Telstra launches HSPA+ WiFi N portable hotspot

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 21 June 2011 06:42

Business IT - Networking

Telstra claims to be the world's first mobile operator to launch a battery-powered dual carrier HSPA+ (42Mbps/5.76Mbps) 3G WiFi hotspot.

The product, from Sierra Wireless (the AirCard 753S) dubbed 'Telstra Ultimate Mobile Broadband Wi-Fi', supports wireless N on the Wi-Fi side with a claimed range of up to 50 metres. It can connect up to five Wi-Fi devices and one USB device. Telstra quotes typical download speeds from 1.1Mbps to 20Mbps in all capital city CBDs and selected regional areas (where dual carrier HSPA has been implemented); 550kbps to 8Mbps in all capital cities, associated metropolitan areas and selected regional areas and 550kbps to 3Mbps in other Next G coverage areas. According to Telstra, the dual carrier network now covers around 60 percent of the population.

The device has a claimed standby time of 100 hrs and 3.5 hours usage and Graeme McLinden, Telstra's general manager mobile devices, suggested users could "turn it on the morning and carry their own personal Wi-Fi bubble around all day." For power users an optional double-capacity (3600mAH) fat battery is available, claimed to give up to 12 hours usage.

Other optional extras include a USB connected charging cradle. (rather than plugging in the mini USB cable to charge the device it is simply dropped into its cradle) and a range of external antennas, including a large about 20cm square flat plate dual antenna giving a 3dB gain.

The devices measures 96 x 57 x 16.5mm and comes with a large 3.5 x 3cm display that provides a good range of status information. It displays signal strength, battery charge, number of connected WiFi devices, data volumes (up stream and downstream combined), SSID (WiFi device name) and (optionally) its WiFi security key.

Once connected to a computer a portal can be opened in a browser that gives access to a wide range of parameters via an easy to use graphic user interface. The device comes with a 20 page pocket size quick start guide that should be adequate for most users, but another button on the GUI downloads the full 40 page Sierra Wireless user guide.

Data usage is displayed in monthly cycles, with the option to start the cycle on any day of the month. However there is no option to create an alert as the quota is approached and this figure gives data volumes as measured by the device, which could differ from the figure used for billing. However the GUI comes with a "My Usage Button" which takes users to their Telstra account portal from which they can obtain billed data usage once they have linked the device to their account.

It also has built in GPS receiver, delivering true not assisted GPS. Via the GUI this can be linked to range of PC based maps such as Google Map, enabling the user to get a display of their location.

The devices will go sale to Telstra business customers today, 21 June for $349 outright. A BigPond version will go on sale for consumers on 19 July. For business customers it will be available for $0 on range of 24 month contracts starting at $49per month with 7GB of data. The BigPond version will be available for $49 after device rebate) on a range of 24 month plans including on a $39.95 per month plan with 1GB of data.