A WiFi/3G Modem review wouldn’t be complete if the speed test is not covered isn’t it?
1) Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 Speed Test
The mobile broadband speed tests were run with Maxis Mobile Speed Test app, available from Apple’s iTunes.
The app is originally developed for the iPhone, thus the resolution is smaller when used on the iPad.
Locations for these tests are within the Klang Valley, especially the shopping centers of Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur City Center.
As you might already know, the performance of speed tests like these are affected by a few factors:
- Network coverage/location
– Depending on the location you are at and the network infrastructure, you might be getting GPRS, EDGE, 3G or HSDPA. So the speed for these will varies.
- Network traffic
– If there are high traffic volume transfer within a location, naturally, the speed will also be reduced due to network congestion.
- Time of the day
– Just like the factor of network traffic, depending on the time of the day, the number of users will varies and thus affect traffic volume.
From my tests for the past few days, I would rate the speed of Maxis Mobile Broadband 7/10.
Based on the test history (images above and below), most of the time I’m able to get over 1 Mbps. There was only one instance where I got 2829kbps.
That was for the download speed. For the upload speed however, I’m not very impressed.
I personally think considering the factors like being a mobile broadband and not wired, with average speed of above 1Mbps, the service should be commended. (I have 1Mbps Streamyx and you know we all ain’t getting 1Mbps)
Also do not get misled with the Maxis WiFi Modem box that stated 7.2Mbps download and 5.76Mbps upload capability. The modem is capable of such speed, but you need such infrastructure to support it.
All in all, with the average 1Mbps download and the mobility of Internet access, this can be considered very good.
In fact, from the perspective of comparing with wired broadband especially Streamyx, Maxis mobile broadband does have the upper hand.
Speed is better and you’re not limited to only your home.
Factors to consider is only the costs you need to pay depending on your data usage.
It is also good to know that I have previously scored a whopping 3509kbps with my Maxis 3G data plan (not with the WiFi Modem E5832), so you probably know that Maxis network is actually capable of that, with all the factors highlighted earlier taken into account.
On another note, there are other ways to test the speed of the network besides downloading the app.
Maxis has its own speedtest web page.
A common tools among netizens is Speedtest.net.
You can also download the Speedtest.net mobile app, developed by Ookla, which is actually the same developer of Maxis Mobile Speed Test app.
2) Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 Signal Strength Test
I also did another test with the WiFi Modem, which is to compare its WiFi signal strength with my WiFi router modem D-Link DSL-2640T.
Placed side-by-side, the Maxis WiFi Modem E5832 generally is weaker as compared to it.
Images below are taken with WiFi Analyzer Android app.
‘Marvin‘ is the WiFi AP from D-Link router modem, while ‘E5832-78de‘ is the Maxis WiFi Modem.
The results goes to show that the signal strength for the portable WiFi modem isn’t too bad, just that you should place it near your WiFi-client devices for better reception.
Disclosure:
This post is in participation of Maxis10 Reviewers Programme, where 10 reviewers are given devices to use for a specific period of time to provide a fair and honest review to their readers.
Although it is my best effort to provide an honest review, the ultimate judgement is yours to make.
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Gadgets, Malaysia, Review
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