Zyxel Air is a mobile application designed for managing and monitoring Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) devices from Zyxel, such as the NR7103, NR7102, and others. It provides an intuitive interface to analyze signal strength, manage device settings, and perform basic diagnostics — without needing to access the web configuration interface.
Disclaimer: For the devices FWA510 and FWA710, the Zyxel Air App also works as described in this article, even though these models are not explicitly listed in the compatibility table of supported devices.
Supported Devices for Zyxel Air App
| Category | Models |
|---|---|
| Outdoor Router | NR7501, NR7302, NR7303, NR7123, NR7103, NR7102, NR7101, LTE7490, LTE7485, LTE7480, LTE7461, LTE7240 |
| Indoor Router | NR5111, NR5301, NR5103EV3, NR5103EV2, NR5103E, NR5103, NR5101, NR5309, LTE5398, LTE5388, LTE3301-Plus |
| MiFi | WAH7601 |
⚠️ Note: Supported devices may change. Please check the official app documentation for the latest information.
⚠️ Note: At this time, the Zyxel Air app does not support the FWA505 model. We are already working on adding support, and it will be available in one of the upcoming updates.
📲 Official Zyxel Air App Guide
How Zyxel Air Helps Improve FWA Signal
Real-Time Signal Metrics
The app displays key cellular network parameters, including:
- RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) — signal strength.
- SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) — signal quality.
- RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) — connection stability.
🔍 Purpose: These metrics allow the user to assess signal quality and understand the connection to the nearest base station.
Detailed explanation of important metrics for evaluating LTE and 5G signal quality
| Finding your Signal Strength - First login to your device Web GUI . | Go to Cellular info and click the yellow arrow ( |
Finding the Optimal Installation Spot
Zyxel Air includes an installation assistant that helps determine the best location for your FWA device:
- Measures signal strength at different spots in your home or office.
- Compares signal readings side-by-side.
- Helps identify the location with the strongest and most stable signal.
|
|
Here are all the available troubleshooting actions you can perform directly within Zyxel Air:
Device Reboot
If you're experiencing:
- loss of connectivity,
- slow speeds after long operation,
- or a frozen interface,
you can remotely restart your FWA device via the app.
📍 Location in App: Settings → Device → "Restart"
Quick Network Diagnosis
The Network Diagnosis section offers:
- Network connection status check.
- SIM card registration check.
- Internet IP assignment verification.
💡 Useful for identifying:
- issues with SIM card or mobile registration;
- lack of internet access despite signal presence.
Manual Mode Switching (4G / 5G)
If the 5G signal is weak or unstable, you can manually force the device to use 4G instead — or vice versa.
📍 Where: Settings → Network Mode → choose "4G only", "5G only", or "Auto".
This is helpful if the device is locking onto a poor 5G signal when a stable 4G one is available.
Additional Signal Diagnostics (Optional – External Tools)
While Zyxel Air is the primary tool for monitoring and optimizing your FWA device signal, advanced users may want to cross-check signal quality and cellular metrics using external mobile apps — especially when troubleshooting borderline or unstable connections.
For more detailed signal analysis beyond Zyxel Air, we recommend using an Android phone with:
- App: Network Cell Info Lite & WiFi
- Why: Shows accurate RSRP, SINR, frequency bands, and serving cell info — ideal for optimizing FWA placement.
iPhone Limitations
iPhones show limited signal data and often inaccurate SINR.
If you must use an iPhone:
- Dial
*3001#12345#*→ Call - Open Field Test Mode
- Go to
LTE → Serving Cell Info
You’ll find some basic details like PCI and band, but less than Android offers.
✅ Tip: Borrow an Android device if possible — it provides far more reliable data.
Signal Strength & Frequency Bands
What’s a Good Signal?
Signal strength impacts speed and stability. Use the chart below as a reference:
| Signal Type | Expected Performance |
|---|---|
| Excellent | Maximum speed, no interruptions |
| Good | Stable connection, moderate to high speed |
| Mid Cell | Reduced speed, generally stable |
| Cell Edge | Low speed, frequent interruptions |
What Are Frequency Bands?
FWA devices connect to mobile networks using frequency bands — specific ranges of radio frequencies.
- Low bands: Better coverage, slower speeds
- High bands: Faster speeds, shorter range
Choosing the right band helps balance speed and stability.
What is Carrier Aggregation?
