3G/HSPA/LTE Modems

[Jola]

OK, I have done quite a few tests on the E272, on three different 3G routers, as well as on a Sony notebook.

It does not see anything on 900MHz UMTS, and will obviously not connect to anything - so I am sure that it does not support 900MHz UMTS, as Huawei's specs also state.

Maybe you have a different version of the E272, Huawei often have modems with the same names and supporting different frequences. For example, I have two Huawei E583c mifi routers, the one supports 900MHz UMTS, and the other does not - one is a E583c-1 and the other is a E583c-2 - but you can only see that under the battery !

So, for the time being, I am back to my original E1820 modem, nothing else, older or newer, works properly !

BTW : Are there any new Huawei modems that have proper external antenna support ?

 

[ginggs]

It does not see anything on 900MHz UMTS, and will obviously not connect to anything - so I am sure that it does not support 900MHz UMTS, as Huawei's specs also state.

Maybe you have a different version of the E272, Huawei often have modems with the same names and supporting different frequences.

dadiggle might be in one of the few areas where Cell-C have UMTS 2100.

BTW : Are there any new Huawei modems that have proper external antenna support ?

Yup, as I reported here, the Vodafone K4605 / Huawei E372 does.

 

[Jola]

Yup, as I reported here, the Vodafone K4605 / Huawei E372 does.

Hmm, pity I didn't see that, could have saved me the R860 that I wasted on the Sierra Aircard 307, which is going to the dustbin.

Any idea what the E372 costs, or where one can get a good deal on it ? And does it support 900MHz UMTS ?

Edit : Hmm, not on eBay, and seems to be pretty expensive (USD245) - and the generic one does support 900MHz UMTS.

 

[ginggs]

Any idea what the E372 costs, or where one can get a good deal on it ? And does it support 900MHz UMTS ?

Check in the Vodacom section for pricing, I'm sure I saw a post there. Yes it does support UMTS 900, see first post of this thread.

 

[Jola]

Looks as if the real solution is quite simple.

I just took apart my Vodafone K3765 and I can confirm that there is a external antenna socket inside!!! I took some pictures and will upload them somewhere later on.
As I have similar issues to you (poor coverage) I am now off to ebay, looking for a nice antenna!

EDIT: Apparently antenna connector is CRC9 (FYI)

Source : http://www.austech.info/networking-wireless-cabled/38791-vodafone-huawei-k3765-modem.html

This modem is quite cheap, and apparently works well. It is only 7.2 mbps, but I would be quite happy to get a fairly consistent 5mbps DL, so that is fine. It seems to be supported by most 3G routers, which is not the case with the k4605.

Will try to get hold of one tomorrow.

Note : The modem seems to support 900MHz UMTS - I want it for Cell C.

 

[Reelix]

E220 - 900MHZ? (3G?)

Hi all!

Just wondering if anyones managed to connect to CellC's 3G Network using a Huawei E220!

Thanks!

 

[walti72]

I tried it, but it only does Edge on 900Hz, so it is dog slow.

D

 

[Reelix]

I tried it, but it only does Edge on 900Hz, so it is dog slow.

Yup - I'm experiencing that first-hand right now - Got the official CellC Software, and it says its only connecting to 2G (In the list) :/

20 -> 25kb/s...

But hey - It's cheaper than Vodacom.... Can't do much, but it's cheaper

 

[Pavan]

It is not UMTS 900 enabled. Here’s the specs:

Network
• GPRS
• GSM 1800
• GSM 1900
• GSM 900
• UMTS 2100

It will work, but I suspect the user will be stuck on EDGE. GSM 900 and UMTS 900 are NOT the same thing.

 

[onerb]

The Huawei e1750 works on 900. Can get those for R399.

Correction - seems it does not support 900

 

[onerb]

I got this from the cellc website. This modem is not 900 capable but runs on their network. Surely not in edge only? How is the 2100 rollout coverage?

