best, but I have blinds which might affect the signal.

[bonniebadboi]

I just need this for streaming Netflix Amazon YouTube etc will thing be good enough

[mazz]

Very nice clean and neat video! GreAt background music too

[DAVIDGREGORYKERR]

Add the associated Antenna system and the speed will go up.

[Roguememester]

Does this come with a SIM card that you can take out and put in your own wifi box?

[frankieoguguo]

I just got back plugged it in, it shows a different SSID from what’s written under the base, I tried inputting the key password and it says invalid password. All the signal lights are ON. (White), please help.

[SirLallington]

Just got mine yesterday, do you keep yours switched on? I was wondering if I should switch it off when I'm away from the house...to save energy.

[AlmostLastJedi]

This was exactly the video I needed, going to be moving into gf’s mothers house for a bit until we get our own place but the mother is locked into a broadband that only gives them 15 Mbps, it’s shocking. I need good internet for my Xbox so I wanted to set one of these up upstairs as they have good 5G there. When I tested the 5G in the area it was 391 Mbps at the time of testing. So in theory this should work perfectly.

[ennis_w]

Going to get one of this. My internet provided by landlord is unbearable. Checked 5G coverage in my house with a phone and result is okay. Hope this thing works fine for me.

[jasonantigua]

Ordered mine today! Seems like a great bit of kit