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Optus 4G Pocket Modem/Router with 50GB Prepaid SIM - Huawei E5577 $69 @ Optus (Online Only)

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Optus 4G Pocket Modem/Router with 50GB Prepaid SIM - Huawei E5577 $69 @ Optus (Online Only)
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warney on 25/10/2018 - 08:41 offer.optus.com.au (900 clicks)
Last edited 25/10/2018 - 09:41 by 1 other user

Thanks to "sevenofnine" for this cracker of a deal! https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/409264

I got the TAB S4 for the old man and was looking for a modem (after getting rid of cruddy ADSL) and came across this after some lovely folk at an Optus store told me they had a promotion.
Normal price of the unit itself with a 4GB Sim is $59 online & instore.
This offer is with a 50GB Sim to be used within 28 days I believe.
Locked to Optus

Note this has an LCD not like some of the older Huawei E5573 https://www.optus.com.au/shop/prepaid/mobile-broadband/wifi/… lurking around.

Mobile Huawei Mobile Broadband Modem

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closed Comments

  • limucat on 25/10/2018 - 08:42

    Price in title plz

    • warney on 25/10/2018 - 08:43

      Just revised!

  • uncyspam on 25/10/2018 - 08:59

    Does anyone know if these are locked to Optus? Will a Kogan sim work?

    • kiwipride on 25/10/2018 - 09:07

      Good question!

    • warney on 25/10/2018 - 09:11
      +6

      I just tried with my Lebara SIM - SIM LOCK displayed

      • ozhunter68 on 25/10/2018 - 11:01
        +1

        Yes, these are locked and even after unlocking them they are missing the 4G Band 5 for Vodafone/Kogan. Should be fine on Telstra and any Optus network. Better off with the older version in listing here can be had under $30 on sale with 4/5 GB data and then get a $4.90-0.49c Kogan sim and your rolling ( if the current batches are still unlocked that is ).

        • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2018 - 11:15

          Can’t buy the old one anywhere at that price it’s 59$

          • ozhunter68 on 25/10/2018 - 11:16
            +1

            @[Deactivated]: Maybe not right now, but often on sale at Coles etc.

          • ozhunter68 on 26/10/2018 - 13:56

            @[Deactivated]: "Salian" There is also a Optus Prepaid ZTE model MF920V floating around some Kmarts/Big W's and I think around $45 but that is most likely locked and not sure how good it is. I really like my Huawei E5573's that both came unlocked out of the box and just work well with any sim you put in it.

        • nadan on 25/10/2018 - 11:18

          Can you share the link to the $30 one, I am interested. THanks

  • aldudeau on 25/10/2018 - 09:20

    Is this a good option to chuck in an optus (post-paid?) sim with 200GB to replace a crummy ADSL connection? Looking at other providers (simtel, exetel) and their modem costs are pretty high compared to this (though I get that they'd probably be better).

    • warney on 25/10/2018 - 09:21
      +1

      That is what I did for the old man.

      Took up the 200GB Tab S4 Plan and cancelled his TPG connection.

      • aldudeau on 25/10/2018 - 09:23

        Ah I see what you mean. Thanks!

      • cynical17 on 25/10/2018 - 09:49

        What kind of speeds are you getting?

        • BargainHunterMYz on 25/10/2018 - 11:49

          I am doing that. Good speed during day time, but could slows down significantly at night or early in the morning. But seems to work fine after rebooting the modem each time. Weird. Don't know why.

        • warney on 25/10/2018 - 19:00

          In 2118 I am getting 35/5

    • kehuehue on 25/10/2018 - 09:48
      +1

      Spintel offers 250GB @ 60$pm

      Currently using it as the place i moved into didnt have a stupid lead-in

      speeds are at 5mbps ;( currently but better than nothing, if you have the right tower around your area (check oztowers website) that supports the 2300Mhz band, you can get 12mbps

      • dcep on 25/10/2018 - 13:23

        12mbps … is that capped ?

