Linksys today announced a new Wireless-G Router designed to use backhaul from cellular networks, such as Sprint Power Vision (EV-DO) network, rather than DSL or cable modems. The Wireless-G Router for Mobile Broadband (WRT54G3G-NA), enables up to five WiFi users to share a single cellular link.
Sprint will be selling the Linksys router both online and through retail stores, according to Sprint business marketing program manager Larry Sherrard. It won’t require any changes in subscribers’ service plans, according to PC Magazine. Sprint Power Vision currently cost $59.99/month for unlimited high-speed access, or $79.99/month for people without a Sprint voice phone.
Kyocera (below), also put EV-DO into their $200 KR-1 Wi-Fi router. But up until now, those products were shunned by the biggest US wireless carriers especially Verizon. Verizon forbids people from sharing their EV-DO connections says DSL Reports.
Without a mobile broadband connection data card, the WRT54G3G-NA works as a standard wireless router. It can encode all wireless LAN transmissions with WEP or WPA security.
Features of Wireless-G Router for Mobile Broadband (WRT54G3G) include:
- 16/32 bit PCMCIA slot for a EV-DO PC Card (with hot insertion protection)
- 10/100 WAN interface and 4-port switch with auto MDIX
- Integrated 802.11b/g wireless access point with detachable antenna
- Static and Dynamic router
- Supports UPnP
- Configurable through connected PC’s web browser
- Security: Internet Access restriction, SPI Firewall, supports VPN pass-through with IPSec and PPTP
Motorola may be releasing the NC800 3G Wi-Fi router. According to Engadget Mobile, this device will not be carrier-independent, nor will it have a PC card slot to open up your wireless broadband options. Instead, you’ll get your “everyone else already has this” 802.11b/g, in addition to EV-DO Rel. 0 connectivity.
The Linksys Wireless-G Router for Mobile Broadband (WRT54G3G) is scheduled to be available this summer in North America for an estimated street price of $199. A Mobile Broadband connection PC card and mobile broadband service is sold separately. Sprint will also sell an EV-DO USB dongle later this year. The USB dongle will help owners of laptops like several Apple Powerbook models that don’t have PC Card slots.
This is very user oriented approach by Sprint. Applications abound. Mobilized police cars or trains would be obvious applications. Kyocera’s Mobile Router is providing a mobile hot spot for relief workers in New Orleans.
U3′s Smart Drive (right), is a USB Flash drive with a difference. U3 smart software can run off any U3 device without installation on the host computer. And virtually any application can become a U3 smart mobile application.
It’s not necessary to install an application on a host computer. You take your applications with you and run them off the thumb drive.
Perhaps you could stick one of these babies in the back of a USB-equipped WiFi router. Applications, sound or music files might be instantly available.
DSL Reports has more. Related DailyWireless stories include Solar Electric To Go.
