Zoom 4501 3G router review

Alternatively, if you're using Ethernet WAN for your primary internet connection, you can set up your 3G connection as a failover in the Basic Settings section of the router's main administration interface. This is extremely useful if your office has to have an internet connection available at all times, although the router's two Ethernet ports and limited wireless performance mean that only very small offices are likely to find it fit for purpose without investing in additional network switches.



The 4501 has an outstanding web interface, with clearly marked and annotated menu options and a decent range of features, including URL blocking, remote administration from a designated IP address, basic QoS to prioritise traffic across designated ports or IP addresses, Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) support to help you monitor devices on your network and support for Dynamic DNS from providers including DynDNS and TZO. These services provide a URL that always points at your IP address, even if your ISP only provides a dynamic IP address rather than a static one. The DDNS client on the router notifies the service every time your IP address changes.


A handy status screen provides at-a-glance network connection information to both administrators and standard users.

The 4501 also supports a wide range of 3G dongles, including all the Huawei and ZTE models we've seen from UK mobile broadband providers. A regularly updated list is available on the Zoom website so users can check support for their 3G modem before they buy.