The $89 pocket wifi device

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richms

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Topic # 110199 5-Oct-2012 00:12

Thinking of getting one of these for someone else that travels a lot.

Are they 850MHz capable? Aussie apparantly has had 2 versions of them, one was, one wasnt.

Is the APN etc on them relativly easily changed for people that are not that technical? How about the sim changing, is it really fiddly or quite easy to get in and out?

In saying that, is there a dual carrier varient coming soon? That would be nicer.

Richard rich.ms

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Reply # 696539 5-Oct-2012 05:10

I have the 900 2100 version Huawei E585. Used it successfully on Vodafone AU where I purchased it. Used it on Vodafone NZ 2degrees and Telecom in NZ. Sim is easy to remove. Had to create different profiles for each network APN setting. Works well. I believe the current Vodafone AU version is 850 MHz.

that would be an ecumenical matter

richms

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Reply # 696639 5-Oct-2012 10:29

Can you just swap the sim and have it change profiles once set up?

The intended user should be able to handle that but if it means going to the web interface and typing things in, it might be a little too much for them.

Richard rich.ms

lchiu7

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Reply # 696702 5-Oct-2012 11:52

I have one which says on the box Vodafone Mobile W-Fi R205. (I don't have the device in front of me now). But there is a table on the back which says for Oceania the network is 3G and it supports 850/900/2100.

For Europe is says HSPA+ (21.6 Mbs) but I thought we had HSPA+ networks in NZ and certainly VF has that deployed.

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sarg

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Reply # 696854 5-Oct-2012 17:06

I tried my device today with 2degrees and Vodafone, both worked but the profiles had been set up previously.

that would be an ecumenical matter

ubergeeknz

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Reply # 696871 5-Oct-2012 17:39

lchiu7: I have one which says on the box Vodafone Mobile W-Fi R205. (I don't have the device in front of me now). But there is a table on the back which says for Oceania the network is 3G and it supports 850/900/2100.

For Europe is says HSPA+ (21.6 Mbs) but I thought we had HSPA+ networks in NZ and certainly VF has that deployed.

From what I understand, and someone feel free to jump in and correct me, VF have HSDPA (14Mbps max), Telecom and 2Deg HSPA+ (21Mb max). VF and 2Deg support DC- variants (doubles max bandwidth) in certain areas (mostly CBD)

In the case of Vodafone, some parts of the network are only UMTS (384kbps). Pretty sure the others have only HSPA+ coverage in their networks.

wongtop

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Reply # 696873 5-Oct-2012 17:45

According to the VFNZ website the R205 is 3G 900/2100 only

lchiu7

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Reply # 696907 5-Oct-2012 18:55

wongtop: According to the VFNZ website the R205 is 3G 900/2100 only

If that is the case then I need to complain because it's not what I thought I ordered to replace a couple of vodems that are no use with tablet devices.

Just did some speed tests and they are not flash being about 2Mbs. But the display changed between 3G and H whatever that implies. This in the suburbs. I didn't get much faster on my Galaxy Nexus on 2D so it could be my location.

wongtop

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Reply # 696924 5-Oct-2012 19:45

lchiu7:
wongtop: According to the VFNZ website the R205 is 3G 900/2100 only

If that is the case then I need to complain because it's not what I thought I ordered to replace a couple of vodems that are no use with tablet devices.

Just did some speed tests and they are not flash being about 2Mbs. But the display changed between 3G and H whatever that implies. This in the suburbs. I didn't get much faster on my Galaxy Nexus on 2D so it could be my location.

Didn't mean to imply the speed at which the device can operate, only the WCDMA bands which it uses, i.e. this device is not great for the Telecom network here or Telstra's NextG netwoek in oz.

Edit: vodafone's greek site says that this device does do WCDMA 850, just to add to the confusion.

johnr

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Reply # 696928 5-Oct-2012 19:52

ubergeeknz:
lchiu7: I have one which says on the box Vodafone Mobile W-Fi R205.? (I don't have the device in front of me now). But there is a table on the back which says for Oceania the network is 3G and it supports 850/900/2100.