The Huawei E1752 HSPA USB Modem is an ultra slim USB modem that is ideal for users who need high speed data on the move. The Huawei E1752 HSPA USB Modem provides the latest plug and play USB modem solution with a modern elegant design.

Installation is straight forward plug and play and does not require any additional software or drivers. Simply place your data enabled SIM into the Huawei E1752 HSPA USB Modem and plug modem into the USB slot on your laptop.

Modem Specs

•HSDPA/UMTS 2100/1900MHz
•GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900MHz
•Support 7.2 Mbps HSDPA services
•Support SMS Service
•Micro SD Card Slot
•Dimensions 70.15 x 25.64 x 11.60mm

 

[Jola]

The Cell C E1752 does support 900MHz UMTS, and it works well, it is a nice modem!

 

[dadiggle]

dadiggle might be in one of the few areas where Cell-C have UMTS 2100.

Yup, as I reported here, the Vodafone K4605 / Huawei E372 does.

I removed those evil drivers. Before that it didnt wanna connect at all

 

[Jola]

... those evil drivers...

I hope that you have your bed on bricks and 5 liter paint tins in order to make sure that they don't get you !!!

 

[dadiggle]

wonder why the devices that supports UMTS 900 get stuck on edge. E220 work on Cell C but it doesnt do 900 but its not stuck on edge. Cell C used for 3G before 900 came along?

 

[James Sneedon]

I have an Huawei E220 with 11.117.10.00.07.B268 firmware and a Huawei E172 with 11.415.05.03.00.B409 firmware. I use the latest Mobile Partner in both cases. When I got my Cell-C 5gig a month pack 2 months ago neither of these modems would give me more than a green light being essentially GPRS speeds, I put this down to them not being UMTS 900 capable. I then took my Vodacom K4505-Z (ZTE) modem and found that it would not detect the SIM using the Vodacom sotware so I disabled the autostart drive that loads the software and unistalled the Vodacom software off my my pc. I then downloaded "Join Air" not the best app but it worked. I then discovered that I could get better speeds but this modem ould run too hot and kept on disconnecting so I cut big holes into the casing, added a 5v fan running off the usb power and eventually got it to work without disconnecting but I was still not happy with it's performance and will go as far as saying I decided to steer clear of anything out of the ZTE factory in future. I then had to do something quickly at home with the pc using the E220 and noticed that my data on a Vodacom SIM in this modem was used up and didn't feel like being raped by their out of bundle rates... (been burnt before) decided to just put my Cell-C SIM into this modem and live with slow speeds... much to my surprise the light went blue indicating WCDMA and then when I opened the internet it went light blue indicating HSPA... what now... I then put the SIM into my E172 and got the same result even in different locations 20 Km apart. What has changed, both of these modems that supposedly only support HSPA 2100 are now running better than my ZTE K4505-Z modem that is HSPA 900 enabled? Cell-C must have changed something or I might be roaming but I did test in 2 different locations 25Km apart so I have now put my plans of buying a new Huawei HSPA 900 enabled modem and will stick with the E220 + E172 until something changes again...

 

[ginggs]

What has changed, both of these modems that supposedly only support HSPA 2100 are now running better than my ZTE K4505-Z modem that is HSPA 900 enabled?

This?

 

[hugos]

Hi,

I need some advice-i have the Black CellC USb Modem-It have been replaced twice by CellC. It still gets very hot and disconnects. Is CellC selling improved modems yet? Or what alternative can i use?

Thanks,

 

[Cell_C]

Good day Hugos

Is that the E1820 ?
That modem draws a lot of power, what we have notice is that if you use Y cable it dose help provide extra power. modem dose not heat up as much
Here

Regards
Armando

 

[Jola]

I need some advice-i have the Black CellC USb Modem-It have been replaced twice by CellC. It still gets very hot and disconnects. Is CellC selling improved modems yet? Or what alternative can i use?

The E1820 is still the best modem around.

Just my opinion, I have played around with many different modems.