Category: 4G LTE Mobile WiFi

Huawei CarFi E8377 Hotspot Test

A Wi-Fi hotspot in the car – this feature is so far available only for a few cars of the upper middle class and upper class. Huawei changed the cigarette lighter connector for new Carfì hotspot for 12V. Users can reach up to 150 MBit/s via LTE through the Huawei Carfì Hotspot, of course, the CarFi can also a fallback to 3G and 2G. But the Carfì wireless router is really as good as the expensive installation solutions from car producer? In this test, we find out the answer.

Appearance and Technology


Huawei Carfì Hotspot is conducted under the Model Number Huawei E8377 and comes in a nice package for buyers. The scope of supply is tight, next to the hotspot itself there is  a Quick Start Guide, a brochure with safety instructions and an indication of the Huawei HiLink app included. The Huawei Carfì Hotspot is kept in a matt black plastic and the front is equipped with a carbon look, which is likely to look smart in almost any car. On the front there is also the power button, which simultaneously serves as an indicator of the reception strength by the underlying LED. A yellow LED indicates poor UMTS / LTE receiver while a green LED indicates good reception.

Of course, you need a SIM card with the appropriate data plan for the operation of Huawei Carfì. The card must be in micro-SIM format and is inserted under the side cover in the Carfì hotspot. Under the cover you will find also a reset button and a connector for an external antenna. There is a integrated rechargeable battery; so user can operate Huawei router Carfì in the car and can take the CarFi in a meeting or outdoors.


The maximum speed in the LTE network is 150 Mbit/s over LTE Cat4. According to Huawei, the Huawei CarFi supports frequency bands by 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz. If no LTE times are available,  you can also use 3G (up to 42.2 Mbit/s) and 2G. In the test of the handover between the different network technologies, Huawei CarFi can work smoothly while driving. The reception is in both LTE and UMTS, but no better than most smartphones. Those who expect a good reception will be disappointed by Huawei Carfì or possibly should directly connect an external antenna. If you want the antenna for Huawei CarFi, click here: http://www.4gltemall.com/external-antenna-for-huawei-4g-lte-usb-modem.html 

The wireless module operates on the 802.11 b/g/n, ie on the frequency band around 2.4 GHz. The area around 5 GHz is not supported. The signal is strong enough to cover larger cars.

 

Control via App
Once you have the Huawei Carfì Hotspot connect it to a cigarette lighter connector, it must be turned on manually before use each time. Before first use you should write down or take a picture of the WLAN key, because as soon as the device is plugged in, it’s different for to read the key. Also, one should previously load the Huawei HiLink app to Android or iOS device, because that is for the establishment and the operation.

Connection parameters like APN or access numbers can’t not be stored. The Huawei Carfì can automatically recognized the SIM card from Vodafone and Orange in the test and the data stored accordingly. Only the PIN code must be entered, if enabled. The Huawei HiLink app allows various settings, for example, you can configure the name and password of the WLAN network. A wireless guest network with a separate name and password can be set up, ideal for guests in the car or for taxi drivers.

Connection information such as data consumption, connected wireless devices and the online time are displayed graphically in the app. The firmware of Huawei Carfì can easily be updated online. A major disadvantage of Huawei HiLink app: the test with Android smartphones, the program fell on extremely high energy consumption. Here Huawei should urgently provide an update for Remedy.
In the test, we can find Huawei Carfì has two major disadvantages: firstly, the device must be turned on every time manually, if you want to use it, a start on some cars are not possible, at least for a VW Golf VI, a Ford Galaxy and a Renault Scenic. Second, only the internal antenna is used in the hot spot, whereas fixed-mounted solutions always use the external antenna, thus naturally have much better reception conditions.
Nevertheless, the Huawei Carfì Hotspot is recommended as a retrofit solution definitely, because all the promised features are well met. Of course, you could also have a mobile wireless router with battery, the Carfì Hotspot is significantly more convenient.

