Huawei data card E8231

I ordered this Huawei Power-Fi E8231 Hot Spot Enabled Data card fro use at my home ,to connect my laptop to net.After using it for a week , here is my review.About the Company- Huawei:=========================Huawei is a Chinese multinational company engaged in networking andtelecommunications equipment services and it overtook Ericsson in 2012.Huawei has Research and development units across the world, including in USA,CANADA,UK,FRance,Belgium,Germany,Sweden,Russisa,and India.It is operating in more than 140 countries and serves 45 of world's 50 largest telecom operators,including Vodafone in India.The product:============Huawei Power-Fi E8231 Hot Spot Enabled Data card is a plug and play device.Just insert into any USB port and it automatically installs the drivers andtakes to its home page [...].Default username is admin and default password is admin.Once you login with these details , you can go to settings tab and set your account name and password.You can also change security settings in settings>security;settings>WLAN.Pros:1) It is a Router cum hotspot that can be connected to amaximum of 10 devices simultaneously on WiFi.2) It works on 2G and 3G networks and also works on 4G network with 3G speed.3) It is completely factory unlocked and not restricted to any one mobile service provider.4) You can use SIM from Vodafone or Tata docomo or Airtel or MTNL or BSNL or IDEA etc.5) Plug n Play operation, just plug into any USB charger to start browsing6) No need to install any software for configuration - hence operating system independent.7) Open http://192.168.8.1/ and configure the dongle settings via web browser8) Good 3G signal strength (dongle shows all 5 bars)9) Two multi-colour indication lights for status10) Has the basic features of Wifi routers (MAC filtering, WPS, DHCP settings, IP Filtering, Firewall, Virtual Server etc..)11) Allows data sharing between laptops via Wifi.12) check balance from browser itself - biggest advantage while using a limited data planInstallation and Performance:=============================I inserted SIM card and plugged into my laptop's USB port (Windows8 OS)and the drivers were installed in a few seconds and thena local network connection was created apart from creation of WiFi hotspot.First time users have to login to the system using username admin and password adminOnce you login, you can change username and password , and change default wifi network's name.There are options to configure the device to connect it to multiple devicessimultaneously(max 10) and to share with multiple users.You can see WiFi key(default network password) and SSID( default WiFi network name after logging in as admin with password admin.WiFi key and SSID can be changed.You can monitor current data usage on home page [...]and cumulative data usage by clicking on WiFi network name.The device is working flawlessly and Huawei is a trusted name in networking solutions.Max speed is 21.1 Mbps but almost all telecom operators areproviding only around 5-6 Mbps speed.Delivery:========Amazon delivered the product in a neat safe pack.The pack includes the device, instructions manual, a quick start guide. and warranty card.Verdict:======5*****You can definitely go for this unlocked product instead of opting for locked( to a specific operator) devices sold by telecom operators.SIM from any operator can be used in this device.IMP NOTE:=========Visit your mobile operator's shop and exchange your old SIM with a new 4G enabled SIM free of cost and same mobile number,to get better internet speed.Yes, the net speed depends on your SIM, with new cards giving better speed.Please hit Yes button if you like my review.

Many Amazon customers have shared reviews with clarity, i bought this product merely reading through others review. Just look for a lightning deal. So i dont intend to write anything new.BTW, if you have any queries about this Huawei product, write to " service.hw.in@mail01.huawei.com ". Even if you post 100 questions, all of them would be answered in the same order but expect reverts in-line with their policies... Customer (tehcnical) support desk of Huawei is next to excellent --- try if you might need any support.The seller with who i bought this product had zero knowledge and even retorted to saying " If Incase You Are Not Satisfied With The Product's Performance You May Contact The Amazon Customer Support Team On www.amazon.in/contact-us To Replace or Return The Product "...Too many pos, a few cons i experience as well...1. Should have had SD slot for this price2. Lights are very tiny, tiniest is most appropriate, atleast choice of colors could be different3. Sometimes it takes a time lag to get connected, though i stay very close to Docomo towers (less than 200m)4. V cannot customize username, only password can be our choice5. Everytime v access options in web management page ([...]) with a small timelag, it would mandate login6. I use Moto-E, android 4.4.4, still am not able to download HUAWEI HiLink app,google store says " my device not compatible ",Huawei service desk says " HUAWEI HiLink app supports Android 2.3 or later and iOS 6.0 or later and requested to contact MotoMoto serviece desk says " Regarding the HUAWEI app we would like to inform you that we do not have information regarding that application as the particular app is not supporting by the device we suggest you to check with the app developer ".7. This product DOES NOT SUPPORT 4g, volte, so you are forced to pay for your data, cant enjoy the now-a-days welcome offer of any 4g operator.8. V cannot check transmission speed but a few apps like wifi manager can confirm approx mbps speed.9. There are too many options in web management page, if you are not tech savvy, need to depend on reviews, huawei support team. No FAQs available10. Amazon needs to acquaint their sellers the product details and to atleast guide buyers to right desk. Merely selling product is of no use.11. Device color is always white E8231, color choice customization would be good12. Product heats a bit but not sure whether it's normal to have such heat on an electronic deviceThanks...

Pros :Speed is excellent , getting 15 mbps in night and 4-5 mbps in day but basically speed depends on signal strength ( told speed here to tell that its hardware is fully compatible of giving 21 mbps speed ) .Product has inbuilt 72 mbps wifi adapter which could even support 150mbps I guess but their is no option to change 20mhz to 40mhz, so people who wants to create homegroup and workgroup it will work at 72 mbps only ).Wireless repeater and extender modes available ( haven't tried , so can't tell about reliability )Wifi range is nearly same as any 150 Mbps standard wifi 1 antenna ( 2dbi or 5dbi antenna ) router .Takes 20 seconds to complete whole process of connecting to internet and wifi hotspot creation .Many people told here that , forcing 3g connection option isn't in these device , Yes its true but the solution is to just select manual network selection, then select the 3g network from drop down and it will work without any hassle.Many people told here about heating issue , I have personally transferred 3 gb data in last 2 hours and bang its cool as normal .So , the people who are complaing about heating problem may be using some cheap power adapter ( I am using samsung power adapter ad its working fine without any issue ).USSD option available , Current data rate check isn't their , Messaging, data usage details are availableCons :D-link data cards have 3 years warranty compared to 1year warranty in these but still its worth it because of it being feature rich against its counterpart.1 star less because MRP mention here is wrong or old product was delivered to me ( MRP 2999 here but in pack it's MRP is 2699 ) . Its manufacturing date is March 2015 ( so it's a bit old stock item ) .