Huawei E173 Wifi Modem

The Huawei E173 is a legacy 3G USB modem that remains a "gold standard" in niche B2B markets, particularly for SMS gateway operations and industrial MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) due to its exceptional stability and specialized AT command set DiafaanAlibaba.

Product Overview & Performance

* Key Specs: 3G HSDPA connectivity with 7.2 Mbps download and 5.76 Mbps upload speeds Alibaba. It features a unique CRC9 external antenna port and a MicroSD slot (up to 32GB) Alibaba.

* The "SMS Workhorse": In professional testing, the E173 processed 500 messages in ~11 minutes, outperforming many newer 4G modems in throughput and driver stability Diafaan.

* Compatibility: Highly resilient to system sleep cycles and widely compatible with legacy Windows, Linux, and Android 4.0 environments DiafaanAlibaba.

Market Trends & Sourcing Insights

* Niche Persistence: While 3G is being phased out globally, demand is driven by the high cost of rewriting industrial SCADA/PLC software to support 4G protocols. It is a preferred component for 2FA systems, PBX voice management, and IoT deployments AlibabaAlibaba.

* Wholesale Market: Exact "Huawei-branded" stock is becoming rarer; however, OEM versions with identical chipset specifications are available. Wholesale prices typically range from $5.90 to $25.00 depending on customization and order volume AlibabaAlibaba.

* Sourcing Strategy: For 24/7 industrial use, sourcing from verified suppliers in Shenzhen and Xiamen is recommended, as they offer hardware with stable driver support and international frequency band options AlibabaAlibaba.

For bulk procurement and technical validation, refer to the product shortlist and supplier directory attached below.