Huawei CarFi E8377 LTE Router Review

In the last few years, it’s the main trend to connect cars. Internet access in the car or camping Mobile is still reserved for the premium class. However, new wireless gadgets provide solution. The Huawei E8377 specially designed for the motor vehicle provides the first use and inexpensive hotspot router with LTE. We have tested the “Huawei Carfì Router” for you and share the details below.

 

With the Carfì E8377 router, user can access internet via the mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. The CarFi could work on 3G or 4G LTE and up to 150 Mbits per second download speed are possible here. The concept is not entirely new. Huawei had brought a car Stick named W5101 for the first time to the market. It’s available for Vodafone contract. But it’s an ordinary USB stick, which was connected via an adapter into the cigarette lighter. The E8377 Carfì could connect to the card through the cigarette power connector, which is a direct solution for wireless network.


The packaging looks quite classy and looks like a clock-bell. After opening the box, there is only a mini-manual next to the device. In addition, a tiny leaflet-list is available for installation. The user manual (sweet 6.5 x 5 cm) available in several languages and there are short Tips for settings.

The egg-shaped head of CarFi E8377 gives only a start switch, a notification LED and laterally a SIM card slot (Micro SIM) together with the reset button. Directly to the head connects to the cigarette 12-volt port. From a processing perspective, the device is “appropriate”. The specially adapted to use in the car shape design, the E8377 hardly looks like a foreign body in any case.

Now, let’s consider technical data. The mobile module initially supports LTE in all major bands at 800, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600 MHz. Thus, the Car-stick can easily use in Europe. Based on the LTE Cat4 modem, it can reach up to 150 Mbps for download and up to 50 MBit for upload in connection with a matching LTE tariff. In addition to LTE/4G, the CarFi still has support for more mobile phone standards. Among them are as UMTS 900 and 2100 MHz 3G Turbo DC-HSPA+ (up to 42 Mbps) and 2G (GSM, EDGE, GPRS). So even in very poor regions with weak signal, user can still have the chance of a slow connection. The WLAN module supports 802.11 b/g/n and thus can provides data rates up to 300 Mbps.

 

The router Carfì measures 5.9 x 4.9 x 8.8 inches and weighs only 50 grams according to the manufacturer. However, our weight measurement yielded 146 grams. Huawei will also indicate that the E8377 has an integrated battery, which has a capacity of 1900 mAh. However, we were able to connect Carstick for long hours of use on the current port, without connecting the CarFi to the cigarette slots. Thus, we believe that the battery only serves to maintain the operation as soon as the energy source is gone suddenly.

 

A USB port is located on the side. This port is not a data interface, but as a kind of adapter. Huawei has considered that many people use the car’s cigarette lighter as a charging station for mobile phones and other devices, when the cigarette port is used. No more space will be available without adapter for third-party devices. Through the USB port on the side, you can now connect there and load it. Beside the SIM slot, there is a TS9 connector for connecting an external antenna. However, only 1 port, users have to give up 2×2 MIMO. But at least there is a possibility! It is precisely when traveling, for example with a camper, the reception is weak and need external antenna.

To make user understand well about the color shining in Huawei CarFi, here are some codes about the colors:

  • * Flashes red: Indicates that the Carfì is started. Takes about 20 seconds;
  • * a steady red light: Indicates that no wireless network is found, or the connection was not possible (eg missing SIM);
  • * lights up yellow: Indicates that the signal strength for 3G or LTE is very weak;
  • * green: reception strength is optimal;
  • * Flashing cyan: There is just a firmware update;
  • * White: Indicates unread SMS exist.

Installation and Settings

Theoretically, the installation of the E8377 is easy and should be done in less than 3 minutes. First, the SIM card must be inserted. The slot is located under a cover with SIM icon. Then plug the Carfì directly into the cigarette lighter of your car. Turn the ignition so that a power supply is present and press the “Huawei” button on the top for a good 3 seconds. Now the border should first turn red – the CarFi router will start and automatically connects to the wireless network. This takes about 20 seconds. Now you can search the wireless SSID of CarFi E8377 in a laptop, tablet or smartphone. This begins with “Huawei CarFi-“. Both SSID and the wifi key are listed at the foot of the plug. Enter this key or scan the QR code on request with your smartphone. The WLAN connection to Carstick should now be finished. If there is a cellular connection via 2G / 3G or 4G, surfing internet is possible in the way. And up to 10 devices in and around the car could access to the internet.