        • kehuehue on 25/10/2018 - 14:12

          you mean is the speed limited? not sure, read on other forums people getting higher speeds on the specific bands

          data cap? yep

    • BigCoight on 25/10/2018 - 11:21
      +2

      I did this in lieu of NBN with the recent Optus 200GB/$80 no lock in. Streaming/gaming was fine, getting about 45-ish down & 24-ish up with ~20ms latency. But often websites wouldn't load, just timeout. Had to keep refreshing and eventually they would load. Tried a Telstra sim with the same modem (huawei e8372h with external MIMO antenna) and had no issues at all. Of course you pay more for Tel$tra.

  • MadeFromDotToDots on 25/10/2018 - 09:38
    -3

    Looks like it might just be the initial bonus data of up to 50GB and then 4GB each month. Is that correct?

    • ozhunter68 on 25/10/2018 - 11:13
      +3

      It's a prepaid modem that comes loaded with 50GB data included for a 28 day expiry, after that you recharge according to your needs/budget choosing one of the various Optus Prepaid Data Re-Charge Options.

      Also keep in mind that as it's only data, you can always become a sim slut and buy new cheap Optus/Optus reselers Data Sim starter packs loaded with cheap data as you need it. For most people the assosiated phone number can be new every time, so can burn them and start again. Unless like offer below, you get bonus data when you re-charge according to conditions.

      https://www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/prepaid

      • MadeFromDotToDots on 25/10/2018 - 21:23
        +1

        Cheers, I wasn't sure.

        Great added info by the way. That's very helpful to know, thank you!

  • lplau on 25/10/2018 - 09:59

    No cheap unlock code for this modem.

  • JamesRodriguez87 on 25/10/2018 - 11:04
    +1

    OK price and modem but still only Cat4 which means you can't aggregate multiple bands of 4G to get better speeds. Optus has the AC800s which is Cat9 BUT this is $240 and has a known restarting issue (one which Optus acknowledge but refuse to do anything about - they just keep issuing new replacements with the same problem).

    Also, 4G as an alternative to NBN is OK for the average punter but if you're a gamer, the latency sucks.

    • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2018 - 11:17

      Ok then which modem without issues would you recommend?

      • JamesRodriguez87 on 25/10/2018 - 11:25
        +2

        I would recommend getting a cheap 2nd hand phone or tablet and hotspotting it. This list will help your decision:
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_devices_with_LTE_Advan…

        Some overseas models don't have all the relevant bands as well so ensure you check the bands that your provider uses and that the device you are using covers all the major bands.

        Also, keep in mind that the range on these mobile modems (and phones/tablets) is NOT good. If you need range, you'll have to team it with an extender or bridge an existing modem

        • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2018 - 11:45

          I am currently using iPhone 7s as my modem personal hotspot, but the problem I’m having is that after couple mins of not using it’s dropping the connection. Very annoying

          • JamesRodriguez87 on 25/10/2018 - 12:00

            @[Deactivated]: Ah I see. Apple issue I think (sorry can't help as I'm unfamiliar with iphones). If you don't have another device lying around the OPs Huawei modem will suffice for a cheap, quick fix.

        • a1234my on 25/10/2018 - 16:04

          Team up with a openwrt route, on kogan but got lost internet after 6hours have to restart the phone, does Voda/kogan connect drop too after certain time?

        • ozhunter68 on 26/10/2018 - 13:42

          "JamesRodriguez87" Great advice and info if you can get one of those phones cheap enough with all your needed bands ( I would strongly suggest one that has all major AU 3G/4G bands focusing on 4G B5 and B28 to future proof and take advantage of any cheap data offers for us sim sluts lol ).

          Personally I find that as I live in a weaker signal/reception area the correct bands are more important than higher Cat speeds, although that does also help.

          I have been using a various modems and phones as hot spot, and for me a cheap prepaid Optus E5573 modem ( unlocked ) works well with Optus/Telstra/Vodafone ( loving the cheap Kogan sims in there, easier than Optus to log in and check data balance ). Tested the range Outdoors for fun the other day and was shocked to still get a usable signal over 100 m.

