Mobile WiFi Device Needed

W

weelzSA

Expert Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2009
Messages
3,259
Reaction score
51
Location
Cape Town
As per the title, I need to buy a mobile WiFi router for a conference we have in two weeks. It just needs to be able to have a sim-card inserted and allow two laptops to connect. It will just be for checking emails and checking on delegates bookings etc through our online system.

I use to use a modem that has a USB slot to connect my 3G stick but it gets in the way so now looking for a better solution.

I see its really only Afrihost that sells them pre-paid (I already have a data contract sim) so just want to know what you think about the choices or if you know of somewhere else that sells better ones? Not looking to spend more than R1100.

Afrihost Devices

At the moment looking at the E5730 because of the 16 hour battery life. We will have plug points so keeping it connected all day won't be a problem either if you think Im netter off with another one?

I know LTE is the way to go but this device will only be used once a year for 3 days and then packed away.

Thanks in advance for the help :whistle:
 
I use my Android phone to make a hotspot, laptop and printer connected to phone work fine.
 
I've got a Huawei E5730 - awesome little device.

Battery lasts long and the wifi signal is surprisingly strong from such a small device.
 
DanDango said:
I use my Android phone to make a hotspot, laptop and printer connected to phone work fine.
Click to expand...

Yes that works fine if it a single device but not recommended when you at a conference... Even tho it is two of us - walking around the CTICC all day and on our phones most of the day - connection will become a problem so it won't work at all. Just looking for a solution where we can connect our laptops so that we can be connected to the internet and not have any problems.
 
Necropolis said:
I've got a Huawei E5730 - awesome little device.

Battery lasts long and the wifi signal is surprisingly strong from such a small device.
Click to expand...


Yeah I am leaning towards this one because of the battery.

Have you had more than one device connect to it and if so, does the connection slow down at all? Basically the use will be emails and internet - thats it.
 
weelzSA said:
Yes that works fine if it a single device but not recommended when you at a conference... Even tho it is two of us - walking around the CTICC all day and on our phones most of the day - connection will become a problem so it won't work at all. Just looking for a solution where we can connect our laptops so that we can be connected to the internet and not have any problems.
Click to expand...

***.

Use your phone. Should support up to 5 devices.

Just use a USB cable to keep it going. Other devices aren't immune to power requirements!

Test it beforehand if you're not convinced- you already have the phone ;)

Rather spend your cash on a portable power bank if you're concerned about power. Will be more use down the line than a MiFi in a cupboard :)
 
Last edited:
Budza said:
***.

Use your phone. Should support up to 5 devices.

Just use a USB cable to keep it going. Other devices aren't immune to power requirements!

Test it beforehand if you're not convinced- you already have the phone ;)

Rather spend your cash on a portable power bank if you're concerned about power. Will be more use down the line than a MiFi in a cupboard :)
Click to expand...

As mentioned, the phone would work perfect if we were sat at our desk all day but we are not. Majority of the time we are walking around searching for delegates and on our phones so the phone route I guarantee won't work (the CTICC is massive). We just need a device that we can hide away and use to connect which is why I am looking at the above devices.

Just need to know if those are the best ones I can buy for cash or if there are others I should look at.

We already have Romos Sailing 5 power banks and have plug points at our desk so not concerned at all about power.
 
So each delegate need their own MiFi thingy?

What phones? Mine works when on a call. Switches from LTE to 3G, but the connection stays up.. Have had 5 ppl connected while on a call too :)

If you're convinced you need more gadge, go for it.

Don't forget RICA :sick:
 
Budza said:
So each delegate need their own MiFi thingy?

What phones? Mine works when on a call. Switches from LTE to 3G, but the connection stays up.. Have had 5 ppl connected while on a call too :)

If you're convinced you need more gadge, go for it.

Don't forget RICA :sick:
Click to expand...

No, just the two of us at our desk. We need to stay connected all the time as we have our system online so when a delegate comes to the desk we need to be able to get online.

The problem with using a phone is if I have to leave the desk for a while, how will the other stay connected? I have an iPhone 6 Plus which I know works but not in this situation.

We use to use a normal modem with a 3 dongle connected but we can't use it this year. We already have a Telkom mobile sim card so just need something to connect it to.

Hope that makes it clear why we can't use my phone :D
 
I have two vodacom branded mifi thingies that will take any color payg sim card. You are welcome to use one of them. I used to connect my wireless printer and all the laptops via one of them.
 
weelzSA said:
Yeah I am leaning towards this one because of the battery.

Have you had more than one device connect to it and if so, does the connection slow down at all? Basically the use will be emails and internet - thats it.
Click to expand...

Yeah - had 2 phones, a laptop and a micro server connected at the same time - haven't had any issues.

The only issues I've had are due to sketchy MTN signal where I stay - but there isn't much I can do about that.
 
Hi weelzSA

I have a little black Huawei 3G pebble that shows the data usage etc.

Happy to let it go for cheap as I am not using it atm.

PM if you are keen.
I live in Gardens close to the Mediclinic, but will only be back Saturday evening.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X