Comments on: 3G Internet as Backup

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 07:05:16 +0000

I know this is an older thread… but- I just arrived in Nairobi with my cradlepoint MBR1000… I bought a safaricom modem and thought it would work.. they sold me a huawai e173.. I am not able to make it work with the router… Any advice? Are you here in NBO? Anyone here that might be able to talk me through the installation? Thanks!

By: Mikul Shah

Mikul Shah — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:24:26 +0000

Anyone currently using a Huawei E5 (e5830) MiFi modem in Kenya? It seems perfect for truly mobile broadband access, for up to 5 devices and should work Safaricom when unlocked. Hopefully will have one in a few weeks to test.

By: Roy

Roy — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:35:17 +0000

Edimax is a 3G router and currently using it with a Safaricom sim and its excellent, not sure if 3g router are sold here in Kenya except for the safaricom’s one. what is a shame. Maybe I should start a business.

By: KW

KW — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:30:37 +0000

I had a chance to get one of these (or the previous model..not sure which) in May. Called Cradlepoint and they told me in no uncertain terms not to bother buying the thing because Safaricom/Huawei combo was not one of the combos it is programmed/designed/allowed to work with.

I’m no techy so I took them at their word. I was not willing to gamble spending $300 on something I couldn’t guarantee would work well.

Is there no way to rig a normal wireless router to work with a 3G/HSDPA modem? I stumbled across this looking for a modem with a USB-in.

Would you let us know how it goes with the antenna. My 3G coverage is pretty poor…would be interested in one of those (or instructions on making). I use the e220.

By: Wayan

Wayan — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 02:17:21 +0000

Eric, I actually know those UCC people who used the CradlePoint with OLPC, a full writeup can be found here: Twinning Canadian and Kenyan Schools with XO Laptops

By: HASH

HASH — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:25:47 +0000

I’ve fabricated antennas from scratch before and had my best success with omni-directional ones. We’re not dealing with any variation in the spectrum here either, so once I’ve established the wavelengths setting up a spider web will be my first experiment.

What I need to get started: one of those tiny antenna plugs… Must be somewhere to get them here. If not, I’ll have you send one down from Germany JKE. 🙂

By: jke

jke — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 13:22:26 +0000

@Zulusafari: thx for the info!

Maybe a Skunkworker knows where to get them? You could also build your own, but I think the problem will be to get the thin cable and the plug. The antenna itself can even be done jua kali – the interesting part is building them and seeing which array (Yagi, Cigar, etc.) will be the one with the best antenna gain (dBi).

Or maybe an extension cable between the router and the usb modem will also already do the job – just a short one, these router usb ports are often chronically underpowered (< 500 mA). Or use a powered hub? Maybe this way you'll have less interference between the 2.4Ghz & ~1.9-2.2GHz ranges.

I am with Zulus. though when he said that most of these antennas don't make such a big difference. But maybe the ones I've tested where 0dBi antennas and more omni-directional. Living in .DE, I would of course only buy them off-the-shelf, also due to the tiny antenna plugs which are a pain to solder. I think I would even order them from eBay, or at least scan it for DIY instructions/inspirations.

Isn't there a fundi / student in Nbo who builds such antennas and has already done the testing?

73s!

By: HASH

HASH — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 09:19:30 +0000

My next pet project is to hack an antenna for this Huawei e160 – unless I can find a prefabbed one locally. Where I live now I get 1-2 bars which isn’t optimal. If I could put an antenna on the roof and just plug into it when I get home, that would be the best solution.

Johnny, I’d think that Nakuru would be one of those secondary markets where you’ll start seeing speed increases as the networks finish up in the main hubs of Nairobi and Mombasa. Until then, I guess it’s only EDGE connections for you if you’re going through the mobile operators.

By: Johnny Brooks

Johnny Brooks — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 06:30:30 +0000

Thanks for the info. I have been thinking of setting up router to use, especially should Safaricom offer unlimited package. Unfortunately I haven’t noticed any benefit of the fiber optic cable here in Nakuru.

By: zulusafari

zulusafari — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 20:33:22 +0000

@jke

Yup, that USB modem does have the antennae port. I’ve never seen any for sale in Nairobi, but I’m sure they could be found. Personally, I’ve never found external antennas to be very helpful. Mainly helpful to position the antenna outside or something like that.