Saturday, 20 March 2010
T-Mobile and Clearwire mulling 4G partnership
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Clearwire and Sprint slinging WiMAX to NC, HI and TX in November / December
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/23/clearwire-and-sprint-slinging-wimax-to-nc-hi-and-tx-in-november/
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Netgear 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router unboxing and impressions
Frankly, there isn't a whole lot to say for Netgear's WWAN router, and that's a good thing. Cradlepoint is largely credited with starting this fad, but with devices like the MiFi making themselves known, the demand for these boxes is sure to slow. For folks who already own a USB WWAN stick -- or would rather more than five simultaneous users have access to their connection -- it's hard to go wrong with the MBR624GU.
By and large, the unit looks exactly like the rest of Netgear's routers. It's compact, lightweight and ought to travel well. Speaking of, Netgear assures us that a cigarette adapter is on the horizon, but for now, your best bet for using this whilst cruising is to snag a power inverter and use the conventional AC adapter. We used an admittedly overpowered 350W DC to AC Power Inverter from Radio Shack to power the router and our laptop in the car, and we never had any issues maintaining a connection on the go.
Setup was an absolute breeze. We simply plugged in our Sprint U727 EV-DO USB modem, nailed the "on" button, and within seconds a connection was live. The first time you connect via WiFi (at least through a PC), you'll be prompted to establish a router name, password, etc., and a few minutes later you're locked in and ready to roll. As for speed, you won't see a boost by using this over a direct USB connection, but it's the flexibility here that sells it. We connected three laptops and two phones at once, and while simultaneously downloading was obviously sluggish, it worked.
In the end, there's little else to say other than the device simply functions as it's supposed to. Connections are easy to establish and maintain, and there are even a foursome of Ethernet sockets for those who'd prefer to jack in directly. There's also a dedicated WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) button and a power on / off button that enables you to keep it plugged in but powered down when it's not needed. Our only real gripe is the omission of a WAN Ethernet jack, which would theoretically allow the device to double as a standard WLAN router. As it stands, you'll only be distributing WWAN signals over this, and unless you're locked into a USB stick for the better part of two years, the $100 asking price might be a bit much. 'Course, we'd probably feel differently if the MiFi didn't exist or if this thing had some sort of dual purpose, but as it stands, you'll need an awfully compelling reason to drop a Benjamin here in order to distribute your WWAN signals.
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
ZTE Achieves XOHM Certification for WiMAX Modem
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ZTE USA, a subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a leading global telecommunications equipment and network solutions provider, today announced that Sprint’s XOHMTM WiMAX business unit has certified its TU25 USB modem after extensive evaluation in the XOHM Herndon, Va. lab environment. The USB modem is the first certified for use with XOHM’s Mobile WiMAX service, the company’s next-generation broadband service now commercially available in Baltimore and planned elsewhere.
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless internet technology designed to provide broadband connections over large areas - even in challenging city environments. ZTE’s TU25 USB Modem provides XOHM’s subscribers with reliable, high speed broadband wireless connection for laptops and desktop computers with a USB port.
XOHM’s certification of the ZTE TU25 USB Modem signifies the product’s interoperability with other elements of the WiMAX network including back-office provisioning and customer relationship management systems and infrastructure. In addition to the XOHM certification, ZTE’s modem has also achieved Microsoft’s WQHL certification, USB Forum certification and FCC certification, marking it ready for commercial usage.
“With our newly achieved certification, consumers and enterprises everywhere are one step closer to realizing the promise of WiMAX technology which we see as the next-generation of broadband wireless access,” said Dr. George Sun, CEO, ZTE USA. “The certification of our USB modem proves that XOHM has chosen a high quality and reliable product that is a key component of the Baltimore launch, as well as future service roll-outs. We are proud to be working hand-in-hand with XOHM and its other vendor partners to help pioneer WiMAX in the United States.”
XOHM launched its first commercial service in the Baltimore area on September 29th. ZTE’s USB modem is the only USB modem presently certified for use. ZTE worked closely with XOHM to complete the testing and certification in the XOHM ND-ADE lab.
“We know that part of our commercial success relies on our ability to offer our subscribers technologically advanced equipment that will enable them to seamlessly harness the power of our WiMAX service,” said Bin Shen, VP Product Management and Partnership Development for XOHM. “After putting ZTE’s USB modem through rigorous testing, we are confident to offer our customers this product as part of their service equipment. We look forward to working with ZTE as we launch other cities later this year and next.”
About ZTE USA and ZTE
ZTE USA Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of ZTE Corporation, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and network solutions, is headquartered in Dallas, TX, with offices in Iselin, NJ, Chicago, IL and San Diego, CA. ZTE USA is leveraging ZTE's proven strength in IP and wireless technologies, strong R&D capability, and strategic industry partnerships to bring innovative wireless and wireline solutions and mobile handsets to the U.S. market. www.zteusa.com
ZTE delivers innovative, custom-made products and services to customers in more than 120 countries, helping them achieve continued revenue growth and shape the future of the world's communications. ZTE commits around 10 percent of annual turnover to research and development and takes a leading role in a wide range of international bodies developing emerging telecoms standards. It is the fastest-growing telecoms equipment company in the world and is China's only listed telecoms manufacturer, with shares publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. ZTE was the only Chinese IT and telecoms manufacturer listed in Business Week's 2005 Information Technology 100 and was included in its 2006 ranking of China’s Top 20 brands. ZTE was also awarded the “Most Promising Vender of the year” by Frost & Sullivan in its 2007 Asia Pacific ICT Awards, and was reported as the fastest growing telecom equipment and solutions provider among the major telecom vendors worldwide by international research firm IDC in 2007. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
Contacts
ZTE USA, Inc.
Kathryn Gonia, 214-420-8443
Kathryn.gonia@zteusa.com
or
Bite Communications
Elissa Ehrlich, 212-857-9397
elissa.ehrlich@bitepr.com