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Huawei E220

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Huawei E220 HSDPA USB modem

The Huawei E220 is a Huawei HSDPA access device ( 'modem' ) manufactured by Huawei and notable for using the USB interface (USB modem).

Technically it is a modem, USB and (due to the CDFS format) virtual CD-ROM device.

Launched on 21 June 2006[1], the device is used for wireless Internet access using 3.5G, 3G, or 2G mobile telephony networks. It supports UMTS (including HSDPA), EDGE, GPRS and GSM.

E220 works well with Linux, as support for it was added in Linux kernel 2.6.20, but there are workarounds for distributions with older kernels[2][3][4] (eg for Debian etch's 2.6.18). The card is also supported by Vodafone Mobile Connect Card driver for Linux, and it is possible to monitor the signal strength through other Linux applications.[5]

Most 3G network operators bundle the device with a contract, with some operators simlocking[6] the device (ie making it work only with a particular SIM card).

Features

The device contains not only the cellular antenna but also about 22MB (new versions only - older versions had about 10MB) of storage memory accessible to the operating system as a USB mass storage device[7] formatted with CDFS, thus emulating a CD-ROM drive. In this memory, E220 devices supplied by mobile operators may contain 3G dialer software written by the operator, while Huawei-branded devices contain Huawei's original firmware. Huawei's firmware and updates for it are also available for flashing from Huawei's website[8], or the newest firmware 7.2Mbps from MobileConnected (in reality 'flashing' this device means writing a CD-ROM ISO image to its internal memory), but users are warned that flashing the device with Huawei's software will erase the software of their operator and along with it the APN settings as well. It is, however, very easy to back up the software already present on the device's memory. The software loaded on the device may start automatically through Windows's autostart facility, which can be bypassed by pressing the Shift key while inserting the USB cable of E220.

Hardware

E220 connects to the computer with a standard Mini USB cable. The device comes with two cables, one short and one long. The long one has two USB A interfaces, one used for data and power and the other optionally only for assistance power in case the computer is not able to provide the full 500 mA (milliamperes) required for the device to work from one USB interface only. The E220 antenna is internal; the USB cable does not act as an antenna. There is a way to connect an external antenna even though there is no antenna connector. Together with a high gain antenna like an LPDA or an OMNI booster antenna and an adapter signal strength can be considerably improved.

Software

Huawei E220 includes its own Windows software in its internal memory, and can be flashed (overwritten) by the end user. The standard software by Huawei is called Mobile Partner and is indicated by the code UTPS, as it is found on the manufacturer's download site.

Some network operators selling E220, however, replace Huawei's software with their own, which often is software-locked (albeit not SIM-locked) to work only with the operator's own network. End users can use either third-party software or alternative operating systems (eg Debian GNU/Linux) to circumvent this and use their E220 with any SIM, or flash their device with Huawei's original software.

The following operators are known to replace Huawei's software with their own:

Operating systems

Compatibility Issues

A number of software compatibility issues are know to exist with the E220 USB modem. This is mainly related to CD Writing software, software that creates virtual CD-ROM drives[11]and with Microsoft ActiveSync.

Availability

E220 is available in the following countries:

Huawei E220 Internet connection sharing using WiFi router

Further information: Cellular router

Apart from using ASUS WL 500 Premium [12], you can also use Dovado USB Mobile Broadband Router or D-Link DIR-451 3G Mobile router[13] to share the Huawei E220 or E270 internet connection without voiding your warranty with un-authorized firmware. [14]


Reviews

Compared to other PCMCIA-based devices of such kind, the Huawei E220 usually offers better signal strength.[15]

See also

References

  1. ^ Huawei Terminal
  2. ^ Template:Pl icon HUAWEI E220 HSDPA USB 3G MODEM in Linux
  3. ^ Huawei E220 working on Linux!!! : Java Addict
  4. ^ Index of /pub/linux/kernel/people/gregkh/usb/2.6/2.6.20-rc1
  5. ^ Huawei E620 - pppd dies after disconnecting monitor on /dev/ttyUSB2 [Archive] - ADSL & Broadband Forums - Internet, Gaming, Hardware, Software
  6. ^ Vodafone Huawei E220 USB Modem - first impressions - Page 4 - ADSL & Broadband Forums - Internet, Gaming, Hardware, Software
  7. ^ Using Huawei E220 with Debian/Linux
  8. ^ Huawei Terminal
  9. ^ help.ubuntu.com Huawei
  10. ^ Huawei E220
  11. ^ Compatibility Issues with Huawei E220 USB Modem - ADSL & Broadband Forums - Internet, Gaming, Hardware, Software
  12. ^ OpenWrtDocs/Hardware/Asus/WL500GP - OpenWrt
  13. ^ DIR-451 firmware
  14. ^ 3G-Forum von UMTSLink.at - Einzelnen Beitrag anzeigen - ddwrt huawei e220
  15. ^ Huawei E220 and Ubuntu 6.10 « God@Home’s WeBlog
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