Globe Telecom lent us their new toy — the mobile 3G router they call Globe MyFi. I’d like to share 10 things about the MyFi so you’re better informed about it before deciding to go and get one.
- The device is a branded version of the Huawei E5830 3G router. This is the same 3G router being sold by Three (3) telecom in Hong Kong since at least year ago (they call it 3 MiFi there). It has been available in the grey market and in online stores for Php7k to Php12k, depending on the source.
- The Globe MyFi works like the Globe Tattoo USB dongle with an additional WiFi router function. As such, you can also hook it up to the USB port of your PC or laptop as a 3G modem. The device comes with a similar software dialer too.
- The Huawei E5830 comes with a removable battery — a 1500mAh Li-Ion (almost identical to the battery of the Nokia E71 or E63). The battery lasts between 3 hours to 5 hours of use, depending on how many devices are connected and the usage pattern (downloading large files tend to eat up a lot more juice).
- The device has an LED display that serves as status indicator for WiFi connectivity, battery life, 3G (WAN availability), among others. To set it up, you’ll need to be connected to the WiFi and fire up your browser to 192.168.1.1 to get to the admin panel (here’s where you set the APN settings and the security protocols).
- You can get the MyFi from Globe two ways — get it with a Prepaid Kit for a one-time fee of Php7,000 or get a 2-year Postpaid Plan 499 or 999 and just add Php250 per month on top of your plan (makes Php6,000 in two years).
- The MyFi can serve up to 5 WiFi devices but can also be used as a 3G USB modem like most other existing 3G dongles (this allows you to conserve battery and charge it up at the same time). I think this hard limit prevents congesting the bandwidth of the single 3G connection.
- The device also has a microSD card slot that supports up to 32GB. However, you can only access the storage via a mini-USB cable and not over WiFi (would have been nice if it worked like a NAS or something).
- The biggest advantage with the MyFi is that you can freely position or place the 3G router anywhere you get the best 3G reception. You’re not restricted to a cable or anything. As an example, certain parts of my house don’t get good 3G signal so I just place the MyFi near the window and it gets HSDPA signal already (which it re-broadcasts via WiFi in the home).
- WiFi range is decent (802.11 b/g) and can easily do around 10 meters but degrades really quick against obstacles such as walls or doors. On battery, it saves up power by lowering the signal strength but will go full signal strength when plugged to an outlet or a USB port.
- Makes it really worth it if you carry multiple WiFi devices all the time — like a smartphone, an iPad WiFi and a laptop — so you only use a single unlimited data SIM for connectivity. Just don’t forget to get that Enegizer XPal portable power pack or have a USB car charger tucked in the glove compartment.
On the contrary, the Globe MyFi is still a bit on the expensive side (you need to have a really compelling use-case to justify it over a USB dongle). I think it’s mainly due to supply and demand. I remember those 3G USB dongles cost about Php3,995 when they first came out. Even that Sierra wireless card for PLDT WeRoam was selling for Php7,500 back then. I’m sure the price will eventually go down to more affordable levels.
mahal, but the mobility is really cool. for home use, i dont think na papatok ito.
@bugoy – this is not meant to replace your router at home. this if for people who prefer having wifi on the go.
Twitter: Vincent
says:
To lower the price, we need to ditch the battery. Just use a 220v to DC transformer. I’m sure huawei though of that.
Offer both models. The one with battery for rich ultramobile people and the 220v one for poorer people with poor signal strength but access to 220v
You can buy this at P5k openline already. visit philmug or applei dot ph
I got mine for free as replacement for the old modem I paid for. This is superior compared to the sapido I owned a few days back. (sold it when this was confirmed) I got it unlocked but not sure if I did it right though.
where did you get ur sapido and where did you get your globe huawei for it to be free pls share i am interested in this device
there are cheaper ways to share 3g connectivity, especially when using a laptop with windows7, just install connectify software and you can use the wifi card of your laptop to act as an access point. or buy the new edimax router with 3g usb modem support.
A fiend of mine said, Globe just announced a special offer on this..
Something like P99/month only with a Tattoo postpaid plan…. Wow, is that for real? I wonder how they can even recover that if the device costs 6-7k…
Then 4k daw pag prepaid…need to verufy this and fast!
