How To: Improve your 3G Broadband Connection (Maxis, Celcom, etc.)

Expensive, poor coverage, low usage quota, erratic performance etc etc are some of the problems that broadband users in Malaysia are currently experiencing. The inception of 3G broadband connection does bring some hope (albeit a false one), allowing mobility factor to be driven into broadband service in Malaysia.

However, many 3G broadband users voiced out their dissatisfaction (including myself) in which the premium price they pay does not reflect the quality they expect from a supposedly 3G connection. Coupled with the fact that their connection seems to max out at the meager EDGE signal, though they are still paying at 3G rate, well something needs to be done.

Among the many problems faced by 3G broadband is the lack of 3G signal in certain area (apparently majority of the area lacked 3G coverage), consequently leading to slow speed, frequent disconnection, and high latency to servers. So what do we need to do?? Yup BOOST THE BLOODY SIGNAL!!!

INSTALLING OMNI-DIRECTIONAL ANTENNA
Most broadband users do not know that they can actually install an external gain antenna to improve signal reception. So check now whether you can add in an external antenna. My Maxis Huawei E1762 does have it (CRC9 connector)

TESTBED

Acer Aspire One D250

Intel Atom N280 processor 1.66 GHz 512KB L2 Cache 667 MHz FSB

2GB DDR2 667MHz SDRAM, 160GB harddrive

Maxis Broadband 3.6Mbps (Max) Huawei E1762 3G modem with TCLIP2 3G Antenna

Location: Somewhere in Ipoh. 3G Coverage: Pretty good

The Huawei E1762 alone can have a good coverage with full bar HSPA connection

TEST 2: SPEEDTEST AND LATENCY TEST (SPEEDTEST.NET)

 Huawei E1762 with TCLIP2 blasts through with download speed at 2.52Mbps and upload speed at 1.58Mbps. Latency is very low at 105ms. Pretty damn low for a wireless connection

 Eventhough E1762 alone has the same signal coverage as with the E1762 + TCLIP2, the speed and latency tests do not fare the same. Download speed appeares to be halved of that with antenna at 1.30Mbps and upload speed is nowhere near the TCLIP2 can achieve, averaging at 0;64Mbps. The latency also shows some regression when the antenna is removed, peaking at 127ms

To sum all up, the TCLIP2 3G Antenna can really improve speed and performance of your 3G broadband connection. Even if your area has good 3G reception, by adding the antenna can allow your connection to achieve better speed and lower latency. With the price at reasonable RM 68, it really is worth every penny you spent.