the new Huawei e5331 MiFi
 

Slick new MiFi device from Huawei

http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwid...&pageType=news

Announcement appears to be last month.

Don't see where they reference an availability date.

From their specs page:

HSPA+ (DL) data service of up to 21 Mbit/s
HSPA+ (UL) data service of up to 5.76 Mbit/s
HSDPA (DL) data service of up to 14.4 Mbit/s
HSUPA (UL) data service of up to 5.76 Mbit/s
UMTS data service of up to 384 kbit/s
EDGE data service of up to 236.8 kbit/s
GPRS data service of up to 85.6 kbit/s
PS domain data service based on UMTS and GSM
SMS based on CS/PS domain of GSM and UMTS
Wi-Fi
Built-in DHCP Server, DNS RELAY and NAT
Plug and Play (PnP)
USB Extension Cable, easy to connect
Standard Micro USB interface
LED indicators

Built-in UMTS and WLAN high gain antenna
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, MAC OS X 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7


http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwid...eId=3619&tab=0

This line on their page cracked me up

Due to limited space here in the web pages, information including but not limited to products specification and functional descriptions may be incomplete. For detail products information, please refer to products Users Manual. All features, functionality and other product specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation.

Really, limited space on the web pages? What did they do purchase a three page starter website?

The specs are also missing the number of connections and battery life, but it's a great looking unit (love the idea of a wrist strap, there have been many times I've wanted to hang my mifi on a hotel window or on the train's coat hook)

I suppose it's good that they made it small and light, but to release a device now that is only HSPA+21? Competing devices have been shipping for over a year with HSPA+ 42.

Also, I appreciate the lower weight but I question how often this device type in general is carried on one's person, thus how small does it really need to be? I always leave mine in my bag.

Also, I prefer a device with a true LED display that can show you what network you're attached to, etc. These backlit symbols are kind of limiting...

re: HSPA+21

15.8Mbps is the fastest Speedtest.net result I've had a home via Time Warner road runner cable internet.

If I could actually get 21Mbps to my phone while traveling internationally I'd be thrilled.

Is anyone actually seeing that? Please post your Speedtest.net phone screen captures.

Just bought one for a trip to Greece next month. Had a Huawei dongle attached to a wireless router last year doing pretty much the same thing with the same functionality in a much messier set up. This looks much more elegant.

Where did you purchase it?

Mine is arriving via a colleague in China now.

Ebay

SAPman Are you in the US? If yes, which data chip are you going to use to test your Huawei?

I might receive mine on Monday! :D

After reading here:
http://prepaidwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/USA
and
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/p...ll-phone-plans

looks like the best way to test it is the T-Mobile $3/day SIM.
$3 / 24 hours (4G Speeds)
Unlimited data
Unlimited talk
Unlimited text

Can't tell from the specs though, if it has the 3g bands used by tmobile USA.

Mine arrived, but I may not even get a chance to test it before I leave to go to Europe. Will probably just charge it up and stick a SIM in it in London next weekend and see if it works.

Is your manual in English? Mine will probably be in Chinese...

I downloaded the Quick Start doc from the web. That looks straightforward enough, but ... from reading other threads it seems like more info than what's in the Quick Start will be needed.

Maybe that comes from the SIM chip provider.

From a site selling them unlocked it looks like standard international bands. Unfortunately no T-Mobile USA.


HUAWEI E5331 unlocked 21.6Mbps MiFi mobile broadband hotspot router specifications:

HSPA+ DL up to 21.6Mbps
HSUPA UL up to 5.76Mbps
HSPA+/UMTS 2100MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz
MicroSD Card slot(32G extension)
1500mAh E5331 battery
Wi-Fi 802.1b/g/n
one simple touch to surf the web
Up to 8 devices access simultaneous
Dimensions: 92 x 60 x 12.8mm
OS: Windows XP/Vista/7,Linux, Mac OS.
E5331 Router hotspot is another stand out unit from E5 series as one of the 21.6Mbps devices, it is supports up to 8 users connection at one time, besides its 12.8mm ultra-slim delicate design also the highlight between others.

Not surprised. Unless a device is specifically Tmibile USA branded, I do not expect majority of them to have the weird 3g bands that they use.

I'm bummed...

Received my Huawei, love the device (small form factor, design, etc.). However, I have not yet connected to the internet with a US carrier's chip so far.

I received it and left work to go to T-Mobile about 2 hours before spinjockey posted that it probably would not work on T-Mobile. Purchased a $15 T-mobile SIM card; don't remember the data amount; it was lowest possible.

I could successfully connect my phone and both laptops to the Huawei 5331 MiFi modem itself. However, I couldn't get from the Huawei to the Internet on T-Mobile. At first I thought it was working, but my laptop was just using cached pages.

Sprint store said they definitely would not work, based on showing them Spinjockey's post:
HSPA+ DL up to 21.6Mbps
HSUPA UL up to 5.76Mbps
HSPA+/UMTS 2100MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz

(in the Huawei docs I see the same info except the exact frequency numbers are omitted)

Verizon store said it would probably work but I'd need to sign a contract. AT&T said their chip would definitely work but I'd need to sign a contract.


