I Bought the MTN Universal Broadband 4G Router + Backup Battery on a Whim—and Honestly, It Changed My Work Life
It all started on a random Tuesday afternoon, right after another frustrating power cut in Kumasi. I was in the middle of a Zoom call—camera off, of course, because my internet was crawling—when my phone buzzed yet again: “Connection unstable.” You know that moment when you just want to throw your laptop out the window? Yeah, I was there.
So later that evening, I found myself doom-scrolling through Jumia, half in frustration, half in desperation. That’s when I stumbled on the MTN Universal Broadband 4G Router + Backup Battery (White). I wasn’t even looking for a router. But the words “backup battery” caught my eye. I clicked, read some quick reviews (most of which sounded suspiciously fake), and thought, Well… why not? GHS 400-something later, it was on its way to me.
-First Impressions? I Thought I Broke It
When it arrived, I won’t lie—I was a bit skeptical. It looked clean and minimal, all white and sleek, but I wasn’t convinced it was going to solve my internet nightmares. I remember taking it out of the box, fiddling with the SIM tray, and then staring at it like it was a spaceship. I actually thought I broke it the first day because I didn’t hold the power button long enough. Classic me.
But once it finally powered on and the green lights started blinking, something shifted. Within minutes, I had a stable connection. No kidding. I tested it with YouTube, a video call, then a Netflix episode. No buffering. No buffering! I nearly cried.
-The Game-Changer: That Backup Battery
One thing I didn’t expect? Just how life-saving that built-in backup battery would be. In Ghana, you don’t wait to be told there’ll be dumsor—you feel it in your bones. And every time it hits, my other gadgets panic. But this little router? It keeps going.
During a three-hour blackout, I tethered my laptop and phone to it. It ran like a champ. I even got through an entire freelance deadline during that time. That’s when I knew I made the right choice.
-Real-Life Use: It’s Literally Everywhere With Me
I keep it by my bedside, near my workstation, sometimes in the kitchen while I'm checking recipes on YouTube. It’s compact enough to carry around if you need to work in different spots at home—or even outside.
The range? Decent. Not mind-blowing, but enough to cover my 2-bedroom apartment. It works better when it’s in a central place. And yes, you can connect multiple devices—I’ve had my phone, laptop, TV, and even a friend’s phone all running without a hiccup.
-Things I Didn’t Love (Because Nothing’s Perfect)
Okay, let’s be real—nothing’s perfect. For one, you must use an MTN SIM. It’s locked, so no Vodafone, AirtelTigo, or whatever else you were hoping for. I also wish the battery lasted a bit longer—mine gives me roughly 4 hours on backup mode. Not bad, but not incredible either.
Also, the interface is super basic. If you’re a techie who likes advanced settings and control over everything, you’ll feel a bit limited.
But for someone like me—just trying to stay online and get work done without chaos—it ticks every box.
-Would I Recommend It?
Absolutely. Especially if you live in Ghana or anywhere with power and network inconsistency. For remote workers, small business owners, content creators, or students tired of burning mobile data, it’s a solid investment.
I get it—it’s not cheap. But is the MTN Universal Broadband 4G Router + Backup Battery worth it in 2025? For me? 100%. I haven’t had to borrow my neighbor’s Wi-Fi or hang around a café just to upload a file in months.
-Final Thoughts
Is it life-changing? Maybe not for everyone. But for me, it gave me back my time, my sanity, and my work-life balance. If you’re on the fence, ask yourself: How much is reliable internet worth to you when the lights go out?
If you've tried it too, I'd love to hear—did it work for you as well as it did for me?