Options for XT portable wifi hotspot?

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MattD

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#328861 11-May-2010 12:06

Thanks Mauricio, although only affecting the Canadian version, when looking through eBay for 2372 devices, not sure where they will be sourced from.

Liking the concept of the Cradlepoint to have flexibility between swapping USB modem between XT/850 and VF/900 and already have the modems. Shame on battery, but sure it could be used with a 12v auto adapter.

BarTender

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#329084 11-May-2010 19:34

If it were me I would go for a DLink DIR-825 and then load OpenWRT and then you could use the Airdcard 308 in the USB Port.

That way you would have the flexibility of a regular router, plus a USB stick you can use in your machine.

I have had success with my WRT54G3G and a Sierra Aircard 881 for HSDPA/HSUPA, and I am sure the 503 would work with a bit of convincing too. I have a 503 as a loaner right now, so I might have a go at it tomorrow.

RodDrury

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#329132 11-May-2010 20:51

I hope that Telecom allows Micro SIM's to piggyback an existing data account. So rather than having to carry an extra device, all data charges from different devices are aggregated. That would eliminate gaming through MiFi devices and make people more likely to get an iPad 3G. It's going to get worse when then iPhone 4 arrives.

Also, obvious to say, but it really irks me that Apple won't let you iPhone tether, which would solve the problem immediately as most people have their phone with them.

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BarTender

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#329347 12-May-2010 13:36

RodDrury: I hope that Telecom allows Micro SIM's to piggyback an existing data account. So rather than having to carry an extra device, all data charges from different devices are aggregated. That would eliminate gaming through MiFi devices and make people more likely to get an iPad 3G. It's going to get worse when then iPhone 4 arrives.

Not sure on that, I haven’t seen any "tandem esq" plans from Telecom on XT where you have two sims on a single plan/phone number. Each SIM has its own number so therefore you would get hit for each sim card monthly charges. I'm sure it could be done, but that would be up to Telecom to offer that as a billing option.

RodDrury: Also, obvious to say, but it really irks me that Apple won't let you iPhone tether, which would solve the problem immediately as most people have their phone with them.

You can tether your iPhone 3GS to a laptop if you're with Vodafone due to the agreement Vodafone have with Apple. You can do it with Telecom it's just not supported and may require you to jailbreak the phone. If you buy an Apple product then you should expect that your ability to control your own destiny is constrained within what Apple will permit. Hence why people choose Android or other handsets that allow them the features they need.

MattD

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#336009 29-May-2010 07:20

BarTender: If it were me I would go for a DLink DIR-825 and then load OpenWRT and then you could use the Airdcard 308 in the USB Port.

That way you would have the flexibility of a regular router, plus a USB stick you can use in your machine.

But this does not have a battery and fairly bulky, although portable in sense that you can move it between 240vAC points but not what most would consider portable to use any where.

Telecom still not offering a solution here.

nitrotech

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#336020 29-May-2010 09:18

This could be an option

http://www.pp.co.nz/products.php?pp_id=AA22226

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BarTender

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#336023 29-May-2010 09:44

MattD:
BarTender: If it were me I would go for a DLink DIR-825 and then load OpenWRT and then you could use the Airdcard 308 in the USB Port.

That way you would have the flexibility of a regular router, plus a USB stick you can use in your machine.

But this does not have a battery and fairly bulky, although portable in sense that you can move it between 240vAC points but not what most would consider portable to use any where.

Telecom still not offering a solution here.

But with this solution you would still have a USB Data card that you could use with your laptop, giving you the versatility to use both options.

This is personally what I use, which is a Linksys WRT54G3G and a Sierra Aircard 881 (ex AT&T), both of these were from Trademe, and cost me under $90 total.

Linksys WR54G3G and Aircard 880

The Linksys WRT54G3G runs linux and thus I am running OpenWRT (well I'm running X-WRT which has a great web gui) it cost me about $60 off Trademe, and I have seen one recently going for $100. The Sierra Aircard cost me $30 off Trademe, a $2 toll call to AT&T's 1-800 number in the US and I got the card unlocked with the MEP code they gave me. Then I needed to do a firmware upgrade and send it a few AT commands and it now runs at 7.2MB CAT8 downstream. I reguarlly get 500+ KB/s off the card.

And the X-WRT Interface is just sweet...

X-WRT

Not bad for sub $100.

Lastly found this link: http://www.netcomm.com.au/products/3g which has some interesting options.

sbiddle

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#336033 29-May-2010 10:40

Cradlepoint now have an Australian distributor who I met at CeBIT this week. They are hoping to appoint a NZ reseller soon.

They do some fantastic products including WiFi and Ethernet models including a fantastic Gigabit router that can take multiple data cards for redundancy or load sharing.

RedJungle

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#336278 30-May-2010 14:28

sbiddle: Cradlepoint now have an Australian distributor who I met at CeBIT this week. They are hoping to appoint a NZ reseller soon.

They need to get a move on.. I've been after a Cradlepoint PHS300 after Mauricio demoed his to me.. I ended up having to use a US mail forwarding service.. which is frustratingly slow (still waiting).

mort

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#421613 26-Dec-2010 10:30

hi there,

there are two new NetComm 3G hotspot options for XT:

7.2Mbps portable battery powered option
http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/netcomm-wireless-router

21Mbps larger unit also with 4 Ethernet ports
http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/prepaid/mobilebroadband/telecom-turbo-router

eXDee

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#421667 26-Dec-2010 20:07

Big thread bump there.

to be honest with the hotspot with single usb port, you're better off buying an android device for the same price and using the portable hotspot feature as well as usb tethering to achieve the exact same thing, and one less device to carry.

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