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Novatel Mifi 2352 with Viva

Purchasing the Novatel Mifi 2352 is a procurement that I’m never going to regret. Not only I can access the Internet with my phone through a wifi router that can fit in my pocket, but I can also use my PDA and Zune HD to access the web at the same connection (subscription) while on-the-go. Sharing my connection with my Internet-savvy friends is also a big plus. In this post I’m not writing a review about the device but a quick test. Why should I write another review when there are a lot of reviews online?

 

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The following test is based on my connection which is an HSDPA connection from Viva Telecom in Kuwait. According to the carrier, my subscription speed can reach up to 7.2 Mbps. I bought the device from Cameo store which is located in Hawalli, Kuwait, for 72KD. And it comes with various wiring options and a small how-to-get-started print.

 

Speed Test

Here comes the speed testing in Salwa area, but keep in mind that lots of variables can game here. I just want to give you a sense on what this device is capable of. I’m not doing a scientific or geekish connection test, I’m just doing the regular method of quick speed testing for a regular web citizen to understand.

 

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I’m going to do the speed testing with both the Mifi 2352 and my old USB dongle Huawei E180 for comparison. I’ll use the same sim card on both connections. Note that both devices supports up to HSPA speed, that’s up to 7.2 Mbps for both devices and it’s stated on the datasheets of both devices.

 

Capture2 The image above represent the status of the connection on the Mifi 2352 device. As you can see, it is connected by HSPA technology (HSDPA & HSUPA). I did the test to a server located in Washington DC by Speakeasy. The first test of the Mifi 2352 resulted about 1.74Mbps download and 0.27Mbps upload. I switched back to the Huawei USB dongle and the tested result was 2.19 Mbps for download and 0.24Mbps for upload.

 

I did both tests again and the result was:

  • Novatel Mifi 2352: Download 1.09Mbps – Upload 0.28Mbps
  • Huawei E180: Download 2.92Mbps – Upload 0.21 Mbps

Definitely there are differences in the performance of both devices. It seem that the USB dongle is faster on downloading. Again, this is a quick-test to have a sense of what to expect from the Mifi 2352. It’s not a scientific test and it is not reliable testing method and I’m doing this in uncontrollable testing environment.

 

I’ll do more testing later and then I’ll report back.

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  1. April 3rd, 2010 at 19:30 | #1

    I suggest you download the latest firmware and drivers for both devices and give it another shot.

    Also, the Huawei supports only 2 frequencies: 900 & 2100 MHz, while the Novatel supports 3: 900, 1900 & 2100 MHz for HSUPA & HSDPA. So maybe you should manually select the frequency that best plays with your carrier rather than have on auto-select, if there exist such an option.

    I should note that a few months back someone released an exploit code to reset the passwords of these devices and gain access, and can also obtain your location using the built-in GPS even if you had turned it off before. Update!

  2. SalehCoder
    April 3rd, 2010 at 21:47 | #2

    Thanks for your input.
    I have the latest firmware.
    I don’t really care about that exploit really.

  3. dhien2
    June 13th, 2010 at 02:45 | #3

    @MBH
    Do you have a link to the latest mifi 2352 novatel firmware? I’m so frustrated because I can’t use the Mifi GPS capabilities while the hardware is inside there. And the only reason I chose this Novatel out of another brand is it’s build in GPS.
    Thanks in advance

  4. Spoon
    June 21st, 2010 at 15:33 | #4

    http://www.vodafone.de/hilfe-support/technischer-support/97005_164975.html

    I had loads of probs before, but the firmware worked just fine!

  5. Omar
    August 3rd, 2010 at 11:20 | #5

    My Mifi driving me crazy. I’m on my second Mifi 2352 unit (bought from Cameo). I returned the first one because it freezes and flashed blue and red, and nothing will solve it expect for removing the battery. The second unit I got started doing the exact same thing. The Cameo guy told me its a VIVA problem. I tried a friend’s Zain sim for a whole 5 days without a single problem. Then as soon as I switched back to my VIVA sim its crashing and hanging every 3 min or so. WTF??? According to Cameo guy many people using VIVA have returned the unit because of the same problem. Is there a setting or something I am missing? Are you having similar issues Saleh? Thanks.

  6. Omar
    August 3rd, 2010 at 11:23 | #6

    Forgot to mention, I’m using the latest FW 5.26 (released last week), but still have the same annoying problem.