Huawei-CarFi-E8377-SIDE

Huawei provides a special HiLink App for smartphone and tablet users. This can (if no network) are downloaded directly to the internal memory as required from the PlayStore or AppStore. The app provides information about the connection status, for example, the signal strength, currently used wireless standard and data usage.

Practice test

We have tested the car stick several hours on the road. The installation went really smoothly. Before setup, user must know the color code, otherwise you do not initially know what that mean the color feedback. In mobile reception there is nothing to complain about. This is comparable with other sticks. You should wonder the connection speed in remote areas. Frankly speaking, the speed is just decent, but this problem can be solved by an antenna that is mounted with enough cable on the roof through the window.

Conclusion

Huawei E8377 Carfì is ideal for those who spend hours on the car and where several inmates want to access the Internet.  The installation and handling is simple and straightforward. However, there is currently no better alternative for the car. If you want to have wireless network around in camp or have activities in a car, Huawei E8377 would be a perfect partner.

 

Speedbox LTE mini II (Huawei E5786) Review

The Telekom Speedbox LTE mini II is the first mobile wireless router with integrated modem for LTE-Advanced category 6. Up to 300 megabits per second in the downlink and 50 Mbit/s in the uplink are possible in the network of Germany Telekom. The successor of the Telekom Speedbox LTE mini also has a display easy to read, a fast Wi-Fi connection and a strong battery. The unit is packed in a cardboard box, similar to those of smartphones. In addition, there is a USB power adapter (100-240V, output 5V, 2A) and a USB cable.

The modem operates in 2G, 3G and LTE in the mode. The WLAN interface supports the current 802.11ac standard on 2.4 and 5 GHz. A bright display indicates the current operating status. The 3000 mAh battery provides strong for up to 10 hours of operation. The specs of Speedbox LTE Mini II look similar to Huawei E5786 and it comes from the original factory model E5786. After customizations by Telekom, Speedbox LTE Mini II is still a powerful router.

First impression: Small and portable

The Telekom Speedbox LTE mini II is equipped with a weight of 145 grams and small pocket size like a smartphone. The front is covered by a transparent plastic sheet while the sides and back are made of matt black plastic. On the front of the display and the underlying telecom logo, we can find the power button. The display shows all sorts of information, about the network operator, the used data volume, online time or network technology. From the power and the menu button, user can do some (few) quick settings. Below is the microUSB port for charging the battery or to connect to a computer. If you remove the cover from the back, you can find the slot for the Micro SIM card and the slot for microSD memory cards.

The battery is installed in the router and unfortunately can’t be replaceable by the user. All the other ports are found under the back cover. Right next to the MiniUSB, the two ports for an external antenna is to improve the reception. The connectors are protected by narrow plastic part. In addition, Huawei has saved some much space, so it was difficult to attach the external antennas.

The modem of Speedbox mini II LTE supports LTE 800, 850, 900, 1800, 2100 and 2600 megahertz, making it work not only in Germany but also worldwide in many LTE networks overseas. The maximum speed is 300 Mbit/s in the downlink, some conditions must be met and then it can thus achieve high speeds.

Of course, the Telekom Speedbox LTE support mini II supports not only LTE but also GSM and UMTS. It works on the frequency ranges of 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz on GSM and the UMTS 850, 900, 1900 and 2100MHz. So the router could use in many UMTS networks in North America. The maximum speed in the UMTS Network could reach 42.2 Mbit/s in the downlink and 5.76 Mbit/s in the uplink, if the DC-HSPA+ technology is enabled on the network.

The reception quality of the Telekom Speedbox LTE mini II is very good both in the UMTS and the LTE network, often significantly better than that of many smartphones. Even in areas with poor reception can be surfed very quickly over LTE on the Internet.

