Now that both Globe and Smart have rolled out their respective LTE networks, both have also offered LTE pricing plans for subscribers. Aside from the iPhone 5, one of the more important devices that you can use to connect to the LTE network is the Huawei E589.
We managed to grab a hold of an openline E589 and used our Globe postpaid nano SIM with it. Unlike the previous pocket WiFi devices from Huawei, the E589 has a unibody design so the internal battery is non-removable.
The device is a bit heavy and much bigger than the previous pocket WiFi we have used in the past. Actually, it already feels like it’s the same size as one of those entry-level Android phones like the Optimus L3 or the Galaxy Pocket.
The SIM card slot is designed for a regular SIM card so you will need to use a nano-SIM cradle when using your nano SIM card.
Huawei E589 specs:
LTE 4G, 3G, 2G multimode
LTE Cat 3
LCD Screen
Download speed up to 100 Mbit / s
Upload speeds up to 50Mbits
LTE 2600/2100/1800/900/DD800 MHz
GSM 800/900/1800/1900 MHz
UMTS 2100/900Mhz
6 hours of battery life
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
up to 32GB via microSD card
113 x 62 x 13.5mm (dimensions)
120g (weight)
We did several runs on Speedtest.net and got these results:
These were all taken using the Huawei E589 running on a Globe postpaid nano-SIM with a desktop PC connected via WiFi that ran/recorded the speed tests.
According to Huawei’s website, the E589 is compatible with both Smart and Globe’s LTE network in the Philippines. Will also try this on a Smart’s SIM and see how it fares.
You can get this Huawei E589 at Hot Gadgets for Php9,800 (see listing here).
very expensive.
sold out na po dun sa hot gadgets – do you know any vendors here in cebu?
Sir Abe, what kind of sim did you use in here? Did you use postpaid or prepaid? Thanks.
Read. Read. Read.
wtf! yang huawei e589 inaabangan ko dito sa pinas wala ako makita eh.. taz recently lng nakabili ako ng huawei e587 ke hotgadgets biglang nagkaroon ng e589.. tsk tsk, sayang. wooot.. hintay rin muna ako ng prepaid na lte, naka plan 999 lng muna ako sa smartbro ngaun, not quite satisfied kasi last year before mag upgrade ang smart pumapalo speed ko ng average 4~5mbps (prepaid) anytime pero simula nung march 2011 wala na, bihira na umabot ng 2mbps,(postpaid pa)sana magimprove pa mga service provider natin..
I purchased this device 3 weeks ago. although I don’t have LTE sim card, I used ordinary prepaid sim from smart and napansin ko mas mabilis sya kaysa sa ibang 4G dongle available.
mas maganda rin yung extrang weight nya and size kasi hindi mukang mumurahin lang and alam mong mataas ang quality ng MiFi na dala mo.
as for the battery life, a fully charged E589 last a max of 4 hours (running only HSDPA), di ko lang sure pero sigurado mas mababa pa pag LTE or HSPA+ sya nakaconnect.
once I got hold of my LTE sim I will try it with the E589 but so far I’m very satisfied with the speed and reliability of this device and mas maganda siguro kung bibili na kayo habang mas maaga kasi baka tumaas ang price ng mga ganitong dongles once naglabas na ng prepaid LTE ang Smart and Globe.
Im having similar speeds with my Xperia V from Smart over at Shangrila Mall
I wouldnt mind buying this in full/cash and then prepay to use LTE as needed if i could be assured of the coverage. They have locations on the coverage map but they dont explain how far that reaches.
I can’t afford to buy this to be a test subject, they should be more clear on where this works. Also, its a shame that the LTE spots are just that, spots, why doesn’t it blanket the whole city?
good lord, 9.8K for this!!! first you subscribe to a pricey LTE plan, then this, just so you can connect your LTE capable mobile devices outside. that’s a lot of cash. is the user really assured to connect to LTE everytime, anywhere in the country? oh well, this isn’t for me yet. besides i’m getting my fill with smartphone-laptop wifi tethering.
Dito sa may McDo (back of GB1) around 7Mbps lang pero once you’re inside GB pumapalo na ng ~30Mbps.
Yuga, request lang. I’m wondering if you an run those speed tests somewhere in the south (i.e. Alabang, Cavite or Laguna). Lagi naman talaga mabilis dyan sa Makati, eh, because that’s where Globe/Smart is concentrating their LTE coverage.
i think the article is focused on how far can this device operate with Globe’s LTE not how fast Globe’s LTE compared to Smart
mhal.. dme dyn ibng brand same lng . cheapr pa..mga 2-3k plus only.
Cool. nice pocket wifi. :D
A bit too expensive for me.
Looking for other brand around 5k.
I think the latency is too low for a wireless device :O
sorry, but the lower the latency the better the connection. ;-)
Dude, I think you need to check google for the meaning of latency.:))
I’m addressing to Terence btw.
How about battery life sir on straight LTE stress test?
Is there any cheaper alternative?
you can just buy an LTE korean android phone for around 6-8k.
Did you use ordinary sim card or a LTE sim card?
LTE nano-SIM card used from my iPhone 5.
Did you ordinary sim card or a LTE sim card?
Sir Abe, do you know any store where I can buy the SIM adapter/cradle?
sa Quiapo marami.