D-Link G572 review: This SIM-ready 5G router is a valuable fallback for my weak home internet
by https://www.techradar.com/uk/author/alastair-jennings · TechRadarTechRadar Verdict
My office sits on the outskirts of the New Forest, where mobile internet is notoriously bad. The D-Link G572 is a mains-powered 5G router that delivers fast Wi-Fi 7 to the home, office, or any other location without wired or fibre internet access. Using a Nano SIM and TS-9 antenna support, this router enables multiple mobile network connections, but, of course, it depends on decent 4G or 5G coverage. Stepping in when my home and office fibre fails, the G572, once in a decent position with connectivity, fast cellular network connection that can then be used in the same way as a standard wireless router, providing a valuable failsafe and enabling me to continue working.
Pros
- +Fast 5G fallback
- +Wi-Fi 7 ready
- +Simple SIM setup
Cons
- -Signal-dependent performance
- -No 6GHz band
- -Premium router pricing
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D-Link G572: 30-second review
Living in the south of England, you’d expect the internet speeds to be pretty decent, and at one time, not long ago, in the New Forest, they were. But then, as the area started to develop, connection speeds dropped and became increasingly unstable, meaning that if you run a business, fallbacks are needed if you want to keep running.
However, even then, the cellular networks can be hit and miss, aim for the high ground, and ordinarily, you can get a signal, so when my fibre network at home keeled over completely, I reached for my usual choice of mobile network router to get me back online.
However, this time the fibre connection has not been short and tipping over for over a week with no connection and intermittent service for the last few months, I’ve had to look for a more permanent solution. Thankfully, the G572 was in for review and has now been delivering impressive connection speeds to the 4G network from its high point in the house and office.
Unlike my high-end portable 5G router, this box requires AC power, but then it provides wireless coverage that essentially matches that of the Eero 6 routers we usually use at home. In an area where connection speeds are usually lacking, the powerful antennas do the job.
While I still can’t connect to a 5G network, the 4G connection speeds are impressive, with the speed test nearly reaching 80 Mbps and upload speeds of around 6 Mbps. Still some way off the fibre connection, but a lifesaver when you rely on that connection for work and, of course, entertainment.
But this router has not only stepped in where the fibre connection fails, in the office, but another once-sweet spot for bad fibre connection, which, on last checking, has now dropped below 10Mbps and the cellular network is close to non-existent. Using this router, the cellular network connection speeds have improved enough to enable some email, web browsing, and music streaming; video streaming might be wishful thinking. Then there’s also the ability to just plug it directly into the 10G network, fully integrating it with the office network.
The other point at home is that multiple devices can be easily connected with surprising efficiency. Most days when working at home, I’d have two to three machines, three robot vacuums, which I discovered only work when there’s an internet connection, the Alexa, and a couple of mobile phones.
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