Tech advice please. New MC888 hub.

TwoShedsJohn · ‎14-01-2026

Hi all. So, I juse received my 5G Hub,MC888, so far I have only tried the TV and my PC on new hub, both are connected via ethernet.

Regarding wifi, At the monent I am still on Virgin Media hub ( contract not cancelled,,,yet ) with all my wifi devices, I have about 20+ devices connected via wifi, which include 3x Ring cameras, 1x Ring doorbell cam, 2 x ring chimes, 3x older `other` IP cams, about 8x smart plugs, 3 x Echo show Alexa devices , 1x tablet, and 1x phone,

So as I am typing this, both hubs are active. The Three hub for the ethernet (tv and pc), and the VM hub for the (wifi ) devices.

That`s the background, this is the question... Rather than disconnecting each individual wifi device and go through all the hassle of setting each device back up again from scratch using the Three hub, Would it be possible to just change the Three hub`s SSID and Password names to the SAME SSID and SAME password that the VM is currently using, in the hope that once the VM is turned off, then the wifi devices will just connect themsleves ` automatically ` to the Three hub ??. Is that possible ?? or am I expecting too much ?.

Thanks in anticipation. John

TwoShedsJohn · ‎25-01-2026

Thanks Clive . When you say " flicking between different bands " .. do you mean between 4g and 5g ?? I understand the ` network` led on the hub indicates when it is 4g ( blue ) and 5 g ( white, ) .. But every time I have done a speedtest, I am also viewing the hub as I do it, and all lights are always white. The only time I have ever seen blue, is when its first powered on after a reposition, and that blue only lasts for about 2 seconds, then turns white. .

After breakfast, I`ll follow your link and do more tests.

Thanks again. John

Anonymous · ‎25-01-2026

Yes, Three use Non Stand Alone (NSA) 5G. It's like a half way stop between 4G/LTE and 5G, 4.5G if you will. It therefore does all the network control via 4G bands/technology. This means that routers tend to pick a 4G anchor/primary band and only connect to 5G bands if and when needed, this might explain the signal levels jumping up and down. In reality, a router can be connected to multiple bands, all with difference + and -. The lower frequency bands 700/800Mhz tend to travel better distances, but are slower for data. The higher bands are much faster, but are open to more interference. Even the foil backing in modern insulation can block/reflect/interfere with higher frequency bands.

Because the router is using multiple bands, all with different signal levels, the LED signal doesn't really mean anything. My router shows excellent signal on Band 20, but speed is about 2-10Mbps. It shows poor signal on Band 3, but I get about 40-60Mbps over that. The router then combines these two bands to give me an average speed of 40-75Mbps, depending on time of day and network load. However, my area is congested, Three Tech call it "limited".

TwoShedsJohn · ‎25-01-2026

Thanks clive . So basically it can be on 4g and not 5g,,,but still showing a white network light ?. If so, that seems to defy the whole point of the indication to begin with. Anyway...

I did the tests at your link. I didn`t test any ethernet, All were via wifi. I did tested using devices, My PC, phone and Tablet. I only used their `standard` speedtest, as when I went to the page which allows downloads of bigger files ( 1gb, 2gb etc, ) my Norton anti Virus wouldn`t allow the download , I got error stating " Can`t be downloaded safely " . So the pics shown are for the standart test. The top 3 pics are using the Three hub, compared to the bottom 3 pics using VM hub. All via wifi. I undertsand the MBPS figures, but the rest to me is gobbledygook. I understand you won`t see pics until verified. Thanks for now. John

Anonymous · ‎26-01-2026

Yes, to access 5G-NSA you will be connected to a 4G band, its the way it works! So the signal level might be display the signal status of that 4G primary band. The router logic might be to change the colour of the LED's if a 5G band is detected, even if the signal is too poor to use! Those speeds look to me like 4G only, IMO

LOL yeah, I always laugh when Three Tech support want me to tell them the LED colours and signal, especially when my question has nothing to do with the cellular signal. They do love to follow their wee scripts, please turn it off and on, please reset your wifi box, please take the SIM out and try it in your phone, etc etc etc

Have you figured out how to access the router config page? Really need to see what bands your router is connected to. Those speeds don't look like 5G bands are in use.

TwoShedsJohn · ‎04-02-2026

Thanks Clive. I have finally managed to log into hub manager. All wekk it has been rejecting username and password, ( which I know is correct ) ,,,, then finally this morning using same credentials,, it let me in. weird. Anyway,,, not really sure what I`m lookin for , but I took a few sceenshots of what I thought you were previously referring to. Also did a speedtest at approx 6-30am today. Not sure if I need to click that blue " apply " button or not ?. ..................

Anonymous · ‎04-02-2026

Those settings are for WiFi signal. I'm not familiar with that interface, but are there any menu items for WAN/Cellular or something like that?

TwoShedsJohn · ‎04-02-2026

The screenshots are from the hub manager, as accessed and viewed using PC at 192. 168 .0.1 . So I assume you only use the phone app ?. . But I`m obviously still confused,,, In a previous reply you said ( " Those speeds don't look like 5G bands are in use " ). But.. doesn`t the " 5G " icon in the top left pic show that the hub is actually connected to 5g rather than 4g ? . Confused,,,sorry Clive. All this is completely new to me.

Anyway.. I`ll have another look now for anything,,, "WAN/Cellular"

Back soon...............

TwoShedsJohn · ‎04-02-2026

The pic shown is the `main page` on the hub manager interface. After looking within every setting link,,advanced settiings,, and all other links and menu`s ... the ONLY mention of WAN I can see anywhere at all , is a mention of a " WAN ip address " . and a WAN ip v6 address . That`s it.

Anonymous · ‎20-01-2026

It should be possible, but I have seen a few exceptions to that. The exception was caused by password strength detection built into the new router interface, so it literally would not let me set the passwords the same, saying that the password was too weak. It wanted me to add upper and lower case characters and use numbers as well as being longer. Not saying this will be the case on your new router, but just wanted to point it out.

TwoShedsJohn · ‎23-01-2026

Thank you Clive, I``ll bear that in mind. I haven`t tried it yet, been busy. still only ethernet connected, but will be trying in the next few days, so I will update, success or failure.

Thanks again. John