Three broadband routers - 2025
Three Broadband connects you to a mobile network rather than the usual fixed lines – and that means its routers, the 4G and 5G Hubs, are a little different. Here’s what you need to know.
What is the latest Three broadband router?
The most recent routers from Three are the Three 5G Hub (Zyxel NR5103E) and the Three 4G Hub (ZTE MF286D), offering 5G and 4G broadband respectively.
There's also the Outdoor Hub, which comes with an Amazon eero 6 Wi-Fi router for your home and is designed to take advantage of the strongest 5G signals in your area.
For more detail on their specs and features, keep reading on.
How do I know which Three router I have?
To figure out which Three router you have, you can check the support page for home broadband on Three’s website.
You can also take a look at the stickers on the underside or rear of your router, which will tell you the model.
Three router specs and key features
We go through what each of Three's main hubs have to offer:
Three 5G Hub – Zyxel NR5103E
The Three 5G Hub is a powerhouse, designed for those who want to leverage the ultra-fast speeds of 5G connectivity. Here's what you can expect from this router:
Wi-Fi 6 technology: For fast broadband speeds
2 gigabit Ethernet ports: Useful for plugging in devices that require a stronger wired connection, such as a games console or PC
Dual-band support: Supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands, ensuring a stable connection
Compatible with My Three app: Lets you manage your Wi-Fi from your phone, such as viewing connected devices and checking your usage
Three 4G Hub – ZTE MF286D
For those in areas where 5G is not available yet, the Three 4G Hub ensures that you're not left behind. This router comes with:
Wi-Fi 5 technology with dual-band capability: Supports both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands,
Four Ethernet ports: One WAN/LAN port and three LAN ports
App compatibility: As with the 5G Hub, the 4G Hub lets you manage it via the My Three app
Three Outdoor Hub
If you have good 5G connectivity in your area, Three's Outdoor Hub enables you to harness that power for your home. The hub offers:
An eero 6 Wi-Fi router: This router goes indoors, expanding the Wi-Fi coverage in your home
Wi-Fi 6 technology with dual-band capability: Supports fast broadband speeds
Up to 128 connected devices: Perfect for large households and smart homes
Setting up a Three router
Visit Three's website for instructions on how to set up your hub. In most cases, it should be a straightforward and quick process: simply plug in the hub to a power socket, wait for it to set up, then use the provided password to connect your devices to the Wi-Fi.
Three recommends you to download the Three app, which takes you through the installation process.
Can I replace my Three router with a better one?
As Three Broadband works by connecting to a mobile network rather than the normal fixed lines that most standard broadband uses, you won't be able to use a third-party router. Your Hub will arrive already set up to connect to the Three network on your account.
You do have a few options for improving your Wi-Fi signal, however. You can attach external antennae to the Hub, for instance, or install Wi-Fi extenders in other rooms of your home.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upgrade my router as an existing customer?
If you currently have Three 4G broadband, you may be able to upgrade to 5G Broadband to get a better router (and better broadband, too).
If I sign up for Three broadband, will I get their latest router?
It depends on which Three broadband package you sign up for. If you're getting a 5G plan, you'll get a more high-tech router to match (either the 5G Hub or Outdoor Hub), as these are designed to support those top speeds.
Does Three provide Wi-Fi extenders?
Yes - with the Outdoor Hub, you get the Amazon eero 6 router to go with it. This creates a Wi-Fi mesh system, which strengthens your home broadband connection from wall to wall.
Author
Rob Baillie
Head of Commercial
Rob Baillie is Head of Commercial across Communications Products working within Broadband, Mobile and Mobile recycling, looking after all of our external relationships with providers. Rob's team help...