[Actual Survey Report] Comparison of WiMAX Mobile Routers (NC03 and DOCK) Based on "Multi-Device Connection" and "Installation Location"

ALL CONNECT Inc. (Headquarters: Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture), which operates the communication media "All Connect Magazine," conducted an actual speed survey of two WiMAX-compatible mobile routers (HYBRID Wi-Fi 5G NC03 / Speed Wi-Fi DOCK 5G 01).

Both NC03 and DOCK are popular models handled by multiple WiMAX services. However, there is very little actual data comparing which device can maintain speed when multiple devices are connected simultaneously, or how to achieve faster speeds in a wooden house depending on the placement.

This survey tested the two models in two environments with different characteristics. First, in a reinforced concrete office, a "multi-device simultaneous connection test" was conducted by gradually increasing the number of connected devices from one. Second, in a wooden detached house, a "test by installation location" was performed by changing the placement of the main unit during nighttime hours when network congestion is likely. The objective is to quantitatively verify how the number of connected devices, building structure, and installation location affect communication quality.

Item

Details

Models Tested

HYBRID Wi-Fi 5G NC03 (hereinafter "NC03") / Speed Wi-Fi DOCK 5G 01 (hereinafter "DOCK")

Measurement Environment 1

Reinforced concrete office (Multi-device simultaneous connection test - 2 models compared)

Measurement Environment 2

Wooden detached house, Fukui Prefecture (Test by installation location - NC03 only / Congested nighttime hours)

Measurement Date

June 2026 (Environment 1: Daytime / Environment 2: Nighttime)

Measurement Time

Measurement Environment 1: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Measurement Environment 2: 6:50 PM - 7:20 PM

Devices Used

iPhone 16 Pro Max, smartphones, notebook PCs (MacBook Pro / Windows notebook)

Measurement Method

Download, upload, and Ping were measured using "Speedtest by Ookla" under each condition. Additionally, the ping (response time) for online games was checked with NC03.

Published Data (PDF/CSV)

https://all-connect.co.jp/magazine/data/

[Conclusion] NC03 is fast with "few connections," DOCK is "stable with many connections." Speed doubles depending on placement.

[Survey Results Summary]

- With few connections (1-2 devices), NC03 is faster (average download 64.0 Mbps, DOCK 55.8 Mbps). - With multiple devices (2+ PCs), NC03 speed drops sharply (average download 15.1 Mbps), while DOCK maintains 48.6 Mbps. - Ping with multiple devices increases sharply with DOCK (up to 719 ms). - In the adjacent room, NC03 speed drops to 25.17 Mbps, but recovers to 62.98 Mbps (approx. 2.5 times faster) with the cradle attached. - In a wooden house, speeds reach up to 153.18 Mbps near the window with the cradle (approx. 1.9 times faster than central placement at 78.98 Mbps). - Attaching the cradle improves speed in all conditions.

In short, the results are contrasting: "NC03 for a few devices, DOCK for family multi-device use." Furthermore, in wooden houses, simply "placing it near the window" and "using the cradle" significantly changed the speed, regardless of the model. Below, we will look at the actual measurement data for the two environments in order.

Part 1: Reinforced Concrete Office - Multi-Device Simultaneous Connection Test (NC03 vs. DOCK)

*Units are Mbps (download/upload) / ms (Ping)

NC03 DOCK

NC03 is superior in download speed with few connections (1-2 devices).

With only one smartphone connected, NC03 achieved 66.15 Mbps download and DOCK achieved 54.66 Mbps, with NC03 being higher. Even with two devices connected (one PC added), NC03 was still dominant at 61.82 Mbps versus 56.86 Mbps. In this measurement, NC03 recorded faster download speeds only when using a small number of devices.

With multiple devices (2+ PCs), NC03 download speed drops sharply, and DOCK takes the lead.

The situation changed dramatically after connecting two notebook PCs simultaneously. NC03's download speed dropped to 11.87 Mbps with one mobile device + two PCs, and 11.31 Mbps with two mobile devices + two PCs. The average download speed for multiple connections was 15.1 Mbps, less than a quarter of the speed with few connections (64.0 Mbps).

In contrast, DOCK maintained download speeds of 46-52 Mbps even under the same multi-device conditions, with an average of 48.6 Mbps. Its stability meant that speed hardly decreased as the number of connected devices increased, and DOCK clearly overtook NC03 in multi-device scenarios, despite being slower with fewer devices. DOCK's stability is beneficial for households or small offices where multiple people use video streaming or online conferences simultaneously.

