Netgear 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router unboxing and impressions
By Darren Murph 
posted Sep 28th 2009 8:19PM
posted Sep 28th 2009 8:19PM
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Frankly, there isn't a whole lot to say for Netgear's WWAN router, and that's a good thing. Cradlepoint is largely credited with starting this fad, but with devices like the MiFi making themselves known, the demand for these boxes is sure to slow. For folks who already own a USB WWAN stick -- or would rather more than five simultaneous users have access to their connection -- it's hard to go wrong with the MBR624GU.
By and large, the unit looks exactly like the rest of Netgear's routers. It's compact, lightweight and ought to travel well. Speaking of, Netgear assures us that a cigarette adapter is on the horizon, but for now, your best bet for using this whilst cruising is to snag a power inverter and use the conventional AC adapter. We used an admittedly overpowered 350W DC to AC Power Inverter from Radio Shack to power the router and our laptop in the car, and we never had any issues maintaining a connection on the go.
Setup was an absolute breeze. We simply plugged in our Sprint U727 EV-DO USB modem, nailed the "on" button, and within seconds a connection was live. The first time you connect via WiFi (at least through a PC), you'll be prompted to establish a router name, password, etc., and a few minutes later you're locked in and ready to roll. As for speed, you won't see a boost by using this over a direct USB connection, but it's the flexibility here that sells it. We connected three laptops and two phones at once, and while simultaneously downloading was obviously sluggish, it worked.
In the end, there's little else to say other than the device simply functions as it's supposed to. Connections are easy to establish and maintain, and there are even a foursome of Ethernet sockets for those who'd prefer to jack in directly. There's also a dedicated WiFi Protected Setup (WPS) button and a power on / off button that enables you to keep it plugged in but powered down when it's not needed. Our only real gripe is the omission of a WAN Ethernet jack, which would theoretically allow the device to double as a standard WLAN router. As it stands, you'll only be distributing WWAN signals over this, and unless you're locked into a USB stick for the better part of two years, the $100 asking price might be a bit much. 'Course, we'd probably feel differently if the MiFi didn't exist or if this thing had some sort of dual purpose, but as it stands, you'll need an awfully compelling reason to drop a Benjamin here in order to distribute your WWAN signals.
Do want and need. Cool.
Then get Fonera 2.0. MUCH more versatile and does the same trick.
Unless you actually have a need for which this router was intended to fill, and Fonera isn't an option.
Asshat.
Anyway, this is great for people like me who live in an area where 3G internet is the only option, but would like to to be able to run more then one device at a time off the connection. I've considered getting a cradlepoint router, but low user ratings, plus the $200 price tag, have kept me away. I know I'm only part of a small niche market, but I am very happy to see a quality (and arguably affordable) solution to my problem.
Big deal, my D-Link DIR-655 does the same trick. And it's less likely to crash on you unlike Netgear's crap.
just recently? You guys a kidding right? this thing has been for sale ant best buy and compusa for months now, i,ve been using mine for over 3 months now.
Geez buddy, at least make an attempt at proper spelling and grammar. I count no fewer than 10 errors. That's pretty darn good for just over a single line of text.
It is YOU who is down.
OH MY FREAKING GOD THE APPLE STORE IS DOWN!!!!!
...why do people get so excited over this, it's annoying, errors do occur, the site could be having issues.
Anyways, I highly doubt this router will work with AT&T. More than one computer at a time!?, not if they have anything to say about it!
Yes we have had these in Australia for awhile now, perhaps not this exact one but similar.
Wireless internet is so bad in Australia however i cant imagine SHARING a connection. Splitting a 5gb a month quota amongst more than 1 person with hefty excess usage charges, how can you go wrong!
Wireless internet has so much potential but the latency, bad reception and lousy quotas make it unworthwhile for 90% of users.
However when i need to share the internet to my laptop i simply create a faux network on my Mac and connect to it on my laptop. I havent worked out a way to do it the opposite way, Windows 7 manages to hide the ability really well!
I really love my Cradlepoint unit. While it doesn't have the ethernet jacks, it does have a built it battery that will last most of a day. I used it all over Europe in June, in the car, keeping 2 lappys and 3 iPhones online. That in turn kept everyone else quiet.
