A Canadian company has released a pair of wireless devices for laptops for out of office users who need secure high speed Internet connections.
By plugging a laptop adaptor into the D-Link 3G Mobile Wireless Router card slot or a USB-enabled mobile phone, a user can create a wireless hotspot anywhere within range of an EV-DO, UMTS or HSDPA cellular network, the company said. The signal can then be shared with other WiFi 802.11g/b enabled devices nearby.
Jerry Balice, D-Link Networks Inc.’s director of technology, said the product is ideal for people working at construction or disaster sites.
3G not only allows high speed transfer of data through mobile devices, Balice said, it also includes high security standards such as WEP, WPA andWPA2 needed by some government agencies. The routers also include dual active firewalls.
“It can be used at criminal scenes to access and monitor surveillance cameras, it can be used for sharing the Internet at a special event like a conference or trade show, or in an airport or on a train to check your e-mail while commuting,” said Balice.
“Our product is designed to eliminate the necessity of incurring added expenses of upgrading your wireless equipment on the fly. You can use our adapter and roam with any other 3G device that’s in proximity.”
Rogers is in the middle of rolling out its 3G network this year. Bell Mobility and Telus installed their networks last year.
The two D-Link router models, which are AC-powered, are roughly 3.27-in tall by 9.65-in. wide by 11-in. deep.
The DIR-450 is for EV-DO networks such as Bell and Telus in Canada and Verizon in the U.S, and the DIR-451 for UMTS/HSDAP networks such as Rogers and Cingular in the U.S.
The DIR-450 is compatible with the Kyocera KPC 650, Novatel V620 and Sprint PC-5740 notebook adapters, as well as the Audiovox 8940, Kyocera KX188 and Samsunng A890 cell phones.
The DIR-451 is compatible with the Novatel Wireless Merlin U530 and U730, the Option Wireless GT 3G Quad, the Sierra Wireless AirCard 860 and the Sony Ericcson GC89 notebook adapters.
Both routers come with an integrated Web interface for configuring through a browser, and support Universal Plug and Play for easy device discovery.
They have built-in 10/100 Mbps switches that allow the connection of up to four wired Ethernet-enabled networking devices.
The units have a street price of approximately $253, depending on the retailer. Distributed through Ingram Micro and Tech Data, channel outlets include Future Shop, Best Buy and Tiger Direct.
D-Link is headquarted in Oakville, Ont.