  7. SalehCoder
    August 3rd, 2010 at 11:43 | #7

    @Omar
    Yes Omar I’m having the same problem and I was told by a friend that this bug occurs only when using Viva. I have the firmware before the latest one. I had to remove the battery like every 3 hours or so to reset the device because the off button doesn’t work when it bugs out. I have no knowledge of any solution for that issue. Please let me know if you find any solution 🙂

  8. Omar
    August 3rd, 2010 at 12:05 | #8

    @SalehCoder
    Well this sucks! Now I have to change providers 🙁 I like VIVA and get 3mb download most of the time at my house. Zain’s 20gb limit makes it useless. Do you know if Wataniya is any good (I live right by the Scientific Center)?

    PS: Here’s the new firmware if you are interested. Finally adds GPS functionality (only in tethered mode), and supposedly reduces heating. http://bit.ly/c4Wg2C

  9. SalehCoder
    August 3rd, 2010 at 12:12 | #9

    @Omar
    Viva is faster most of the time because they have less costumers hence less stress on the connection. I have no idea whatsoever about Wataniya’s connection. However, I’m applying for job there now so I might know soon if I got hired 😛

    Thanks for the link of the latest firmware. I really appreciate it 🙂

  10. Omar
    August 6th, 2010 at 17:01 | #10

    @SalehCoder
    Hey man, check this out (read the comments):
    http://www.zdistrict.com/2010/03/08/google-nexus-one-with-zain-wataniya-viva/

    Could this be the problem? I’ve noticed that the VIVA sim card looks different from both wataniya and zain. The connectors are much narrower. What do u think?

  11. Faisal
    August 8th, 2010 at 18:43 | #11

    I too have the same problem. Does changing SIM card fix the problem? Please help.

  12. SalehCoder
    August 9th, 2010 at 01:10 | #12

    @Omar
    I know there are two types of sim cards, the normal one and the micro-sim card. I’m no telecommunication savvy but I think it is a problem with the Mifi since the device itself bugs out.

    @Faisal For now it seems the problem is only with Viva sim card. According to the salesman, the problem occurs only with Viva.

  13. Frank
    August 18th, 2010 at 23:58 | #13

    The same problem occurs with Vodafone in Germany. No solution here yet that I know of.

  14. Mert
    November 4th, 2010 at 20:28 | #14

    What is this gps for ?
    Can i share my location to others with mifi?
    What kind of software installed inside?
    Is there any web site to track mifi devices?
    I normally do it with my iphone with some softwares, but if mifi does it alone, than it is perfect…

  15. Jamil
    June 17th, 2011 at 15:06 | #15

    I have the same problem with Zain. I have it for a long time, and it always bugs out.

    It always happens when the throughput is really fast. With Zain, when I surpassed certain GB of data (after a week of download) it will slow down my connection. After that the device stays ON for days and days without a hitch.

    But for the remaining weeks of the month, my connection is reallyyyyyyyyy sssssllllllloooooooowwwwww! I hate Zain!

  16. February 16th, 2012 at 16:07 | #16

    Those of you facing the issue of random freezes, try the steps below, it solved my problem

    1. Install the Generic Novatel 5.26.2 package — http://www.novatelwireless.com/content/files/MiFi/20418764_MUU_MiFi23x2_FW5.26.2_ML3.00.57_NvtlGeneric_v1.2_pkg.zip

    This updates the Web UI, firmwares and a lot of things. The Web UI will be changed to the default Novatel version.
    You will lose the GPS functionality and DLNA server if your carrier’s firmware came with it.

    2. Now load the Bell 5.28 firmware — http://www.novatelwireless.com/content/files/Bell/20419312_MUU_MSM7225_Build_5.28_pkg.zip

    This will just upgrade just the firmware and leave all other parts as it is.

    After following the above steps, the freezing issue vanished and the device is much stable with the same SIM.

  17. February 16th, 2012 at 16:08 | #17

    Forgot to mention that my device is an AT&T Novatel 2372 Mifi which came unlocked and I am using it in India on BSNL network.

  18. SalehCoder
    February 16th, 2012 at 16:13 | #18

    @Vivek Thomas
    Thank you for your solution

  19. Liviu
    September 4th, 2020 at 17:57 | #19

    @Vivek Thomas
    Would you happen to still have a copy of the 20419312_MUU_MSM7225_Build_5.28_pkg.zip firmware package ?

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