No matter how we scold the operator Intertelecom for low speed and unstable connection work (see the article, Intertelecom Internet disappears. What to do?), It has the largest 3G coverage in Ukraine. And in most villages, small towns where it is not possible to connect cable Internet (optics, ADSL) - Intertelecom is the only option.
In this article, I want to consider all the nuances of setting up a mobile Wi-Fi router Huawei EC 5321u-1 and Huawei EC 5321u-2 (these are almost the same devices), which is very popular among those who use Intertelecom services. I will show you how to perform the first setup, activate the device, select a tariff and pay for it, register in your personal account (ACCA) and configure the Wi-Fi network of your mobile router.
The Huawei EC 5321u-1/2 router can be purchased in two ways:
- Purchase at the Intertelecom branch. There they will immediately set everything up for you, show you how to use it, select a tariff, pay, etc.
- Boxed solution. When Huawei EC 5321u-1/2 is sold, it is immediately locked under the Intertelecom provider. You just need to activate it and you can use it. It is the boxed solution that we will be setting up in this article. Since I bought it.
As a rule, the majority of Intertelecom clients use ordinary USB modems, which are connected only to a computer or laptop. But this is not very convenient, because the Internet is also needed on other devices: phones, tablets, TVs, etc. And a mobile Wi-Fi router helps out perfectly in this situation. It can bifurcate 3G Internet via cable to a stationary computer, and via Wi-Fi to laptops and mobile devices.
If you now have the Internet via a USB modem that is connected to a computer with Wi-Fi or a laptop, then you can try to distribute it according to the instructions: how to distribute Wi-Fi from a laptop if the Internet is via a USB modem (3G / 4G).
Huawei EC 5321u-1/2 - Frequently Asked Questions
I looked at what information they are looking for on the Internet on this router, which is most often asked in the comments, and before writing the setup instructions, I decided to answer the most popular questions. This information will be useful to everyone: those who are just planning to buy, and those who have already purchased this mobile Wi-Fi router.
- What is the difference between Huawei EC 5321u-1 and Huawei EC 5321u-2?I never found any specific information on this issue. Most likely, it is just a firmware version, or a hardware version. Perhaps there were some minor changes in the software, or in the hardware itself. But in essence, these are the same devices.
- Will I catch Huawei EC 5321u in my village, city, etc. This is a very popular question. It all depends on whether you have Intertelecom coverage, how strong it is, at what distance the base station is located, what relief, etc. To find out, look at the map on the Intertelecom website. Call support and ask. You will be prompted at what distance the base station is from you.
It is difficult to give a specific answer. But judging by the reviews, Huawei EC 5321u will be able to stably keep the signal at a distance of up to 5-7 km from the base station. If the distance is greater, the signal will be worse. If more than 10 km., Then most likely you need to install an external antenna (but you cannot connect it to this router). I have a distance of about 6-7 km to the base station. There is a signal, but weak. Two bars (in the control panel), the indicator on the router is yellow.
If the base station is far away, then you need an outdoor antenna, a regular USB modem, and a regular router with support for 3G / 4G modems. - Can I connect an outdoor antenna to Huawei EC 5321u-1/2? No. This mobile router does not have a connector for an external antenna, with which you can amplify the signal well. But there is a service connector to which it seems like you can connect an antenna. You can try the contactless adapter, which I wrote about in the article installing a powerful 24 dB CDMA antenna with a contactless adapter. Or just a wire snake. There are many tips on the internet on how to increase your reception.
- What will the internet speed be? The speed depends on how heavily the base station is loaded, on the signal level, the operating mode of the router (Rev.A / Rev.B). You can ask Intertelecom support what is the average speed for the base station to which you plan to connect.
- Where to download the driver for Huawei EC 5321u? When connecting to this device via Wi-Fi, no drivers are needed. If you connect it to a computer via a USB cable, then a "drive" will appear, from which everything you need is installed. The computer sees this router not as a USB modem, but as a network device. Simply put, you don't need to download drivers. Everything is done there as simply as possible.
- Firmware and unlock Huawei EC 5321u. Is it possible to? Since this router has a SIM card slot, it can be used with other operators according to the idea. But it is initially locked, and works only with the number from Intertelecom "sewn" into it. There are instructions on the Internet showing how to unlock this mobile router. So that he works with a SIM card and with Intertelecom. I have not tested. All actions you perform at your own peril and risk!
- Can I connect to my computer via cable? Yes, you can. By USB. But as I wrote above, the connection will not be like a USB modem (dialing a number and all that), but like a regular network connection (as if the Internet is connected via a network cable).
I purchased this boxed solution for Internet access in the car, or when the main Internet connection is not working for some reason. This is my fallback.