 

The connection to the terminal device is either via a USB port or just using wireless connection. The Telekom Speedbox LTE mini II has a current wireless 802.11a/b/g/n /ac module installed, which is fast and optionally transmits on the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Up to 10 devices can be connected via WiFi through Telekom Speedbox mini II LTE and the coverage of wireless network is about 10 to 15 meters.
The operation of Telecom Speedbox LTE mini II is quite simple. After inserting the SIM card, the device must be switched on to be connected (by pressing the power button for 2-3 seconds) with a computer, tablet or smartphone via Wi-Fi. The corresponding WLAN password is displayed on the router, but can also be seen under the cover on the back. Of course, other settings such as the name and password of the wireless network can still be changed. These settings can be done directly in the browser via the web interface; alternatively there is also an app for your smartphone (Android and iOS operating system). Enter the address bar192.168.8.1 (the router’s IP) in the browser to enter the menu.

The web interface is kept very simple and allows only the most important settings. More specific things such as setting the router to a particular frequency band or a detailed diagnostic function are unfortunately missing. Also information about key reception parameters, such as RSRQ or SINR is missing entirely. There is, however, a special tool, which we will continue to introduce more below. In the tab “Statistics” can be accessed information about data usage and time spent online. It is also possible to store a data plan, such as the volume values from your own mobile calling. Below you will find three selected sample screenshots of the user interface.

Conclusion: Very good mobile LTE Router

 

The Telekom Speedbox LTE mini II is a very good mobile LTE router. In particular, the good speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s and the excellent reception characteristics are convincing. And the WLAN module is fast and future proof.

Vodafone R226 4G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Review

The Vodafone R226 Mobile Wi-Fi hotspot is the first LTE router from Vodafone, which could support LTE Category 6 with up to 300 Mbit/s for downlink. Up to 10 devices can be connected wirelessly via Wi-Fi with fast Internet. A display on the front of the Vodafone R226 shows all status information such as the used data volume reliably. The built-in rechargeable battery provides an operating time of approximately 10 hours.

LTE features and characteristics of Vodafone R226
Manufacturer and type designation Huawei E5786 = Vodafone R226
Download to rate 300 Mbit/s
Upload to rate 50 Mbit/s
Compatible LTE bands 800, 850, 900, 1800, 2100, 2600 MHz
backward compatible with LTE CAT 3 & 4, DC-HSPA+, HSPA+, HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, GSM
Support for LTE-Advanced Yes
MIMO Support: MIMO 2×2
Connector for external antenna Yes; 2 antenna connectors TS-9 available(Buy Vodafone R226 Antenna)
LTE Category LTE Category 6 (CAT6) modem
Chipset Hisilicon | HPM Coretx A9 processor
Wi-Fi standards 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (866 Mbit/s)
Wireless Internet Hotspot function yes – for up to 10 devices
Others  
Accumulator 3000 mAh – not changeable (surfing to 10 hours)
Dimensions (WxHxD) 106 x 66 x 15.9 mm 145 grams
USB standard USB 2.0
Memory card expansion Yes; MicroSD up to 32 GB
Manual PDF Refer to user manual for Huawei E5786
Test Report
Release December 2014
available at www.4gltemall.com

 

 

LTE-Advanced with 300 Mbit/s

The Vodafone R226 Router is made by the Chinese manufacturer Huawei E5786,which is the first devices for LTE Category 6 (LTE-Advanced), so that when the appropriate network available, the matching data rate speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s in the downlink and 50 Mbit/s Uplink are possible. Of course, the router is also backward compatible with older LTE expansion stages such as CAT3 (100 Mbps) and CAT4 (150 Mbps). The network technologies GSM and UMTS are supported, and in the UMTS network, up to 42.2 Mbit/s in the downlink is possible. LTE-Advanced will probably introduced from the first quarter of 2015 from Vodafone.

