In this article, we will review and configure the new TP-Link M7200 mobile Wi-Fi router. Despite the fact that the popularity of such devices has fallen sharply, primarily due to the low cost of mobile Internet and 4G support in every smartphone, there are many situations in which it is much easier and more convenient to use a mobile Wi-Fi router. For example, if you need to connect to the mobile Internet devices such as laptops, PCs, TVs, which do not support the mobile network. And on vacation, it's easier to buy one SIM card with Internet access, insert it into the TP-Link M7200 and distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi to all the devices of your loved ones and friends.
TP-Link M7200 supports 3G / 4G FDD / TDD-LTE networks and provides an Internet connection at speeds up to 150 Mbps. This is a standalone router. The 2000mAh battery can provide up to 8 hours of use. The maximum number of simultaneously connected devices is 10. Wi-Fi network at speeds up to 300 Mbps (IEEE 802.11b / g / n support). TP-Link also developed a separate tpMiFi application, with which you can control TP-Link M7200 from a mobile device. It is very convenient, there is no need to perform configuration via the web interface. But there is such a possibility too.
TP-Link M7200 comes in a small, beautiful box.
The delivery set consists of a mobile router, a battery, a charging cable (connection to a computer), adapters from mini SIM and micro SIM to a regular SIM card and instructions.
The router itself is made of black plastic. Leather-like texture. There are several glossy plastic inserts.
On the front panel there is an on / off button (you need to hold it pressed for 3 seconds) and activate the indicators (pressed once - the indicators light up). The large glossy plastic insert contains three indicators: battery charge, internet connection and Wi-Fi network. After a while after turning on the TP-Link M7200, the indicators go out. To activate them, you need to press the power button.
At the top there is a micro USB connector for charging and connecting to a computer. If you connect TP-Link M7200 to a computer using a USB cable, then a network connection to the Internet will be configured on the computer. This router can be used to connect to the Internet not only via Wi-Fi, but also via cable.
One more photo and proceed to setup.
The router is small. Fits in your pocket without any problems. The back cover (under which there is a battery, a slot for a SIM-card, a Reset button) is held by latches. Everything is assembled well enough. Creaks nothing. The only question is for glossy inserts. Yes, they are beautiful, but this is not a stationary router. After the first day of use, they will all be covered with scratches.
Configuring TP-Link M7200
You can use TP-Link M7200 without any configuration at all. Just open the back cover, insert the SIM card (if necessary, use an adapter and fix it with a sticker), insert the battery, turn on the router and after 30 seconds you can connect to the Wi-Fi network and use the Internet. In most cases, setting up for the operator is automatic.
But let's start in order. In any case, first insert the SIM-card, battery and turn on the modem (you can leave the lid on for now).
If, in addition to the power and Wi-Fi indicator, the Internet connection indicator lights up, then the router is already distributing the Internet. But despite this, you need to connect to his Wi-Fi network. The factory name (SSID) and password are on a sticker under the cover.
Just select a Wi-Fi network from the list available on your mobile device or computer, enter the password and connect. After connecting from any device, through any browser, you can go to the TP-Link M7200 settings. To do this, go to http://tplinkmifi.net... Factory password for entering settings - admin.
In the web interface, we will immediately be prompted to change the factory admin password to another. Do this. Just remember (or better write down) the password.
It's not difficult to figure out the settings. But I propose to take a closer look at the setting through the tpMiFi application. Since in most cases, such devices are bought to connect exactly mobile devices. And in this case, it will be much more convenient to manage the TP-Link M7200 settings through the application.
Install the application on your iPhone or Android device tpMiFi from the app store. Connect your phone to TP-Link M7200 Wi-Fi network (if not already connected).
Launch the tpMiFi app. If the router is found, you will need to enter the administrator password for the router. Let me remind you that the factory password (if you haven't changed it) – admin... On the main page, we immediately see information about the operator, the network in which the router operates, the signal level and the data used. Below is information about the battery, the section with SMS messages, connected clients and "SD exchange" (this model does not support SD cards). Also on the bottom panel there is a "Clients" tab, where you can view a list of connected devices, set for each (by clicking on it) a data usage limit (megabytes), set a limit on incoming and outgoing speed.
All basic settings are located on the "Tools" tab. First on the list is the quick setup wizard. With it, you can change all the basic settings of the router (step by step). In the "Setting up the wireless mode" section, you can change the network name and / or password, as well as make the Wi-Fi network hidden. And in the "Internet connection parameters" section, you can disable mobile data transmission, enable data roaming, select the network mode, manually change the APN, perform the necessary operations with the PIN code and select an operator (by default, there is an automatic selection). As I wrote at the beginning of the article, TP-Link M7200 automatically detects the operator and configures the Internet connection.
Next we have a section with battery settings (you can see the charge level, turn on the power saving mode, change the Wi-Fi range and configure the Wi-Fi network to be turned off when the router is not in use). There is also a separate page where you can view / send SMS and USSD commands. For example, to check the status of the account, bonuses, changing tariff plans.
And on the "System Utilities" tab, you can update the TP-Link M7200 firmware, change the language, administrator password, reboot the router, turn it off, or reset the settings.
I recommend configuring TP-Link M7200 through the tpMiFi app. Very comfortably. You can not only change the necessary settings, but also control traffic consumption, set a traffic limit with a warning about using a certain percentage of data from the total limit for your tariff plan.
LTE speed test
Unfortunately, I will not be able to demonstrate all the capabilities of TP-Link M7200 in terms of speed. LTE is there, but it works very badly. The signal is weak, base stations are most likely overloaded (now tariffs allow using mobile Internet with might and main), and this is all in the city center. But since I have already taken measurements, I will share them. Speed via TP-Link M7200:
And about the same speed directly from the phone (when the SIM card is in the phone).
As you can see, everything is completely sad. This is the speed in Kyivstar's LTE network.
As for the TP-Link M7200, this is a cool, simple mobile router that does its job 100%. Plus, it's very easy to set up. Be sure to leave your feedback on TP-Link M7200 in the comments.