[Why did NC03's download speed drop with multiple devices?]

When many devices communicate simultaneously, they share a limited bandwidth. While NC03 has high peak download performance, it's possible that the bandwidth per device significantly decreased when competing for bandwidth with multiple devices. In fact, under these conditions, NC03's upload speeds (e.g., 5.28 / 5.94 Mbps) exceeded its download speeds, suggesting that the download direction was particularly prone to congestion.

Ping (Latency) with Multiple Devices - DOCK also shows sharp increases at times.

Ping, an indicator of latency, also showed distinct characteristics. DOCK's ping jumped significantly with multiple device connections, reaching 719 ms with 3 mobile devices + 2 PCs, and 658 ms with 4 mobile devices + 2 PCs. When ping reaches hundreds of milliseconds, delays in online games and video calls become noticeable. While DOCK offers high download stability, its response time during congestion fluctuates. Both devices share the characteristic that latency becomes unpredictable under multi-device and congested conditions.

Speed decreases in the adjacent room, but NC03 recovers to about 2.5 times faster with the cradle.

When measuring in the "adjacent room" to where the router was placed, speed decreased with just one wall separating them, dropping to 25.17 Mbps for NC03 and 21.91 Mbps for DOCK. However, when NC03 was placed in the cradle (desktop holder) and measured in the same adjacent room, the download speed recovered to 62.98 Mbps. This is about 2.5 times faster than without the cradle, showing a significant improvement in reception by simply changing the installation method. Using the cradle is effective for use in adjacent or distant rooms.

NC03 Adjacent Room 1 Mobile Device NC03 Adjacent Room 1 Mobile Device with Cradle Attached DOCK Adjacent Room 1 Mobile Device

Part 2: Wooden House - Nighttime (Congested Hours) - NC03 Installation Location Test

Next, in a wooden detached house (in Fukui Prefecture), measurements were taken by changing the installation location of the NC03 during nighttime hours (6:50 PM - 7:10 PM) when network congestion is likely. We verified how speeds change based on placement "near the center" and "near the window" within the same house, and also with or without the "cradle."

NC03/Cradle/Measurement Device (1 Mobile Device) Near Window Measurement: NC03/Cradle/Measurement Device (1 Mobile Device)

Actual Measurement Data by Installation Location (NC03)

Installation Condition

Download (Mbps)

Upload (Mbps)

Ping (ms)

Center of House, 1 Mobile Device

78.98

0.41

70

Center of House, 1 Mobile Device (with Cradle Attached)

117.59

1.08

62

Near Window, 1 Mobile Device

93.78

2.70

411

Near Window, 1 Mobile Device (with Cradle Attached)

153.18

5.59

169

NC03 Indoor NC03 Near Window NC03 Attached to Cradle Indoors NC03 Attached to Cradle Near Window

Fastest at Window x Cradle: 153 Mbps - Approx. 1.9 times faster just by placement.

The fastest speed was achieved when placed near the window and attached to the cradle, reaching 153.18 Mbps download. Compared to the normal placement in the center of the house (78.98 Mbps), there was a difference of approximately 1.9 times, meaning the speed nearly doubled just by optimizing the placement and setup. Even during congested nighttime hours, speeds exceeded 150 Mbps, which is well above the speeds required for high-quality video streaming and large downloads.

Effect of Cradle Attachment - Speed improved in all conditions.

The effect of the cradle is clear when comparing with and without it. In the center of the house, speeds increased from 78.98 Mbps to 117.59 Mbps (approx. 1.5 times), and near the window, from 93.78 Mbps to 153.18 Mbps (approx. 1.6 times). In both locations, download speeds improved. For stationary use at home, using the cradle is advantageous for speed.

Speeds when connected to a PC (Wired/Wireless)

Measurements were also taken when connecting a notebook PC to the NC03. With a wired connection using the included USB Type-C cable, the download speed was 33.70 Mbps (Ping 84 ms), and with Wi-Fi wireless connection, it was 13.55 Mbps (Ping 48 ms). Wired connection was superior for downloads, but wireless was better for uploads and response times in some cases, suggesting it's best to choose based on usage.

