Huawei E5836 MiFi Modem/Router

**Kardall** · 08-31-2010, 04:59 PM

So, from what I can find out about this device, it seems pretty slick.

Around 4-5 hours of use off a single charge. It's an aircard basically, but you turn it on, and connect your devices via wireless (up to 5).

Watching how easy it is to connect from youtube videos, it's pretty fancy. Kinda defeats the purpose of having an aircard and one of the dlink router add-ons for it. When this is like 1/5th the size.

Looking forward to pricing information. The one site has it for $199 so I'd assume it'll be relatively the same. We shall see.

**drfoo** · 09-01-2010, 01:18 PM

how big is the plug in? itd be nice as a vehicle portable hotspot, easy to hide in the dash.

**HC - NO "i"** · 09-01-2010, 05:18 PM

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (S60; SymbOS; Opera Mobi/498; U; en) Presto/2.4.18 Version/10.00)

Kardall / drfoo,

I have used one during my recent trip to Asia. It is quite popular in Hong Kong, at least in my circle. Its size is like a small bar of soap. You do not need to "plug in" unless you want to use the physical tethered connection instead of WiFi, or you need to recharge the battery. Talking of the real world battery life, it varies from different locations with the conditions of both the mobile network and the local WiFi network. In most experiences with good 3G signal, 2 to 3 hours with 1 or 2 devices sharing the local WiFi connection.

**milestone** · 11-02-2010, 03:16 PM

Amazingly poor product from a security perspective (I love it every other way!) This Wi-Fi 3G+ router does not support WPA or WPA2! It only support WEP for wireless security. With the number of easy to use WEP cracking tool, anyone using this exposes themselves to some pretty hefty 3G cellular data bills! Great for Telus, bad for consumers! How could Telus and Huewai peddle this type of flawed product??

**milestone** · 11-03-2010, 12:54 AM

Originally Posted by milestone

Amazingly poor product from a security perspective (I love it every other way!) This Wi-Fi 3G+ router does not support WPA or WPA2! It only support WEP for wireless security. With the number of easy to use WEP cracking tool, anyone using this exposes themselves to some pretty hefty 3G cellular data bills! Great for Telus, bad for consumers! How could Telus and Huewai peddle this type of flawed product??

Sorry, just found it after looking in the right place. http://certifications.wi-fi.org/pdf_...hp?cid=WFA7625

It has my thumbs up even with just PSK support. It does support WPA2 (AES) but unfortunately, I can't find a decent manual online that shows the settings between WPA and WPA2. PSK with a long passphrase is perfect for this situation. If someone joins your hotspot, you just need the change the passphrase to something else to prevent access.

I was going to get an iphone 4 or android 2.2 but I might be tempted to get this as my primary device. The wifi will be a uniform access from any of my wireless data devices.

**HC - NO "i"** · 11-03-2010, 01:18 AM

milestone,

Greetings.

I think if you are so concern about the "false sense of security" brought to you by the WPA2 scheme with AES cipher using a 64-character long PSK, then perhaps NOT to use anything wireless at all. Seriously, who would expect to run an enterprise grade RADIUS/AAA server with this consumer electronics? Please, you are little too paranoid if not all fear-mongering. I rather apply the common sense when using the technologies... use the USB cable connection if I am the only one using this mobile router and connecting the WWAN with VPN. The WLAN feature is for convenience sake, to share the single WWAN access with multiple devices, not necessarily strong security or high bandwidth, high performance.

**Chris Dooley** · 11-15-2010, 09:33 AM

Does anyone know if this device can be used with a data plan from an iPhone. In other words, can I take the sim card out of my iPhone and put it in the E5836? I know it takes a standard SIM card so I would need to use an adapter.

**akherad** · 01-26-2011, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by milestone

Sorry, just found it after looking in the right place. http://certifications.wi-fi.org/pdf_...hp?cid=WFA7625

It has my thumbs up even with just PSK support. It does support WPA2 (AES) but unfortunately, I can't find a decent manual online that shows the settings between WPA and WPA2. PSK with a long passphrase is perfect for this situation. If someone joins your hotspot, you just need the change the passphrase to something else to prevent access.

I was going to get an iphone 4 or android 2.2 but I might be tempted to get this as my primary device. The wifi will be a uniform access from any of my wireless data devices.

Hi,

I have this device and it DOES support WPA-PSK. It is NOT only WEP.

**polkaroo** · 01-28-2011, 11:48 PM

Keep in mind the MiFi is only 7.2mbps while other aircards are 21mbps. From using a Sierra Wireless 306 in Toronto, I'm finding average speeds of 3-5mbps down and .5 to 1.5mbps up and 7/3mbps respectively suburbia fringe and beyond. I HAVE hit 14mbps down just north of Taunton Rd in Whitby. I'd say it's partially reception and tower congestion.

