Half price MF910Z dongle:
Starts Mon, 29 Jan. 2018 - Ends Sun, 25 Feb. 2018
HALF PRICE. Connect up to 10 Wi-Fi enabled devices simultaneously. Battery life up to 8 hours. Includes 3GB of data with 30 day expiry to use in Australia.
If you're lucky it might activate with 5GB as that's the going Telstra rate.
Top it up before 26/2 and you should get the current Telstra bonus data https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/356392
Edit:
2 users confirmed getting 10GB total data.
Why not buying a 4G phone when on special for the same price instead of these?
I have a couple of mobile WiFi modems but I've never used them! I have two 4G Android phones (bought for the same price) that I use as backups and personal hotspot on the go.
Am I missing something here?
It cost me $10. I'd hate to think what the UX is like on a $10 Android phone.
I have this permanently plugged in as my home internet.
Suits my use case perfectly.
These you can leave on 24/7 if you want plugged into power and often they pick up and send out a stronger signal where phones with hotspot on runs really hot, especially whilst hotspot+charging which you need to often do as this really consumes power quickly.
Also for people with weaker signal, you can add an external antenna to many of these as well as this model.
I have a 4G phone which I bought on special for half price, plugged in, 24/7 as my clock, weather station, and backup Wi-Fi hotspot for over a years. It easily outperforms my mobile Wi-Fi modem in any way you argue.
I have another 3 Android devices plugged in 24/7 as security cameras, clocks, weather stations, digital photo frames and never had any issues regarding poor Wi-Fi signals, heating up or anything else. The oldest one has Android 4 and there is nothing wrong with the UX.
In fact the pain is the UX on a $60 useless mobile Wi-fi with no way to see anything or change the settings without having another phone or a computer but if that suits you better, that's the way to go.
@pal:
Sounds like multiple cheap Android phones is the way to go for you and I'm sure many others.
Was just mentioning that for people who use a mobile phone with hotspot a lot for their main internet use, often a portable modem could suit better as it can be faster than a cheap low spec Androind phone especially if your in an area where there is a weak signal or data congection.
I use both portable mobile wifi's ( have one dedicated for all three networks and juggle between them ), as well as using various mid-range and cheap mobile phones for either part time hotspot and direct internet use using the phone itself to surf the net and YouTube etc.
Will they offer free AFL streaming to customers this year?
It's already started, search for the deal on ozbargain (sorry I'm on mobile so can't really link)
Anyone has a good reputable link/site to unlock this?
If you do get it unlocked, which provided is best for Data capacity and quality in Sydney?
I used these guys (they posted on OzB back when woollies sold this router for $10).
https://www.ebay.com.au/usr/mobunlockingmaster
Cost me $2.19, worked perfectly…
thank you nocure and xdirex
Would a Belong SIM work in this dongle?
Once unlocked.
Not sure if it would work locked but I wouldn't count on it.
I put a Belong SIM in an older model and it worked, but YMMV with this model
Different model though V vs Z. No idea what the actual difference between the two is, and I have no reason to go chasing specs - I own too many of these dongles as it is.
The V is dual channel (2.4 and 5 Ghz) I believe.
You're right…the Z has slightly longer operating time (8 vs 7 hrs).
All the versions described here.
http://www.ztemobiles.com.au/mbb_products.htm
To me the MF910 with no letters or numbers looks like the pick of the bunch. Easy to read display. 2.4 and 5GHz.
@syousef:
Yep.. THat's the pick.
the MF910 has dual band WiFi,
And supports several more LTE and 3G bands.
I got mine over two years ago iirc.
Since then all the models released seem to be just a cost cutting exercise.
Use it for travelling hot spot in Malaysia , last only about 4 hours
Heavy usage. Used battery pack to charge along.
How does the specs compare to the 4G wifi modem for Optus (E5573)?
Not comparing the specs directly, but looking at performance as I also have a Optus E5573 which I have been using for over a year on the Optus network, the E5573 is slow to boot and lock on to the Optus network. The LED indicator is vague as it just does not tell enough of what is happening with the modem. I was actually looking for a replacement when I found this on offer, with a decent 365 day offer from Telstra. The Telstra modem boots much quicker and locks on to the network very quickly. The MF910Z probably has a larger battery as well.
