Earlier last week, ZTE , a telecommunications manufacturer, sent the heavily anticipated global WiFi hotspot, the “FiveSpot”, to the FCC for approval. It had previously been leaked as a Verizon product, so when the device was sent to the FCC under the ZTE manufacturer name, and not with the expected Verizon branding, most technology analysts missed it in the news.

The FiveSpot is a welcomed advancement on the technological front because it is expected to replace the few years-old MiFi. The MiFi is a solid product, and there are currently three versions, the MiFi 2200, MiFi 2372 and MiFi 2352. The 2200 is unique because it is for CDMA networks only. These devices are locked, meaning that you can’t switch carriers at your will. The 2372 and 2352, on the other hand, are for GSM networks. They are unlocked, and work in North America and Europe, respectively. The FiveSpot is global and features both CDMA and GSM radios, enabling the device to work well in over 40 countries. It will be a welcome update to the already enjoyed MiFi models.

There is a lot of speculation as to why the device was sent to the FCC without the Verizon branding. Engadget is following rumors that Verizon dropped the product to make room for their LTE plans. The blog on Nexus404 is under the impression that the product will return with a Verizon branding. No information has been released as to the release date or pricing of the device yet.

Yesterday I reviewed the Sprint Overdrive by Sierra Wireless. It’s a nicely sized, compact device that’s easy to carry around at 3.14″ x 3.14″ x .61″. It takes almost two hours for the Overdrive to fully charge, which is a little bit annoying, but reasonable considering how long it lasts. The battery lasts for approximately 4-5 hours, and that includes checking the speed every couple of minutes. On standby I’d imagine it would last much longer. There is also a useful indicator on top informing you if the Overdrive is running on Sprint’s 3G or “4G” service.

My first test took place in my office. After ten minutes the device said it was at 12 MB which didn’t make so much sense at the time. That’s a nice speed for something wireless, but the office network itself is a lot faster. I then realized that 12MB was the data sent and received, not the speed. When the device is connected, type in http://192.168.0.1/ into your web browser to see information about your current session. This was a very convenient tool for me, because I couldn’t read all the keys on the screen, and the online portal helps magnify them. After registering the Overdrive, you can log in and check what’s going on online. It turns out that at my office the signal was “very weak” (10%), which explains why none of the music videos I tried to access on YouTube would buffer. Some stats I saw were that I used 28.4 MB in data (2.32 MB sent and 26.1 MB received) and that I was roaming (in New York City?). So that’s why my Yahoo homepage took a good 30 seconds to load…

It’s a lot more convenient to use the Overdrive in a more open area, like in a moving car. I tried that after I got off from work with an iPod Touch and the service was great. I could instantly access both my Facebook and e-mail. Downloads were at least twice as fast as I had expected. I would definitely not mind using it on my commute to and from work each day, and it would be even handier on a long road trip. It would be interesting to see if the Overdrive could find a connection on a boat if it were only a mile or two from shore. There will be more news regarding connecting the Overdrive on a boat to come.

The most beneficial use of the Overdrive, however, took place in my basement. The Overdrive had almost perfect connectivity and its speed even surpassed what my Linksys router provides. Some of the slowest websites online went faster than I have ever experienced with a wireless network. I would definitely invest my own money in it just for that, cancelling my useless DSL to make room for the new and better WiMAX service available today.

Cradlepoint CTR350 WiFi Travel Router (CTR-350)

The Cradlepoint CTR350 is a wireless router that takes accessibility to another level. Connect to an active USB modem, plug in the CTR350, and you’re set.

You will be able to enjoy the ease and convenience of instant Wi-Fi without the hassle of searching for a hotspot or dealing with a non-secure connection.

The CTR350 is the smallest router in its class and can go with you anywhere. For those who are constantly on the road, it is the most indispensible and practical device on the market. Connect to family and friends, work with colleagues, and stay updated on current events from almost any location.

The CTR350 is compliant with IEEE 802.11 b/g standards and tethers to cellular phone or cellular USB modems for Wi-Fi access anywhere in coverage. It features a 10/100 Ethernet port for wired uplink when available and an additional firewall prevents unauthorized use of your connection.

It is, to date, the most compact and portable Wi-Fi solution available and allows for instant vital communication. At a time when accessibility is the key to staying connected, the key to accessibility is instant Wi-Fi and the Cradlepoint CTR350 will give you just that.

