The 3G Phoebus MB6000, a pyramid-shaped access point converts your cellular PC Card into an 802.11g access point. The 3G Phoebus is said to be compatible with most major wireless providers and compatible with most EV-DO, UMTS, and HSDPA networks, as well as slower EDGE/GPRS connections.
It doesn’t include the cellular card on its own, however. It needs a PCMCIA card from Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, AT&T, etc. (see the compatibility list). Of course you’d have to get the blessing of your cellular provider first - that could be the tricky bit.
It includes AC adapter and CAT-5 patch cable ($289).
Other access points with cellular backbones don’t look like the Luxor pyramid include:
- Kyocera Wireless announced a free firmware update for its Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router. The $219 access point now supports a variety of EV-DO Rev. A devices, including the Kyocera KPC680 ExpressCard as well as other Rev A devices including Novatel’s S720 PCMCIA card and U720 USB device, Pantech’s PX-500 PCMCIA card, and UTStarCom’s PC5750 PCMCIA card.
- WAAV makes “mobile access points” that allow Internet connectivity in mobile environments. Their $499 wireless router, with a single backbone connection, uses Sprint’s EVDO starting at $59.99/month. Their AirBox X2 ($1099), is the first mobile cellular router that establishes two cellular Internet connections, binding them together for additional speed. It can also utilize WiMAX or 4.9 GHz public service frequencies for the backhaul, mixing and matching various types of backbone providers.
- Sprint’s Linksys EV-DO/Wi-Fi Router costs less than $250 (plus monthly service charge).
- The $700 Junxion Box provides a similar cellular backhaul solution. It’s used on Seattle buses to provide mobile WiFi, so a static (or bike-mounted) webcam shouldn’t be too difficult.
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