Netgear announces 3G mobile broadband wireless router for 802.11g's on the go

Netgear didn't go for any fancy-schmancy new form factor with its 3G mobile broadband wireless router, instead opting for the standard shell we know and love. Nine different Sierra and Novatel 3G modems are currently supported, and just plugging one into the USB 2.0 slot will provide you web access via either ethernet LAN or 802.11g. Usual amenities like WEP / WPA encryption are here, and it includes both AC and 12V DC adapters. The router is due out this month for $130. Anyone up for a World of Warcraft campfire LAN party?

Gallery: Netgear 3G mobile broadband wireless router

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Read - List of supported 3G USB modems

[ed. @ Jan 7th 2009 5:45PM]

I can have 802,110 internets?

[roomtek2 @ Jan 7th 2009 5:45PM]

grrrrr....

[kjb434 @ Jan 7th 2009 5:53PM]

so little amuses you.....

[Mobius_1 @ Jan 7th 2009 5:57PM]

They've been using that enclosure for like, well, ever. It's almost as old as Alienware now :P

[vansmack @ Jan 7th 2009 6:03PM]

Cradlepoint has been making these for years...make it 802.11n and it's news. Otherwise, old news...

[Knee to the Groin @ Jan 7th 2009 9:58PM]

So true! I'm totally wasting my 3G broadband card's full bandwidth potential with only 802.11g...


/eye roll

[GioNYC @ Jan 7th 2009 6:05PM]

Why would I need this? Just more shit to lug into my laptop bag

[Ken @ Jan 7th 2009 6:12PM]

This would be something installed in an automobile of sorts. WiFi in Grandpa's RV a the campground?

[aYe aye @ Jan 7th 2009 10:00PM]

Just a bonus for buying the Macbook Air

[Christian @ Jan 7th 2009 6:08PM]

Yes!!! I've always been looking for one of these for under $150!!! Plus it looks really fancy. :) :) :).

[vansmack @ Jan 7th 2009 6:13PM]

The Cradlepoint 350 has been under $150 for about a year...you could have found it for $99 with little effort.

[David @ Jan 7th 2009 6:11PM]

I wonder how better this will work compared to D-Links offering.
I have setup many with the dlink device and it works great with the pcmcia cards.

[Lundmark @ Jan 7th 2009 8:17PM]

I'm thinking that maybe I could scrap my super-expensive $60 8MBit ADSL connection at home and use one of these instead. I wonder if it supports modems with 14.4MBit capabilities... Then I'd be surfing for third of the price and almost twice the (theoretical) speed.

Can I haz test 3G period?

[Joey @ Jan 7th 2009 8:18PM]

um... my D-Link DIR-655 which i got at Costco for 80 bucks, can do the same thing after a firmware upgrade.
also, its a hybrid and it has gigabit ethernet and full blown security... why would you pay more? when you can get it with more features, at a cheaper price?

also, Netgear sucks, i had a netgear N router, after a month, it died. piece of shit.

[damn im so emo @ Jan 7th 2009 8:30PM]

Yea..... now it will suck the fuck out of your 5GB monthly allowance of bandwidth. For Real, Verizon and AT&T really need to move to unlimited.

[Bobby Jones @ Jan 7th 2009 9:25PM]

I'm up for some outdoor 10-man Naxx! Provided, of course, that 3G will be reliable and not let one of the group drop out because of signal issues. Speaking of which, going outside just to play and farm for wow gold or beat Illidan sounds sad.

I live a sad life ;_;

[bernardino @ Jan 7th 2009 9:29PM]

Cellular broadband has too high a latency to be used with WoW.

[Nick @ Jan 8th 2009 12:36AM]

I play WAR from work over my cell modem and pvp just fine.

[Tina @ Jan 23rd 2009 6:36PM]

I purchased the Netgear 3G router. Got it yesterday. Can't get it to work. Sometimes can't even get my computer to access the router via IE. Netgear's support his absolutely horrible. Called, was on hold for around 1/2 hr, then got a recorded message to leave my name and number. That was early yesterday. Still haven't received a call back. The router only came with a quick start card, but no manual. My problems are not mentioned on the quick start card. Can not find a manual online for this router either. Too new to find any blogs or forums addressing issues. I am extremely frustrated.

[Jim @ Mar 1st 2009 6:22PM]

Hi,

I bought this router at Fry' Electronics (frys.com) 2/25/2009.
Here's the Documentation link from the "router manager":
http://documentation.netgear.com/mbr624gu/enu/202-10437-01/index.html

I have a (Sprint) Novatel U760 card and (even though it's not listed on the "supported" list because the card is to new) the setup went pretty smoothly. Just this strangeness:
- The router takes about 10mins and 30 seconds to connect to the internet once it's been powered up. Not sure why this is, but, it's very consistent: 10mins 30secs to connect every time the router is turned off and then back on. This occurs no matter what my radio signal strength is. I've tested it from -101db to -77db and it always takes 10mins 30secs to connect.

One problem:
- My upload speed is radically different on the router than when the card is connected directly into my laptop. I tested on Sprint.com/speedtest and speedtest.net and my results are consistent between the two websites:

u760 card connected directly to laptop:
500-700Kb/s Download - 200-400Kb/s Upload

u760 card connected to the Netgear MBR624GU 3G router (conected to the same laptop):
500-700Kb/s Download - 40-160Kb/s Upload

Regarding tech support: On day 1, I had problems contacting tech support at the number listed on the outside of the box. Every time I called (and every option I tried) I ended up getting disconnected. I finally called the main phone number listed under "contact us" on their website and got routed to the right place. I also complained about their idiotic phone system and I haven't had trouble calling Netgear tech support since that day.