Ingenious Router Heads to Czechia! TP-Link M8550 Replaces Home and Travel Connection and Has a Touchscreen Display

TP-Link is expanding its portfolio with the M8550 mobile router, which combines 5G connectivity with Wi-Fi 6E technology. Unlike standard mobile hotspots, this model offers several additional features, including an Ethernet port and a touchscreen display.

The main draw is the gigabit WAN/LAN port, which allows for a wired connection of a laptop or other device. The router can also be used as a home device connected to a cable modem, aiming for more versatile use.

Technical Specifications and Connectivity Options

According to specifications, the M8550 supports 5G connectivity with download speeds up to 3.4 Gb/s and upload speeds up to 900 Mb/s. For 4G/LTE networks, the manufacturer states download speeds up to 1.6 Gb/s and upload speeds of 200 Mb/s. The router supports a wide range of frequency bands including 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 2100 MHz, and others.

Price: 8 999 Kč

Wireless connectivity is provided by tri-band Wi-Fi 6E, labeled as AXE3600, which combines the bands:

• 6 GHz with a speed of 2880 Mb/s
• 5 GHz with a speed of 2880 Mb/s
• 2.4 GHz with a speed of 688 Mb/s

According to the manufacturer, the router can serve up to 32 devices simultaneously, which can be useful for group use.

Display and User Interface

An interesting feature is the integrated touchscreen display, which shows basic information about the device status and allows direct configuration without needing to connect via a web interface. Users can monitor data limit, battery status, signal strength, connected devices, and other parameters.

Via the display, you can set the home screen, view device information, configure power saving, VPN, switch Wi-Fi bands, change network modes, and access other functions.

Battery and Connectivity

The router includes a 4700 mAh battery, which should be sufficient for all-day operation. The exact battery life depends on usage and load. The following interfaces are available:

• USB-C port for charging and data transfer
• Gigabit WAN/LAN port for wired connection
• Antenna interface for connecting an external antenna
• SIM card slot (sold separately)
• microSD card slot (sold separately)

An interesting feature is the Wi-Fi Boost mode, where the router can be connected via a USB-C cable and the battery disconnected to improve the Wi-Fi signal during stationary use.

Security Features

The M8550 router offers integrated support for VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, IPSec, and WireGuard. This feature can be particularly useful for business users who need secure access to remote servers without having to set up a VPN on every connected device.

Typical Use Cases

TP-Link suggests three main use cases for its router:

• Travel – quick setup for 5G/4G/3G networks and sharing the connection with multiple devices
• Business Trips – stable connection thanks to the Ethernet port and VPN support for secure access to corporate networks
• Home or Office Use – as an alternative to a standard router with the option to switch to battery power in case of a power outage

Availability and Price

The TP-Link M8550 is already available on the Czech market for a recommended retail price of 8 999 Kč. You can buy it, for example, on Alza.

Would you use a mobile router with 5G support?