Thanks for that. You reckon, if you unlock this device that you could still use your Optus sim in it
This post talks about the frequencies:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/357554
Whirlpool says:
3G bands
850MHz (B5) – Telstra Vodafone
900MHz (B8) – Optus, Vodafone –
2100MHz (B1) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
Mandatory handset band support
Telstra – 3G 850MHz (B5)
Optus – 3G 900MHz (B8)
Vodafone – 3G 900MHz (B8) 850MHz (B5)
4G/LTE bands
Australia is currently using these LTE bands
2100Mhz (B1) – Telstra (a handful of sites), Optus (Tasmania), Vodafone
1800Mhz (B3) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
850Mhz (B5) – Vodafone
2600Mhz (B7) – Telstra, Optus
900Mhz (B8) – Telstra (a handful of sites, utilises spectrum previously used by 2G)
700Mhz (B28) – Telstra, Optus
2300Mhz (B40) – Optus (Vivid Wireless spectrum)
However ZTEmobile telstra spec says:
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Network compatibility
LT E
Band 1, 3, 7, 8, 28
UMTS 850, 2100 MHz
I'm guessing it will work fine. Possibly not on 3G?
Anybody else tried it on Optus?
I've used mine on Ovo (Optus), Kogan (Voda) and Telstra.
While it doesn't have all the bands for either, it worked ok for me, but my dedicated Voda one is much faster now.
I've had no issues with speed with my E5573. Agree the indicator lights are crap. But Is spent $10 on a couple of them and they're my preferred modem. No fiddling with manually setting up and selecting provider every time you put in a different sim.
Have you tried running a Voda sim in there? Did it work without setting up? My Telstra sim worked first go but not Voda sim without getting into software set up portal first.
I bought the modem from AUSPOST last Fri, just opened the box and activated the sim. There is 10GB data shown on the login website. Just let you know :)
You have to activated before Sep 2019. Maybe there is a promotion from Telstra if you activated sim in the modem recently to get 10 GB data. It's perfect for TAS travelling.
Yeh mine shows 10gb as well
Lucky! That's the current promotion of 5GB+5GB free. Mine only came up with 5GB but possibly because I picked up the older model (MF910V) which came with a car kit. Hoping it will carry forward with the next bonus recharge before 26/2.
Dumb question but what is the difference between the MF910V vs MF910Z?
MF910V vs MF910Z
Anyone else getting poor speeds with this.
I'm only getting 0.5 mbps download.
When on my phones telstra sim i'm getting 10mbps +
I used Google speed test, 47.4Mbps/17.1Mbps, quite good! All default setting. Sydney city area.
I think you can go to Telstra store for support. Or try to reset the modem.
Can the modem be used while it is charging?
Yes
Mine has been plugged in and left on for months - it's my home internet connection.
Sorry double post. Damn iPad or my finger tick.
I was about to go and purchase this modem until I noticed the one I have has the LCD screen. I think it is the MF910 4GX not sure if the one here has any advantages over mine¿
Also, Officeworks has it for the same price, but in the specs they are saying it has a touch screen. FFS how many versions of this modem is there?
Cheers
The touchscreens are made by Netgear.
Almost worth it just for the 10GB of included data at the moment and handy as a spare ready to go if battery low or main unit packed it in. Dropped mine today on tiles whilst vacuuming and back of case popped of. Clipped cover back and still going strong.
Careful about this 10GB - Telstra promotes it as 5GB + 5GB bonus. Some prepaid broadband products promotes the bonus as available for summer - activate before 26 or 27th Feb.
https://www.telstra.com.au/mobile-phones/prepaid-mobiles/30-…
Sure, the Bonus 5GB is only a bonus if you activate and can use the data for Feb/March, otherwise you would just get 5GB data before sim expiry.
As you probably know already, $30 prepaid mobile broadband credit only gives you usually 3Gb/28-30 days ( bonus 5GB if activate before 26/2/2018 ), so still getting the modem for free unless your a sim slut and get data cheaper lol.
Costs about $2 for an unlock code on eBay.
These work great - I've been using one for months for my home internet, you can even disable isolation mode and network your devices through this.