(I do not see that line in the article) but that is the point; who made this? Who says this is legit? Perhaps bought off Aliexpress? Or rebadged by the provider?

The "USB Stick" you refer to is the "E353 HSPA+ 3G USB stick" being the device itself; also called the "Surf stick". Google it.

it is actually called the "HiLink E353"[0], a 3G usb Modem from huawei.

[0]: https://consumer.huawei.com/en/press/news/2011/hw-256113/

That's a fair point, the origins are not explained well and it may not be a stock product. Check out mg's twitter @_MG_