Every day, the volume of data transmitted via the Internet is increasing. Therefore, there is a need to use new technologies. To solve the problem, subscribers can use the 4G service developed by Megafon.

The mobile operator offers its customers to take advantage of high-speed connections to world wide web, which was called “4G”. Thanks to technology fourth generation, subscribers can:

• Download and upload video and audio files;
• Watch online movies;
• Listen to music.

Any user actions are performed without delays or failures. There are no problems even when running FullHD movies. Large files can be downloaded in 2-3 minutes. Especially if all manipulations are performed using LTE-Advanced technology. The maximum channel capacity is 300 Mbit per second.

A high-speed 4G connection can be used in 78 regions of Russia. At the same time, “4G+” with LTE-Advanced support is available only in 28 regions of the Russian Federation. Despite the high throughput, some subscribers prefer the outdated version. This is due to the fact that 4G can work on GPRS and 3G networks, which cannot be downloaded about Advanced technology.

Equipment for working in LTE

A phone or tablet designed for European countries does not work within the fourth generation network in Russia. This is due to the fact that LTE frequencies, with which Megafon works, differ from foreign ones. Smartphones and iPhones aimed at Russian consumers operate in the Band ranges:

The main representative of mobile devices operating within the 4G network was the Megafon Turbo smartphone based on Android. Subscribers can also use devices developed by ZTE, Apple, Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi. Additionally, Megafon customers can purchase equipment to access the network via a laptop or computer:

• Mobile and stationary routers operating in LTE networks;
• USB modem M150-2, allowing data transfer at a speed of 150 Kbps;
• Office routers for shared network access;
• Tablets developed by major manufacturers.

It doesn’t matter which company developed the device, the main thing is that it works in Russia. It should be noted that the device automatically connects to a high-speed network. If this does not happen, 4G+ is configured manually.

Checking the functionality of the SIM card

Before purchasing an Advanced-enabled device, you should check the signal coverage. In addition, you need to know how you can find out whether a SIM card supports 4g from Megafon.

To do this, just go to the page with a description of the technology, and then see on the map which standard works in the region. In the form that opens, it is recommended to indicate a valid phone number. After a short check, your phone will receive an SMS containing information about the standards supported by the mobile device and SIM card.

If you have problems with the site, it is recommended to use the “*507#” command. The answer will also come in the form of SMS. There are cases when a subscriber uses an old SIM card, so it needs to be replaced. The replacement procedure is carried out in a communication salon. Moreover, everything is done for free.

How to connect

To connect to the fourth generation network, it is not enough to buy and configure a smartphone. When the equipment is ready, you need to select the appropriate tariff plan or option.

There are no special tariffs for working with LTE. Therefore, it is recommended to activate one of the TPs from the “Turn On” line.

The coverage area of ​​the Megafon network opened in Russia in 2005. A significant part of the Russian Federation can currently use cellular communication and the Internet provided by this company. Every year it was modernized using Newest technologies, and became increasingly popular, providing its clients favorable rates. Megafon keeps pace with modern mobile technologies. The 2G generation is already becoming obsolete and is being replaced by 3G and the recently introduced 4G.

3G coverage

3G coverage provides subscribers with high-quality Internet thanks to the HSDPA protocol. It effectively uses its radio channel and increases connection speed. Megafon uses several byte exchange standards. It all depends on mobile device subscriber Owners expensive smartphones gain access to HSPA+ technology, while inexpensive devices only support EDGE. 3G coverage operates in the decimeter range of 2 gigahertz. Data processing can now be carried out at a speed of 3.6 Mbit/s. Thanks to this it is possible:

1. watch movies and videos online;
2. download video and audio files;
3. communicate via video calling.

In the Moscow region, about 80% of the territory is covered by Megafon 3G coverage area. In the city itself, this network covers 99 percent of the territory. The speed of the Internet connection is affected by the distance of the subscriber from the base station and network congestion. Even if the subscriber has unlimited Internet, the operator’s priority is regular voice communication. But this prevents you from continuously using high-speed Internet. Why?

