- VERDICT
The Netgear Orbi 4GX router with Satellite LBK 1220 is an excellent high-speed connection solution with great build quality that’s easy to set up and manage. It might just be the answer for customers who can’t access the NBN, don’t want to access the NBN or are unhappy with their current NBN connection.
Not everyone can connect to the NBN and other want faster speeds that the NBN can offer so a product like the Netgear Orbi 4GX Router with Satellite can be the perfect solution.
The Netgear Orbi 4GX router with Satellite (LBK 1220) takes the company’s award-winning technology and delivers whole home wi-fi to keep you connected for your streaming, gaming and other online activities.
And the connection comes from a Telstra SIM card which can offer typical download speeds of up to 300Mbps – three times faster than the NBN.
The unit and it’ satellite can share that connection with up to 30 wi-fi devices making it ideal for your home or office.
The Orbi router offers 4G speeds which, with the included satellite unit, can create a faster consistent wireless network that covers about 280 square metres.
Set up is quite simple. Users simply plug in the Orbi router and insert a data SIM and download the Orbi app to step you through the process.
Users simply scan the QR code on the base of the main unit so the app can recognise the product and begin the set-up process.
After a few minutes you are asked to connect to the new wi-fi network the Orbi has created to complete the set-up.
The app will also confirm your new network is working and that the SIM card is connected to the Telstra 4G network.
The smaller satellite unit only needs to be connected to power and it will link to the main router unit to create a mesh network.
The main router unit also has two Ethernet ports to connect devices directly like your TV or a gaming console.
It’s also possible to create a guest wi-fi network and offer access to friends and visitors without sharing your personal network password.
The product comes with a free 30-day trial of the Netgear Armour cyber security which monitors any threats to your home network and connected devices.
The Netgear Orbi 4GX router can also be used as a backup to your existing Internet connection.
Users can connect their existing modem into the first Ethernet port and create or extend their wireless network using the Orbi 4GX.
Then if the main connection is interrupted – the 4G cellular connection can be used you’re your home or office network instead.
But for most customers this Netgear product would be their primary connection through the 4G network.
During our testing the best speeds we achieved on the Telstra 4G network was around 140Mbps about 40Mbps upload speed.
Naturally if you live in a stronger Telstra network coverage area your speeds will be even higher.
Our speed was actually higher than our fibre to the curb NBN connection.
The only cost other here is the Telstra monthly data SIM card plan which start at $15 for 5GB data, $25 for 20GB, $50 for 60GB and $75 month to month for 200GB data.
This monthly cost would take the place of a monthly NBN plan with unlimited data.
The disadvantage of using the Telstra data SIM is there is no unlimited option.
But if you do go over your data limit your speed is throttled back to 1.5Mbps which is fast enough for browsing and streaming music but not enough for gaming and streaming video.
The Netgear Orbi 4GX router with Satellite is priced at $399 or can be paid off on a plan over 12 months ($33.25 a month) or 24 months ($16.62 a month) plus plan cost.
VERDICT
The Netgear Orbi 4GX router with Satellite LBK 1220 is an excellent high-speed connection solution with great build quality that’s easy to set up and manage. It might just be the answer for customers who can’t access the NBN, don’t want to access the NBN or are unhappy with their current NBN connection.
