Device that supports GPRS+EDGE+3G|HSPA+WiFi...?

ic

ic

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I am somewhat hesitant to go out and purchase a Novatel data card - despite the existing issues, I want a device (does not have to be PCMCIA) that also supports EDGE and possibly WiFi as well (builtin coffee machine would be nice too :D).

The question is: when can we expect such a gizmo to be available locally?
 
Nokia 6630 supports GPRS, EDGE and 3G. Upcoming 6680 the same. On the nokia side, you will have to wait for the upcoming N series phones to get all 4...
My guess is that the first phone to market that will offer all 4 will most probably be the new iMate...
 
:cool: but I should've been more specific - I am looking for a device that is not a cellerific phone :)...something like a data card...preferably not PCMCIA...doesn't have to be portable, can be klunky & desk-bound...

I remember v3g posted a co.uk [if memory serves] link to something that was being developed - that was probably back in January, and then recently a new data card option from Option...
 
ah, i see. like a "iburst" type ethernet terminator, except support for WCDMA and 2G stuff, but with built in 802.11g? nothing out there that i am aware of. let me check the cisco labs for you quick...
 
Yep, 802.11g not essential - can always have a separate WiFi router/switch for that, but definitely a device that supports GPRS+EDGE+3G with auto-fallback&switching when signal fluctuates...:D
 
A few upcoming devices:

PCMCIA:

1) GPRS/3G/WiFi - This is very near
2) GPRS/EDGE/3G/HSDPA - I've tested a beta. Should be available towards end of the year.

Comms Device:

There is a whole range of these devices being developed and we've tested one or two beta ones. Basically this is a router / firewall / WiFi AP with GPRS/3G and later EDGE and HSDPA capabilities.

I've seen 'homebrew' versions of the above with guys taking a blackbox system or old laptop and configure it with one of the PCMCIA cards.
 
I'll go have a look what they're brewing up at futurex , However all you CT guys will have to wait awhile still. :p
 
:eek: IC - Looks like hauwei are about to release exactly what you are looking for! They have one in beta and it includes 802.11g, GPRS, EDGE, 3G and Bluetooth, with 1000Mbps ethnernet port.
 
We're awaiting the Hauwei unit for testing as well as a few others. Have tested the Motorola one already. I'm also awaiting 1 or 2 South African ones.

I would suggest two routes in acquiring a device like this:

1) For the 'not-so-technically-minded', i.e. SME, etc. : Wait for one of these devices.

2) For the more 'technically-minded': Consider contructing your own, using an old laptop (or a small, inexpensive PC with a PCMIA adaptor) with your OS of choice. It'll give you better control over what you want and future proof you in a sense. You can just swap out the PCMCIA card when it becomes obsolete.

In waiting for the 3G Access Point Appliances, we had to deploy some type of solution for specific customers and found the above to work quite well.

A pre-configured Linux kernel providing all the above functionality might make a good business proposition....
 
My reason for wanting this is for a micro-sized business with 3 people each with their own notebooks, that will be sharing the connection for email only [they will be restricted via a Linux box - probably with SWE2 or IPCop with relevant add-ons to only allow pop3 and smtp, and only business related at that, browsing & downloads they do on their own time in their own homes although there will be some business related sites allowed later, initially VoIP won't be allowed either].

The connection doesn't need to be fast, it needs to be 24*7 & reliable & manageable from a cost POV.

WBS' iBurst is overkill for this, and so is Sentech's MyWireless - neither of them allow for pre-paid options...and their coverage is not as good as having the ability to switch dynamically between EDGE & 3G. BusinessDSL512 is not an option due to the cost factor. Blackberry is also eliminated here - mobility not required, cost shared between 3 people for email only versus Blackberry * 3, and OpenOffice will be used extensively on their notebooks - integrated in with an existing database app with an xhtml frontend.

So, ideally I want a device that attaches via ethernet [PPPoE] to the Linux box, is powered by a UPS, and that supports EDGE & 3G, and I stick in a pre-paid or contract sim from either Vodacom or MTN [whichever works out to be cheaper based on amount of data being transferred every month - possibly even switching between networks when prices change :evilgrin:]...
 
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Am I missing something here...? :confused:

Can't you just use the Linux box you've got and stick the 3G card in a PCI adaptor. Why do you need an external device.

On the Linux system, you can run all the traffic management software you require.
 
vodacom3g said:
Am I missing something here...? :confused:

Can't you just use the Linux box you've got and stick the 3G card in a PCI adaptor. Why do you need an external device.

On the Linux system, you can run all the traffic management software you require.
Click to expand...
That's true but I'd prefer something that's attached via ethernet & doesn't require any OS specific drivers & ports to be setup...:)
 
I hear you IC - Keep it simple :)
V3G - you seen anything from, eh, Cisco yet?
 
ic said:
That's true but I'd prefer something that's attached via ethernet & doesn't require any OS specific drivers & ports to be setup...:)
Click to expand...

I fully agree that an external appliance is the easiest in terms of setup and management, but in your specific scenario, I believe 2 factors make the proposed solution worth considering:

1) You already have a Linux box in your architecture that need to be maintained. Setting up the card in this system will create no more overhead.

2) In a 3 user environment, cost will be an issue. An external device is going to cost you at least R3K, while adding the data card to the Linux system will cost you R250.
 
R3K would be doable as a startup cost, the only thing with SWE2 [not sure about IPCop] is that it doesn't support PCMCIA as a RedNIC - I know I could spend time fiddling but I'm not that keen to mess with something that already works very well with PPPoE.

Anyways it would be a new Linux box - not in my office at all, so I could put some other distro in place...

v3g, a PCMCIA data card for R250 - is that GPRS only?
 
vodacom3g said:
I wish..., I had the adaptor in mind, assumed you'll get a data card on a contract.

But I realised you want to do low volume, so you'll have to buy a card outright.
Click to expand...
It is basically for a new SMME - they don't know what their usage will be like, I have suggested no less than 500MB but they don't want to sign any contracts until they get some cashflow going/stabilised.

I know I can sell them on spending R3000 for a "modem" type device that gets them connectivity for email during business hours & isn't charged per minute...

I have explained that they will save a fair amount of money on a contract - they will consider that later when the cashflow is stable and they know what their average monthly usage will be like...
 
Well I had a meeting with the SMME3 this afternoon, looks like they might consider a 24 month contract over pre-paid...:)

There is one other reason I'd still prefer an ethernet attached sim repository device - it allows for some distance between the Linux box & a position where the most optimal signal is...

At the risk of being cyber-spanked for not searching the forum, can anyone tell me if they've successfully managed to get a Novatel 3G Data Card working with Linux Kernel 2.4.xx [SWE2 is on 2.4.29]...?
 
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