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Three 5G Broadband Hub (Zyxel NR5103E) External Antenna Guide

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Looking to get the best possible data rates from your Three 5G Broadband Hub? The Zycel NR5103E uses an integrated antenna array for 5G connectivity, but installing compatible external antennas can boost speeds. Let's get started!

You’ll want to purchase and connect external MIMO antennas to the device’s four TS9 ports.

NOTE: This guide is only applicable to the Zycel NR5103E Broadband Hub model. Three uses several different 5G Hub models, including the ZTE MC888 Home Hub. Check the bottom of your box to make sure you have the correct model!

The Best External Antennas For the Three 5G Broadband Hub (Zyxel NR5103E)

Using a MIMO antenna outside your building, pointed at the nearest tower, can help you get the fastest LTE data rates possible.

The Zyxel NR5103E has four cellular TS9 ports on the back. These allow for a 4x4 MIMO antenna array to be connected to the device.

Which of the two different 4x4 MIMO External Antenna Kit options to use depends primarily on how much time you're willing to spend on aiming.

The easiest antenna choice for the Zyxel NR5103E is our QuadMini Antenna Kit. With up to 5.2 dBi of omnidirectional gain and multiple mounting options, it is designed to be extremely simple to install outdoors or indoors, at home or in an RV.

Easy install, no aiming

Upgrade your 5G in minutes with no aiming, and four easy mounting options.

Read more $249.99

However, if you're willing to spend a little bit of time aiming, our QuadPro Antenna Kit will generally get you the fastest data speeds, thanks to its 9.1 dBi of directional gain. This is particularly important if you're on the edge of coverage, or have very weak signal.

Best performance, requires aiming

Aim the QuadPro at your nearest tower for blazing data, even at the edges of cellular coverage.

Read more $369.99

Why External Antennas Are Critical for Improving Data Rates

Most people think that external antennas primarily help you increase your data rates by increasing the signal strength. But that's not the case.

An increase in signal strength is often less important than other ways that external antennas help.

Here are the two main ways that external antennas help you increase your data rates:

1.They Improve Signal Quality

In 4G LTE and 5G networks, signal quality is measured as SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) or sometimes as RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality).

Improving signal quality has a huge impact on your data rates.

Higher data rates allow your hotspot to communicate using "higher order modulation schemes." That means they can use the same wireless spectrum to send more data per second.

However, there's one big caveat: In order to improve your signal quality, you need to both aim and shield your outdoor antenna properly. We talk more about this in the next section.

2.MIMO Isolation

MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology uses signals travelling along multiple paths simultaneously, increasing both bandwidth and reliability in wireless connections.

MIMO isolation is the antenna's ability to handle several data streams at once, cleanly and without interference, leading to quicker data speeds and steadier connections

Our external antennas are specifically designed for superior MIMO isolation, and dramatically outperform standard built-in antennas found in most home devices.

This means you'll see a more reliable connection with enhanced bandwidth, ensuring smoother streaming, gaming, and browsing with minimal interruptions.

Positioning and Aiming MIMO Antennas on the Three 5G Broadband Hub (Zyxel NR5103E)

Positioning and aiming MIMO antennas well is crucial to getting the best performance to your Zyxel NR5103E, or indeed any other hotspot.

We've actually compiled a detailed instruction manual to accompany our own MIMO Antenna Kits, where we go into depth on the best ways to aim the antennas.

The goal is to find the best location and direction for the antenna(s), to maximize data rates to the Hub. It can take a little patience, but can have a huge impact – it’s worth a bit of extra effort!

Before getting started, it's always a good idea to run a couple of speed tests indoors from a device connected to your Hub’s WiFi. The results will fluctuate a little, but this is the baseline you're trying to improve.

First, locate the four TS9 ports on the back of your unit:

Now connect the 4x4 MIMO antenna to your Zyxel NR5103E via the four TS-9 ports on the back, according to the diagrams below. Remember to attach your TS-9 to SMA adapters!




device ports



antenna ports




When you're all set up, flip the switch beside the antenna ports from "INT" to "EXT".

Now you're ready to go outside with your "test-rig".

With each location and direction you try, run a couple speed tests, and make a note of the results. Here are all the locations and directions where we recommend testing your MIMO antenna:

Pro tip: Don’t just go to the highest point of the roof! While signal is generally stronger the higher you go, there’s also often more interference. We’ve found it’s often better to mount the antenna(s) on the side of the building where the structure can shield the antennas from interference.

Once you've found the position which gets you the highest data rates to the Hub, that's where you'll want to install the MIMO antenna. Go ahead and mount the antenna, run cables inside, connect everything up, and enjoy superior data rates!

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