4G coverage

The cellular company Megafon recently introduced the fourth generation of the Internet - 4G. The speed of use of this node reaches 20 Mbit/s. Now you can download heavy files or run even faster latest applications. 4G coverage mainly covers cities such as Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl, Samara and others. IN this moment the company is working to ensure that as many people as possible can take advantage of its offers and connect to 4G. Megafon also offers routers and modems capable of processing information at a speed of 20 Mbit/s. In the Megafon salon you can connect a special USIM card. It works on any device and improves security. In the same salon you can choose a suitable and profitable tariff plan.

Dear friends, in May I was given a Megafon 4G modem to test. 2 months have passed, and we can safely sum up the testing results. The Megafon company did not pay any money for the review, so I guarantee impartiality - everything is as it is, without embellishment. So let's start with packaging. I noticed that our manufacturers have reached a new quality level and are now paying attention to packaging design and tactile sensations. We give credit for the box.

Equipment:
The kit includes: the MegaFon E392 4G modem itself, a SIM card from the MegaFon network, with the MegaFon-Online with 4G modem tariff plan and a short user manual. The official cost of the set is 2990 rubles. On tariff plan“MegaFon-Online with 4G modem” provides unlimited Mobile Internet without speed limits.

Technical information:
"MegaFon 4G Modem" is a modem Huawei models E392, branded for use on the MegaFon LTE network. The modem supports LTE(FDD/TDD)/UMTS/GSM standards. It is especially worth noting that the modem automatically switches between 4G, 3G and 2G, providing Internet access anywhere there is a MegaFon network, which, by the way, is very convenient for the user.

The modem has a SIM card slot, a microSD card slot, an FR output port, and a device status indicator.

Reverse side of the modem

Modem dimensions:
The modem surprises with its significant size. In the photo you can visually estimate the size of the modem compared to a flash drive, 3g modem, and smartphone. The modem is really very large: 100x35x13.8 mm. High speeds apparently require a lot of space.

Even a child can connect a modem to a computer. "MegaFon 4G Modem" is compatible with computers based on the operating system Windows systems and Mac OS. The device is supported by operating systems: Win XP SP2/SP3, Vista SP1/SP2, Win7, Mac OS X 10.6, 10.7 and later update versions, the main thing is to have a USB port. There is no need to download the MegaFon Modem software; it is located on the modem itself. Connecting to the network takes less than one minute - the program shell is on the screenshot.

Coverage area high-speed Internet in Moscow and its surroundings.

Ask, what is the real 4G speed in Moscow? I’ll answer clearly with numbers, otherwise in advertising they sometimes mention all 100 Mbit/sec. Below are measurements in different areas of Moscow, and even beyond the Moscow Ring Road. The measurements were taken from a car without moving; by the way, 4g reception is also good when moving.

My personal record was recorded near the walls of the Kremlin - Okhotny Ryad metro station: 30 mb/s! My home wired Internet shows only 15 Mbit/s, so with 4G I can already download from torrents. Express era mobile internet came to reality!

In the Polyanka metro area

New Arbat near building 21

Garden Ring near Sukharevskaya metro station

Third transport ring in the Rizhskaya metro area

Near VDNKh station

There is life beyond the Moscow Ring Road too -) I measured the 4G speed in Korolev, good results:

By and large, the modem and 4G showed good results in terms of speed measurements! By the way, the record figure that I saw on the Megafon modem was achieved at the Expocomm Communications 2012 exhibition:

I traveled with a modem across vast Russia, everywhere it caught 3G, I even calmly watched streaming video in the Moscow region on 3G!

But there were also some embarrassments with the Internet from Megafon in Russia. Firstly, you can use unlimited Internet without speed limits throughout Russia for only 30 rubles per day when you activate the option " Unlimited Internet- Russia PRO", but this option could not be connected with via SMS or via USSD, I always had to call the contact center.

And secondly, when I went to the economic forum in St. Petersburg, there was no Internet at all! I even asked a question about this to the direct line of MegaFon PR Director Pyotr Lidov on his blog adagamov.info , to which I received an interesting answer about Twitter, which you can’t access without the Internet...