**milestone** · 01-29-2011, 10:30 AM

Yes but at the cost of data plans do you really want a faster card? !!!! ;-) Even doing a speed test on these things makes me cringe at the high cps (cost per second) :-)

At 14 mbps you are looking at more than 10 cents *per second* in true cost (in Canada) and $6 per second in the US roaming.

These MiFis are deadly for most users who think they can just use their laptops or other wifi devices like they do at home or work....
How many people know/control apps on laptops? There a bunch of stuff that can generate traffic in the background.

Telus and the other two wireless pigs are making a fortune on this. Wow. Canadians are so nice that we just sit back and "buy" thus stuff.

But, much like the credit card companies, when there is corporate greed gone wild, the governments normally steps in to regulate. They should here because, for example, at a ridiculous $3/MB in US roaming charges, subscribers should have to specifically request they want to be on the hook for these absolutely ridiculous roaming charges.

The CRTC is sleeping unfortunately, they should ask how many people have been hit with ridiculous high bills for data charges.... Even the girl behind the counter said she got a $500+ bill after going to Asia with her smartphone. "I've learned the hard way, won't do it again". What I heard was "I work for the Telus Mobility and even someone in the business gets hit".

If they catch 50% unfortunately souls that didn't do the math (and most don't) - that's amazing profit ARPU is golden.

Normally thief is illegal....

**milestone** · 01-29-2011, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by akherad

Hi,

I have this device and it DOES support WPA-PSK. It is NOT only WEP.

That's what I said in the post you quoted :-!

But, the big question is can you change the PSK??? It's ridiculously short and vulnerable to well known attacks on short PSKs.

Someone gets your PSK and it might cost you $6 per minute to have unwanted visitors on your hotspot (in Canada, $120 per minute in the US). It's important to have a long passphrase on PSK WiFi, it can support 64 characters. My PSK on my WiFI is "IHateAllGreedyTripoliesPleaseCRTCCrackDownOnThese Guys" How do I change my MiFi PSK ???

Wait, this is Telus, they want you to generate profits for them. No reason to have make this information ready available.

**milestone** · 01-29-2011, 11:22 AM

For the E5836

http://www.speedtest.net/result/1132476563.png

I'm trying to find out how to track usage on this thing.... I'm wondering how much, for example, a speedtest check really costs?

**milestone** · 01-29-2011, 11:27 AM

Originally Posted by drfoo

how big is the plug in? itd be nice as a vehicle portable hotspot, easy to hide in the dash.

Standard small USB - the form factor is great. What's dangerous are the "customer liable" data plans. If you want a vehicle portable hotspot which won't cost your hundred or thousands per month, get an inverter and the "Portable Internet" stuff that gives you Gig of data at a reasonable price.

**milestone** · 01-29-2011, 11:42 AM

It doesn't seem that Telus provides any way to warn on usage for these devices. Novice users beware!!! These devices are only for the ultra-geek person who can get a third party tool to meticulously check usage while on the HUAWEI E5836 WiFi link or who love wasting their time going through the portal, deep down in the menus to continually check the info.

The mytelus stuff shows:

.....................
Use this tool to indicate whether or not you wish to be notified by SMS of your data usage. Select an option, and click 'submit' to save your change.

Some plans are not eligible to receive TELUS Data Usage Notifications. Enabling TELUS Data Usage Notifications may not work for your plan.

YES - send me an SMS to notify me of my data usage.
..........

Right, SMS notify on a MiFi doesn't work! Is it that hard to also allow the warning via email for these MiFi Devices???

Winner: Telus stockholders
BIG Losers: Telus customers

For a billion dollar company, Telus continues to be a joke! CRTC please keep making spectrum available to new entrants - these guys need A LOT more competition to get it right!

PS Be careful doing Speedtests at speedtest.net via your MiFi If you do a number of them, the dollars will start to add up. A speedtest from the US will cost you $21!!! ($3/M times 7MB)

What a joke. Canada is a third world country when it comes to wireless data - and even that, I think that some third word countries have it better.

**p1rate7** · 01-29-2011, 07:12 PM

I have one of these devices and as noted compared to my 306U it is much slower for downloading but the same for uploading.

If you dig into device menu and look at the advanced option under connection status it keeps a running total of the total amount of data sent/received since the last time the history was cleared on it. It was within 10% of what the Telus website said I had used which is not bad since I had used the SIm in my telephone for a couple of days and also in my 306U.

What I find stupid of Telus, ok one of many things, is why they would sell you a device that cannot make phone calls yet place you on a plan with voice capabilities and unlimited calling on my birthday! I checked and yes the voice part works and it will do family calling without airtime charges...