 

Wi Fi ac and powerful battery

Up to 10 devices can be simultaneously connected via Wi-Fi with the Vodafone R226, an eleventh device can be connected via microUSB. From the microUSB connector, the 3,000 mAh strong battery could be charged, which allows an operating time of up to 10 hours. An AC adapter and a USB cable are included, but the battery is unreplaceable. The WLAN module of the Vodafone R226 transmits both on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz on (dual band). With a maximum speed of 866 Mbit/s (WLAN ac), the WLAN of the Vodafone R226 is very fast compared to other devices of this type, up to 300 Mbit/s high-speed Internet connection can thus be easily transferred to the terminal.

 

 

 

The Vodafone R226 looks absolutely identical to “Speedport Mini II “by Telekom, just carries the Vodafone logo. On the front of the Vodafone R226 is a large display that clearly displays a variety of information in black and white format. Thus, for example, we can see about the used data volume, online time or the battery level. The operation of the Vodafone R226 is done via the smartphone app “Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi Monitor” or a web interface. User can enter the address 192.168.8.1 in the browser. If user want to improve reception,  to connect an external antenna is possible. In addition, the Vodafone R226 provides a slot for a MicroSD memory card, so you can share files between multiple devices. The SIM card must be in micro-SIM format and is inserted under the cover on the back.

 

 

From the feedback of users, Vodafone R226 improves much than previous model such as R215 and R208. With the latest technology, Vodafone R226 would be reliable partner for travel.

 

Huawei E5770 Mobile WiFi Router with RJ45

Huawei has unveiled a new mobile LTE hotspot E5770 with integrated RJ45 LAN interface at MWC in Barcelona. The E5770 LTE router also has a very powerful battery (5,200 mAh), achieving an operating time of up to 20 hours. The Internet could be connected via the LTE cellular modem or via LAN interface.

First MiFi hotspot with LTE Cat4 and RJ45 interface
The Huawei E5770 is the first mobile wireless router from Huawei, which is combined LTE Category 4 with a RJ45 LAN interface and a powerful battery. As we know before, the fastest 3G mobile Wi-Fi hotspot was Huawei E5730, which also has an Ethernet port, but unfortunately it did not support LTE, and a maximum of 42.2 Mbit/s could be achieved on UMTS network. Huawei E5770 provide better solution with higher speed for LTE network.
The Huawei E5770 comes with a black, leather-like plastic surface and has a small 0.96 inch OLED display on the front that displays the information such as the network operator name and the used data volume. Under a cover on the side, you will find the RJ45 LAN port and the microUSB port for charging the battery. In addition, a USB with output of 5V/2A is available, so you can use the Huawei E5770 also for charging other devices such as smartphones (“Power Bank” function).

LTE and Wi-Fi
Based on the LTE Modem in Huawei E5770, it can reach speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s for the downlink and 50 Mbit/s for the uplink in the LTE network. In the UMTS network, possible speed could reach up to 42.2 Mbit/s in the downlink on DC-HSPA+. Which frequency bands are supported, Huawei didn’t indicate at MWC in Barcelona. However, it is assumed that there will be several variants for different markets like other Huawei models such as E5786.

However, it’s a pity that Huawei E5770 wireless module only works in the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band is not available in this device. Up to 10 users can be connected simultaneously with the Huawei E5770, an eleventh device can connect to the internet via the USB interface.

Huawei E5770 is a perfect pocket router for travel. It provides a wonderful solution for business journey. When user need internet at hotel or outdoor, Huawei E5770 would be a good partner. We believe Huawei E5770 will be available soon.

 

Netgear AC790S 4G LTE Cat6 Mobile Hotspot Review

Netgear AC790s LTE hotspot was presented in September 2014 and has since been introduced by Telstra to its product range in Australia. Comparing with other mobile LTE routers, the main difference is the large battery with touchscreen display and support for LTE-Advanced Cat6. In Europe area, the Netgear AC790s is not yet available, and it is doubtful that we will get the device in near future because the successor with LTE CAT9 is already waiting in the wings. Actually, the predecessor of AC790s model is the Netgear AC785s, which was very good. Luckily, we have seen the Netgear AC790s closely at MWC.


