[ad_1]
Speedport Smart 4 in the test: Really high speed
In order to connect a device via Wifi 6, it must also master the standard. Other devices communicate with the router using an older standard such as WLAN-ac (Wifi 5) or WLAN-n (Wifi 4) – the Telekom device also has them on the box. This is a good thing: at 2.4 gigahertz and over a greater distance, the older standards with some technology – such as the Asus WLAN PCI card with four antennas per frequency range used in the test – offer more speed, as Wifi 6 devices up to now radio with a maximum of two antennas. So it’s great that the Speedport Smart 4 also accelerates with WLAN-ac and -n.
But who needs so much speed? After all, no more than 250 Mbps are possible via DSL. The reasons: The new router thus achieves a higher speed than its predecessor even at most of the remote measuring points. In addition, there are more and more fast fiber optic connections. In some buildings, fiber optic internet is distributed in the house via LAN. With its 2.5 Gigabit LAN socket, the Smart 4 is better prepared for this than the Smart 3.
Speedport Smart 4 in the test: clever mesh
If the owner distributes the repeaters throughout the house, they ensure seamless WLAN. Together, routers and repeaters optimize WLAN connections through clever functions – also known as “mesh”. In this way, they always connect end devices in the fastest frequency (band steering) and with the telecom WLAN station with the strongest signal (access point steering). Thanks to multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), you can exchange data with several suitable end devices at the same time.
However, if you do not use a Speedport router as a basis, you need at least two Speed Home repeaters to use the mesh functions – one of the repeaters then serves as the basis.
Speedport Smart 4: Integrated smart home base
Like its predecessors, the Speedport Smart 4 can be used as a control center for “Magenta SmartHome”. It connects the corresponding devices via DECT-ULE; The standards Zigbee and Homematic IP (30 euros each) and Schellenberg (40 euros) can be retrofitted using a USB radio stick. With the other functions, the Speedport Smart 4 sometimes looks pale. With the parental controls, for example, only time and total time-based usage periods can be set – there is no block for websites. And if you want to block phone numbers, you have to make the setting via the Telekom customer center, this does not work via the router menu – cumbersome.
Telekom Speedport Smart 4: price and release
The Telekom Speedport Smart 4 is already available. The router can be bought from the provider for 169.99 euros or rented for 5.95 euros per month. You can get the device on the open market for a price from 135 euros (all prices as of September 20, 2021).
