The Huawei E587 is a high end wireless modem (aka MiFi, Mobile Hotspot, Mobile WiFi) supporting Dual Carrier HSPA+ making it one of the fastest 3G devices available.

The E587 is not a true 4G device as many websites are suggesting (probably for marketing reasons). It uses the latest 3G technologies to get high download speeds of up to 42Mbps. As always, in the real world this speed is not achievable and expect top downloads speeds to be more in the region of 16Mbps. Networks that don’t support DC-HSPA+ will see the max download speed considerably lower. None the less, the reported real world speeds we’re hearing about are very impressive.

Note: Sadly no UK networks currently support DC-HSPA (up to 42Mbps) so only expect HSPA+ speeds (up to 21Mbps).

As with just about all wireless modems the E587 can support up to 5 Wi-Fi devices connected simultaneously. Considering how mobile broadband speeds have gone up dramatically compared to the first wireless modems (e.g. Huawei E5830) it would make sense to enable more Wi-Fi connections.

The Huawei E587 can be bought independently and is available from the following network operators:
-    T-Mobile (USA) - called the Sonic 4G Mobile Hotspot
-    Telus (Canada) – called the E587
-    Three (unconfirmed reports)

Three UK have just released (5th September 2011) their new HSPA+ MiFi, the E586. The device is made by the Chinese tech company Huawei.

The E586 can be unlocked for use with any mobile network operator.

The E586 has the same form and dimensions as Three’s current (old) E585 MiFi with an improved, glossier finish.

The device is fully pre-configured and ready for immediate use. For those who like to customise settings, this can be done by connecting to the E586’s web admin console using a web browser.

The admin console can be accessed by opening a web browser and entering http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar and using ‘Admin’ as both the username and password. This is the default configuration.

Mobile WiFi devices are becoming more popular with nearly all the main UK network operators offering an option.

The only network of note not to supply a mobile WiFi device is O2. Who seem to be pushing WiFi hotspots supplied by The Cloud and BT OpenZone.

For those that might be wondering what the difference is between a MiFi and Mobile WiFi, the answer is nothing. The term ‘MiFi’ is just a trademark name (owned by Novatel) for Mobile WiFi.

Which Mobile WiFi device is the best?
We are regularly asked this question and to be honest, the current offerings are all very similar in specification and no one device is that much better than any of the others.

Below are the unique features that distinguish each device from the other.

Vodafone R201

T-Mobile Wireless Pointer (aka Huawei E583c)


- Has a connection (CRC9) for an external antenna, useful for poor signal locations


Orange 3352

- Has GPS & assisted GPS, good for those that use location based apps
- Advanced options that business users may find useful

Three E585

- The smallest and most portable device