Netgear AC790s, which was exhibited at the exhibition booth of Netgear, was provided with a small branding by Australian operators Telstra. Till now, Telstra is the only provider with whom the Netgear AC790s is available. But the rest of the devices are no branding and with original Netgear, for example the software. The unit is operated by a large colorful touch screen, although a web interface is still available, but not required for operation. The touch screen is not as fast as you would expect from a smartphone, but for a mobile hotspot, it is sufficient in any case completely.


Much more important than the touch screen is the integrated modem in AC790s. This could support LTE (Cat6) with peak download speed up to 300 Mbit/s for the downlink and 50 Mbit/s for uplink. Of course the device is also backward compatible with 3G and 2G along with various data accelerator. The connection to the computer is via WiFi 802.11 ac, ie to 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It is possible to enhance the speed and the signal strength with an external antenna(Buy Netgear AC790S antenna from here: http://www.4gltemall.com/4g-antenna-two-ts-9-connector.html ). There are two connectors for the external antenna and they are protected with a sliding mechanism from dust and dirt. On the other side, it’s the power button.


A very interesting accessories for the Netgear AC790s hotspot is available, the DC112A SmartCradle. It is a docking station that not only strengthen the router signal through USB  and thus charging the battery, but also has other functions. Thus, the wireless signal is amplified and there is a Gigabit LAN port on the back of DC112A. In addition, the mobile radio is improved signal over the external antenna connections.

Huawei CarFi Hilink E8377 4G Hotspot for Car

Penetration of WiFi in vehicle infotainment system is set to become an important trend. To address this trend and tap the large potentials and opportunities, the company Huawei has cooperated with France network provider Orange to provide a wireless solution for vehicle passengers to connect 4G networks when moving. The device is named Huawei CarFi E8377 and is designed to cover up to 10 users.

The Huawei CarFi E8377 device, in compact size, gets 12 volt power from vehicle, which is designed specifically for use in these environments, either for personal use or for family members to provide connectivity while traveling, or for fleets of taxis and passenger vehicles.

 

Huawei emphasize that the essence of CARFI is the simplicity of use, because once connected to power in the vehicle, user just need press the single button for ignition and commissioning. The CarFi E8377 has a card slot to insert the SIM card from operator.

 

User can download the appropriate application for iOS and Android to manage the device, so you can modify the parameters of the wireless network name SSID and security key. Those who do not want to be complicate have these screen printed data on-device so that they can implement it without having to install any application. However, the application allows user to know the devices are connected, consumption data and other set of interesting parameters. The Huawei CARFI ensures LTE Category 4 connectivity with speeds up to 150 Mbps in the best conditions.

 

Huawei CarFi will automatically turn off when no WiFi-compatible device is identified, and can still be used to charge other electronic devices even when turned off as long as car is in use. Huawei CarFi does not contain a battery which provides protection against overheating in hot climates, and has a built-in self-regulating temperature protection function that automatically lowers the temperature of the device when necessary.

Michael Faure, director of residential mobile marketing for Orange Spain stated that it is an interesting product because more than 90 percent of tablets sold are sold with Wifi connectivity mode without 4G options. So Huawei CarFi would provide reliable wireless support for these tablets. And for more vehicles, the wireless network may be a perfect solution for the passengers, Huawei E8377 carFi is slim and easily meet the network requirement.

 

And the USB port in the Huawei E8377 would provide the channel to charge other electronics such as smartphone, tablets. With an elegant and refined look, Huawei CarFi features detailed craftsmanship incorporating superior-grade wood and carbon fiber materials for increased durability during everyday use. It comes in three color variations, fashion elite black and warm family wood, and dynamic speed red, to complement the interior of most vehicles. It’s a perfect solution for vehicle!

TP-Link M7350 4G Mobile WiFi Hotspot Review

TP-Link has launched its first LTE mobile hotspot M7350 in the Cebit 2015. Since the predecessor M5360 showed a good performance with UMTS modem in the test, we have the successor M7350 for performance test. The TP-Link M7350 could achieve speeds of up to 150 Mbit/s in the downlink over LTE Cat4 and the Internet connection is via WLAN at 2.4 and 5 GHz. The battery has capacity of 255 mAh and user can easily replace it.


