It has been a long time since I carried around a dedicated wireless modem. The combination of super fast 4G connections in our phones, generous data plans and the ease of tethering has made these devices almost extinct.

The HTC 5G Hub is carving out a new niche in the category. As the name suggests, this strange little device connects to Telstra’s 5G network where possible, allowing you to get the maximum speeds available without a 5G phone. While there are a few 5G handsets in the market, adoption is not widespread, and battery life takes a huge hit over 5G.

This HTC 5G Hub is a helpful bridge to super fast mobile data in the meantime, if you’re lucky enough to live or work in an area covered by 5G. Its giant 7660mAh can last all day with up to 20 devices connected to it, but even that massive battery drained quickly under a 5G connection. I saw a 30 per cent battery drop in just an hour of 5G connection.

The device looks like a very simple, tiny Google Home. It’s easy to set up, and defaults to a black home screen showing the time, weather, the amount of devices currently connected and the speed of the network. There’s even an Ethernet port if you want to use it a permanent replacement for your home internet connection.