Carrier Aggregation (CA) allows devices to combine multiple bands for:
- Higher throughput
- Improved reliability
- Better handling of poor single-band conditions
More aggregated bands = potentially faster speeds.
Can I Choose My Frequency Band?
No — bands are assigned automatically by your ISP based on network conditions. The FWA device cannot manually select bands.
Analyzing and Troubleshooting Cellular Performance
Following the overview in Section 2, you should now be familiar with key cellular metrics such as RSRP, RSRQ, SINR, frequency bands, and carrier aggregation. You should also understand how to access this information via both your mobile device and the Zyxel FWA.
In this section, we will evaluate two sample device readings—one from a Zyxel FWA7101 5G Outdoor Router, and the other from an Android smartphone. Our aim is to assess signal quality, band usage, and determine how to optimize performance and stability.
Sample Device Readings
| Parameter | FWA710 | Android Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Main Band (PCI) | LTE_BC28 (PCI 444) | Band 66 (PCI 62) |
| Band #1 (PCI) | LTE_BC1 (PCI 444) | Band 66 (PCI 323) |
| Band #2 (PCI) | LTE_BC3 (PCI 444) | Band 71 (PCI 339) |
| Band #3 (PCI) | N/A | Band 71 (PCI 62) |
| RSRP | ~-75 dBm | ~-110 dBm |
| RSRQ | ~-13 dB | ~-17 dB |
| SINR | 12 dB | Not Available |
Signal Quality Assessment
-
RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power): Measures signal strength. The FWA710 shows a strong signal (
-75 dBm), while the Android phone's signal is considerably weaker (-110 dBm), which may cause unreliable performance. - RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality): Indicates signal quality. The FWA710 again performs better, suggesting a more reliable and consistent connection.
- SINR (Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio): Only available on the FWA710, a value of 12 dB indicates moderate interference, but the connection remains acceptable for high-speed performance.
These readings suggest that the FWA710 is better positioned and configured for stable connectivity.
Frequency Band and Carrier Aggregation Analysis
Upon comparing the frequency bands in use, it's evident the devices are connecting to different bands:
- FWA Primary Band – LTE_BC28: 703–748 MHz uplink / 758–803 MHz downlink (Low Band).
- Android Primary Band – Band 66: 1710–1780 MHz uplink / 2110–2200 MHz downlink (High Band).
Observations:
- The Android phone is operating on higher-frequency bands, which generally offer higher potential throughput but degrade faster with distance or obstruction.
- The FWA710 is on a low-frequency band (Band 28), offering greater penetration and coverage, ideal for long-distance or rural deployments. However, this may come at the cost of reduced throughput.
Both Band 1 (2100 MHz) and Band 3 (1800 MHz), used as secondary bands by the FWA710, are preferable for data-intensive tasks. Ideally, one of these should be set as the primary band if conditions allow.
Optimization Recommendations
- Alignment with Cell Towers: Use the Zyxel Air App to align the FWA towards the same tower the mobile device is connected to, especially if it provides stronger performance.
- Frequency Band Prioritization: If feasible, consider contacting your mobile network operator to understand why Band 28 is prioritized over Band 1 or 3. It’s possible that local tower policies or congestion management algorithms affect this choice.
- Band Locking (Cell Locking): The FWA710 supports manual band or PCI locking. Locking Band 1 may improve throughput, but be aware that it may reduce available carrier aggregation combinations, potentially lowering peak speeds.
Refer to the Zyxel knowledge base for:
- Carrier Aggregation Strategy: Confirm with your ISP which combinations of primary and secondary bands support carrier aggregation. This helps you achieve the best balance between speed and stability.
Expected Throughput
Disclaimer: Throughput performance is heavily dependent on external factors including tower load, ISP configuration, environmental interference, and signal propagation. Zyxel devices are designed to maximize signal reliability over raw speed, which makes them ideal for professional and enterprise-grade deployments.
Typical Performance Benchmarks
- Average Throughput: 500–700 Mbps under optimal conditions.
- Peak Throughput: 1.0 to 1.5 Gbps (depending on signal quality, CA, and network load).
If your throughput is significantly below these figures, it is advisable to:
- Reposition the FWA710 for a clearer line-of-sight.
- Use the Zyxel Air app to guide alignment.
- Review SINR and RSRQ levels to identify interference.
- Consult your ISP regarding band configurations and local tower assignments.
Comments
0 commentsPlease sign in to leave a comment.