The Huawei Mobile WiFi E5220 is a pocket-sized wireless router that lets you share a mobile broadband connection with up to 10 Wi-Fi devices,but only supports 3G, not 4G. Huawei claims it has a maximum download speed of 21.6 Mbps and an upload speed of 5.8 Mbps, but real-world speeds depend on your location and which network you're on.
When copying files between two computers on the E5220's local wireless network, we got 16.9Mbps at a distance of one metre, 18Mbps at 10m and 3.7Mbps at 20m. These are fast speeds for a portable router.
We found it tricky to price off the router's back panel, but once it's open, the battery and SIM card are east to install. You should also make a note of the default wireless network name and password (on a label next to the SIM slot), which you'll need to connect to the router. With a password already set, your wireless network is secure as soon as you start using it, rather than after you've spent time configuring the wireless security set-up.
The simple web interface shows you the router's connection status to your mobile network, as well as which PC's are connected and how much data you've used, which is essential if you're on a capped plan.
The E5220 is a good portable router let down only by the lack of 4G support and a fiddly battery cover.
SPECIFICATION
802.11n, 3G modem, no Ethernet ports, 30g, 68x71x26mm(HxWxD), One-year warranty, Part Code E5220s-2.
PRICE
$77.57
When copying files between two computers on the E5220's local wireless network, we got 16.9Mbps at a distance of one metre, 18Mbps at 10m and 3.7Mbps at 20m. These are fast speeds for a portable router.
We found it tricky to price off the router's back panel, but once it's open, the battery and SIM card are east to install. You should also make a note of the default wireless network name and password (on a label next to the SIM slot), which you'll need to connect to the router. With a password already set, your wireless network is secure as soon as you start using it, rather than after you've spent time configuring the wireless security set-up.
The simple web interface shows you the router's connection status to your mobile network, as well as which PC's are connected and how much data you've used, which is essential if you're on a capped plan.
The E5220 is a good portable router let down only by the lack of 4G support and a fiddly battery cover.
SPECIFICATION
802.11n, 3G modem, no Ethernet ports, 30g, 68x71x26mm(HxWxD), One-year warranty, Part Code E5220s-2.
PRICE
$77.57