ZTE MF820T TD-LTE Modem VS ZTE MF820D FDD-LTE Modem

Most of ZTE 4G modems looks the same, and the first generation of ZTE 4G Dongles are all using same appearance design, so it becomes much harder to identify them. No wonder what the difference between them is. We open the blog especially for clear out the similar 4G devices and let users know more about the details of the LTE modems they had used.

 

 

ZTE MF820T and ZTE MF820D are two similar 4G LTE sticks for first generation ZTE 4G USB modems. Most of the modems, appearance similar or not, their difference are mainly on the core part, that is the platform chipset, which decides what LTE frequency bands that could support and where they can be used.

 

ZTE MF820T is based on Qualcomm MDM9600 chipset, it could work TD-LTE bands 38 and band 40 (2300/2600MHz). ZTE MF820D is based on Qualcomm MDM9200 chipset, it would support FDD LTE band 3, 7 and 20 (800/1800/2600MHz). Unlike ZTE MF880, they can only work on single TD-LTE network or FDD network, MF880 would support LTE dual-mode (TDD&FDD).

 

 

As the typical features of ZTE first generation 4G USB stick, there is no external antenna connector in the dongle, so the LTE MIMO transmission can’t make true. But there is built-in antenna which is still reliable to connect network in high speed.

 

What’s more, there is no MicroSD card slot available in MF820T and MF820D. We suppose they are not for single user, it’s more like designed for large data in project test or other research terms. However, the 4G aircard may be more reliable when there is no SD card sharing function. According to the experience in 3G modems, SD card usually causes the application of wireless dongle in trouble.

 

 

And we can see the big body of the 4G modem ZTE MF820D and MF820T is not user-friendly. It’s almost twice bigger than ZTE 3G modems. We hope there will be some smarter or slimmer models available in near future, and this will not only need the improvement in the design for inner part, but also the function more powerful.

 

Test Report of ZTE MF820D Web Stick on Sonera’s 4G Network

We received Sonera’s 4G USB dongle ZTE MF820D some time ago, so we decided to take a closer look clear what 4G is capable of. The timing is better now because the network is better and unlike a year ago.

 

The stick ZTE MF820D itself is quite slim, and fortunately the drive manufacturer ZTE, has equipped the device with comfortable compact design, so stick may be a usable position also signed two USB port HP despite the fact that the second port is connected to a USB mouse receiver.

This is a big plus, for example, ZTE MF820D could be change to another side if there is no enough space between two USB ports. And it would be hard for HUAWEI E392 4G TDD FDD Compact Stick to do this.

When the stick ZTE MF820D plug to PC, it starts Mobile Broadband application installation automatically. This is usual steps for all USB sticks, and it’s very nice that the installation is easy and seamless.

 

After starting the application asks for a PIN code, and this is required as long as the network is found. The delivery of a small error caused the PIN code window, and it shows that “You have 3 time remaining”, which should of course be “You have 3 tries left.”

 

Finding a network available seemed insanely slow, and before your stick found a network, it would take several minutes. This is a little bit disappointing, especially when we are trying the very fast networks.

After find the network, we started to test the speed of this 4G LTE stick. On the positive side were low pings, only HSPA+ network is usable, pings were about 40-50 ms range, which is enough to start playing in some degree of well.

 

Our office is in connection with the auto setting up a HSPA+, but even in practice, the data was transferred to a single channel speeds of truly commendable and we received 10 test average of 14.38 Mbit /s and the top result of 17.85 Mbit/s for download. The upload speed of the average, is 2.1 Mbit/s and a peak speed of 2.5 Mbit/s.

 

Then we let the ZTE MF820D 4G stick increased to 4G, by setting the network to “only 4G”, although the rates of test sites were weaker than HSPA+, respectively. It is only when we moved to the other side; we got to DC-HSDPA speeds. This is probably due to the fact that the test bench side of the base station Sonera does not support DC or LTE speeds and 4G speeds were forced into two within the post due to a low level. Only one side of the house, we got full use of poles, the speed increased commendable level. Speed tests average came now 30.68 Mbit/s, and the outside lane for outbound 19.01 Mbit/s with 30-40 ms level. Despite the fact that Sonera’s map, the office is “true 4G” in the region, these speeds were still better than DC-HSPA+, so the “real” about 4G was not yet in sight. Thus, we had to leave the sea to fish farther, to find the right 4G network.

So we packed our drive and the laptop in the car and we went to a place the Finnish phone manufacturer’s parking lot in the vicinity of which would certainly be an LTE base station. When we got to the scene, we immediately started to run speed tests and speeds up comfortably. Now, we average the resulting download 68.73mbps (peak 92.15 Mbit/s) and outgoing 33.25mbps (peak 35.54 Mbit/s). We also tested the speed by download a file from ftp.4glterouter.de, and this became the fastest machine 7.5 MB/s and 729 MB download size took a total of 3 minutes and 22 seconds, so the average speed is 3.3 MB/s.