I give the modem and 4G a four plus or a five minus. Advantages: high speed, automatic switching to 3G\2G, good coverage area in the capital. Disadvantages: The modem is large, you often have to call support, and sometimes the modem gets very hot.

From July 15, 2012 Megafon will officially announce tariffs for 4G Internet. According to my information, subscription fee per month for unlimited will be 950 rubles. In general, 4G from Megafon is approved by me, I recommend it!

Started a year ago. AND measurements are made using a specially designed for testing software and ordinary user devices - USB modems, smartphones and laptops, which can be bought in stores. Specialized devices are not used in order to see during testing exactly the speeds that an ordinary user receives in real life.

The study is carried out as follows: a 4GSpeed ​​car moves along the streets, measurements are taken from it, mainly at night. Indoor speeds were not measured. During the measurements, data was transmitted to the most popular Internet resources in Russia. In particular, in Moscow speeds of up to social network In contact with, Google services, Yandex and Mail.ru . The head of the 4GSpeed.ru project, Alexey Rezvanov, and the author of the idea, correspondent for the Kommersant newspaper in St. Petersburg, Boris Gorlin, say that this is much more logical than sending data to unknown servers that the user may never use in real life, as is done in other measurement services.

According to the research results, MegaFon is the leader in the capital. 4GSpeed ​​explains that the operatorbecame the leader thanks to the most stable operation: the equipment almost never lost MegaFon’s 4G network.

“MTS and Beeline work very quickly in some places, the download speed sometimes reaches 30-40 Mbit/s. But this is only locally and nothing more. In Moscow, we found a lot of places where Beeline and MTS either do not have 4G coverage, or for some reason "For these reasons, modems and smartphones of operators are losing the 4G network and switching to 3G. Megafon, on the contrary, demonstrated the most even 4G coverage throughout the capital, which allowed it to become a leader," the study reports.

The results of 4GSpeed ​​measurements are plotted on an interactive map. All measurements are grouped by municipalityformations of Moscow, on the map municipalities are coloredleader operator coloraverage speed. When you click on municipaleducation you can see specific indicators for this area. You can also switch the map view and see measurements at a specific point, for example, on a particular street.

In addition, you can turn on filters and see the speed map of a specificoperator, or the results of the operation of a particular device (modem, smartphone). Equipment from companies such as Huawei, ZTE, Nokia and Alcatel was tested. This was done so that the user could compare how fast certain modems and smartphones work in reality. According to the authors of the study, it performed best in the measurements Huawei modem E392, which was able to reach a maximum speed of 40 Mbit/s.

“Speeds always vary depending on a number of factors,” says Alexey Rezvanov. For example, depending on the network load at a specific time. Therefore, based on the test results, it cannot be said that the operator on a certain street has exactly the same speed as the tests showed.

"We only measure under equal conditions at the same point, at the same time, the speed of mobile Internet for all three operators. With a large number of measurements, for example, several thousands, you can get a very accurate picture based on the averagespeeds of each mobile operators", says Alexey Rezvanov. In Moscow, 4GSpeed ​​carried out more than 130 thousand measurements.

Mobile operators were skeptical about the results of the study.

“Any study of communication quality is subjective and can mislead users - especially if the study is carried out without the use of professional equipment,” says MTS, adding that according to Ookla, it was their network that showedthe best results in Moscow, Russia as a whole, as well as in the vast majority of federal districts.

“The methodology of the study is not completely clear and raises many questions,” Beeline representatives comment. “We cannot confirm the accuracy of the data obtained as a result of measurements while driving at an unknown speed somewhere at night on the roads of Moscow. While 70% of traffic generated during the day indoor. The organizers themselves do not hide the fact that the results they received are abstract values, and not data on 4G speeds that subscribers see on their devices. Therefore, there is a possibility that recommendations based on such measurements may introduce subscribers misleading."

MegaFon agrees with the results that their company is a leader in 4G speeds and coverage.

“The methodology raises some questions and, as a result, the speeds in several districts of Moscow. According to our data, the speed in the southeast of Moscow is significantly higher than the indicators reported by 4GSpeed,” MegaFon believes.

