Recommendation for a MIFI hotspot?

wisniak · **Recommendation for a MIFI hotspot? -** 09-04-2013, 18:15

Hi,

Am interested in purchasing a mobile unlocked GSM hotspot, into which I'll insert a local prepaid SIM card every time I travel abroad.

I'm aware of the ZTE MF80 which supposedly supports 4G and is rated for high data speeds.

I'm also aware of several Huawei models.

Don't know about the comparative quality.

I'd appreciate any recommendations.

Note it has to be unlocked GSM.

Thanks.

bylo · 09-04-2013, 19:26

Another option you may want to consider is to use an unlocked Android smartphone. Android has a built-in WiFi portable hotspot capability. You'll need a local prepaid SIM that supports voice and data. This way you need only a single SIM in your phone to provide service both to the phone as well as all connected devices.

wisniak · 09-04-2013, 19:34

I prefer not having to deal with Android and keep life simple with a dedicated device.

VladS · 09-04-2013, 20:56

I use a Huawei E587u-5. It's a pentaband HSPA/quadband GSM puck. Cost in Canada is roughly $150.

wisniak · 10-04-2013, 04:31

Taking into account that I intend to upgrade my iPad2 to iPad5 and my iPhone 4S to iPhone 6 or whatever, and world LTE deployment (I know that there are several "types"), should I go for advanced 4G/LTE 42mbps models or 3G 21mbps models?

The price difference (about 30$) is not significant for me as I'm looking for a long term solution (I plan on holding this device for several years).

sperial · 10-04-2013, 11:40

1. You can use your iPhone as a personal hotspot ,so you don't need to upgrade to Android. And it is available to you without further expenses.
2. Using an Android phone (or an iPhone) as a hotspot is easy - one of my sons uses it on a regulad basis (his phone is a Nexus S and he connects an Android tablet and a Windows notebook).
3. If you are interested in LTE wait until deployment details for Israel are published - there are several frequency bands and it is not yet known which will be used.
4. Generally LTE deployment is quite limited and HSPA+ networks are reported to provide similar speeds ,so if you do not use it frequently don't bother to buy the dongle - it will be obsolete by your next trip.

wisniak · 10-04-2013, 13:10

Sperial,

I wrote above that I want an independent device.

So if the options I'm considering are an ZTE MF80/Huawei E5776 or ZTE MF60/E5331, which one would you recommend?

andy · 10-04-2013, 15:05

A possibly slightly bulkier idea, but how about a router which you plug a dongle into, then the dongle could be replaced when it was deemed necessary?

I have a Draytek VoIP router which I picked up very cheap, and there's a software update to enable using a dongle in the USB slot, though I haven't actually used it yet.

Another potential point is which Mifi devices have a socket to allow using a better aerial if that would be helpful

wisniak · 10-04-2013, 20:52

Andy.

Bulkier indeed, besides adding an unnecessary component.
Am aware of the additional aerial socket option.

andy · 11-04-2013, 00:41

Just an idea, and they aren't all as big as the one I mentioned.

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	(#1)
wisniak (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 92 Join Date: 12 May 2009 Country:	Recommendation for a MIFI hotspot? - 09-04-2013, 18:15 Hi, Am interested in purchasing a mobile unlocked GSM hotspot, into which I'll insert a local prepaid SIM card every time I travel abroad. I'm aware of the ZTE MF80 which supposedly supports 4G and is rated for high data speeds. I'm also aware of several Huawei models. Don't know about the comparative quality. I'd appreciate any recommendations. Note it has to be unlocked GSM. Thanks.

	(#2)
bylo (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 204 Join Date: 03 Oct 2007 Country:	09-04-2013, 19:26 Another option you may want to consider is to use an unlocked Android smartphone. Android has a built-in WiFi portable hotspot capability. You'll need a local prepaid SIM that supports voice and data. This way you need only a single SIM in your phone to provide service both to the phone as well as all connected devices. Phones: OnePlus 5 • Nexus 5 SIMs: CA Fido/Fongo • AT A1-B.free • Google Fi R.I.P.: UM • UM+

	(#3)
wisniak (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 92 Join Date: 12 May 2009 Country:	09-04-2013, 19:34 I prefer not having to deal with Android and keep life simple with a dedicated device.

	(#4)
VladS (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Pioneer Posts: 590 Join Date: 22 Jun 2004 Country:	09-04-2013, 20:56 I use a Huawei E587u-5. It's a pentaband HSPA/quadband GSM puck. Cost in Canada is roughly $150. VladS Mobile phones: iPhone 5, Blackberry 9900, Nexus S, Samsung S3322 duos Mobile data cards: Huawei E587u-5, Huawei E583c, Huawei E160 Postpaid SIMs: CA: Fido, Wind; INTL: Telna Prepaid SIMs: DE: Fonic, Lidl; AT: yesss!, bob; UK: O2; US: AT&T; RO: Orange, Vodafone; FR: b&you, Lycamobile; NL: Lycamobile; BE: Lycamobile, Jim Mobile; CL: Entel; MX: Telcel; INTL: eKit Blue, eKit Yellow Dead SIMs: too many to list

	(#5)
wisniak (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 92 Join Date: 12 May 2009 Country:	10-04-2013, 04:31 Taking into account that I intend to upgrade my iPad2 to iPad5 and my iPhone 4S to iPhone 6 or whatever, and world LTE deployment (I know that there are several "types"), should I go for advanced 4G/LTE 42mbps models or 3G 21mbps models? The price difference (about 30$) is not significant for me as I'm looking for a long term solution (I plan on holding this device for several years).

	(#6)
sperial (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 74 Join Date: 22 Jun 2011 Country:	10-04-2013, 11:40 1. You can use your iPhone as a personal hotspot ,so you don't need to upgrade to Android. And it is available to you without further expenses. 2. Using an Android phone (or an iPhone) as a hotspot is easy - one of my sons uses it on a regulad basis (his phone is a Nexus S and he connects an Android tablet and a Windows notebook). 3. If you are interested in LTE wait until deployment details for Israel are published - there are several frequency bands and it is not yet known which will be used. 4. Generally LTE deployment is quite limited and HSPA+ networks are reported to provide similar speeds ,so if you do not use it frequently don't bother to buy the dongle - it will be obsolete by your next trip. Last edited by sperial; 10-04-2013 at 12:16..

	(#7)
wisniak (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 92 Join Date: 12 May 2009 Country:	10-04-2013, 13:10 Sperial, I wrote above that I want an independent device. So if the options I'm considering are an ZTE MF80/Huawei E5776 or ZTE MF60/E5331, which one would you recommend?

	(#8)
andy (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Prophet Posts: 2,128 Join Date: 10 Dec 2004 Country:	10-04-2013, 15:05 A possibly slightly bulkier idea, but how about a router which you plug a dongle into, then the dongle could be replaced when it was deemed necessary? I have a Draytek VoIP router which I picked up very cheap, and there's a software update to enable using a dongle in the USB slot, though I haven't actually used it yet. Another potential point is which Mifi devices have a socket to allow using a better aerial if that would be helpful

	(#9)
wisniak (Offline) Member Advanced Member Posts: 92 Join Date: 12 May 2009 Country:	10-04-2013, 20:52 Andy. Bulkier indeed, besides adding an unnecessary component. Am aware of the additional aerial socket option.

	(#10)
andy (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Prophet Posts: 2,128 Join Date: 10 Dec 2004 Country:	11-04-2013, 00:41 Just an idea, and they aren't all as big as the one I mentioned.