The package reveals all technical data and the design of the TP-Link M7350. There is also a great reference about the three-year warranty from manufacturer TP-Link. If you open the package, you can find the hotspot M7350 next to a battery with a capacity of 2550 mAh, a micro USB cable, a power supply and a Quick Start Guide. As a special feature, there are two SIM card adapters included, one from nano-SIM to Mini SIM and the other one from the Micro SIM to Mini-SIM. The adapters solve the big problem about the SIM format. All those who have a smaller SIM card or the mini-SIM format could use their SIM card with the TP-Link M7350.

TP-link M7350 Battery

Whether with or without adapter, the SIM card is inserted underneath the battery; and a MicroSD memory card is optional to use in the M7350. The battery cover is stuck and needs to open some force, but most users will keep changing the battery rather than changing it. The body of the TP-Link M7350 is held largely in matt black plastic and looks very spectacular. The front along with the small OLED display is partially covered with a clear plastic. This cover scratched amazingly fast in contrast to the rest of the case.


TP-Link M7350 can use LTE in the frequency ranges to 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz. Thus it can be used not only in Europe but also in many other areas worldwide. The maximum speed over LTE is 150 Mbit/s for the downlink and 50 Mbit/s for the uplink (LTE Category 4). In the test, M7350 could work with a SIM card from Vodafone and reach up to 130 Mbit/s. And the reception quality is good, even at the location far from the base station. We remember that we had tested Huawei E5786, and the result looks very similar. As you know, Huawei E5786 is with the latest wireless technology.

If the LTE network is not available, user can use the UMTS ang GSM network through TP-Link M7350. When connected with DC-HSPA+ in the UMTS network, M7350 could reach up to 42.2 Mbit/s for the downlink and 5.76 Mbit/s for the uplink. The most common frequency ranges around 900 to 2100 MHz are supported. In the test I have a telecom card up to 26 Mbit/s can be achieved via UMTS, and I was about one kilometer away from the base station and the device had a good signal reception.

The WLAN module in the TP-Link M7350 transmits both 2.4 GHz and at 5 GHz. The range is naturally limited in comparison to an ordinary wireless router for stationary use, but perfectly adequate for most usage scenarios. So you can still enjoy surfing through two “normal thick” walls and about 5 meters (in the 2.4 GHz band).

 

On the body side of the M7350, there is a menu button, which can be used in conjunction with the power button on the front to operate the equipment. A few important functions can be controlled so easily without the web interface. So you can see for example Wi-Fi SSID and password on the display to connect devices with the TP-Link M7350 quickly and easily. The second menu item in the device allows the choice of wireless frequency band (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz) and the third is for you to enable or disable the roaming mode. Particularly interesting is the ability to set the network mode directly on the device (eg “LTE only” or “UMTS only “). This can be useful in some regions when the hotspot constantly switches between the mobile technologies.

TP-link M7350

 

The web interface allows all advanced settings options. It can be reached via http://tplinkmifi.net and is very quick and easy to use. The design is clear and the functions are easily accessible. Overall, the functions are not as extensive as the web interface of a Netgear AC785s, but all the important settings are available.
The TP-Link M7350 battery could last continuous use for about 6-7 hours and can be recharged via microUSB connector. In practice, the WLAN switches off automatically when it’s not in use for about 15 minutes. Thus, the unit saves energy. If you want to surf again, you must briefly press the power button only once.

 

The M7350 TP-Link is a good mobile LTE hotspot. In the test, it was stable and provided good rates. The equipment is dual-band Wi-Fi with a well-read display and a fast web interface. Overall, the TP-Link Router M7350 is a recommendable 4G pocket WiFi!