Connection Method

Download (Mbps)

Upload (Mbps)

Ping (ms)

Wired (Included USB Type-C)

33.70

0.56

84

Wireless (Wi-Fi)

13.55

3.46

48

Practical Test: Online Game Ping (Response Time) Verification (NC03)

To better convey what can actually be done beyond just speed numbers, we actually played an online game with the NC03 and checked the response time (ping). The condition was a wired connection to a gaming PC via LAN cable from the cradle's LAN port, with the NC03 attached to the cradle in a wooden house. The measurement was taken during nighttime hours, when the network is congested, as in Part 2. We tested two competitive games: an online FPS and a MOBA.

Note that the FPS (frames per second) displayed on the game screen is primarily determined by the computer's performance, graphics, and graphics settings, and is basically unrelated to the quality of the network connection. Therefore, this verification focuses on ping (response time) and packet loss, which reflect network quality.

Genre

Ping

Online FPS

62 ms

MOBA

51 ms

Online FPS - Ping 62 ms, Packet Loss 0

Image is for illustration purposes.

In the online FPS, ping was 62 ms, packet loss (loss) was 0, and choke was 0. Although the connection was stable with no loss or choke, the ping of 62 ms is higher than the ideal value for competitive FPS games, as explained later.

MOBA - Ping 51 ms

Image is for illustration purposes.

The communication status checked during the MOBA gameplay was ping 51 ms. While gameplay was possible, this was also slightly higher than the ideal value.

How to Evaluate 62 ms and 51 ms - Comparison with Competitive Game Benchmarks

Generally, for competitive games where reaction speed is crucial, a ping of 10-20 ms or less is considered ideal, and exceeding 50 ms can make the delay between operation and display noticeable. Compared to this standard, 62 ms and 51 ms are at a level that is "playable but high for competitive games." It is practical for casual enjoyment but may be disadvantageous for competitive play.

[Possibility of Improvement by Changing Installation Location]

One possible reason for the slightly high ping is the limitation of the installation location. Due to the need for a wired connection via the cradle's LAN port, the router had to be placed near the PC, and could not be placed near the window where radio waves are more easily received. In Part 2, the speed near the window (93.78 Mbps, 153.18 Mbps with cradle) was clearly faster than in the center of the house (78.98 Mbps). Therefore, if the wired connection setup can be improved to bring the main unit closer to the window, improvements in ping and speed can be expected.

[Summary and Precautions for Game Verification]

It is possible to play competitive games with the NC03, and stability was confirmed with 0 packet loss. However, the ping was 62 ms and 51 ms, which are higher than the ideal values, and competitive players may find it unsatisfactory. While practical for casual enjoyment, fiber optic connections that stably provide low ping are clearly more advantageous for competitive play where reaction speed determines victory.

Why Speed Varies by Location, Number of Devices, and Placement - Four Factors

Factor 1: Building Structure and Radio Wave Propagation

Mobile routers communicate by receiving radio waves from base stations. Reinforced concrete structures tend to block radio waves, while wooden structures allow them to pass more easily. Windows near base stations outdoors are easier for radio waves to reach, while areas in the center or deep inside buildings tend to have weaker signals. The higher speed near the window in the wooden house is a result of this difference.

Factor 2: Simultaneous Connection Count and Bandwidth Distribution

There is an upper limit to the bandwidth a single router can handle, and as the number of connected devices increases, the share per device decreases. The significant drop in NC03's download speed with multiple connections may be due to bandwidth distribution, while DOCK's stability is likely due to its congestion control and processing characteristics.

Factor 3: Role of the Cradle (Desktop Holder)

The cradle is an accessory that secures the main unit, but it can also be expected to improve radio wave reception efficiency by providing wired connection ports or stabilizing the orientation and position of the unit. The speed improvement observed when the cradle was attached under various conditions is likely due to its effect.

Factor 4: Time of Day and Congestion Effects

Nighttime is a period when the network is prone to congestion due to many users communicating simultaneously. In Part 2, measurements were deliberately taken during this time, but speeds exceeding 150 Mbps were recorded near the window with the cradle, demonstrating that sufficient speeds can be secured through placement adjustments even during congestion.

