Our review of 4G National broadband
4G Broadband specialists
4G Internet is a division of National Broadband Ltd which has been specialising in supplying rural homes and businesses with 4G and satellite broadband solutions for over 20 years. 4G Internet is based in London and offers a nationwide installation service. An installation service is typically only required for the more challenging remote locations where a 4G connection is patchy. The standard 4G broadband solution is plug and play, so you could be up and running in as little as 48 hours with no engineer required.
Prices start from £31.99 per month (24-month contract) for a truly unlimited broadband connection, perfect for streaming HD TV and online gaming without the worry of data usage.
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There are a lot of advantages of switching to 4G Internet, particularly if you are in a rural location or want the freedom, for example, to move your broadband connection from your home to your caravan, boat or camper van. Making the switch to 4G might seem like a gamble, particularly when there are no guarantees of the connection speed you will achieve prior to signing up. But, when you place your order online, 4G Internet will assess the signal strength at your property to make sure that a good connection is possible. If the signal is weak, you may be advised to upgrade to a full installation, which requires a small external 4G aerial to be fitted to your property.
4G Internet has an outstanding reputation supported by a trust pilot rating of 4.8 out of 5. However, if you are not happy with their service or the quality of the broadband connection, you can take advantage of 4G Internet's 14-day money-back guarantee. Simply return the SIM card and router within the first 14 days for a full refund.
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When you join 4G internet they will send you a 'TP-Link Archer MR600 4G router'. It's a plug-and-play router, so no configuration is required. Just connect the two 4G/LTE antennas to the back of the router, insert the micro SIM card supplied by 4G Internet, connect the power cable and you're good to go! For optimal results, position the router close to a window to get the best 4G signal. You can connect up to 64 wireless devices simultaneously with unlimited data usage. You can also connect up to 4 wired devices via the yellow LAN ports on the rear of the router - ideal for desktop computers, Smart TVs or Xbox / Playstation. Connecting via the wired LAN ports will achieve the best results, particularly if you're using the connection for a games console.
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Router Specification
1 x Micro SIM card slot
3 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN port
1 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN/WAN port
2 x Detachable 4G LTE Antennas with SMA connectors
Dual-band guest Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz (helps keep your main network secure by creating a separate network for friends and visitors)
Wi-Fi Standards: IEEE 802.11a/n/ac 5 GHz, IEEE 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz
QoS setting via router admin for prioritising network traffic
Remote or local management via TP-Link Cloud
Access controls - Parental controls via router admin, whitelist or blacklist to allow or restrict certain devices access to the internet
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If you're in a weak or patchy 4G signal area or need to get the best possible broadband speed then we would highly recommend upgrading to a full installation service. This can be done at the time of ordering or during your contract.
4G Internet have nationwide engineers who will install a small high-gain directional aerial to the best position in your property. This should be within 5 meters of your router. The signal will then be fed into your 4G router. Each location is different, but a correctly aligned aerial will take full advantage of the 4G signal. Our test of a 4G external aerial in a remote location in Wales saw our download speed increase from 6Mbps with indoor aerials to 35Mbps when using an external aerial*. (*Our test was not with the aerial supplied by 4G Internet).
External 4G aerials are designed to maximise even the weakest 4G signal. Typically used in remote rural locations, they can provide a reliable connection even when mobile phones cannot gain a signal outdoors.
If you decide to upgrade to the full installation, it's worth keeping the small 4G aerials that come with the router so you can still use your router away from home.
The installation of an external 4G antenna is mandatory if the equipment is supplied under any Government subsidy scheme, but all equipment, installation and set-up would be entirely free.
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4G Internet is available to 99% of the UK and currently utilises Vodafone and O2 networks. In perfect conditions and with the correct antenna position, it's theoretically possible to achieve 150Mbps download and 50Mbps upload. In reality, this is extremely unlikely. The average customer download speed is 25Mbps with a 10Mbps upload. Given that most 4G Internet customers are living in rural locations, this speed and reliability can be a significant improvement over a standard fixed-line broadband connection.
With the correct equipment 4G can provide a reliable connection even when mobile phones cannot gain a signal. Choosing a 4G broadband specialist has its advantages over going direct to a mobile network provider. Not all mobile networks are the same, and new signal masts are always being extended and upgraded. 4G Internet will ensure you are on the best network. For example, some mobile networks have strict NAT (Network Address Translation) types which can cause issues with online gaming. O2 have a far less strict NAT setting and is the recommended network for online gamers. If you want to research UK mobile network data before switching, we would recommend OpenSignal, who provide independent insight into mobile network providers.
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While 4G broadband isn't intended to replace fixed-line broadband connections, it serves as a viable alternative, especially in rural or mobile locations where fixed-line options may be limited, slow, or unavailable. Here are some of the versatile benefits of switching to 4G broadband:
1. 14 Day risk free trial 2. The ability to take your 4G broadband service with you on holiday 3. Onsite portable broadband solution for mobile businesses 4. Cost-effective backup broadband when working from home 5. No phone line rental required 6. Service transferable to a camper van, caravan or boat (4G signal and power outlet required)