For Europe is says HSPA+ (21.6 Mbs)? but I thought we had HSPA+ networks in NZ and certainly VF has that deployed.

From what I understand, and someone feel free to jump in and correct me, VF have HSDPA (14Mbps max), Telecom and 2Deg HSPA+ (21Mb max). ?VF and 2Deg support DC- variants (doubles max bandwidth) in certain areas (mostly CBD)

In the case of Vodafone, some parts of the network are only UMTS (384kbps). ?Pretty sure the others have only HSPA+ coverage in their networks.

Yes you are incorrect about the Vodafone NZ network we have a truck load of sites 21Mbps DL single carrier and Dual carrier and we also have sites that are tri carrier and some that are quad but 3rd and 4th carriers are not bonded

richms

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Reply # 696944 5-Oct-2012 20:35

wongtop: Edit: vodafone's greek site says that this device does do WCDMA 850, just to add to the confusion.

hence my asking. so confusing that they might be the same.

the person its for is frequantly in their camper in the whops so having both networks available is a plus

Richard rich.ms

wongtop

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Reply # 709535 30-Oct-2012 22:48

Just got one of these devices. On the box its says that the Oceania version does 3G 850. Threw a XT sim in it and it works after changing the apn, but I live in an area where Telecom has 2100 coverage, so its not a conclusive test. Should know next week when its in aus and is tried on the Next G network.

wongtop

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Reply # 709540 30-Oct-2012 22:54

richms: Can you just swap the sim and have it change profiles once set up?

The intended user should be able to handle that but if it means going to the web interface and typing things in, it might be a little too much for them.

Basically if you set it up with the telecom apn, then it should also work on vodafone anyway (and 2degrees within their broadband zones) as both the 2degrees and vodafone networks essentially work with almost any apn.

mjb

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Reply # 715567 11-Nov-2012 21:17

wongtop: Just got one of these devices. On the box its says that the Oceania version does 3G 850. Threw a XT sim in it and it works after changing the apn, but I live in an area where Telecom has 2100 coverage, so its not a conclusive test. Should know next week when its in aus and is tried on the Next G network.

How'd you get on in aus? I'm looking to get one of these to use on XT after using the included allowance on VF, then on Telstra in aus when I'm there in January too, although very tempted to get one of the ZTE units that Telstra sell to get the 5GB data allowance with it..

(The only problem with that idea is getting it unlocked after getting home - Telstra charge AU$100 I believe).

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wongtop

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Reply # 716090 12-Nov-2012 22:05

mjb:
wongtop: Just got one of these devices. On the box its says that the Oceania version does 3G 850. Threw a XT sim in it and it works after changing the apn, but I live in an area where Telecom has 2100 coverage, so its not a conclusive test. Should know next week when its in aus and is tried on the Next G network.

How'd you get on in aus? I'm looking to get one of these to use on XT after using the included allowance on VF, then on Telstra in aus when I'm there in January too, although very tempted to get one of the ZTE units that Telstra sell to get the 5GB data allowance with it..

(The only problem with that idea is getting it unlocked after getting home - Telstra charge AU$100 I believe).

Sorry trip to Oz was delayed, and my company has bought a the Telstra equivalent, so I might not know for a while yet. Anyone know an area in Wellington central/east that doesn't have 2100 coverage on Telecom?

mjb

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Reply # 716655 13-Nov-2012 19:46

wongtop: Sorry trip to Oz was delayed, and my company has bought a the Telstra equivalent, so I might not know for a while yet. Anyone know an area in Wellington central/east that doesn't have 2100 coverage on Telecom?

No problem - I'll save you the hassle, I bought one this evening, and I can confirm that it does in fact support 850MHz, and in fact, it's actually on the box (but not the website).

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