Whirlpool

I am going Wireless and need help please to make a fully informed decision on what modem to buy.

1. Do all network providers have networks to fully support the Huawei E1762 features, or only Optus does?

2. Does the E1762 perform better than the E160E?

3. What is the main reasons why people would buy the E1762 over the E160E?

4. Is it a waste of money to pay so much extra for the E1762? Is it overkill to have a E1762?

Thanks everyone. I need to make a decision this week and value your feedback.

Apostle-Olympas writes...

1. Do all network providers have networks to fully support the Huawei E1762 features, or only Optus does?

No, Optus and Vodafone both do 7.2 megabits down in some places, but Three only do 3.6 megabits, and it wont work on NextG/Telstra.

2. Does the E1762 perform better than the E160E?

Yes, its a 7.2 megabit device, the E160 is only 3.6 megabits.

4. Is it a waste of money to pay so much extra for the E1762? Is it overkill to have a E1762?

No & No

losi writes...

its a 7.2 megabit device, the E160 is only 3.6 megabits.

So at the end of the day. They will both do the same thing, but the 1762 can download and upload faster. That's it?

Apostle-Olympas writes...

download and upload faster

and faster pings, so it feels snappier when browsing, and I guess its better for gaming, but I don't really do gaming.

Apostle-Olympas writes...

That's it?

Thats pretty much it, but for the price difference its worth it, Optus in most places performs better then the E160 supports.

Optus Prepaid Broadband has the E1762 for $99 with 5 GB of credit over 6 months currently, the device would be network locked to the Optus network though.

losi writes...

Optus Prepaid Broadband has the E1762 for $99 with 5 GB of credit over 6 months

Sounds good.

the device would be network locked to the Optus network though.

I can always unlock it right?

Does anyone know what model modem this is from Virgin?

http://www.virginmobile.com.au/Shop/ProductSummary/6523/USB-Modem-Prepaid-Mobile-Broadband

cabletee writes...

Does anyone know what model modem this is from Virgin?

E160E

Apostle-Olympas writes...

I can always unlock it right?

After $80-100 of recharges, cant find the correct amount, or use something like dc-unlocker

Apostle-Olympas writes...

2. Does the E1762 perform better than the E160E?

Yes. E1762 supports HSDPA & HSUPA (HSDPA = High Speed Downlink Packet Access, HSUPA = High Speed Uplink Packet Access), meaning that the E1762 will operate at a theoretical download maximum speed of 7.2 Mbps (category 8 HSDPA used in Australia) and a theoretical upload speed of 2.93 Mbps (category 4 HSUPA is used in Australia).

The E160e does not support HSDPA/HSUPA and its theoretical download max speed is 3.6 Mbps. Its Upload max is 0.38 Mbps.

HSDPA/HSUPA devices also deliver better ping times.

1. Do all network providers have networks to fully support the Huawei E1762 features, or only Optus does?

No.

Optus and Vodafone have extensive HSDPA/HSUPA networks that operate on 2100 MHz in the cities and 900 MHz in the bush, though not all towers are HSDPA/HSUPA capable. Both the E1762 and the E160e operate on both these frequency bands.

Telstra accesses 2100 MHz infrastructure in the major cities that was originally owned by 3 (now Vodafone/Hutchinson). This network has, in general, NOT been upgraded to HSDPA/HSUPA so it will not exploit the HSDPA/HSUPA capabilities of the E1762 and if you operate on this (older) network exclusively, save your money and buy the E160e.

3 uses the same infrastructure as Telstra on the 2100 MHz network. It only serves the major cities and and as discussed above is not HSDPA/HSUPA capable.

Telstra's NextG network, which extensively covers the cities and the bush, is HSDPA/HSUPA compliant but operates on the 850 MHz band. Neither the E1762 nor the E160e will operate at this frequency so if you plan to access Telstra NextG, don't buy either of the Huawei devices.

3. What is the main reasons why people would buy the E1762 over the E160E?

Double the download speed, about 7 times the upload speed and better pings.

4. Is it a waste of money to pay so much extra for the E1762? Is it overkill to have a E1762?

This depends on your requirements. If you are a gamer, you will likely appreciate the better ping performance. Otherwise, probably not. If you do considerable or heavy uploading of large files, the vastly better upload speed will make a big difference to your life. Otherwise, probably not. The double download speed is a nice-to-have but once again, not particularly noticeable unless you plan to do heavy downloading. Streaming video such as ABC iView will work fine with an E160e.

Note that there are plenty of sub-$100 deals around for the E1762 – you don't need to pay big prices for the E1762.

Whichever way you jump, you will soon find that your aggregate data costs will greatly exceed your modem price so that's worth weighing up too. For the sake of a price difference of about $50 I would opt for the E1762.

Get the Virgin Mobile Broadband USB modem from Australia Post for under $100. Check the model of the modem on the back of the package before you pay, Australia Post would usuaully have the Virgin USB modem in the E1762 model. You can use this modem for Optus sim if you don't like using Virgin (virtual mobile carrier of Optus network). Not sure if you can use other virtual carrier that use the Optus Network though as this required a sim card from each brand out there.

T-H-T writes...

Get the Virgin Mobile Broadband USB modem from Australia Post for under $100.

Coles are selling them for $45. Dick Smith too will price match.

Apostle-Olympas writes...

Coles are selling them for $45.

Really? The E1762? If they are then buy it before its gone, but I think its most likely only an E160E, but anyway they'll all be gone in the next few days, if you wait too long there'll be none left.

zaxa writes...

Really? The E1762?

Some people are getting the E160E and someone reported they got the E1762.

if you wait too long there'll be none left.

None left today when I want in. I missed it anyway.