D-Link and ZyXEL busting out 3G wireless routers

The days of 3G connection-sharing WiFi routers being a novel idea are long past, but that doesn't mean players like D-Link (pictured) and ZyXEL don't have anything to offer with these new routers of theirs. Of course, they both have the basics down: PCMCIA slots for those 3G connections (D-Link is shipping EV-DO and UMTS/HSDPA versions, while ZyXEL just does the UMTS/HSDPA thing) and a/b/g WiFi, but D-Link also lets you plug your USB-enabled phone into the router for an extra connection option, while ZyXEL mixes in some enterprise-friendly VPN certification -- both routers include their own firewalls. Unfortunately, the wired connections on the routers top out at 10/100, and the lack of 802.11n means you won't be doing much hefty peer-to-peer file sharing, but there at least shouldn't be any bottlenecks in the way of that 3G data. ZyXEL's ZyWALL-2WG will be out in Q1 2007 for an unnamed price, while D-Link's DIR-450 (EV-DO) is available now for $300, with the DIR-451 (HSDPA) to follow later in this quarter.

Read - D-Link
Read - ZyXEL

[Zandr @ Feb 5th 2007 5:09PM]

I've had a DIR-450 for a few months now, and street price is about 2/3rds that.

I've been told that the USB jack doesn't work with the U720 (Sprint USB EV-DO modem), but I haven't tried that myself. (and this was someone selling KR-1s, so take that with a grain of salt)

[Mike @ Feb 5th 2007 10:38PM]

Hope this is better than the KR-1 (Kyocera branded, but D-Link manufactured). I'm on my second replacement unit, and it still won't hold a a WLAN connection for more than a few minutes. The place I bought it from isn't getting any answers from either Kyocera (who is supposed to be providing tech support) or D-Link.

We need to buy three more for work, but we're holding off to see if the new models work better.

[Matt @ Feb 9th 2007 1:51PM]

I saw the ZyXEL product at RSA in San Francisco this week. They were demoing it at it seems much more powerful than the D-Link. The ZyXEL unit isnt just a 3G router, but a regular router meaning you can use a regular ethernet connection, the cell connetion, and it also has a dial backup port. The D Link doesnt have a WAN port on it at all so it is limited to being just a 3G router.

[Maureen @ Apr 19th 2007 1:50AM]

I saw the Top Global new MB6800 Mobile Router at the CTIA emerging technology showcase in March. I visited their booth to see a live demo. This cool product comes with 3G card slot, WAN, USB, Serial,
and 4 x LAN ports. I was told it work with all the cards from Sprint, Verizon, and Cingular, and all the new mini cards with an adaptor. I was told the
USB port can work with my U720 ! I can't wait to get one.

[alex @ May 5th 2007 9:31AM]

One thing to keep in mind with the D-Link is its support for so few EVDO Rev-A devices.

Kyocera will soon be announcing firmware RK1010 that provides full support for the U720/USB720 as well as the PX500/PC5750.

As with prior firmware releases, EVDOinfo.com and 3GStore.com are first to sell KR1 routers with this new firmware! ...for more info, read:

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/1973/64/