TP-Link TL-MR3420 is now available at Mascom International for KSh 4,000, in stock at our Old Mutual Building store on Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. This 3G/4G wireless N router shares a mobile broadband connection from a USB modem across as many as 32 devices, at wireless speeds reaching 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. It carries one USB 2.0 port for a 3G/4G dongle, one 10/100Mbps WAN port, four 10/100Mbps LAN ports, and two detachable 5dBi antennas. The TP-Link TL-MR3420 converts one Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom Kenya modem into a WiFi network the whole home, shop, or office can use.
Built for homes, shops, and small offices in parts of Kenya where fixed fibre has not yet arrived, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 solves a common problem: one mobile dongle normally connects only one device at a time. Plug that dongle into this router instead, and everyone shares the same line. Cyber café operators, retail shops running Lipa na M-Pesa tills, landlords providing tenant WiFi, university students in shared housing, and NGO field offices upcountry all depend on this setup. The TP-Link TL-MR3420 also accepts a wired WAN line, so it works with fibre or DSL wherever a fixed connection already exists.
Unlike other electronics retailers in Kenya that stock routers without checking modem compatibility, Mascom International confirms the TP-Link TL-MR3420 works with the USB modems Kenyan networks actually sell. Users consistently report steady connections for browsing, video calls, and light streaming once a supported dongle is inserted. The router's 3G/4G and WAN failover keeps a shop or office online by switching automatically when one connection drops. At KSh 4,000, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 is one of the cheapest ways to turn mobile data into shared WiFi. Visit Mascom International on Kimathi Street to see it set up, or order for countrywide delivery.
Common Questions About the TP-Link TL-MR3420
What is the TP-Link TL-MR3420 and how does it work?
The TP-Link TL-MR3420 is a 3G/4G wireless N router that shares one mobile broadband connection across many devices. You plug a supported 3G/4G USB modem into its USB port, and the router creates a WiFi hotspot instantly. Phones, laptops, and tablets then connect over WiFi or through the four wired LAN ports. It reaches wireless speeds of up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. This makes it a practical choice for any Kenyan home or business that relies on a mobile dongle rather than fibre.
Does the TP-Link TL-MR3420 have a SIM card slot?
No, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 does not take a SIM card directly. It has a USB 2.0 port instead, into which you insert a 3G/4G USB modem, the type Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya sell as dongles. The SIM card goes inside that USB modem, not the router. This is worth confirming before purchase, since some buyers expect a built-in slot. At Mascom International, we help you match the TP-Link TL-MR3420 with a compatible dongle so setup works the first time.
Which USB modems and networks work with the TP-Link TL-MR3420 in Kenya?
The TP-Link TL-MR3420 supports LTE, HSPA+, HSUPA, HSDPA, UMTS, and EVDO USB modems, covering the 3G and 4G dongles sold by Safaricom, Airtel Kenya, and Telkom Kenya. TP-Link tests these routers against modems in the regions where they ship, so compatibility with locally sold dongles is strong. Not every single dongle model is on the list, though. Before you buy, bring your modem to Mascom International on Kimathi Street, or call us with its model number, and we will confirm it pairs with the router.
How many devices can connect to the TP-Link TL-MR3420 at once?
The TP-Link TL-MR3420 supports up to 32 devices connected at the same time over WiFi, plus four more through its wired LAN ports. In real use, a family home with phones, laptops, and a TV stick sits comfortably within that limit. A small shop running a POS terminal, an M-Pesa till, and staff phones does too. Keep in mind that total speed is shared, so the more devices streaming at once, the slower each becomes. For browsing and messaging across many devices, it copes well.
Is the TP-Link TL-MR3420 fast enough for streaming and video calls?
Yes, for everyday tasks the TP-Link TL-MR3420 handles browsing, WhatsApp and Zoom video calls, YouTube, and light streaming without trouble. Its 300Mbps figure is the wireless speed between the router and your devices. Your actual internet speed depends on the mobile network and dongle you use, not the router. On a decent Safaricom or Airtel 4G signal, standard-definition and high-definition streaming works fine for one or two viewers. For heavy 4K streaming across several screens at once, a fibre connection through the WAN port serves you better.
What is 3G/4G and WAN failover on the TP-Link TL-MR3420?
Failover means the TP-Link TL-MR3420 keeps you online by switching between two internet sources automatically. You can set a mobile dongle as the main connection and a wired WAN line as backup, or the reverse. If the active connection drops, the router moves to the other one on its own. For a shop that cannot afford downtime during business hours, this matters. A cyber café or an office processing payments stays connected even when one line fails, which reduces lost sales and interrupted work.
Can I use the TP-Link TL-MR3420 with home fibre or DSL instead of a dongle?
Yes, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 has a 10/100Mbps WAN port that accepts a wired connection from a fibre ONT or a DSL modem. You do not need a USB dongle to use it as a standard home router. It supports PPPoE, Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPTP, and L2TP connection types, which covers the setups Kenyan internet providers use. This flexibility means the router works today with your mobile dongle and continues serving you later if fibre reaches your area, protecting the KSh 4,000 you spend.
Is the TP-Link TL-MR3420 worth KSh 4,000 in Kenya's market?
At KSh 4,000, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 is one of the most affordable routers in Kenya that shares a mobile dongle across many devices. Cheaper options usually connect a dongle to just one computer. This router turns that same dongle into WiFi for the whole home or shop, adds four wired ports, and includes failover backup. For students, small businesses, and homes without fibre, that value is hard to beat. Mascom International backs it with a 12-month warranty and delivers it countrywide with pay-on-arrival.
