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Huawei introduces E5 “Pocket MiFi”

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Huawei has announced that they’ll 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 that the E5 now has a screen to show the signal strength, if you’re connected and the battery meter.

Here’s the press release from Huawei and GComm Business Corp.:

“Huawei is finally bringing its innovative terminal products to the Philippine market. In line with its vision of providing people the opportunity to join the information age regardless of geography and social class, Huawei will officially launch its consumer line products this November starting with the E5 “Pocket Mifi” mobile wireless modem.

Huawei E5 Pocket Mifi is a personal connection device and an ideal mobile broadband solution for Filipinos wanting portable, affordable and high-speed wireless connectivity, anytime, anywhere.

It will be available for sale at Php5,995 in retail shops soon and is exclusively distributed by GComm Business Corp.”

The E5 can function as a mobile wireless hotspot up to 5 devices. You can also turn it into a network storage device by adding more storage with a microSD up to 16GB capacity. Battery is really good, it can give you 3G speed connection for 5-10 hours in a single charge.

I’ve been playing around with the E5 for a couple of weeks now and I’ll be bringing it to my trip to Hong Kong this week. With Globe, my max speed with it is 1.2Mbps downstream. I want to try the maximum 3G speed in Hong Kong. I tried using it on the road and I was pretty impressed that I did not lose signal and WiFi connection in EDSA while cruising.

And since I’m a Globe Tattoo user, one thing that you need to know is that even if you don’t have battery left on the E5, you can still connect it to your laptop’s USB port to charge and act as a regular 3G USB dongle. This unit should be available in the market by the end of November. I can’t see myself going back to using the old Globe Tattoo 3G USB dongle. Full review coming out next week.

Gcomm Business Corp. is the exclusive distributor of Huawei E5 Pocket MiFi in the Philippines. You can contact them at (+632) 659.00.72 or email at [email protected].

Editor’s Note: Dale is a reviews & special assignments contributor for YugaTech. You can follow him on Twitter @dalekins. – Yuga

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90 Comments

AL
Allen · 13 years ago

I get the unlocked HUAWEI E589 from http://www.4gltemall.com/huawei-e589-4g-lte-mobile-wifi.html but seems the 4g network is not as quick as i wish, i need external antenan, anybody n=know where to buy the 4G antenna?


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LE
Leslie CHUA · 15 years ago

I stay in Singapore but travels a bit and am interested to buy the e5s in Manila on my next trip in July. i use a unlocked Huawei stick when travelling. Can u advise if it country locked? Did it work in HK when you were there? I normally buy a local pre-paid SIM as my trip is usually only 3 to 4 days in one country.


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AK
AkoSiBatMan · 15 years ago

I just would like to ask if this will work in the US, using a T-Mobile, Virgin, or AT&T SIM Kit? Thank you.


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AR
arj · 15 years ago

the price of mi fi is still at 5K, still expensive. available in sm north edsa, sm cubao and greenhills


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AN
ana · 15 years ago

Would like to know what other charges can work with Huawei E5 mifi modem?


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JU
jun · 15 years ago

I got one in thinkpc sm north.. ayus na ayus.. :) ganda sulit na sulit tong device na ito..


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ME
meow · 15 years ago
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TW
Twinx · 15 years ago

Sir abe and Yugatech readers! i need ur advice!

I plan on getting an unlimited postpaid broadband plan (P999) and i’d like to know which network offers the best services for within and outside MM.

I’ve heard that postpaid sim cards have better speeds compared to prepaid, is that true?

@sir abe u’r a smart broadband user right? how’s their service so far?

appreciate your advice guys! Thanks!


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AD
adshocker · 15 years ago

hi sir yuga,

was just curious.. if plugged into my laptops usb port, can it still work as a wi-fi device? i mean can i still connect other devices such as mobiles wirelessly?

thanks.


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CH
chris · 15 years ago

helo everyone! any update? :)


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CH
chris · 15 years ago

hay, lahat ng pinagtatanungan kong stores natatanga kapag sinasabi kong “mi fi”

:(


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CH
chris · 15 years ago

Halo!

i went to electroworld – sm bicutan, seems that they haven’t heard of mifi yet. :(

sang electroworld ka nag order @mimi?

Thanks much.


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TE
terry · 15 years ago

san ang electroworld? kahit anong branch meron ba? What’s the contact #?


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MI
Mimi · 15 years ago

@Kapteyn – I just ordered one from Electroworld. Its Php5995 there tapos within the week I can pick it up.


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KA
kapteyn · 15 years ago

sir yuga, san ba mabibili huawei my fi, wala naman sm north… matatapos na november… really like to buy one.