Expert on mobile technologies Alexey Boyko points out that the measurements were carried out at night (when the networks are least loaded), the tests were performed outdoors (while more than 70% of LTE traffic is traffic from indoors) and from moving cars, while LTE is mainly used while staying on site or on foot. In addition, indoor coverage has not been studied.

“Then the leader would most likely be another company that has an LTE 800 MHz network, unlike MegaFon.The selection of subscriber devices involved in the project is scanty and unrepresentative. In Moscow, the absolute leader in use in LTE networks is the iPhone. Second place - Samsung models. Instead of testing them, they tested models that occupy market shares.

There is no such measurement parameter as time dynamics. Roughly speaking, we were presented with the results collected over a month. Despite the fact that now some operators charge up to a hundred per month base stations, which, to put it mildly, negates previous results. And now relying on outdated data to recommend choosing an operator is another incorrectness of the project." , - says Boyko.

In his opinion, the project should be further developed, but the measurement methods should be changed.

"We continue to work on the project. Research in Moscow and St. Petersburg will be carried out at least 2 times a year. At the same time, outdated data will be transferred to the archive for history and the opportunity to obtain the dynamics of network development. The market situation is changing very quickly, operators annually invest in development significant funds for their infrastructure,” says Alexey Rezvanov.

In June it is planned to measure 4G networks in St. Petersburg. 4GSpeed ​​also has the intention of porting the idea to the European and US markets with the attraction of venture capital investments. In addition, work is underway to create a special inexpensive measuring device with which anyone could take measurements themselves.

Reasonably priced carrier smartphone with LTE support and data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s. Working in fourth generation networks (4G) is becoming available not only to owners of flagship device models, which is good news. And it complicates the buyer’s life by introducing another selection criterion.

Dot the i's

The MSS4A smartphone with an IPS HD 4.5” screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 was produced by ZTE Corporation for MegaFon, the device is locked and works only in the network of this operator. Today the price is 11,990 rubles, in the near future they promise to start selling the device for 9,990 rubles. subject to activation of the “Internet X(S)” option for a certain number of months for additional money. The final price of the issue was never announced, but, logically, the price, including the inclusion of “bonus” options, should not exceed the starting 11,990 rubles.

The smartphone has the Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system, updated to version Jelly Bean promised by October this year.

In shape, size, design, controls and most technical characteristics, the smartphone corresponds to the already disassembled model ZTE Grand Era. The main differences are the LTE FDD support that appeared in MegaFon 4G Turbo, a different chipset and some minor design differences, which we will discuss separately. Therefore, for a complete set of photographs and detailed description I recommend going and reading our review of the ZTE Grand Era. I will try not to repeat myself, but to focus on the new properties of the device and my impressions of its operation.

Official

A detailed description can be found in the MegaFon online store, quotes from the press release:

“...MegaFon presents the MegaFon 4G Turbo smartphone. Distinctive feature new device – work in the “fourth generation” network at speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s.

The technical characteristics of MegaFon 4G Turbo could be the envy of many more expensive models. The smartphone is running operating system Android Ice Cream Sandwich, which users will be able to update to the next version, Jelly Bean, by October this year. Dual-core Qualcomm processor with clock frequency 1.5 GHz provides instant response to any user action. The smartphone is equipped with a large 4.5’’ display with IPS HD resolution (1280 x 720 pixels). RAM– 1 GB. The 16GB built-in memory can be expanded via microSD cards up to 32GB. Two cameras (8 MP main and 1.3 MP front) will allow you to fully use MegaFon 4G Turbo as a source of high-quality photo or video content.

“From the point of view of pricing and geographic distribution, 4G Internet from MegaFon is a product accessible to everyone. By launching the 4G network, the company offered customers a wide range of inexpensive equipment - modems and routers, and recently reduced prices for “fourth generation” Internet to the level of regular Internet access. Today we are taking another important step - we are bringing to the market the most affordable 4G smartphone in the country, with which you can watch HD video without buffering or play online any games that require instant response,” notes Mikhail Dubin, executive director for business development in the mass market of MegaFon.

Equipment and design

The smartphone itself, charger, connecting cable, wired hands-free headset, User Manual. Standard set. Charger- a good compromise: minimal dimensions with an output current of 1 A, this is a normal road option. The time to fully charge the battery from a standard charger is about three hours.