          I also use a Moto G5+ which has Cat 6, but as it has a weaker receiver to get signal, does not work as well often dropping signal completely ( same result with two Moto G5+ ). So it seems to be a bit of trial and error.

      • codinghelloworld on 25/10/2018 - 21:52

        I use Netgear 790s, I bought the used one with around $50-60, work flawlessly without problem. I did not have internet drop yet.

        However, I wonder is it good if it plug to the power all day, 24/7…?

        • [Deactivated] on 25/10/2018 - 23:44
          +1

          No it’s not. It eats the battery. But then again why not.

        • ozhunter68 on 26/10/2018 - 13:27

          I see that model has a removable battery, so maybe get a spare cheap one. Does it work connected without a battery? I doubt it as I just tried that with my Huawei E5573 NO GO without battery :(

          • codinghelloworld on 26/10/2018 - 16:09
            +1

            @ozhunter68: I can confirm the model Netgear 790s and 810s can work without battery, I got internet.

            The only problem that the screen on the device told me that running without battery is not recommended. So … I think I should plug/unplug device after few days, just to "refresh" the battery.

            • ozhunter68 on 26/10/2018 - 20:15
              +1

              @codinghelloworld: Not sure why they recommend not to run without battery if it works ok without any problems. I have actually read that one of the Vodafone modems has further range on power rather than battery only.

              Personally, if it works without battery, and you usually run it 24/7 I would ignore what Telstra wrote and use it plugged in without battery. I actually like the battery in it as I often unplug to move to different part of house or bring it with me as a mobile.

  • YRT on 25/10/2018 - 11:09
    +4

    Just a comment on the modem over long term use / Adsl substitute. I had the previous version e5573 connected to charger 24x7, and every month I ran the battery down for maintenance. The battery bulged with in 6 months; I thought this was once off manufacturing defect, so had the device replaced under warranty. The 2nd unit developed battery bulging within 6 months also.

    I had to chuck it out as I lost the receipt, and Optus retail shop refused to exchange without receipt.

    I’d say the modem is good for occasional use.

    • ozhunter68 on 25/10/2018 - 11:20

      My experience with the e5573 has been the opposite ( maybe older batch as I had it now for a few years ), battery still great on two of them.

      I do not leave it plugged in 24/7 though, sometimes all day and even overnight, but often power them down after few hours and most of the time before going to bed. Works great with Telstra and Kogan sims too.

    • lgacb08 on 25/10/2018 - 11:20

      Maybe buy one of the wifi smart plug and schedule to turn charger on/off after certain amount of time?

    • garage sale on 25/10/2018 - 12:52
      +1

      yep, i ended up getting the usb modem which aldo does wifi hotspot …..doesn’t have a battery so can run 24x7 off charger, also works in tplink router in backup mode if you want more control and features if using for the whole house.

      • YRT on 25/10/2018 - 14:41

        Tplink website lists mostly 3g dongles. Which USB modem do you use?

    • adr8 on 26/10/2018 - 09:53
      +1

      I have the E5377 & E5786 they're both a few years old now without any sign of batteries bulging. Mine are mostly connected 24/7 although I do discharge the batteries to 40% every few months. Do you discharge to 0% every month? Maybe the deep discharges damaged the battery? Only time I discharge to 0% is if the battery gauge needs recalibrating.

      • ozhunter68 on 26/10/2018 - 13:47

        Wow, your onto it. I try to do that with my laptops, and sometimes still get caught out on those. I'm getting better though. Your a good inspiration lol.

        They are both nice modems. Where did you buy those from, not your run of the mill cheap prepaid models sold at supermarkets here.

  • mudkipz on 25/10/2018 - 14:33
    +1

    What kind of information does the screen display? Can it show how much data you have remaining for the month?

    • warney on 25/10/2018 - 19:02
      +1

      Signal strength, network 4g etc and data used

  • hammo on 25/10/2018 - 16:06

    They wouldn't honour this instore. $99.

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