Connecting and configuring Huawei EC 5321u-1/2
Insert the battery into the router, press the power button and hold for 3 seconds. It should turn on (if it does not turn on, then connect the power). All indicators will light up, then only the 3G network (red, yellow, green), the Wi-Fi and battery indicator will remain. After a while, all indicators will turn off and only the battery indicator will flash. To view the status of all indicators, you need to press the power button once. The router will turn off if you hold the button for 3 seconds.
Note! The router must be online. That is, there must be coverage. The mobile network indicator should be at least yellow. Ideally green.
To see the signal strength, press the power button
Included. Next, we need to connect a device to Huawei EC 5321u, from which we will perform the first setup and activation. Better, of course, to use a laptop or PC. It is more comfortable. But you can set it up from a phone or tablet.
You need to connect to a mobile router:
If the page with the router's settings opens automatically, then we do not touch it yet and do not change anything there.
To start setting up, we need to open any browser and go to the siteintertelecom.ua... The activation page will automatically open. We carefully read and follow the instructions.
We choose a tariff for ourselves. Pay as you go, or pay monthly. So far I have chosen the simplest tariff - "Internet 44". Please note that there is a check mark in front of "Super 3G service for the day, standard". Hover over the question mark and read the terms and conditions. Most likely, you do not need this service.
Further you will see information on additional services and at your tariff. The amount to be paid will be indicated. We check and agree.
A message will appear that you need to replenish your account. A page will open where you need to select one of the proposed options and replenish your account. There will also be indicated your Intertelecom number, which you need to use when replenishing. Only you need to indicate it with "380".
Your number is also indicated on the box, "Digital ID".
Choose a payment method and top up your account. After successful top-up, turn off the Huawei EC 5321u-1/2 router. I turned it on after about 5 minutes and the internet was already working. The yellow No Internet Access icon has disappeared. The activation process is complete.
In principle, you can already use the Internet. But I will show you how to register with ACCA and perform some of the modem settings.
How to register in your Intertelecom (ACCA) personal account?
This is an optional procedure. But in your personal account you can view statistics on the remainder of the traffic, view the balance, replenish the account, change tariffs, etc. It is very convenient.
Go to the siteintertelecom.ua and at the top click on the link "My Account". Click on the "Register" link.
Indicate your subscriber number (which is indicated on the box with the mobile router, or in the connection agreement). Come up with and enter a password twice, which will be used in the future to access your personal account. Enter your E-mail. Click on the "Register" button.
After the message about successful registration, you can log in to the ACCA system by entering your number and password. There will be all the information on your number.
Configuring the operation mode and Wi-Fi network of the Huawei EC 5321u router
To open the settings of Huawei EC 5321u, you need to connect to it (via Wi-Fi, or cable), and in the browser go to the address 192.168.1.1, or 192.168.8.1
The main page will show the signal level, information about the current connection and connected devices. At the top of the page, you can change the language to Russian or Ukrainian.
Go to the "Settings" section. You will need to provide a username and password. Factory admin and admin.
In the settings, in the "Dialing" - "Profile Management" section, you can change the profile. There are two of them: "IT" and "3G_TURBO". I still don't understand what the profile affects. "3G_TURBO" for Internet access at speeds up to 14.7 Mbps?
And on the "Network Settings" tab, according to the instructions (which is included), you can change the Rev.A / Rev.B operating mode. But this item is not available at all for me. Possibly bad signal.
Remember to save your settings if you change them.
Setting up a wireless network (WLAN)
In the control panel, on the WLAN tab, you can change the Wi-Fi network name and password. Let me remind you that the factory defaults are set, which are indicated under the cover.
In "WLAN" - "Basic Settings", you can set a different network name (SSID) and password (WPA Key).
If you change the name and / or password, you will need to reconnect your devices to the network.
Resetting your mobile Wi-Fi router
If you forget the Wi-Fi password, cannot enter the settings, change some parameters, after which the Internet stops working, or the WI-FI network - you can always reset the settings to the factory settings.
You can reset the Huawei EC 5321u-2 using the Reset button. Turn on the router and remove the cover. Press the Reset button with something sharp and hold it for 3 seconds.
All indicators will light up and the router will reboot. The settings will be reset to factory defaults.
Conclusions
The router is normal, I liked it. The setup and activation process is as simple as possible. This device may well cope with the distribution of the Internet to multiple devices. I have not tested it yet, but they write that the battery holds well.
The network catches much better than a regular USB modem (without an antenna), which I also have. It's a pity, of course, that it doesn't have a connector for an external antenna. Because of this, many have to abandon this device.
I look forward to your feedback on the Huawei EC 5321u in the comments. How does it work with Intertelecom, what is the speed, stability? If you somehow amplified the signal, then you can write about it. I think this information will be useful to many. Good luck!
