D-Link has announced a future router that has a PC Card slot for cellular backhaul.
The D-Link Wireless 3G Mobile Router, at least theoretically, allows subscribers of cellular service, like Verizon Wireless BroadbandAccess, to share their wireless EV-DO connection using Ethernet or 802.11g WiFi. The 3G Mobile Router will offer both consumers and small business a way to provide Wi-Fi access anywhere.
The D-Link Wireless 3G Mobile Router (model DI-725) will include a built-in 10/100 Mbps switch to connect up to four Ethernet-enabled networking devices as well as an integrated 802.11g access point for wireless LAN support. It will come equipped with a built in Cardbus slot for the insertion of a 3G wireless notebook adapter interface for EVDO, UMTS, Flash-OFDM and HSDPA networks.
D-Link says it will feature two USB 2.0 ports, one for providing wireless broadband access when used in conjunction with a USB enabled 3G mobile cell phone and another port for optional print server. It uses WPA, 802.1X and NAT for security. 
If you’ve got an EV-DO account, for example, you could place the EV-DO card in the slot for your broadband backhaul. D-Link has not said what the price will be, and doesn’t expect it to be on shelves until early 2006. WiFiPlanet and Unstrung have additional coverage.
Flarion & Netgear recently released a similar access point (above). NETGEAR and Flarion integrated a Netgear wireless router with Flarion’s mobile broadband for backhaul. The trick is finding a Flarion connection. Nextel canceled their Flarion trial this June.
The legality of sharing a wireless backhaul is not clear - but it doesn’t look good. RBOCs don’t have to share their DSL lines or fiber, and wireless operators are writing laws to ban municipal networks.
Mobile hotspots save lives — but the bottom line may take priority for mobile operators.
Related DailyWireless stories include; Qualcomm Buys Flarion for $600 million, Flarion Testing WiFi Handoff, Mobile Hotspot How To, The Future of Train Travel, Manpack Cellular Backbones, Mobile HotSpot, Mobile WiMax Chips, Adaptix + LG= WiBro, WiMax: On The Move, Battle at 3 Dot 5, WiMax: HPi - Not, and the WiMax Procession.
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