From reading through ~10 pages of topics on MiFi experiences in other threads, I was going to order a chip from iPhoneTrip.com for my 14 day trip to Miami, Austria, Prague, and Berlin, and have it activated for 2 days before so we can use it on Miami Beach.

I really want to test the device before then though, so I know it works, so I know for sure it's not a locked device, etc. I don't mind paying to get a different chip as long as I know it's supposed to work in the Huawei 5331. But how to do that while still in the US?

Once I leave, I just want to be vacationing, relaxing, and navigating. Not worrying about setting up a piece of tech.

Any suggestions from those who are a lot smarter at this than I am?

It should work on tmobile or AT&T but not on 3G. Did you enter tmobile's APN settings and did you sign up for a data plan?

I did enter the APN settings, but I did not sign up for a contract.

Is this a data sim or the regular TMobile payg sim? The latter do not come with data by default. You have to sign up for a plan.

mrcamp, it was a T-Mobile pay as you go SIM, but I was very clear on what was needed - I even brought the Huawei MiFi to the store. (I do believe you vs the person in the store though. If that is the case, the test result makes sense)

So the challenge still is: How can I test my Huawei MiFi before I leave.

I probably should just try to order the same type of SIM I will use on the trip (the World one) from iPhoneTrip.com and get it activated for just a day to test my device



--------- Email response from a seller of MiFi devices. I asked "Which carriers would be compatible with the Huawei e5331"

We don't think HUAWEI E5331 is a good option for you to use in USA because the carrier in USA runs on 3G 850/1900 while E5331 works under 3G 900/2100mhz.

Since then, we would like to recommend Sierra 754S LTE Hotspot, it could work well in 3G and 4G network in USA.
-----------------

This contradicts what Spinjockey quoted above:
HSPA+/UMTS 2100MHz
GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz

Odd - On Huawei's website, I can't find the official frequencies listed at all.
http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwid...eId=3619&tab=0

Yes, it's not compatible with the 3G bands used in the US. It should still work on EDGE though. To test it with tmobile, add the $2/day plan (remember to remove at the end of the day or when done testing). As long as the APN has been set, you should be able to test it.

Mine worked flawlessly in Greece (Cosmote and Vodafone) and the UK (t mobile). I liked this gadget, but actually ended up using my Galaxy Nexus' built in Wifi hotspot functionality a lot of the time.

Anyone seen or used the E5151 which has a hotspot but also an ethernet jack? I'd be curious as it would allow me to consolidate two pieces (mifi + small wifi hotspot) I carry today.

It works!
 

OK I finally know that my Huawei works and it's definitely unlocked.

Purchased a data-only SIM from

http://www.telestial.com/view_produc...MSIM-DATA#none

It does seem to be using Edge as mrcamp noted, which is so slow it makes my teeth hurt...

I hope with an iPhoneTrip SIM it's a lot faster in Europe and the UK.

I use it while in the US on AT&T, though only 2G will register due to the bands. Using a prepaid iPad SIM.


Whenever in Asia it is always on 3G (or better?) using a local country SIM.


Purchased at HKG airport (have got several now for colleagues).

Do you know WHERE at HKG airport you bought this MiFi device? Land-side or air-side? Also, when was the last time you bought one and roughly how much did you pay for it? Did it come with an English manual and a 110-220V power adapter / battery charger?

How's battery life on these things? It can't be too good because they don't advertise it. I'm getting sick of my USB dongle sucking my laptop battery, was thinking this might be nice. But if I'm forever trying to keep it charged that isn't a good use of my time either....

I bought them all land side at the only small electronics store, right near 7/11.

I think they were usually $60-70.

It comes with a 110/220 v adaptor but I just charge it off my computer USB.

Battery life on my older one (8 months) is off the rails crazy. Can roam around a city for 10+ hours easily.

The new one is a few hours shorter, I believe because it does HSPA or something.

Has anyone been able to find a spare battery for this MiFi device?

I looked for ~ 1 hour over the weekend and could not find one.

On next month's vacation trip I'll be out and about maybe 12-16 hrs/day. I have one of those power pack chargers, but would really prefer a spare battery.

I saw this review:

http://www.theflightdeal.com/2013/02...aming-charges/

Does anyone have any experiencing using this in Mexico?

huawei E5331
 

I know this is an old post I am reading hoping the threat still works, I recently purchased the Huawei after a try with T-Mobile, could not connect, I did have At&t set the APN and bought a 1 gig sim card, now it does work but as you stated so slow, I do plan on using it in Germany, can anyone tell me if it is better with speed there, also do I have to do anything to change the APN (and how)

Depens on the on the network. Most prepaid plans are limited to 7,2 Mbps. Only Vodafone and some plans from other MVNO if you purchase some internet day packs need to set up an APN.

P.S device isn't the best choice in case of speed...