 

While the 100 Mbit/s speed was missed, offering a 4G stick speed is found near the base, while maintaining strong coverage and interference. This is especially appreciated by those who transfer over the Internet to a lot of large files and multimedia. However, it’s usually hard to get the peak download speed to 100Mbit/s. At this early stage, I would see myself DC-HSPA+ to bring the best value for the money until the LTE network is properly spread in all population centers even though the DC-HSPA+ seems slow at the beginning, the speed can always upgrade by calling your operator’s customer service.

As the results, it can be concluded that the 4G functionality of a 4G stick is strongly location-dependent and although the operator’s coverage map promises 4G speeds, this does not yet mean that the broadband speeds that reached the desired level. Before you purchase, it’s better for you to take a stick to test first, which many operators offer. It is the easiest, then select the contract, or buy unlocked 4G dongles from www.4gltemall.com which certainly offers a sensible value for the money.

 

ZTE MF880 4G LTE FDD TDD Modem Review

ZTE had release many 4G modems, such as ZTE MF820, MF820D, MF821, MF821D, MF820T, MF820s2 and MF880 etc.. And many 4G mobile WiFi are available now on the market. Today, we get the ZTE MF880 4G Modem and we will show the details for readers. Hope you will know more about this modem ZTE MF880.

 

 

Logo and USB Interface

 

The ZTE MF880 is with logo “3”, which means it’s customized by the UK operator “3”.

 

 

Like ZTE MF820, ZTE MF880 also has a rotatable USB interface; the USB could be hidden in the body of the modem. And beside the logo, there is a small indicator in oval shape, which will help users to know more about the connection status.

 

 

Back

 

On the back, the model number MF880 is printed on this modem. With the model number, there is CE number, RoHS mark and below them is the IMEI number of this modem, which is on behalf of the modem’s ID. The IMEI number is printed on the back cover, unlike ZTE MF820, whose IMEI number is on a extra stick. And it also show the original produce place “Made in China”. ZTE also print its brand with this mark.

 

Inner Part

 

Beside the indicator, there is a little cap to open the back cover of ZTE MF880. But you may take effort to open. At this point, the modem is not user-friendly. The cover is very tight. After opened the modem, you can find the SIM card at the side of the body. But there is no slot for memory card. And it’s a pity that it also doesn’t have even one external antenna connector. In 4G LTE technology, the MIMO connection is one of the most important features for high speed data transmission.

 

 

Network bands

 

According to the official files from ZTE, the ZTE MF880 4G LTE Modem could support 4G LTE TDD and FDD bands as follows:

 

* LTE FDD DD800/2600 MHz

* LTE TDD 2300/2600MHz

* 3G UMTS 900/2100MHz

 

So unlocked ZTE MF880 could support all the operators who had launched Band 20, band 7, band 40 or band 38. ZTE MF880 should be one of the LTE modems which could support TDD and FDD simultaneously. If you want to buy unlocked ZTE MF880, welcome to land www.4gltemall.com .

 

Will you choose Vodafone K5005 or ZTE MF820D?

In most cases, if you have a look at a Huawei 4G USB modem, you can also the similar model from its competitor ZTE, we don’t know whether Huawei followed ZTE or the contrary, but the two vendors are playing more and more important role in global telecom market.

 

Today, we will compare two similar LTE FDD modems Huawei K5005 (also name Vodafone K5005) and ZTE MF820D.

 

Vodafone K5005 is a customized model from Huawei, the factory model number is Huawei E398 4G LTE FDD TDD multi-mode Data card. Vodafone changed the UI of this modem to its classic red color, which looks much cooler than the other Huawei E398 branch models.

 

 

ZTE MF820D is the derivative model from ZTE MF820. Also with the rotatable USB design, it’s in big sharp.

 

 

LTE Spectrum

 

To support Vodafone 4G LTE network in Germany, Huawei K5005 could work on FDD frequency 800/2600MHz. ZTE MF820D could work on FDD band 800/2100/2600MHz, which let it support more operators. Of course, it could also support Vodafone 4G network in Germany.

 

 

External Antenna Connector

 

 

Here now, most USB modems have built-in antenna. So do Vodafone K5005 and ZTE MF820D. To gain better signal so that users could surf in higher speed, MIMO technology is used to meet this demand. The obvious feature of MIMO is that there are two external antenna connectors.

 

 

We could see that Vodafone K5005 has double external antenna ports, with two pigtails; the 4G modem will provide amazing speed. However, follow the design of ZTE MF820, there is no port in MF820D.

 

 

Frankly speaking, the modem with external pigtail hole would be better than modem without antenna connector. To gain better signal and high surf speed, you will need the external antenna. But if you don’t use them, it would be the same to choose any of them. Because in our testing, the test speeds are almost the same under same networking conditions.

 

If you need more LTE Modems, welcome to check http://www.4gltemall.com/4g-usb-modem.html