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PO
pogi · 15 years ago

huwawey


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MA
Maia · 15 years ago

@android user (comment #14), it isn’t Wow-ie… It’s huwawei, with tones huá (rising tone) wèi (falling tone)


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PR
problematik · 15 years ago

@dale/yuga, what stores will be carrying the unlocked device??


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PA
Patrickross · 15 years ago

@Vince: Could you be more specific about it? You’re required to plug-in the device via USB? Maybe what you’re referring to is the initial set-up. If & when I get one, chances are, I’d be plugging it into a computer too. This is to set-up the security features of the device. After that, you should be able to use the device without the need to connect it to a computer.


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VI
vince · 16 years ago

Hope its not like smart’s myfi. AFAIK with smart the device will not work unless its at least initially plugged into a usb port.

That sort of device SHOULD be stand alone


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LI
light · 16 years ago

wow, 6k? you could buy an LG Optimus One phone (the sale this 13th) with that and use that as your hotspot. :P


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OC
ocommon · 16 years ago

much better if dual-sim siya at mas mataas ang microSD supported capacity niya diba?


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KA
katy · 16 years ago

I’m definitely looking forward to getting this, i had to disconnect myPldt DSL kasi Im always on the move, I, too will be in HK, if i get this next week how do i use it there?need ba ipa-roaming un tattoo na number?


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GU
Gumz · 16 years ago

When will this be available in cebu?


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PE
Pea · 16 years ago

ay masmahal naman dun, sir abe…bat ganun?


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AB
Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@Pea – it’s originally from Hong Kong and costs Php7-10k there.


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VI
villerik · 16 years ago

We only have Smart Bro in our area and the signal can be spotty at times. Can you recommend a bi-directional broadband signal booster that works well with the E5 and where I can get one locally?


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DO
DonZiAq · 16 years ago

I have asked this in Singapore and they are selling this at SGD 300 (Php 10K) and if your saying that they will only be selling this soon at below 6K, that is a BIG WOW!

Kindly keep us inform once this is in the market already and where?

Mabuhay ka!


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PE
Pea · 16 years ago

so, kung openline sya di pwede magamitan ng any network…di may sim slot ‘to? meron kaya nito sa hong kong? hmmmm…?


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DO
Doodles · 16 years ago

Who needs a more expensive ipad wifi/3G when this will do it for an ipad with wifi only. The new ipod touch can also work like an iphone outside malls and wifi connected homes. With 5 devices connected simultaneously, actual cost of connection is fairly reduced. P5,995 is still expensive though. Expect price to go down to P3k next year.


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PU
Pusang Kulog · 16 years ago

@Android user – di kaya may share of stock si Willie Revillame diyan sa Huawei? ;-)


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AN
android user · 16 years ago

@Pusang Kulog :
Sir it’s pronounced as “Wow-ie” :D


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PU
Pusang Kulog · 16 years ago

Will wait for the Huawei android phones news…

By the way, how do you pronounce Huawei? ;-)


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JU
jun · 16 years ago

ayus to.. sana di pigilan ng mga network.. sang store kaya ito magiging available


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IS
islacom singapore · 16 years ago

This would be great if Globe Telecom would see pass their FAIR USER CLAUSE

It limits unlimited service by capping their broadband to 1GB usage per user.

I hope globe fixes this.

Also I like the new Huawei MyFi
Better battery and aesthetics


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IS
islacom singapore · 16 years ago

Battery Life of 5-10Hours seems like a pretty good upgrade.
I’ve been using the same model on the right of the picture.
It’s ok but the battery life cannot last as long as the battery of the Apple iPad.

Hopefully Globe Telecom will already take down their “Fair User Clause” because it really sucks to use their SuperSurf product or even their postpaid tattoo if it is limited by Globe Telecom.

Unlimited which is not Unlimited Sucks!

Encountered premature termination of Unlimited Service 6x or more already!!!


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AB
Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@RS – will post updates tomorrow. ;)


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PE
Peej · 16 years ago

No more visible dongles around your lappy and you can connect discreetly with your mobile phone… Recommended for outdoor Facebook and Twitter heavy users… Up Up!


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RS
RS · 16 years ago

Any plans of bringing these to the philippines?


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RS
RS · 16 years ago

Yuga,

*says excellent in a Mr. Burns voice*

Also, any news if Huawei will bring their Android phones in the country?

Thanks,

RS


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JO
Jon · 16 years ago

Good idea but having this device will add more stuff that you put into your pocket or bag. I’d rather tether. :)


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DA
dale · 16 years ago

@sabana From what I know, its almost the same but different color. They released a newer version which is a black one but almost the same features. :)


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SA
Sabana · 16 years ago

Is this similar to the E585 of UK’s 3 network?


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AB
Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@gringo – it’s open line at Php6k.


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GR
gringo · 16 years ago

wow nice.. price range po? or available sa globe plans?


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