The smartphone is slightly elongated in length, does not look like a “shovel”, is quite compact and fits well in the hand. The thickening in the upper part, rather, refers to the design features; there is more space for radio equipment, cards and a camera.

There are no complaints about the size and proportions; it looks rational and quite harmonious. It probably could have been a few millimeters shorter, but not critical.

The smooth curves of the body are clearly intended to improve the visual perception of the thickening of the upper part. Please note the additional button on the side; this is a mechanical button on the camera. The thing is pleasant and, of course, useful. Accidental presses happen, but rarely: the button does not work at all when the screen is locked, and when unlocked it starts the shooting mode after a couple of seconds of holding the button down.

Design Features

Compared to the ZTE Grand Era, the layout of the top of the smartphone has changed a little, and it seemed to me that the top had become a millimeter and a half thicker. Did you make room for an additional antenna? But the camera protrudes less and the curly bulge around the headphone jack has disappeared, making the smartphone look smoother and neater.

Otherwise, no changes: a slot for a standard (not micro) SIM card and a card microSD memory(up to 32 GB), additional microphone for noise reduction, LED flash.

Non-removable battery, 1,780 mAh, top back cover opens only to access the SIM card and memory card. There are three small latches at the bottom of the lid, and the lid must be handled very, very carefully. It seemed to me that the latches could be easily damaged when closing the compartment.

Specifications

We are primarily interested in supporting fourth generation LTE networks (4G). Here it is present even in the 1800 MHz range. True, by the time technological neutrality emerges and LTE networks are deployed in the 1800 band, the smartphone is unlikely to remain relevant. Only LTE FDD is supported, from " big three» MegaFon currently operates in this standard (the entire network Yota LTE) in the Moscow region and about 70 other cities in 29 regions of Russia, the MTS LTE FDD network is now being intensively built in Moscow and is already operating in many places. A similar Beeline network, according to rumors, has already begun to operate inside the Boulevard Ring of Moscow

A short commentary on the changed hardware of the smartphone was written by Roman Belykh, for which special thanks to him.

“The MegaFon Turbo 4G smartphone operates on a chipset from Qualcomm - Snapdragon S4 Plus MSM8960. It uses a dual-core Krait processor clocked at 1500 MHz (maximum frequency can be up to 1700 MHz). Technological process 28 nm, ARMv7 architecture. The graphics accelerator is Adreno 225. This chip is used in such popular models as Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 820, Sony Xperia V, Samsung ATIV S and others."

Regarding the remaining characteristics (display, speakers, etc.), as already written above, I refer you to detailed review ZTE Grand Era.

I would just like to add a few words about the “survivability” of the battery in LTE networks. With this, unfortunately, things are not going well. The smartphone worked for less than six hours in conditions of active, but by no means continuous data transfer. A total of 300-400 megabytes, hardly more. Wherein top part The device became noticeably hot.

Among other things, once the browser froze for about three minutes, which did not want to come out of the coma, while capturing all available resources (screenshot on the right).

Impressions from work

I have nothing to say about data transmission on the LTE (4G) network; everything works very quickly and responsively. It seems to me that reviewers get too caught up in comparing 3G/4G speeds and pay little attention to the response time (Ping) parameter. Perhaps this is not so important when downloading movies via torrents, but in online games and all “classic” applications of the mobile Internet in smartphones, a quick response gives a completely different feeling from interacting with the device. It’s difficult to explain in words; you can compare it with Wi-Fi access on a good (not open public) network.

A couple of examples high speed transfers. But I repeat: happiness is not so much in the number of Mbit/s, but in the quick response. After surfing the Internet via LTE and even switching to fast 3G, you still feel some internal discomfort from delays for a long time; your body quickly gets used to the good things.

I also really liked the almost instantaneous switching of data transfer to 4G. cellular network when leaving Wi-Fi coverage area. Hooked onto the LTE network, the smartphone hangs securely in it and transmits data well even at relatively low temperatures. weak signal. On the other hand, with poor 4G coverage, they are reluctant to switch there from 2G/3G networks, this is noticeable.

