Derrick
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MTN SA is making a more aggressive play for the broadband market with a new wireless router and high-speed modem capable of downloads of up to 7,2Mbit/s.
MTN SA is making a more aggressive play for the broadband market with a new wireless router and high-speed modem capable of downloads of up to 7,2Mbit/s. The device is not only a salvo against rival Vodacom but is also designed as an alternative to Telkom’s digital subscriber line (DSL) products.
The device, the F@stlink B970, was custom-designed for MTN by Chinese manufacturer Huawei. It is attractive, all black, and can be mounted on a wall or propped up on a counter top using the bundled stand.
The device automatically sets up a Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be secured with a pass key to prevent bandwidth theft. It has support for high-speed packet access, a 3G cellular technology, allowing download speeds of up to 7,2Mbit/s (in selected areas in Johannesburg and Cape Town) and upload speeds of up to 2Mbit/s.
It also works with slower 3G networks — MTN’s entire 3G network of 2000 base stations supports download speeds of at least 1,8Mbit/s — as well as the slower but more widely available GPRS/Edge.
Setting up the device is a snap — the most complex part of the process is typing in the supplied IP address of the router into a Web browser window.
The device has a four-port Ethernet hub for connecting fixed devices. There’s also an industry-standard antenna port, though antennae are sold separately. The USB port is used to supply mains power, though it can also be used as a USB modem when connected to a PC.
Pricing plans were set to be announced after the FM went to press, but data tariffs will be in line with MTN’s existing plans (R2/MB down to about 19c/MB).
MTN SA is making a more aggressive play for the broadband market with a new wireless router and high-speed modem capable of downloads of up to 7,2Mbit/s. The device is not only a salvo against rival Vodacom but is also designed as an alternative to Telkom’s digital subscriber line (DSL) products.
The device, the F@stlink B970, was custom-designed for MTN by Chinese manufacturer Huawei. It is attractive, all black, and can be mounted on a wall or propped up on a counter top using the bundled stand.
The device automatically sets up a Wi-Fi hotspot, which can be secured with a pass key to prevent bandwidth theft. It has support for high-speed packet access, a 3G cellular technology, allowing download speeds of up to 7,2Mbit/s (in selected areas in Johannesburg and Cape Town) and upload speeds of up to 2Mbit/s.
It also works with slower 3G networks — MTN’s entire 3G network of 2000 base stations supports download speeds of at least 1,8Mbit/s — as well as the slower but more widely available GPRS/Edge.
Setting up the device is a snap — the most complex part of the process is typing in the supplied IP address of the router into a Web browser window.
The device has a four-port Ethernet hub for connecting fixed devices. There’s also an industry-standard antenna port, though antennae are sold separately. The USB port is used to supply mains power, though it can also be used as a USB modem when connected to a PC.
Pricing plans were set to be announced after the FM went to press, but data tariffs will be in line with MTN’s existing plans (R2/MB down to about 19c/MB).