Contact Us for more information at 1-877-259-4629

Failsafe Gigabit N Router for Mobile Broadband (MBR-1200)

Overview

Cradlepoint makes a lot of quality routers, one of their best is MBR 1200. This advanced router comes with a failsafe mechanism that keeps those connected to the internet when the primary internet connection goes down.

It’s perfect for  businesses that can’t afford to be unplugged to the internet. When the original connection is restored, the MBR 1200 automatically switches back. Emergency response crews can use the 1200 to set up a mobile command shelter. It’s perfect for colleagues that want to share an internet connection on-the-go. Set up it up in your RV, boat or vehicle and enjoy unparalled WiFi service on 3G/4G networks.

The 1200 comes with WiPipe technology that allows for the device to direct bandwidth by giving video, audio or other large files priority over those files that don’t take up as much bandwidth. It has a range of over 260 yards and you can have up to 64 people using the device at one time. The durability of the 1200 lets users connect it to a DSL line and provide internet with GB ethernet ports.

The security features allow users to manage the network with the standard WPA/WPA2 security settings along with a firewall that includes Network Address Translation and Stateful Packet Inspections. It’s easy to install and there’s no software involved. Other security controls include  encrypted and open modes, as well as password protected Internet Access to prevent unauthorized usage.

Specs

WAN / INTERNET
3G/4G via Five Modem Ports (3 USB 2.0, 1 ExpressCard, 1 PC Card); One Ethernet Port (10/100/1000); One LAN Ethernet Port re-configurable to WAN for redundancy

LAN
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Four Ethernet Ports (10/100/1000)

ANTENNAS
internal WiFi antennas (300+ yards range), external antenna ports for optional antennas providing additional distance and performance

BUTTONS / SWITCHES
WiFi On/Off Switch, WPS Button (WiFi Protected Setup), Modem Signal Strength, Reset, and Power Switch

LED INDICATORS
Power, Ethernet LAN (1-4), Ethernet WAN, 3G/4G WAN, 3G/4G Modem Status (5), WPS (WiFi Protected Setup), Signal Strength

DIMENSIONS
9” x 5.1” x 1.57” ( 230mm x 130mm x 40mm )

CERTIFICATIONS
FCC, IC, CE, WiFi Alliance

OPERATING TEMPERATURE
0oC to 50oC

The Cradlepoint CTR350 WiFi Travel Router sets up a secure WiFi hotspot from a broadband-enabled phone or modem. It’s perfect for travelers looking to connect to the internet on-the-go. It also works for small business owners that wants to set up an internet connection without adding another expense.

It’s easy and convenient Wi-Fi set up and eliminates the hastle of searching for a hotspot and displaying information over an unsecure connection. Connect a data-ready cellular phone into the USB host port, and the CTR350 automatically establishes a connection to the cellular data network. There’s no additional software or hardware for your PC to get connected.

It’s simple to connect to the internet, it works just like most WiFi hotspot locations.  The CTR 350 is durable and connects to wired LAN connection creating a wireless access when the LAN connection is available. The power charges via a USB or powers USB modem.

The security features of the CTR 350 router provide users safety and knowledge that the information won’t be viewed by an unwanted party. WPA,WEP are some of the encryption settings that users can set to determine level of security.It comes with a built in firewall and the secure chat allows connected users to work safely and securely while protecting bandwidth. It’s speedy because it uses the cell carrier’s 3G network, also providing a large coverage area in which to use the router.

Specs
Firewall: NAT with SPI

Encryption: 64/128bit WEP, WPA/WPA2, WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK

Compatibility: Windows 98SE+, MacOS X, Linux, and WiFi Products

Certifications: FCC, RoHS

ALWAYS CONNECTED

The CradlePoint MBR1200 is a robust 802.11n router with 3G/4G failover capabilities.

Built for home, small business, branch offices, temporary and remote enterprise environments seeking to implement continuous, always-on connectivity.

With its failover/failback capability, the MBR1200 automatically switches to a secondary connection (either wired or wireless) when your primary service is interrupted.

Once your service is restored, the MBR1200 will automatically failback to the primary connection – keeping your business online with minimal interruption to users.

VPN: SECURE AND RELIABLE

The high-performance MBR1200 has the capability to create, manage, and terminate multiple IPSec VPN sessions.

It provides up to five concurrent sessions, supporting transfer and tunnel modes and several Hash and Cipher algorithms.

These encryption protocols protect your communications from one private network to another from end-to-end.

