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• Battery life up to five hours
• Maximum data speeds: 5.76Mbps (HSUPA) and 7.2Mbps (HSDPA)
• Compatible with Windows and Mac Operating Systems

The Huawei E5 makes it possible to be connected to the Internet from anywhere – as long as there is a 3G coverage.

This inconspicuous device is both a 3G USB dongle and a wireless broadband modem.

It works with a standard-sized subscriber identity module (SIM) card and connects to the Internet using the 3G network.

The E5, which supports data speed of 7.2Mbps, also works as a network hub providing five wireless connections protected by Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security.

Turning on WPA, even though it slows down your connection, is highly recommended especially if your mobile broadband plan comes with a limited data bundle.

I found that transfers slow down when there are multiple connections trying to stream music or YouTube videos.

However, battery life seemed relatively unaffected whether there is one or five connections active.

The E5 has a nice-looking LED display that provides a wealth of information: signal strength and type, Wi-Fi connection status, telco provider, a connection counter and battery level.

If you are a gadget buff who uses several devices that need Web connectivity and do not want to incur the cost of subscribing to multi-SIM plans, the Huawei E5 could be your answer.

It makes sharing a single mobile broadband subscription with multiple devices over Wi-Fi dead simple.