So what's the verdict?

As andrekua2 said before their ZTE MC801A from Celcom that is based on SDX55 wasn't that good. ZTE MC801A was released on 14 Nov 2019, so hopefully it is better for the newer generation products. Still, looking online for specs of the ZTE G5B there are a lot of different spec lists. I would trust the specs if it comes with a more official looking PDF file. The specs for the H153-381 is more widely known. I think I'm leaning more to ZTE G5B with our current ericsson infrastructure. If issues surfaced during the 2 years contract period, do complaint through MCMC and get a replacement.

After the contract period ends, or even before you guys can refer to videos on youtube to mod external sma antenna ports to replace the internal antenna. The PH 5G home wifi community seems quite active in their modding of the H153-381. Can refer to some youtube videos for that. As for the ZTE G5B, I haven't found a specific website or any posts with mods to it. But if the ZTE MC888 that are similar in form factor can be modded, I would bet the ZTE G5B will also be possible to be modded.

ZTE G5B might also be called MC888B, also it is very similar to a normal MC888. The difference are the new 'AI' antenna inside the ZTE G5B for better signals, the exterior looks identical.

The rationale for choosing the H153-381 based on the Balong 5000 would be better suited with the 2nd 5G network using Huawei and ZTE systems. But by then you should get a better modem with higher carrier aggregation. The upcoming SDX75 5G module is capable of 5CA, I think both the ZTE G5B and H153-381 are theoretically capable of 2CA. Routers based on X75 are already available now but the Quectel RM551e-GL 5G module (SDX75) is still in the engineering sample phase.








Pics sourced from router-mods.co.uk/product/zte-mc888-5g-cpe-router-modification-services/

Another factor to take into account is carrier aggregation, starting from Snapdragon X60 onwards the modems are capable of combining multiple bands to achieve faster speeds just like 4G did.

Snapdragon X62 120MHz / 2CA
Snapdragon X65 300MHz / 4CA
Snapdragon X75 1000MHz / 5CA

The Balong 5000 in the Huawei H153-381 comes in at 200MHz of bandwidth with support of 2CC.

I think the X62 may be able to do a maximum of N28 (20MHz) + N78 (100MHz), while the Balong 5000 can do N78 (100MHz) + N78(100MHz).

Looking online the bandwidth assigned to each bands are tower specific, your mileage may vary.











Here are the bands in use in Malaysia excluding mmWave not supported by these routers.

For the buildout UMobile earlier mentioned in the news that they're going to use Huawei equipment for West Malaysia and ZTE for Borneo.

Avoid the ZTE if you're planning to subscribe and use in Peninsula Malaysia or Huawei is you're using it in East Malaysia.

Best compatibility with equipment vendor.

Yeah their own 5G network will be using Huawei systems in the future.

I would also lean towards Huawei for now, factoring in the higher available 200MHz 2CC bandwidth.

Looking for other user feedback online, seems like there are no glaring issues with either of the routers provided. An improvement would be finding a cost effective solution to offload the wifi from the router to another access point.

This ZTE modem is being promoted in Sibu, Sarawak.

Quoting Umobile press statement on their next gen 5G vendors:

U Mobile signs Huawei, ZTE as vendors to deploy Malaysia’s second 5G network
https://soyacincau.com/2025/04/15/u-mobile-...ysia-second-5g/



Depending if you live in Peninsula Malaysia or East Malaysia it's best to go with the carrier vendor equipment that is in your area.

Choosing Huawei modem if you're living in East Malaysia might not be the right decision.
Alternately choosing ZTE if you're living in Peninsula Malaysia is less recommended when the equipment vendor is Huawei.

This post has been edited by petpenyubobo: Jun 17 2025, 12:02 AM

100mhz DNB
100mhz Umobile

i dont think can CA different telco network

Carrier aggregation is the ability of connecting to multiple 5G bands ie: n28 + n78 / n78 + n78 .

I don't think it's related to connecting between telcos.

The voucher has been given, check the MyUMobile app.

Im considering Umobile 5G broadband. Is the connection steady? Currently using Fiber 300mbps and paying RM 129/mth

Umobile has already resigned their intention to quit from the DNB1 consortium to build their own 5G network.

After this they won't able to access DNB's 100MHz network dicing already once they're out.

U Mobile Confirms That It Will Exit From DNB SHA, in Line With Terms of Transition as the Nation’s Newest 5G Network Provider
https://www.u.com.my/en/about-us/newsroom/p...in-line-with-t0

If they don't build up their 5G network fast enough soon within 12 months they'll be out of the 5G race. Also maintaining the entire 5G network themselves will incur very high expenses, the high cost will surely carry over to consumers while their plan pricing will be among the highest in the industry.

Even today, Umobile plans are getting very expensive they are no longer among the cheapest like they used to be.

Fibre is the best internet. 5G bosrdband is best afford.

They divest their investment, what does it have anything to do with them buying bandwidth from DNB?

Even when they have completed their 5G rollout, they still need DNB to maximize their 5G coverage. Other telcos also will be buying bandwidth from UM.

Just one thing though. Both DNB and UM buying bandwidth from HSBB. I wonder how that will affect the whole fibre network speed.

Don't think they'll have equal access anymore after they exit the DNB consortium. Wholesale price will differ for non participating member.

Not entirely.

YES recently won the tender to build a new fibre network stretch across the railway tracks around Malaysia.

There's Maxis NGBB, Celcom's Timur fibre network in Sabah and Time Fibre network now expanding rapidly across major cities.

DNB1 already good strong start and foothold. All they need now is increase coverage on preciously reported blindspots while UM needs to build from scratch alone to match DNB1 else it'll lose its competitive edge.

Other telcos will be hesitant to buy bandwidth from a monopoly player which is repeating the exact same mistake that TM made with its HSBB move where it becomes a retail service player among the wholesale network it monopolizes.

Pricing difference then they just have to pay more... does not cut them off the grid.

I found out the deco x50 5G connected to U mobile 5G only on B28 band in my area. Anyway to force to get B28, N78?

Is your 5G connection spotty in your area? It could be the modem hard to lock on the N78 band

During lunch hour till evening, the speed will crawl like turtle

Can't do much then, i think your place is oversaturated with users during peak hours, need to wait and see if by UM building for the 2nd 5G network would lessen the load then.
When more users going to 5G network u can really see the speed drop, i used to get around 600mbps dload even at peak hour at my place, but nowadays speed would be around 200-300mbps daily.

still ok if down to 200mbps... here is just crawling... 20mbps max, sometimes 3mbps.

Not speed throttling by UM.