Huawei 5G CPE 5 Router Kenya Review: Performance, Speed, and Value

Image source: Huawei Official

I have been experiencing issues with my home Wi-Fi for a few months now, and I take responsibility for it because I downgraded my Safaricom Wi-Fi from 15 Mbps to 7.5 Mbps, which is part of the fiber lite plan, due to financial constraints.

Since this downgrade, my internet experience has not been smooth, prompting me to search for a solution. During my search, I came across a Safaricom advertisement for their new 5G plans, which included a router.

After conducting thorough research, I decided to purchase a router along with the most affordable package, which provided a speed of 10 Mbps. Safaricom offered three types of routers: Baicells, Nokia, and Huawei. I chose the Huawei router because I read that it had better reception.

This review is for individuals seeking fiber alternatives and those who are always on the go, looking for fast and reliable internet access on the move.

Unboxing and first impression of the Huawei 5G CPE 5 Router, What’s Inside the box?

Everything that comes in the box with the Huawei 5G CPE Router

Inside the box, you will find the Huawei router, a charger, an ethernet cable, a power adapter, and user manuals. The design of the router is very compact, like a cylinder, and very lightweight. There is a very simple and minimal 5G branding at the front, which I am a big fan of.

At the back, there is one LAN port, a telephone port, and a 2.5GE LAN/WAN port, providing a stable internet connection. At the bottom, you will find the nano SIM slot, Wi-Fi PIN, and IMEI codes. Overall, I like the design.

I visited the Safaricom shop where I purchased the router, and the customer care team completed the setup in less than 20 minutes.

However, when I got home, I discovered that the router was not working. I contacted Safaricom customer care, and they promptly resolved the issue.

How easy is it to install the Huawei 5G CPE Router on Safaricom WIFI?

The setup process was seamless since the Safaricom customer will handle all the setup. However, for convenience, I highly recommend that you download the Huawei AI Life app. This app allows you to monitor everything, including your data consumption.

It also allows you to rename the router, set data caps for specific devices, remove devices from the network, diagnose the router in case of issues, and gives you control over the network.

Alternatively, you can access some of these features via the web interface by keying the IP address, which is 198.168.8.1. 

Performance on Safaricom’s 10Mbps Internet plan

On the first day of use, the signal strength was excellent, with a latency of 11 ms—better than what the competition offers (cough, Airtel). The network coverage is impressive as well, thanks to the router's support for Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, which includes both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands

The stability of the network is remarkable. The Huawei CPE router is compatible with both standalone and non-standalone network architectures. In a standalone setup, the network functions independently of any 4G LTE infrastructure, offering a complete end-to-end solution. In contrast, the non-standalone setup depends on the existing 4G LTE infrastructure.

I connected up to four devices, and the network connection remained stable. However, there was one instance when the 5G connectivity disappeared for about 10 minutes, but it automatically switched to 4G and stayed stable.

The coverage and strength are excellent; it covers all 4 rooms in my house. You can actually map a house using the app for better connectivity using the Huawei AI Life app.

Features  That Stand Out

All three routers offered by Safaricom support both 4G and 5G connectivity. For optimal performance, Safaricom recommends using only two devices; however, I found that using up to four devices works well with that package.

For enhanced security, it features guest mode, a built-in firewall, and parental controls. It utilizes WPA2/3 protocols designed to secure wireless connections. Additionally, it supports 4x4 MIMO and HPUE for stronger coverage, even in challenging signal areas.

PROS AND CONS

Pros

High-speed internet, is a massive upgrade for people living in areas with a strong Safaricom 5G network.

An alternative to fiber, which is suitable for homes and businesses where Safaricom fiber is not available, the Huawei CPE router offers a highly competitive alternative.

Portability and easy to set up, the router is very portable and easy to set up, which it an option for people who move around frequently. 

Modern Wi-Fi technology has introduced Wi-Fi 6, which provides faster speeds and improved signal quality.

Cons

The router is highly dependent on Safaricom 5G coverage, meaning if you are in an area with no 5G, it will fall back to 4G connectivity, and the speeds might drop.

Data caps and FUP. Since the speeds are high, these data plans come with Safaricom FUP. For instance, the 10Mbps bundle has a FUP of 250GB, which, when exhausted, you will have to pay for the same or higher package.

The price of the 5G router is relatively low; however, the monthly data plans can be quite expensive for similar speeds and data volumes..

More unlimited data. There is truly no limited data for the Safaricom data plans for the 5G CPE router; all packages have a data cap, which can be a deal breaker for some people.

FINAL VERDICT

If you're in the market for a portable, lightweight 5G router with a reliable connection from Safaricom, the Huawei CPE 5 is an excellent choice, especially for those who are frequently on the move.

Deciding whether to get the 10Mbps package depends on how you use the internet. For light activities like browsing, scrolling through social media, and standard streaming, the 10Mbps package is sufficient. However, if you engage in heavy streaming or online gaming, it’s better to opt for the 100Mbps package.