[...] September 18th, 2010 So this was the surprise promo that Globe reps told me the day they talked to us about the MyFi and they really did good with their promise. A reader tipped us that Globe has dropped their MyFi [...]
I came to globe alabang town center this afternoon the sales representative said the myfi needs to be connected first to a laptop thru usb before sharing its connection thru wifi, so i turned back from getting it. Sir Abe, Was the info from the lady from globe ATC accurate?
Just to make sure, I called Globe 24 hours technical support through 211 and asked the same question. According to Globe in order for me to connect my 16gb ipad wifi only version to myfi, I need to bring along my laptop while travelling to connect the “Mifi” thru usb before I can share the internet signal to my IPAD. Is this accurate?
@JojoV That’s wrong, the MyFi can work both connected thru wire or not…. yun alam ko.
Thanks intelboy. I went back this morning to Globe Alabang Town Center to prove them wrong by testing the myfi unit I got with my Ipad wifi.
The E5382 supports 3 modes:
* if connected through USB it will be recognized as a Ethernet adaptor providing internet access and access to the web GUI
* if connected through USB and Mobile Partner is being startet, it will be recognized as plain 3G USB modem like any other Huawei 3G modem
* if WiFi is activated by the “WIFI/WPS” button, it additionally works as a WiFi router
The unit is good but globe suck in terms of speed. I had this for 1 day only. after which i unlocked it and swapped to Sun Broadband (in MM) or SmartBro (outside MM)sim. Globe does good on delivering the hardware but it’s services really suck.
Smart now has the Pocket WiFi. Problem is they only have a plan 499 for 50 hours and then back to the 10Php/30 minutes rate.
Has anyone tried downloading from Globe MyFi? How fast was it?
I have had a globe myfi and it being huawei, the device is so much better than smartbro’s new pocket wi-fi. I am on the unlimited plan 999, so it’s so much more worth the value to share my wi-fi rather than having a plan with just limited hours…..the speed is decent, i think tattoo’s had some recent upgrades on the network, so its all good.
My sister got a SmartBro just this weekend and the speed really sucked on the first day out….i sooo do not trust Smart. In speedtests, Smart’s always the slowest among the three nowadays, and now it’s validated. She said that the connection always cuts whenever she puts the pocket wi-fi on her bag or pocket. I THOUGHT IT WAS A POCKET WI-FI????? Screw you, Smart!
Also, we noticed that the device won’t work (connect to 3G) unless you connect it via cable to the laptop first, then pull it off. This is useless— i thought that its purpose is to give you internet without cables???? If it’s just as good as a plug-it modem, then i would’ve just bought that!!!!
DON’T BE FOOLED BY SMART. THE POCKET WI-FI SUCKS BIGTIME!!!!
Here’s a comprehensive review…looks like Globe did good on theirs…i’mma go get myself one…
http://www.gameops.net/2010/09/review-globe-myfi-portable-wifi-router.html
[...] a portable 3G+WiFi router they called SmartBro Pocket WiFi. This new product competes head-on with Globe MyFi launched back in [...]
Twitter: attytating
says:
I’m uber confused already. I called globe just now and they are telling me that i cannot use the MyFi if my laptop is not turned on and there are blogs I read that I can. Which is which?
Help guys. My question is: If i intend to use the MyFi device only for my iPhone do I also have to turn on my laptop just so I could use the MyFi on my iPhone? Assuming of course I’ve instead the MyFi device already on my laptop. In short, is the MyFi totally useless if you have no laptop with you?
Thanks!
Twitter: attytating
says:
installed i mean not instead lol.
ask ko lng po kng pwede mglagay ng password sa Myfi kng koconect sa wifi. kng pwede kukuha na po ngyon hehehe..
@beninoy – ypu, puede password protected,
[...] be shipping the new E5 “Pocket MiFi” to the Philippines this month. E5 is the next gen of Globe’s MyFi. They have the same weight and size but the main difference is that the E5 now has a screen to show [...]
[...] be shipping the new E5 “Pocket MiFi” to the Philippines this month. E5 is the next gen of Globe’s MyFi (only that it’s open-line). They have the same weight and size but the main difference is [...]
[...] speeds here in our area. I found out that the MyFi is actually a Huawei E5830 3G router (thanks to this post) made for Globe. Though I’ve read some really good reviews about Huawei products, I’m [...]