Connected devices, up to
The largest number of devices that can be simultaneously connected to the modem via Wi-Fi (see "Connection").
The presence of this limitation is due to the fact that processing network requests from several devices at once requires a fairly large amount of computing resources, and there are not so many of them in miniature electronics like wireless modems. However, even inexpensive models can support about 5 – 6 devices, which is more than enough for most cases; and in more advanced modems, this number can reach 10.
External antenna connector
The presence
of a connector for an external removable antenna in the modem design. The meaning of all external antennas is described above; here we note that the connector makes it possible to use rather large antennas with the modem, which significantly exceed the capabilities of stock antennas (both internal and external non-removable ones). In addition, the user can choose the antenna at his discretion.
MIMO antenna connection
The ability to connect the MIMO antenna (the antenna itself, usually, must be purchased separately).
MIMO technology is used in Wi-Fi communications, as well as in 4G LTE networks (starting with Cat.2). Its general principle is to split the transmitted signal into several transmitting and receiving antennas; at the same time, each of the transmitting antennas broadcasts a signal to all receiving antennas at once (or at least to several of them). This format of operation allows more efficient use of the frequency range, increases the actual data transfer rate, and also increases resistance to interference. But antennas for MIMO are rather bulky, in the case of modems it is difficult to make them built-in; and such feature is required not so often. Therefore, separate external antennas are used to work with this technology.
Note that even in portable Wi-Fi hotspots (see "Type"), this feature is used exclusively for 4G/LTE; Wi-Fi connection is provided by built-in antennas.
Memory card slot
The presence
of a slot for memory card in the design of the modem. Memory cards are very popular in modern electronics as removable storage media; in wireless modems, there are two main options for working with them. The first one provides use as an external card reader, for exchanging information between the card and the device to which the modem is connected via USB (see below); Simply put, installing a card turns the modem into a "flash drive" with removable storage. And in models with Wi-Fi (see "Type"), it may also be possible to work as a server that provides access to the contents of the memory card to all wireless devices connected to the modem. As for the types of cards, the most common support for the microSD standard is that they are small enough to be easily combined with compact wireless modem cases. Note that even within the same standard of memory cards there are several varieties, and before buying it's worth to clarify which of them the device is compatible with.
Display
The presence of a
display in the design of the modem. Even the simplest screens used in modern modems are very versatile and capable of displaying almost any service information about the operation of the device (and sometimes not only purely service information). Due to this, this feature provides much more opportunities to inform the user than various indicators. At the same time, we note that this feature is found only in Wi-Fi modems (see above) designed for stand-alone use. This is due to the fact that in models that are connected to another device via USB, the screen of the external device is used for displaying this information, and it simply does not make sense to equip the modem with its own display.
Battery capacity
The capacity of the battery installed in the modem with the corresponding type of power supply (see below).
The higher the capacity, the longer the battery is able to work without recharging, all other things being equal. However, note that the situation of "other things being equal" is almost not found in modern wireless modems. First, different data transmission technologies (see above) have different power consumption; secondly, even models supporting the same standards can differ in power consumption (and battery life) due to design differences. Therefore, this indicator in most cases is purely reference information, and even very similar models can only be compared approximately. When choosing, it is worth focusing primarily on the claimed specs of the battery life (see below).
Operating time (standby)
The maximum time the modem can operate on battery power (see "Power") in standby mode on a single battery charge.
This mode can be described as the standby mode. It assumes that the device is turned on, its operating circuits are powered and ready to respond to an incoming signal or user command at any time, but no data exchange occurs and no features work. This indicator is not as important as the Internet browsing time (see above), but it is also of practical importance and allows you to evaluate the battery life of the device — after all, during breaks between communication sessions, the modem is in standby mode.
