Mobile Internet, which was synonymous with luxury – until recently it is now a very common and convenient way to access the global network and to surf internet. Continuously falling prices of the service make more and more people choose to use mobile or wireless network. Following the wake of growing demand for mobile internet devices, manufacturers are trying to create mobile broadband to maximize the easier and more enjoyable communication for us.
One of these manufacturers is Chinese company Huawei, which launched the HUAWEI B683 3G WiFi router. It could connects to 3G mobile network via LAN or SIM card based on HSPA + standard.
General Review
Huawei B683 3G Wirelss Router stands out from the “crowd” of other routers, its unusual, modern design. The outside plastic is used in glossy casing (so-called “piano”), which unfortunately can be seen virtually every fingerprint. If clean it up, it looks very shining.
At the top of the unit is the Dial-up (used to connect to the Internet) button, the side is the ports for connections in the router (external antenna, connect the telephone line, power supply, USB port, four-port LAN 10/100 Ethernet (RJ45)).
At the front of the router there are two buttons – on / off switch and a button Wi-Fi/WPS (for creating wireless Wi-Fi networks).
Behind the rear panel is reset button (used to restore the factory settings) and pendants, based on which we can put HUAWEI B683 stand like a wall. In this back, you will also find housing flap, concealed SIM slot grille.
The discrete icons on HUAWEI B683 3G WiFi Router informs us connection status, the icons are located around the dial-up button. The lights of the icons will keeping on when the B683 is working, so they could show us below the information clearly, even in a dark room:
* Using the USB port
* Wi-Fi/WPS active network
* Internet connection through mobile
* Power
* LAN status
Package Contents
In the box, we can find the router power adapter and user manual for instructions. Manufacturer unfortunately not provided us information about the gadgets that can connect to the device. And users have to look for an external antenna themselves and buy on their own.
Interface and Support
The device is taken out of the box practically ready for use. To use the mobile Internet, we only need to put a SIM card into and snap, and plug the snap into B683 Router. After power is on, a 3G LAN / Wi-Fi router starts working. Usually, you don’t even need to set up a profile , but if you are unlucky to do this, it’s simple and easy, the configuration wizard helps you through the whole process step by step, you just follow up the wizard and click finish. All finished and it will auto connect to internet.
If we want to use more advanced functions of the router, you have to delve into the administration panel. Do not fail the people who want to have access to a large number of network settings.
Huawei B683 3G Router could set up below configuration:
* MAC address filtering
* IP address filtering
* Setup DMZ
* Mobile network settings (including manual network selection)
* DHCP
* UPnP
Regarding the stability and speed of data transmission – during the test, they are not a big deal. Only when the Wi-Fi connected the three devices simultaneously, this is not enough for the maximum device quantity that HUAWEI B683 could connect. It could support total 32 users to share the network.
Mobile internet worked without delay, the HUAWEI B683 Wireless Router could found and correct 3G network in a few seconds. The infrastructure of the operator at the test, unfortunately, did not allow for “squeezing all the juice” from the router. The test speed that I was able to achieve a 2.05Mbit/s (download) and 0.04Mb/s (upload), even the peak speed declared by the manufacturer could reach 28MB/s (download) and 5.76Mb/s (upload). I suppose it’s due to the network environment.
Huawei also has equipped its product in several additional and very useful features. One of them is the ability to send and receive SMS messages from the admin (of course, if our operator gave this functionality).
Summary
Huawei B683 3G WiFi Router is the ideal solution for those who want to create a small network. The device is so functional that allows you to use both mobile internet and desktop – through the telephone line.
Unfortunately, the device also has disadvantages. Manufacturer begrudged accessories for the router – in the standard package, there is only power adapter, user guide, then users couldn’t anything more.
Anyhow, we still give good praise on the router performance, because the case is well fit and makes a solid impression. It is a pity that the manufacturer has applied the glossy, new material. On the other hand, this type of equipment will not touch rather too often, so the prints should not be a problem.
The most important is that when we test it, it keeps working at stable status, which is key point users concern.
Actually, HUAWEI also has other 3G Wireless Routers, such as HUAWEI B970b HSDPA 3G WiFi Router, we will introduce next time.