Yeah, I have a Cradlepoint CTR350, which doesn't have a battery and does have a Wifi Ethernet port unlike this unit, and can be powered via USB. Its also MUCH smaller than the Netgear unit (about the size of a pack of cards) and sells for around the same price. Its incredibly easy to use. I can't imagine how you'd make it simpler. Works very well.
It doesn't have the four Ethernet ports of course, but I'm not sure why I really need those. I have Wifi-only devices (iPhone say) and devices that have both (laptops), but I can't think of any that only has Ethernet--maybe a laptop that temporarily doesn't have a working Wifi? Its not like the bandwidth of the 3G connection will overwhelm the bandwidth of the 802.11b/g connection...
All things being equal I'd stick with the Cradlepoint models. If you find the battery thing compellling and don't want to use a 3G dongle, a Myfi seems like a fine idea, but I'm not sure why you'd consider this netgear unit in most cases.
Just to add one more voice to the whole 'and this is news how?' camp, the network Three here in the UK has been selling this sort of thing for about or so now.
In fact, they've now started to replace them with these 'Novatel MiFi' mobile hotspots, which you put the SIM directly into, completely removing the need for the dongle element of the equation.
"...for about A YEAR or so now."
It would help if I could type.
Damn Darren, you are pumping out the reviews today! Good stuff all around though.
Bleh, netgear has never made anything worth buying in years. Every router/switch I've had from them has been a buggy pos. I'll take my D-link dir-655 with its wwan, gigabit, N and 3 removable antennas ability over this over priced door stop.
That's funny, every piece of d-link equipment I've ever owned has been a pos failure, but I've always had excellent results with netgear
nice "M-Cell" badge on your iPhone
Fonera 2.0n review please :)
This looks like the program I have on my WM phone ..turns my phone into a wifi hot spot..works well but maybe this will give faster speeds?
Somebody would have to test it. But yes in general the opinion seems to be that 3G dongles provide faster speeds than tethering through the data connection of a cell phone. Course its one less gadget to carry/charge and you don't have to pay an extra monthly fee to use it probably (since its not an iPhone), so those are obvious advantages.
yep, we have had these at best buy for a couple months now... so this is really nothing new.
Does anyone know if you can use this with a blackberry or any phone?
I can tether my bold with my pc by bluetooth and through cable but would be nice to share some times.
I use an iPhone with my Cradlepoint CTR350 without any problems. Suspect it would work fine with this unit as well.
You better not torrent on this other wise you will be A$$ raped by ATT, VZ, and Sprint in the states!
This product is a piece of crap if you have a Verizon or Sprint USB760 modem which is what the cellcos tried to jam down everyone's throat when they first came out. Funny, those modems still do not work on this wireless router. What is wrong Netgear? Technicians can't get your 3G wireless router to work with a 3G modem. Not everyone has a USB727 or an older USB720 modem. Get with the program Netgear!
I had to share this with someone. I wanted to see why Heorge and Nurse Hataway where sharing their time with that Pre and found an article in an Indian Website. This was horw they described George Clooney:
Since then he has become one of the most sought after actors in Hollywood, starring in blockbuster films like "Ocean's Eleven", "Solaris" and "O Brother, Where Art Thou?.
Man, you have to love it when you get to star in not one Blockbuster but two!!!
Please excuse the above post in error.
Now onto the comment that I meant to make. I have been using this at my Town House outside Washington DC on Verizon and SPRINT as my sole source of Internet. It has performed very well and has been a lifesaver. I was expecting allot more in the way of freezeups and reboots and thankfully have seen neither. Netgear also has a 12 Volt Car Cordso I have placed it in a bag and made it a portable unit for the car as well.
I can also attest that Netgears Engineers are very dilligently working on new drivers for the latest modems and technologies (WIMAX or T-MOBILE anyone? Sorry no deadline) and they are going to fully support this device agressively from the conversations I have had. How sure? I have FEDEXd my own Modems to thyem to help along the process.
So you basically just plug your crappy little ATT-provided USB cell modem into this device and then connect? That sounds too simple. No SIM card silliness to setup?