Whereas Wi-Fi 6E routers on your house are a dime a dozen lately, that isn’t the case concerning transportable routers. At this time, Netgear introduced the launch of its new unlocked model of the Nighthawk M6 Professional (MR6550), which brings sooner web connectivity to customers on the go or for customers that lack dependable mounted broadband service at house.
In comparison with its predecessor, the M6 Professional provides Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and mmWave help for broader compatibility with 5G networks at speeds as much as 8 Gbps (up from 2.5 Gbps max). The M6 Professional additionally includes a bigger 2.8-inch touchscreen (versus 2.4 inches) and ups most LTE speeds from 1.6 Gbps to 2 Gbps.
The cell hotspot has 3,600 Mbps of accessible bandwidth (2,900 MHz 5/6 GHz, 700 Mbps 2.4 GHz) and an built-in 2.5 GbE port (the M6 has only a 1 GbE port) on the again. You’ll additionally discover a USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port on the again, which is used for charging and information. One other intriguing addition to the M6 Professional are two TS-9 antenna connectors. This lets you join exterior antennas to spice up reception past what the M6 Professional’s inner antennas can present (a super setup for customers that want web connectivity in additional distant areas).
The M6 Professional’s inner battery may also last as long as 13 hours per cost, which ought to be enough for even essentially the most demanding customers, Netgear informed us through video name. I additionally requested how mmWave connectivity would have an effect on battery life however was assured that endurance hit could be minimal. The M6 Professional’s Wi-Fi protection is roughly 1,000 sq. toes on battery energy. Nevertheless, if you happen to join it on to an influence outlet, protection doubles to 2,000 sq. toes.
You would possibly ask why you’d need to use a cell hotspot like M6 Professional when a smartphone can carry out the identical process. In response to Netgear, 88 p.c of individuals buying a devoted cell hotspot use it as their main house web connection. Many Individuals dwell in rural areas with non-existent or substandard broadband connectivity, so a cellular-based resolution is right — and smartphones can’t concurrently help as much as 32 gadgets just like the M6 Professional can.
Netgear’s analysis additionally discovered that 54 p.c of individuals use transportable routers as a “main” connection in trip properties, and 50 p.c use them inside their automobiles whereas touring.
There’s one “gotcha” to the M6 Professional, and that is could be pricing. You will get an AT&T carrier-locked model of the M6 Professional for $460 (opens in new tab) or pay $12.78 per 30 days on an installment plan. Nevertheless, the unlocked model will set you again $999.99 direct from Netgear (opens in new tab) (and shortly from Amazon). In response to Netgear, the unlocked M6 Professional is at the moment solely supported by AT&T and Verizon SIMs which have beforehand been activated or with T-Cellular BYOD plans. Nevertheless, it does observe that new BYOD activations for AT&T and Verizon might be “coming quickly.”