To say that Faiba 4G was well-received would be an understatement. The number of people who ask about the service – whether enquiring which phones work on the network or how to get a hold of their MiFi has been more than a handful.
Due to the challenge that comes with using the 700MHz Band 28, Faiba4G has had to promptly find alternatives to smartphones that would allow people to enjoy their exclusively 4G network and thus we have the Faiba4G MiFi and the recently launched Faiba4G Modem.
Both gadgets aim to serve the same purpose of giving mobile internet access to the user. The MIFI retails at Kes.5,400 while the modem is slightly cheaper at Kes.4850. There has been the question of why Faiba4G would release these two devices while they clearly serve the same purpose and which one the customers should buy. I hope this comparison piece helps ease up the complication:
Disclaimer: Due to the target market, we shall keep the article as non-techy-friendly as possible, for technical specifications kindly raise your question on this thread.
Faiba4G MiFi
This a generic 4G to WiFi router that is meant to be used even when on the move and this is evidenced by the inbuilt battery that it packs. Here are other important specifications of the MiFi:
- Listed Download Speed: up to 150Mbps
- Listed Upload Speed: up to 50Mbps
- Supports up to 8 users
- 2100Mah Battery that delivers around 8 hours of continuous usage
Faiba4G Modem
The modem is made by ZTE and has the capability of not only being used as a modem on a PC but also as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Here are other important specifications of the MiFi:
- Listed Download Speed: up to 150Mbps
- Listed Upload Speed: up to 50Mbps
- Supports up to 8 users
- No Battery
Coverage, Loading Data and Speeds
Both gadgets are loaded with data the same way, through Faiba4G’s mobile app that is available on Google Play Store or via the web portal http://192.168.0.1 (Note that you can only access this portal if you are connected to the Faiba4G network).
As for coverage, the MiFi covers around 30 meters without any obstructions and in-house tests show that a house will three bedrooms should be sufficiently covered but thick walls will affect the coverage significantly. The Modem, on the other hand, covers around 28 meters in the open but indoors it takes a serious dip as it struggles to cover a three bedroom house, thick walls paralyze it completely.
When it comes to speeds, both have a rated speed of 150Mbps upload and 50Mbps download but these are on the higher side as on average, the MiFi would deliver around 15Mbps download and 9Mbps upload, the Modem seems to have a weaker receiver in it as it could only manage 11Mbps download on average but smashed through upload speeds to deliver around 18Mbps upload speeds.
Which one should you buy?
From my experience using both, I think the MiFi is perfect for home use and carrying around, I mean, it has an inbuilt battery thus you are able to move around with it. You can use it in the office, carry it along on your commute, use it at home, travel with it on your weekend getaway, it can turn into one of the gadgets you must have on you on the daily.
The Modem, in comparison, would be best used in an office setting – plug it in on your office PC or laptop and forget it exists. Unfortunately, due to the lack of an in-built battery, you cannot use it to while on the move without a power source, however, you can use a battery pack (power bank) with it, since it connects via USB. I also found the modem to be ideal as a car wifi hotspot, plug it on on your USB port and voila! The same scenario can be applied to the home, just know once the electricity goes out, you will be left without a connection.
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Some of the MIFI’s have serious issues, especially in powering up and down and the LED lighting sequence is not very intuitive. Am on my third MIFI, i had the first one “exchanged” at Jamii towers, but what i got was an old used device that probably had been returned as well. The second one also had problems, i sought to have it fixed or exchanged but was taken through an obscure time wasting process that needs to have the device booked at some service center in westlands. Not having time to waste, i bought another one that is still not working as expected. Either am a very unlucky person or there is a batch of faulty devices in the market. I have now decided to directly import the Huawei E5573 which is unlocked and should work on all the 4 major data providers, 3G and 4G. This MIFI is not something i can recommend for a serious data user or one with mission critical projects that depend on data. I would rather they go for the modem. Faiba definitely has very good offerings on data and some steps in the onboarding process are excellent (like SIM registration and number selection)but they need to step up on quality control of the devices in the market and have support staff who are not as clueless as fish out of water.
Just a quick one. Did you manage to get the unlocked MiFi and how’s it serving you? What are the average/typical download and upload speeds with the unlocked version?
Got the unlocked MiFi, works much better. If you want to get Faiba, get it for its low cost and not for speeds. The speeds are okay for the average internet user (i get up to 4Mbps download and 3 – 10Mbps upload), they are nothing that you can’t get from Airtel, Safaricom or Telkom but it’s cost has no competitor. Also note the service takes a dip in the evening, probably the honeymoon phase is over.
I have the modem and enjoy the fact that it only needs a power source.. so currently plugged into my radio’s usb spot and has good speed and unbeatable bundles