How Fast is the MTN F@stlink E170 USB Modem?
One of the products launched at the MTN Innovation Day held last week in Lagos and Abuja is the MTN F@stlink E170M USB Modem. A pocket friendly high speed access USB Modem, MTN F@stlink E170 offers an enhanced internet experience with its HSPA technologies. It has been described as a multi-mode wireless terminal ideal for business professionals.
But just how fast is the USB Modem?
The MTN F@stlink E170 has been touted to have capabilities of download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. The device is ideal for downloading large files from the internet as well as video clips, music tracks or games to your laptop, PDA or smartphone. Now that sounds cool, doesn’t it?
What’s More?
The MTN F@stlink E170 has SMS services which supports message writing/sending/receiving and group sending (up to 20 contacts at a time). You can manage messages through the dashboard, such as sorting the messages by telephone number or time. You can also import/export messages between the SIM/USIM card and a laptop.
MTN F@stlink E170 supports the CS domain data service based on UMTS/GSM and the PS domain data service based on HSDPA/UMTS /EDGE/GPRS.
Installation
You don’t need to install a CD before using the modem, since the device has plug ‘n’ play features and supports the following modes:
- High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA)
- High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA)
- Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)
- Global system for Mobile Communications (GSM)
- General Packet Radio Service (GPRS)
- Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE)
Specifications
- HSPA/UMTS (2100MHz)
- EDGE/GPRS/GSM (850/900/1800/1900MHz)
- Supports 7.2Mbps
- Plug and Play
- Supports windows 2000/XP/, Vista and Mac OS
- USB interface
Coverage
The MTN F@stlink consist of either of the following:
- E170 USB Modem or
- E870 Express Data Card
The MTN F@stlink works in the areas covered by the MTN 3G Network which are currently in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano, Ibadan, Kaduna, Aba, Asaba, Onitsha and Benin. However, in areas not yet covered by the MTN 3G Network, the data card will automatically switch to MTN GPRS network at a lower speed.
How does it work?
MTN F@stlink E170 connects you to the MTN network at much higher speed and also supports 7.2Mbps HSDPA and 2Mbps HSUPA services. To start, you can connect the E170 to the USB interface or port of a laptop when in the coverage area of HSPA/UMTS/GPRS/EDGE to enable you surf the Internet, send or receive messages/emails/video clips/music tracks/games wirelessly.
After you connect the E170 to a laptop with a USB interface, the E170 device is installed on your laptop automatically. You can configure APN through the E170 application (or directly use the default settings) and set up a network connection. Then you can send or receive e-mail, access the network through wireless connection, and download files through wireless data channels.
To use the data service, you can perform the following steps:
- Enter *99# or *98# to launch the packet data service.
- In the Choose Connection Type dropdown box, choose a network type, for example: 3G preferred, GPRS preferred.
***You can also check the device’s instruction manual for more details.
How much does it cost?
MTN F@stlink E170 costs N25,000. To get connected, visit any of MTN Walk In Centres or Connect close to you.
My take
If actually the download speed is pegged at 7.2Mbps (Megabytes per second), then I think its worth giving a shot. The highest speed I’ve used is Starcomms iZap@Link which is pegged at 2.4Kbps (Kigabytes per second). Now for MTN F@stlink kind of speed, you can download huge files from the internet in a few minutes. Besides, the cost is way cheaper than that of the Starcomms iZap@Link which goes for N35950 for 24 hours/7 days.
However, whether the MTN F@stlink speed is stable is what I’m not sure about. My guess is that there’ll always be internet downtimes, so you can’t eat your cake and have it. I guess I’ll have to stick with my Starcomms iZap@Link until I try the MTN F@stlink.
It would be interesting to see other mobile operators such as Globacom and Etisalat launch their own internet USB Modem service that could probably look and feel better. Perhaps Zain is doing something in this direction? But until we can see all the mobile operators in Nigeria competing in this untapped market, then we can have more choices.
For now, MTN Nigeria will be dominating that market. At least, for now.
I want to see screen shots of a speed test ( say http://www.internetfrog.com/mypc/speedtest/ ) before I believe that anyone offers +7 Mbs in Nigeria. Hell, before I believe even 1 Mbs is possible outside a direct microwave link to Benin.
From reading the title of the post I thought you had actually performed speed tests because here in Ghana, Zain 3G is also a 7.2 Mbps capable network but no actual speed test data in the wild is available.
The 7.2 Mbps speed is the maximum speed the 3G network infrastructure can provide.
Hope it doesn’t sound like I’m hating but both this post and the post about Dana Air (they won becasue they do ebooking but you don’t state are they the only airline with that, better simpler online check-in, more payment options and providers, etc) ended up being a description of a product or service as per the info on the website of a biz rather than an actual dig into the service or product by you.
I love what you do but these 2 posts not my fav.
Ps. I’ve not updated my blog in abt 6 - 8 wks who am I to talk huh!!
@Nana - The product has just been launched. I’m yet to test the speed. If I get a chance to, I’d be sure to post screen shots of the speed test.
About Dana Air, I’ve not used their service before as they’re a new entrant. Yes, there are other airlines that do e-booking, but perhaps they won because they are a new company with great potentials to compete with the leading airlines.
I bought the modem in warri and i must confess the speed is quite terrible and the service epileptic. However the customer care unit told me that 3g is not yet available in warri yet and i do have to make do with gprs for now. I recently travelled to calabar and the modem just stopped browsing even though it connects.
That is what I am using now and I must admit I am impressed with the speed. Gone are the days of enduring bullshit from Starcomms and Multilinks. I just hope it won’t slow down as more people subscribe.
@Nigerian Forum - Can we see screen shots of speed tests? http://www.internetfrog.com/mypc/speedtest/
Please send them my way - startupsnigeria (at) gmail (dot) com
I’ll appreciate!
Please guys, just dont believe everything you read. From what i read above, the writer doesnt really strike me as someone that knows a lot about what he is saying…no offence pls.
Yes, i happen to use both Starcomms iZap and the MTN F@astLink and i must confess that MTN offers higher download speeds (I’m currently in Port Harcourt in a location where i get HSDPC signals) but a speedtest rated MTN at 0.56Mbps…sorry i dont have a screenshot at the moment. Now getting that for a “boasted about” 7.2Mbps is like what? less than 8%
Also, i dont know why but MTN, after a while, connection seems to drop out and for we large file downloaders, this is a NIGHTMARE! if you are not downloading torrents. This requires you to disconnect and re-connect. I do hope that they look at this because everything about this internet platform seems to beat other competitors (except the 3GB limit)