Vodafone Gigacube CAT19 (Huawei B818-260) Router Review

To provide significantly faster speeds for users, Vodafone updates its GigaCube and it also comes from Huawei. The current version comes to CAT19 in the LTE network and thus achieves a maximum download of up to 1.6 Gbit/s. The predecessor Vodafone Gigacube B528 ran out of air at 300 Mbit/s. Those looking for maximum performance now have another alternative; the new Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 can provide much better surfing experience. The specific model of Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 is Huawei B818-260. Let’s have a review of what has changed with the GigaCube CAT19.

Features and Specifications of the Huawei B818-260
Manufacturer and type designation: Huawei B818-260 (Gigacube CAT19)
Chipset: HiSilicon Balong V7R65
LTE category: up to LTE CAT19
Download rate to: 1,600 Mbit/s
Upload rate to: 150 Mbit/s
Supported LTE bands: 700, 800, 900, 1500, 1800, 2100, 2600, 3500 MHz
Downward compatible to: GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, DC-HSDPA
Support from LTE-Advanced: Yes
MIMO support: yes, MIMO 3×3
Connection for external antenna: yes, 2x TS-9 connectors(Buy Vodafone Gigacbue Cat19 external antenna)
Network | LAN & WLAN
LAN ports: 2 x Gbit port
WLAN standards: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz)
5 GHz WiFi support: Yes
Encryption: WPS / WPA / WPA2
WLAN hotspot function: yes, up to 32 users
Others
Telephone no connection (VOIP only via SIP)
Telephone port No
WAN port Yes
IPv6 dual stack Yes
Battery pack: No
Dimension: 105 x 103 x 225 mm at 700 g
USB: Yes
Memory card expansion: No
Release: 03/18/2019
Price: 399.00USD
available at: »WWW.4GLTEMALL.COM
Information material
Test and experience report » Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 Test
Installation Guide: » Vodafone Gigacube Cat19 User manual

New SoC for more performance

One of the disadvantages of the old GigaCube router(Huawei B528) was that it was limited to 300 Mbit/s in download with LTE-CAT6. This has now been remedied with the new GigaCube CAT19 version. As the name suggests, the new Cube is in the 4G LTE CAT19 and thus achieves a maximum download of up to 1.6 Gbit/s. The new HiSilicon Balong V7R65 SoC (System on a Chip) is responsible for this. The new centerpiece also does a lot more in uploading. Here a clear jump was made from 50 to 150 Mbit/s.

 

Significantly gained weight

The new Cube is now more angular and looks much more modern. The color is still white and is a little reminiscent of the design artists from Apple. While the predecessor only managed 366 grams, the CAT19 version with 620g is almost twice as heavy but a lightweight. However, this should not interfere in daily operation, because it is not intended as a companion for a hiking tour. Furthermore, there is no battery, so you always have to rely on an outlet.

 

Technical Specs

If you want a wide range of connectivity, you will enjoy the new edition. Naturally, WiFi is on board and works at 2.4 and 5 GHz according to 802.11 a/b/g/n and ac. The MIMO capability (multi-antenna technology) has also been improved. So 3 × 3 is used instead of 2 × 2, which significantly increases data throughput. The Gigacube CAT19 also offers more wired options. One the back, there was only one Gigabit Ethernet port before, you now have access to two. The USB port, which is now new and allows the connection of external data carriers, is very pleasing. Last but not least, the new GigaCube also offers connection options for external antennas via two TS9 ports. Internally, however, four antennas are already in service, so that 4 × 4 MIMO via LTE is possible, as specified by CAT19.

 

 

A small downgrade was made on one point. While up to 64 simultaneous devices were previously possible, the number is now reduced to 32. However, this should not play a major role in daily use. It will rarely happen that such a number of devices should be operated. If so, the two Ethernet ports are a good alternative to connect another router. By the way, this additional technology also means a slightly higher power consumption.

 

 

Difference to the predecessor Huawei B528

The new Huawei 4G WiFi router from 2019 primarily offers a more modern LTE modem, which is also well equipped for future upgrades in the 4G network from Vodafone. The first generation Gigacube, on the other hand, is “only” designed up to 300 MBit. In addition, the CAT19 box already supports LTE at 700 MHz. Otherwise, the differences are rather small. Both offer WLAN up to 802.11ac and two TS9 sockets for external antennas. The GigaCube CAT19 also provides an additional gigabit LAN port. Our later test report shows whether the successor can get more out of it in practice.

 

Huawei B818(Vodafone GigaCube Cat19) LTE Router Review

In March 2019, Huawei supplied the new LTE WiFi Router B818 to Vodafone and the B818 router got a new name “Vodafone GigaCube Cat19” as the successor to the old model Vodafone GigaCube B528. Per the description from Vodafone, the Huawei B818 router could achieve download speeds up to 1.6Gigabits per second and upload speeds up to 150Mbps based on the LTE Category 19. It’s the fastest LTE router from Huawei now. For the Vodafone GigaCube Cat19, Huawei offer the model number B818-260.

HUAWEI B818 Router

Huawei B818 Specifications and Appearance

Although the Huawei B818 GigaCube Cat19 is the successor to the first generation GigaCube Huawei B528, the appearance of B818 looks more similar to the Huawei B618 Router. The Huawei B818 router is integrated with HiSilicon Balong V7R65 modem which supports LTE Cat19 with 256QAM, and up to 8 x 8 MIMO Antenna technology. As the sayings from Vodafone, the GigaCube Cat19 B818 supports speed up to 500Mbps, but theoretically with a suitably equipped LTE network, significantly higher speeds are possible.

HUAWEI B818 Router LED indicators

The Huawei B818 router WLAN works on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and, in addition to the standard network, also enables a guest network. Thanks to 3 × 3 MIMO antenna technology, speeds of around 1.3 GBit/s can be reached via WLAN.

 

Huawei B818 Supported Frequency Bands

The Huawei B818-260 supports all the popular LTE frequency bands in Europe and Asia: Band 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 32, 38 and 42. For those who prefer to have it in MHz: 700, 800, 900, 1500, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz are supported for FDD-LTE, 2600 and 3500 MHz for TDD-LTE. The Huawei B818 is thus very well prepared for the future!

HUAWEI B818 Gigabit Ports

Huawei B818 Interfaces

The Huawei B818 has two RJ45 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports on the back. A LAN cable is already included. There is also a USB port and two TS-9 ports for an external LTE antenna. On the bottom, the micro-SIM card is inserted. Various LEDs indicate the operating status on the front.

 

The power consumption is according to Huawei at a maximum of 24 watts. A battery is not integrated in the Huawei B818 LTE router.

HUAWEI B818 IMEI and WiFi key word

Huawei B818 Price and Avaialability

Huawei B818 is now only available for Vodafone Contract, if you need the unlocked unit, you have to wait for more time. But it would be long. The Huawei B818 price in unlocked version would be more expensive than the locked one.