ENTERPRISE POWER – SMB SIMPLE

Powered by WiPipe™ technology, the MBR1200 router includes many features found in expensive, enterprise class routers at a fraction of the cost.

With minimal setup and maintenance, including our pre-installed software, it has “right out of the box” simplicity.

Standard on the MBR1200 are security features such as multiple WiFi encryption modes (WEP and WPA/WPA2 Personal and Enterprise) and built-in firewall, which prevent unauthorized use of your connection.

With no additional software to load, you’ll be up and running in minutes.

Features

• Over 260 Yards (780 feet) of WiFi Range
• Share WiFi With Up To 64 People
• Easy Setup & Maintenance
• High Performance Internal Antennas
• Cellular Redundancy Failover to 3G/4G
• Gigabit Ethernet Ports
• Works with USB, PC Card, & ExpressCard modems
• Modem Security Enclosure Available
• Full Integration with WiPipe™ Central
• Optional Modem Security Cap ensures your modems stay where you put them.
• Firewall features Network Address Translation (NAT) and Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) which prevents against DoS attacks.
• Access Control available in encrypted and open modes, as well as password protected Internet Access to prevent unauthorized usage.
• Provides additional security of Enable/Disable SSID and Internet Access Control (Services, URL, and MAC Filtering)
• Supports multiple concurrent IPSec, L2TP, and PPTP VPN Pass-Through Sessions
• Supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA, WPA2 (Personal & Enterprise) Wireless Security Modes

Editor’s View

Cradlepoint MBR 1200 is the latest N band router supporting more 4G modems and VPN tunnels. It utilizes internal antenna which makes it more portable than MBR1000, with optional external antenna available. It also features more ports for modems/phones: three USB ports, an ExpressCard slot, and a PCMCIA card slot.

Contact Us for more information at 1-877-259-4629

The ultimate solution for broadband data users who want reliability and security from a wire line or 3G/4G wireless connection. Universal Access to keep you connected anywhere on any network. Check Email, surf web and share music and photo files anytime. The NexAira NexConnect 3G Wireless Router supports 16-bit and 32-bit Type II mobile broadband cards, on EVDO and HSDPA .Supports wireless data transfers with speeds up to 54 Mbps and wired data transfers up to 100 Mbps. Equipped with two Ethernet ports for LAN and WAN access, Type II PC card slot and USB port for 3G network connections. For ExpressCards, a Universal adapter is available.

Create an instant Wi-Fi Hotspot anywhere from a vacation home job site to a recreational vehicle using supported 3G/4G cards. In areas where cable or DSL service is unavailable, use the NexAira 3G Router as an alternative solution. Quickly setup a Wi-Fi hotspot and provide your workgroup with an Internet connection.

Ideal for portable situations:

• RV or Command Centers
• Boats
• Move from location to location
• Backup communications for office

The NexAira 3G Router broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal so that multiple users can benefit from a single cellular AirCard. You can also use the Ethernet ports on the router to connect multiple computers or
devices together.

Contact Us for more information at 1-877-259-4629

The NexAira Nexconnect Router broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal so that multiple users can benefit from a single cellular AirCard. You can also use the Ethernet ports on the router to connect multiple computers or devices together. Take a Wi-Fi hotspot with you, Ideal for portable situations : RV or Command Centers, Boats, Move from location to location, Backup communications for office…

Contact Us for more information at 1-877-259-4629

The NexAira NexConnect Router

The NexAira Nexconnect Router broadcasts a Wi-Fi signal so that multiple users can benefit from a single cellular AirCard. You can also use the Ethernet ports on the router to connect multiple computers or devices together. Take a Wi-Fi hotspot with you, Ideal for portable situations : RV or Command Centers, Boats, Move from location to location, Backup communications for office…

NexAira Nexconnect uses 3G cellular networks or traditional DSL/cable service for connectivity to the internet. You can operate a managed Wi-Fi hotspot anywhere within range of cellular service—even in a moving vehicle such as a bus, train, or taxi, or ferry. Product requires cellular service via either USB or PCMCIA Type II broadband card.

Product Description : NexAira Nexconnect Router

• 3G : PC Card Type II, USB2.0
• WiFi : WAN/LAN, IEEE802.11b/g
• Up to 54 MBPS, 2.4-2.483 GHz
• Range : 35-100 meters indoors, 100-300 meters outdoors
• Supported OS : Windows 95+, Linux, Mac OS

Contact Us for more information at 1-877-259-4629