Which Should You Choose: NC03 or DOCK? - Recommendations by Usage Scenario

For people like this

Recommended

Key Points

Single-person household / Few connections

NC03

Faster download with few connections

Family / Multiple simultaneous users

DOCK

Stable speed with many connections

Stationary use in a wooden house

Placement adjustments

Improved speed near window / with cradle

Use in adjacent or distant rooms

NC03 with cradle utilization

Speed recovers with attachment

[Recommendations by Usage Scenario]

- For single-person households or using a few devices -> NC03. NC03 is faster for usage centered around 1-2 smartphones and is suitable for video streaming and web browsing. - For families or multiple people using many devices simultaneously -> DOCK. Speed does not decrease easily with many devices, making it suitable for simultaneous family use or small offices. - For stationary use in a wooden home -> Make placement adjustments. Regardless of the model, placing it near the window and using the cradle significantly changes the speed. - For use in adjacent or distant rooms -> Utilize the cradle. Even through walls, a significant speed recovery was observed with the cradle attached.

Survey Staff Comments

What was most impressive in this survey was "how much the speed changes depending on the number of devices and placement, even with the same model." The NC03 is very fast with one device but drops with many, while the DOCK, though not flashy, remains stable with many devices. Rather than one being superior, the numerical data showed that the optimal model changes depending on how it is used.

Furthermore, the fact that speeds increased by about 1.9 times just by using the cradle near the window is an improvement measure that anyone can easily implement. If you feel that "the speed is not good," we recommend trying to change the placement before reconsidering your contract.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

NC03 vs. DOCK: Which is ultimately faster?

It depends on how you use it. With few connections (1-2 smartphones), NC03 was faster in download (up to 66.15 Mbps), while DOCK was stably fast with multiple connections (average 48.6 Mbps).

Which is stable even when many devices are connected simultaneously?

DOCK. It maintained a download speed of 46.75 Mbps even with 6 devices connected (4 smartphones + 2 PCs). NC03 tended to drop to download speeds in the 10-20 Mbps range with multiple devices.

Is the cradle (desktop holder) effective?

Yes, speed improvement was confirmed in all conditions. In the adjacent room, NC03's download speed increased from 25.17 Mbps to 62.98 Mbps (approx. 2.5 times), and near the window in a wooden house, it increased from 93.78 Mbps to 153.18 Mbps.

Should I connect my PC via wired or wireless?

In our measurements, wired connection via the included USB Type-C achieved 33.70 Mbps download, while Wi-Fi wireless achieved 13.55 Mbps. Wired connection was superior for downloads. If download speed is a priority, wired connection is advantageous.

Can I play online games comfortably with NC03?

It's possible for casual play, but not suitable for competitive play. Under conditions where the PC was wired to the cradle's LAN port, online FPS had a ping of 62 ms and 0 packet loss, and MOBA had a ping of 51 ms. While packet loss was 0 and stable, the ping was higher than the ideal for competitive games (10-20 ms or less). Moving the router closer to the window may improve this, but fiber optic connections are clearly more advantageous for competitive play where reaction speed is critical.

What apps and devices were used for measurement?

The measurement app was "Speedtest by Ookla," and the devices used were primarily the iPhone 16 Pro Max, along with notebook PCs (MacBook Pro / Windows notebook).

Summary

Our actual measurements of the two models in a reinforced concrete office with multiple device connections and in a wooden house based on installation location revealed contrasting characteristics: NC03 is fast with few connections, while DOCK is stable with many. Furthermore, in wooden houses, we found that simply "placing it near the window" and "using the cradle" could increase speeds by up to approximately 1.9 times, regardless of the model.

When choosing a mobile router, it is important to consider not only the maximum advertised speed but also "how many devices you will connect" and "where you will use it." Even after installation, actual speeds can be increased by utilizing placement and the cradle. We hope this survey will help you find the optimal device and usage method.

*All speeds in this article are actual measurements under specific environments and times, and do not guarantee speeds in all usage environments. Communication speeds vary depending on radio wave conditions, time of day, connected devices, and contracted services.

About "All Connect Magazine"

https://all-connect.co.jp/magazine/

All Connect Magazine is a communication-related information media operated by ALL CONNECT Inc.

It was launched with the aim of clearly organizing and explaining the complex and difficult world of communication.

It covers a wide range of topics related to communication services such as smartphones, low-cost SIM cards, fiber optic internet, and WiFi, including comparisons of prices and speeds, the latest campaigns, and how to choose and use services.

We provide reliable information to make daily life more comfortable and enriched, and support readers in choosing services with confidence.

Company Information

ALL CONNECT Inc.

President and Representative Director

Kota Iwai

Location

15-1-2 Tsugano-cho, Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture

Established

April 21, 2005

URL

https://all-connect.co.jp/