To see neighbors:
After locking my MC801A to a less congested band 3 cell (EARFCN 1300, PCI 345):
With 5G SA (Standalone) and network slicing, carriers want the network to decide which cell you use, not the user. Newer firmware updates (2024+) for the MC801A are aggressively removing AT+QNWLOCK commands. zte mc801a cell lock
To the lock and go back to auto:
If you own a ZTE MC801A 5G router, you already know it’s a powerful piece of kit. But there’s a common frustration: even with great hardware, your internet can suddenly slow down or become laggy. Why? The router might have “swung” to a different cell tower—one that’s congested or further away. To see neighbors: After locking my MC801A to
(default) using the admin password found on the device label. Use a Browser Script : Many users use a Javascript Hack
The MC801A has a hidden serial port over USB or Telnet. The easiest method: But there’s a common frustration: even with great
Better yet, use an Android app like while connected to the router’s Wi-Fi to see all nearby towers.
Understanding how your network combines 4G and 5G (NSA mode) is crucial, as locking the wrong 4G band can sometimes disable your 5G connection. Risks and Considerations
⚠️ : This involves modifying modem firmware parameters. One wrong command could reset your connection or, rarely, require a factory reset. Proceed at your own risk.
To lock a 5G NR cell, you’d use "NR" plus the ARFCN and PCI.