ZTE manufactures the hardware, but they sell it to ISPs (like Telmex, Claro, Telenet, Bell, or regional carriers). Each ISP customizes the firmware with:
To keep your ZTE H196A running optimally, follow this checklist: Zte H196a Firmware
Because of the ISP-locking issue, do not go to ZTE’s global website. They rarely host end-user firmware. Instead, try these sources: ZTE manufactures the hardware, but they sell it
Updating an ISP router is different from a retail router. Here are the two primary methods. ZTE manufactures the hardware