This is the Novatel Ovation HSUPA Modem (supplied by Mobilx) that’s being called the worlds smallest HSUPA-capable USB modem. Its small, that’s for sure. Its fast too!
Tech Specs:
- Tri-band HSUPA/HSDPA – 850/1900/2100 MHz
- Quad-band EDGE/GPRS – 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- Supports 7.2 Mbps Downlink; 384 kbps upload speed at launch
- Firmware upgrade available for HSUPA, providing 2.1 Mbps uplink speeds
- 70 x 25 x 12 mm
- 37g
This has to be the simplest and fastest modem I’ve ever installed. All the software is contained in flash memory on the device so its about as plug and play as you can get. It took 5 minutes from unboxing to using which is very good.
And the results? Well considering that I’m not in an HSUPA-upgraded area (although its a little difficult to tell exactly what speed I’m connected at because the Novatel software doesn’t give you that information) its pretty damn fast! Speedtest.net gave me an average 2mbps download (2.7mbps maximum) and over 400kbps upload figures. That’s the fastest I’ve ever seen from any HSDPA device in my office.
Its really small. Compared to my last USB HSDPA modem its tiny. It comes with a USB extension cable and holder that allows you to hang it from the back of a screen. On a ultra mobile PC its a messy affair but on a traditional notebook it would be perfect. First impressions on the reception quality are very good. It appears to perform as well, or better than both my built-in HSDPA modems. I haven’t done any battery drain tests yet but I’m not expecting it to be a problem.
I’ll have more to say about it over the next few weeks but really, for Price Euro 199,00 (exclusive of tax) its got be the easiest and fastest way to get connected to the Internet if you have more than one device.
Here’s an unboxing and demo video (HQ WMV version at Blip.tv) including usage and the important speedtest result. Oh, and thanks very much to Mobilx.hu for sending it over to test.
You liked it so much you posted it twice!
Strange!
Thanks for the note. All fixed now
hey do you think it will work on a pda running windows mobile 6. i thought i saw it supported vista, xp, and something else.. i wonder if there is any way to get around it if it doesnt.
Renny.
Good question but I have no idea what the answer is to that. I don’t have the product any more either so I cant test it. Sorry!
Steve.
Do you know what’s inside? I want to open it and use the pci express card (if there is one) in a Samsung Q1 Ultra… Any Info’s of the inside?
Jan.
I havent opened it. I’d say its too small to be a PCI-express card inside.
Steve.
Does not work with Windows 7. Seems to crash during software installation.
Novatel Wireless MC950D works with Windows 7 built 7000.
1.Installed the drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
2.Installed Mobilink V. 2.02 (which will not detect your wireless device).
3.Installed Mobilink V 2.8.36.9 from Wireless device MC950D to Vista PC
4. Copy “C:\Program Files\Novatel Wireless” folder from Vista to Windows 7 PC.
5. Create a shortcut to your desktop for “Lite.exe” from folder “C:\Program Files\Novatel Wireless\Mobilink\”
That’s it!
I don’t know if step 2 is required.
how will I upgrade firmware on the usbkey ? I have a vodafone branded connection manager and I would like to switch to Mobilink lite.
Novatel Wireless MC950D also works with Windows 7 Release Candidate build 7100 using the above steps.
And yes step 2 is required.
You can find V. 2.02 in the downloads section of http://support.mobilx.hu/
Good luck !
After testing with Windows 7 final release the Novatel MC950D WILL MAKE YOUR SYSTEM UNSTABLE.
The installer works and it connects but your system will completely freeze if you try to diconnect or shut down your computer while being connected.
You have to do a hard shutdown every time you connect on the internet with Novatel MC950D.
I am currently looking for a solution, updating the driver did not help.
Will keep you posted on the solution.
I found a fix to the problem with Windows 7.
1. Install the software from the Novatel MC950D key (automatic installer).
2. Reboot.
3. Install the driver from the manufacturer’s website. http://www.novatelwireless.com – NvtlDriver_V2.01.07MSI.zip
4. Reboot.
5. Install MLGeneric_v2.02.37.006.zip (google the file or go to http://www.zadako.sk/download/novatel/?C=M;O=D )
6. Reboot.
It should be working perfectly now!