Modern users rarely consider how much bandwidth their devices consume on their home network until they notice a sudden drop in speed. If your internet connection is slow and videos no longer load in high quality, there's a good chance someone else has connected to your access point. MTS provides standard monitoring tools, but their location and functionality vary depending on the device model.
In this article, we'll take a detailed look at all the methods for identifying active traffic consumers. You'll learn how to access your router's control panel, which sections of the interface contain the information you need, and how to distinguish system processes from actual devices. Understanding the structure of your local network is the first step to ensuring a stable and secure internet connection.
It's important to note that the methods may differ depending on whether you're using a proprietary router from your provider or your own device. In any case, the basic operating principle remains the same: the router keeps a log of all connections, and this log is accessible to the network administrator.
Using the official My MTS app
The easiest and fastest way for most subscribers is to use the operator's mobile app. MTS is actively developing its ecosystem, integrating home internet management features directly into the customer's main profile. If your router supports remote management, you'll be able to see a list of devices without having to enter complex IP addresses.
To do this, you need to log in to the app using the phone number associated with your contract. After entering the "Home Internet" or "Router Management" section (the name may vary), a network diagram is often displayed. It shows the number of active connections and their names, for example, iPhone-User or Laptop-Office.
However, the app's functionality isn't always comprehensive. Sometimes it only displays general traffic statistics or equipment status, but not a detailed list of all client MAC addresses. In such cases, you'll need to resort to more in-depth configuration via the web interface.
⚠️ Note: The My MTS app interface is regularly updated. If you can't find the button you need, check for updates in the app store or try the web version of your personal account.
Login to the MTS router web interface
To get complete network information, you need to access the router's administrative panel. This is a universal method that works for 99% of models, whether ZTE, Huawei or Eltex, provided by your provider. You'll need any device already connected to the network, be it a smartphone or a computer.
Open any browser and enter the gateway IP address in the address bar. By default, MTS equipment most often uses the address 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1If these addresses are not suitable, you can find out your gateway through the command line on Windows (command ipconfig) or in the network settings on your smartphone.
After navigating to the address, the system will ask for a login and password. The default login information is often found on a sticker on the bottom of the router. Typically, it's a combination of admin / admin or admin / a unique password consisting of a set of characters. If you've changed your password before and have forgotten it, you'll need to reset your device to factory settings.
☑️ Checking access to the router
Finding the client list in the router menu
After successful authorization, a dashboard with basic information will open. Interfaces vary greatly between manufacturers, but the logic behind the data layout is the same. Find the section related to the wireless network or connection status. Look for the tabs with the following names: Wireless, WLAN, Client List or Client list.
In some models of MTS routers, for example, based on firmware ZTE, the necessary information is in the section Advanced -> LAN -> DHCP Server -> Client ListThis is where a table of all devices that have automatically received an IP address is displayed. You'll see the MAC address, assigned IP, and lease time.
If you have a more modern device, the list can be displayed on the main page in the "Network Map" or "My Devices" widget. There, you can often not only view the list but also rename devices for easy identification of each phone or tablet.
What to do if the list is empty?
If your computer is the only computer listed as a client, but your internet connection is slow, someone else may be connecting directly via cable or using sophisticated cloning techniques (such as MAC address cloning). In this case, we recommend changing your WiFi password and encryption type to WPA2/WPA3.
Below is a table with approximate paths to the list of connected devices for popular models that are often found among MTS subscribers:
| Router model | Menu section | Subparagraph | Tab name |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZTE H108N / H148N | Advanced | LAN | DHCP Server / Client List |
| Huawei HG8245H | Status | User Network Information | Wireless Users |
| Eltex NTU-RG-1421G-W | Home network | Wi-Fi | Client list |
| Sagemcom F@st 2804 | Advanced Setup | LAN | DHCP Leases |
How to identify an unknown device
Simply seeing a list of ten lines of incomprehensible alphanumeric codes isn't enough. To figure out who exactly is using your WiFi, you need to be able to read MAC addresses. The first six characters of this address (OUI) identify the network equipment manufacturer. For example, the combination 00:1A:2B may point to Apple, but B8:27:EB — on Raspberry Pi.
Use online services to check the OUI or simply compare the addresses with those listed in the settings of your known devices. Go to the WiFi settings on your phone, find the network information, and copy the MAC address. If the address listed on the router matches the address on your phone, it's your device.
Pay attention to the number of active connections. If you have a smart TV, two smartphones, and a laptop in your home, but the router lists six devices, you should be wary. Some devices, such as Smart TV or IoT sensors, may have two MAC addresses (for 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), which also needs to be taken into account when calculating.
Access restriction and blocking
If you detect an intruder, you must immediately block their access. The most effective method is not simply blocking by MAC address (since it can be spoofed), but by completely changing the wireless network password. Go to the section Wireless or WLAN, find the field Pre-Shared Key or Password and set a new complex combination.
After changing the password, all devices will be disconnected. You will have to reconnect your devices using the new key. This ensures that anyone else, even if they knew the old password, will no longer be able to access the network.
An additional security measure is MAC address filtering. You can enable "Whitelist" mode in your router settings. This allows only devices whose MAC addresses you manually add to the allowed list to access the network. All others, even with the password, will be blocked.
⚠️ Important: Be careful when enabling MAC address filtering. If you only whitelist your computer and forget your phone, it won't be able to connect to the internet until you add its address to the router settings.
Common problems and their solutions
Users often encounter a situation where devices with the status "Inactive" or "Static" appear in the list. This means the router remembers a device that was previously connected, but it may now be out of range or turned off. Don't panic if you see many entries—check the Last Active Time.
Another issue is the inability to save settings. If the "Apply" or "Save" button doesn't respond, you may have exceeded the concurrent administrator limit or scripts are blocked in your browser. Try using incognito mode or a different browser.
Sometimes MTS routers, especially older models, can freeze when receiving a large number of client requests. If the device list isn't updating in real time, try rebooting the router from the control panel by selecting System Tools -> Reboot.
Can my neighbor steal my WiFi if I changed the password?
If you've changed your password to a complex one (more than 10 characters, including numbers and letters) and use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption, it will be extremely difficult for a neighbor to hack your network. However, if your password was simple or you've shared it with someone before, it's best to use MAC address filtering for 100% security.
Why are strange names displayed in the device list?
The router often takes the device name (Hostname) from the device's settings. If the smartphone owner named their phone "MyPhone," that's how it will appear. If the name is a string of characters (for example, "android-5f3a..."), it's a standard system name that can be renamed in the router settings for convenience.
Does the number of connected devices affect internet speed?
Yes, directly. The bandwidth is shared among all active users. If 10 devices are connected to your network and at least one starts downloading files or watching 4K video, the speed on the other devices will drop significantly. The router also has a limit on the number of simultaneous connections; exceeding this limit may cause the router to freeze.
What should I do if I can't access my router settings?
Check that you are connected to this router's network. Make sure you are entering the correct IP address (default gateway). If the default login and password (admin/admin) don't work, they may have been changed previously. In this case, the only solution is to reset the device to factory settings using the Reset button on the device (press and hold for 10-15 seconds while the power is on).