Technical Specifications
Wireless Performance and Coverage
- 802.11n wireless at up to 300Mbps on the 2.4GHz band, enough for browsing, calls, and streaming across a home.
- Single-band 2.4GHz design (2.4 to 2.4835GHz) gives better wall penetration than 5GHz for wider indoor reach.
- Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) standard, backward compatible with older 802.11b and 802.11g phones, laptops, and printers.
- Supports up to 32 wireless devices at once, suiting a busy family home or a small shop with several staff phones.
- WDS wireless bridging lets the router extend coverage by linking to another compatible access point across a compound.
Mobile Broadband and USB Modem Support
- One USB 2.0 port accepts 3G and 4G dongles, turning mobile data into shared WiFi in seconds.
- Compatible with LTE, HSPA+, HSUPA, HSDPA, UMTS, and EVDO modems sold by Safaricom, Airtel, and Telkom Kenya.
- 3G/4G and WAN failover switches automatically between mobile and wired internet, keeping shops and offices online.
- Both mobile-preferred and WAN-preferred backup modes let you choose which connection leads based on cost.
- No SIM slot on the router itself; the SIM sits inside the USB dongle you plug in.
Wired Ethernet Ports and Traffic Management
- Four 10/100Mbps LAN ports connect desktops, printers, CCTV recorders, or a POS terminal by cable for steadier speed.
- One 10/100Mbps WAN port links to a fibre ONT or DSL modem for fixed-line internet without a dongle.
- Auto-negotiation and auto-MDI/MDIX mean any straight or crossover cable works, simplifying setup for non-technical users.
- IP-based bandwidth control lets an administrator cap how much data each computer uses, preventing one device hogging the line.
- Supports PPPoE, Dynamic IP, Static IP, PPTP, and L2TP, matching the connection types Kenyan providers issue.
Network Security and Access Control
- WPA and WPA2 encryption, plus WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK, keeps your WiFi password-protected against unwanted users.
- One-touch WPS button sets up encryption quickly, useful for staff who are not comfortable with router menus.
- NAT and SPI firewalls block unsolicited traffic, shielding connected phones and laptops from outside intrusion.
- Filtering by MAC, IP, packet, application, and URL lets you restrict which sites or devices reach the network.
- Parental controls let a parent or manager limit internet access for children or staff by schedule and content.
Antenna Hardware and Physical Design
- Two detachable 5dBi omni-directional antennas spread the signal evenly in all directions across a room or floor.
- Reverse SMA antenna connectors allow upgrading to higher-gain antennas later for larger premises if coverage falls short.
- Compact 204 x 138 x 44mm body sits neatly on a shelf, counter, or wall bracket in a shop or home.
- A physical wireless on/off switch lets you disable WiFi at night or when only wired devices are in use.
- Rated for 0 to 40 degrees Celsius operation, comfortable in Nairobi, Mombasa, and warmer upcountry indoor conditions.
Power Supply and Setup
- External 12V/1A power adapter included, drawing little electricity and easy to run on a small backup source.
- Separate power on/off button lets you restart the router without unplugging it from the wall socket.
- Web-based setup runs through any browser, so you configure it from a phone or laptop without extra software.
- Web-based firmware upgrades let you install TP-Link updates that add modem support and fix issues over time.
- Works with Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices, since setup happens through a standard web page.
What's in the Box
The TP-Link TL-MR3420 retail package includes the router itself, two detachable 5dBi antennas, the 12V/1A power supply unit, an Ethernet cable for wired setup, a resource CD, and a quick installation guide. Note that a 3G/4G USB modem is not included, since customers use their own Safaricom, Airtel, or Telkom Kenya dongle. Mascom International stocks compatible USB modems separately and can recommend the right one to pair with your TP-Link TL-MR3420 at the time of purchase.
Warranty and Support
The TP-Link TL-MR3420 carries a 12-month warranty through Mascom International, covering manufacturing defects under normal use. Our Nairobi CBD service desk handles any warranty claims directly. Buyers across Kenya rely on Mascom International for honest specifications, current pricing, and dependable after-sales support on every router we stock.
Where to Buy the TP-Link TL-MR3420 in Kenya
TP-Link TL-MR3420 is available now at Mascom International, located at Old Mutual Building, First Floor Room 4, Kimathi Street, Nairobi CBD. Walk in Monday through Saturday, 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, to see the router configured with a live dongle before you buy. It comes in TP-Link's standard white finish.
Order through any of the following:
- Phone: +254 708 852 521
- Email: info@mascomintl.com
- Website: www.mascomintl.com
Mascom International ships the TP-Link TL-MR3420 across all 47 Kenyan counties with pay-on-arrival delivery, so you only pay once the router reaches you. Nairobi and its surrounding areas receive same-day delivery. Major towns including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, and Machakos receive delivery within 1 business day. Outer counties including Lodwar, Wajir, Mandera, and Marsabit receive delivery within 2 to 3 business days.
Customers running homes, shops, and small offices throughout Kenya count on Mascom International for accurate product details and direct support from our Nairobi CBD store. Whether you need internet where fibre has not reached, or a backup line that keeps your business online, the TP-Link TL-MR3420 and our team are ready to help you set it up.
