Instant HSDPA hotspot
MTN is ready to launch its latest wireless broadband network device – an HSPA wireless gateway boasting 7.2 Mbps HSDPA and 2 Mbps HSUPA support.
MTN’s wireless gateway was developed in partnership with Huawei, and is basically a Huawei B970 HSPA router with custom MTN software to ensure ease of use and plug-and-pay on the MTN network.
The device itself has numerous attractive features to the home and SME market typically found in high end ADSL routers.
The router has four Ethernet ports, one telephone interface, one USB port and a standard external antenna interface and switch which is ready for use with standard external 3G/HSDPA antennas from companies like Poynting (side image of device here).
What makes this device particularly attractive to home and small office users is that one can plug in a standard analogue telephone into the telephone interface and make GSM calls while still surfing the Internet.
As with other HSDPA devices on the market the new Huawei B970 supports HSDPA, 3G, EDGE, GPRS and GSM. It further supports the 802.11b and 802.11g standards for WiFi access.
The device has a built in firewall and supports a range of wireless security standards typically found in high end wireless routers.
The device is MTN branded and comes in a glossy black finish to satisfy those users who may be interested in the aesthetics of the device.
Setup and use
One of the biggest advantages of the product is the simple setup procedure and ease of use.
It is completely Operating System (OS) independent and to start to use the device is as simple as plugging it in, switching it on, typing in the default IP address and clicking ‘next’ a few times in the setup wizard.
In a live demonstration MTN’s Brian Seligmann had five devices with different OSs – an Apple Macbook Pro, a Windows based laptop, a Linux based netbook, a Blackberry and a PSP – connected to the wireless network. Within minutes all five devices were connected and surfing the web.
Cost
Maybe the biggest selling point of the new MTN Huawei B970 wireless gateway is the price which is expected to be not much more expensive than current HSDPA modems like the Huawei E272.
MTN expects the device to retail for between R 2000.00 and R 2500.00, nearly half the price of this type of device in the beginning of 2008.
MTN also confirmed that the Huawei B970 will be fully subsidized on its current extended data plans.
With many South African broadband users choosing between ADSL and HSDPA as a primary broadband connection for home or their small business office the MTN wireless gateway will be a welcome arrival.
At a subsidized rate of R 449.00 per month – which includes 2 GB of data usage – and offering real life download speeds of over 1 Mbps and uplink speeds of around 1 Mbps it compares very favourably with Telkom’s ADSL offerings for low usage.
Seligmann pointed out that while the device will initially be launched with standard data contracts, subscribers can expect more aggressive double play pricing in future which will include voice minutes bundled with data bundles.
The MTN Huawei B970 wireless gateway is expected to be available at retail outlets towards the end of September.
MTN wireless gateway discussion
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