ZTE Presented MF970 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot

ZTE has presented a new 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot MF970 with ZTE MF285 LTE Router at the Mobile World Congress 2015. The special feature of ZTE MF970 is like Huawei E5786: it supports the LTE Advanced Cat6 with up to 300mbps speed for the downlink and has WiFi ac in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz range. We had seen the ZTE MF970 at the booth. You can see some features in this article.

The demo at the booth is at white color. There is a 1.4 inch TFT LCD screen which gives the user an overview of the WiFi signal strength, speed and device battery status. Beside the screen, it shows the name “ZTE UFi”. On the top side, there are two connectors for external antenna. At the below side, there is a slot for SIM card. And the power button is also there. On the back cover, we can see the device model, IMEI number, serial number, SSID and password.

 

ZTE MF970 is one of the few mobile LTE routers that support LTE Category 6, thus they could achieve the peak data rates up to 300Mbps in the downlink and 50mbps in the uplink. Of course, user must make sure a suitable LTE mobile network availability and a corresponding data plan. As we know, the LTE-Advanced Cat6 networks are available for many network providers in Europe and Asia. ZTE MF970 could support FDD-LTE Band 1/2/3/7/8/20/28/12/17 and TD-LTE Band 38/40. In addition to LTE cat6, MF970 also supports UMTS and GSM networks. ZTE MF970 4G Hotspot is based on the chipset Qualcomm MDM9230, which is reliable brand.

 

ZTE MF970 also has a fast WLAN module for a mobile hotspot. It supports WLAN 802.11 ac which transmits both in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz. According to ZTE, the maximum connected users could reach to 14 devices via WLAN. The MF970 has a strong battery of 2300mAh, the battery could enable the operating time of approximately 8 hours. But the battery is irremovable, user must use re-charge it if power off.

 

At the current market, there are already few LTE Category 6 mobile hotspots available, such as Huawei E5786, Netgear Aircard 790s. They are very popular in many countries. We will write new articles to show what the difference between them is and which one is better between them. So user will choose preferred the model.

 

 

Huawei Hilink CarFi E8377 4G WiFi Hotspot

We had introduced the Huawei E8278 USB WiFi dongle last year, which could work as a mobile WiFi hotspot but looks like a USB Dongle. However, it seems E8278 is not a perfect solution for users because many cars don’t have a USB port for Huawei E8178. The good news is that Huawei reveals a new model Huawei E8377, also named Huawei CarFi.

Many people want access Internet in the car, but integrated hotspot solutions are usually reserved for luxury-class models. Huawei has recognized this problem and is now launching the new mobile LTE router HiLink Carfì for the 12V cigarette lighter connector on the market. The small CarFi could support up to 10 devices wirelessly via Wi-Fi and up to 150 Mbit/s high-speed could be achieved when surfing internet via LTE. With dimensions of 59 x 49 millimeters, the Huawei HiLink Carfì Hotspot is compact and easy to take without occupying much space in car.
Once you have inserted the micro-SIM card and plugged Huawei HiLink Carfì into the cigarette lighter port, the hotspot can power on for operation. The management of Huawei Hilink CarFi could be done from web interface in the browser or on the Huawei HiLink app. Then the CarFi could work like other Huawei mobile hotspots such as Huawei E5377.

The maximum speed in the LTE network is around 150 Mbit/s for downlink and 50 Mbit/s for uplink with the category 4. The frequency ranges around 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz are supported. If the Internet connection outside the LTE network coverage is lost, the HiLink Carfì can also use the older wireless technologies UMTS and GSM. In the UMTS network, the downlink speed with up to 42.2 Mbit/s is possible in the frequency ranges 900/2100 MHz.
The Huawei HiLink Carfì router has an automatic shut-off function. If the device is not used for 2 hours, it turns off automatically and must be restarted by pressing the power button on the front. The time to shut-off could be personalized in the web interface. If you want to use the router without power supply in the car, you can use the built-in battery. According to Huawei official saying, the capacity of the capacity is 1900 mAh. The built wireless antenna in many cars cannot be used with Huawei HiLink Carfì. On the other hand, The hotspot solutions from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and so. on use the external antenna for the car and therefore have significantly improved reception properties.