By the way, about Wi-Fi. The sensitivity of the receiver seemed somewhat worse than average. Keep in mind that if you frequently connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot at the edge of your coverage area, there may be some unpleasant surprises. Although, if the package volume is enough and the 4G coverage is normal, then Wi-Fi may not be needed at all. Unless for reasons of saving battery life, with access to the Internet via Wi-Fi the battery will last longer.

Voice communication using CSFB technology, it was interesting to test and compare facts with promises. This technology is a kind of compromise that is not a good life; for full voice transmission over the LTE network, we still have both technical and administrative obstacles. When making an outgoing call, the smartphone leaves the 4G network and registers in the 3G or 2G network, processes the voice call and returns to 4G at the end of the conversation. Similarly, when an incoming call arrives: the phone switches to 3G/2G and receives the call there.

In general, everything works well, the extra waiting time is about 10 seconds. Sometimes the pause from the moment the call is sent to the first call on the receiving side stretches to ~15 seconds, but I expected worse results from such a “multi-step”. The only complaint is that the caller's incoming call to such an LTE smartphone may freeze. If you immediately press “hang up” on your smartphone when incoming call from another network, the connection on the caller’s side may not be disconnected.

Other disadvantages include the time it takes to return to the 4G network after the end of the call. With good 4G coverage, this happens automatically after about two minutes, but if the coverage is poor, the smartphone may remain on the 3G/2G network after the end of the call. In general, if you use your smartphone mainly for conversations and there are a lot of these conversations, then I would not rush to switch to a 4G device just yet.

Now about simpler and more familiar questions. For example, about cold weather and chilly fingers. A couple of times in the evening I encountered “brakes” when navigating through menu items. In July, not December. True, Moscow July now looks like October, but it still made me a little wary. It would probably be better to keep your smartphone in your inner clothing pocket in winter.

The proximity and light sensors, as well as the 1.3 MP front camera, remain in their original places and work completely flawlessly. In any case, in the “auto” mode I never had the desire to reduce or increase the brightness of the display. And I liked the display itself for its clarity, bright colors and excellent white balance. Personally I would prefer front camera 0.3 MP instead of the established 1.3 MP, but this is already a subjective perception of one’s own physiognomy. I suspect that in a few years, 0.3 MP will seem to me to be an excessive resolution of the front camera.

I love to criticize the “man-machine” interaction and find all sorts of defects, but there’s nothing else to seriously complain about. A normal device with a good display, a familiar operating system and no surprises. I almost forgot: a tiny LED indicator on the front panel significantly saves battery power for those who are paranoid about starting their smartphone every couple of minutes. Who knows, what if one of the celebrities managed to write something incredibly important on Twitter? And then a blinking LED will promptly notify you of the onset of a global event.

Camera

In general, I would not write about personal impressions of the photographs, but Roman’s review “...the quality of the photographs is frankly pleasing” prompted me to do a short test.

In my opinion, there is a normal-average 8 MP camera without any frills or software enhancers. Photos with color balance skewed within reason. It doesn’t amount to “outright joy,” but it’s tolerable.

Sample shot in ideal lighting conditions, almost a standard. Not bad.

A recently stray bobtail kitten works as a fashion model; the contrasting black/white spots and fine hairs are great for testing smartphone cameras.

A section of the image (see above) in full resolution 8 MP. Not for camera flagship smartphone sharpness is very good.

Yes, I almost forgot. The camera has autofocus, but at short distances (macro photography) it did not work for me, sharpness disappears at distances less than 10 cm. This is a minus.

Summary

The determining factor in popularity will be price. Of course, a certain number of enthusiasts will buy a smartphone “here and immediately” for its support for 4G/LTE networks, but this is not a very large part of the potential audience.

MegaFon will now, willy-nilly, have to carefully monitor the situation on Russian market smartphones and regulate prices based on regions. I sincerely sympathize with them. Concerning specific model MegaFon Turbo 4G, then even for Moscow the price tag of 11,990 rubles is clearly too high. Let's wait for the conditions of the promised promotion.

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Sergey Potresov ()