Rogers' Rocket Hub disguises 3G data and voice as mild-mannered home modem

Good news for Canadians who can't seem to get a decent internet plan for home. Rogers has unveiled a 3G station for residential use dubbed the Rocket Hub, and with it a number of jet propulsion-related puns that we'll be taking painstaking measures to avoid. It boasts 7.2Mbps HSPA, WiFi and ethernet out, and voice calls over UMTS. Makes sense since it's riding an Ericsson W3x core. The Upfront cost of hardware hasn't been disclosed yet, but plans start at $35 Canadian. Launch date (okay, we couldn't resist) is sometime later this month.

[r3loaded Posted Oct 3rd 2009 7:18AM]

Well, now you've certainly fuelled my interest :P

[Khris Posted Oct 3rd 2009 7:35AM]

I can't even begin to imagine how bad Rogers is going to screw customers over with this.

[Turbojugend Posted Oct 3rd 2009 8:34AM]

I have a data plan with them I have never been screwed, what is this screwing you are referring to?

[Khris Posted Oct 3rd 2009 9:40AM]

You're obviously a new Rogers customer if you don't know how they like to bend their customers over a barrel.

[missingNo Posted Oct 3rd 2009 10:31AM]

C'mon, Rogers, red rocket, c'mon, red rocke- what?

[erh Posted Oct 3rd 2009 2:41PM]

Rogers is as close to an evil anti-consumer monopolistic corporation as they come.

[Acey Posted Oct 3rd 2009 8:17AM]

fibre optic ftw

[Macmee Posted Oct 3rd 2009 8:43AM]

I get free tethering with my HTC touch using PDANet. You can't get 3G service where I live anyways so it's just as fast..

[Torch Posted Oct 3rd 2009 8:59AM]

Ripped of Logitech Z5500 volume thingie.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 9:11AM]

Just wait for LTE to be released! WCDMA and UMTS is poo

[Nu Li Posted Oct 3rd 2009 9:37AM]

you're right. nobody should ever buy anything until they are 100% sure there is or will be any other product that is better.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 2:41PM]

Ummmm... Wobbles... (if that's even a name....) LTE is built off of HSPA+, which is built off of HSPA...wait for it... UMTS and WCDMA!

[drumwiz86 Posted Oct 3rd 2009 9:18AM]

That's a lot of bars

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 9:22AM]

Centennial Wireless in my area has had those for awhile now. Neat devices.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 11:34AM]

Looks nice for those who cant get a decent internet service where they live.

BTW, the post isnt tagged with "Canada" therefor when I clock on my "Canada" bookmark it doesnt show up. Not that I really use the bookmark but its useful for those who use this feature.

[howi Posted Oct 3rd 2009 11:35AM]

Looks like the Rogers Rocket Hub (Ericsson W35) is selling for C$399.00 at a Rogers Authorized Dealer http://www.wirelessexpress.ca/ericsson-w35-fixed-wireless-terminal.html

[ZombieR Posted Oct 3rd 2009 12:07PM]

What if everything you ever wanted... CAME IN A ROCKET HUB?!

[iamnotafish Posted Oct 3rd 2009 1:11PM]

INTERNET! ROCKET EDITION!

FROM KENYAAAA!!

[MleB Posted Oct 3rd 2009 1:49PM]

Well, if the Plans are anything like their 'Rocket Stick' (USB data stick) plans for notebooks, that $35 will likely get you 500 MB of data. That's really useful for an internet connection.

Bend over and spread 'em, Canadians....

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 1:51PM]

Great - now Rogers can screw me at home as well.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 8:10PM]

If they implement some stratospheric pricing scheme this is gonna blow up in their faces. I'm counting down until the day Rogers goes bust.

[kcanuck Posted Oct 3rd 2009 8:53PM]

The Murphy's Laws of Rogers:

1) It doesn't matter what it costs; someone will buy one, and they will laughed at and ridiculed until our throats are sore
2) The rate at which the money is sucked from your wallet is always greater than the speed of the Rogers network
3) You will get to 99% of your download, and the modem will disconnect

The rocket hub will probably be like every other Rogers "high speed" device: tied down to the launchpad

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 3rd 2009 9:02PM]

I can see rogers making it $399 on a 3 year contract.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 5th 2009 1:23AM]

I am VERY excited for this new product to launch. I have been them for 6 years and so far they have surpassed what I received from Bell... both in product innovation and customer service!

[Ezye1313 Posted Oct 5th 2009 6:07AM]

Dude if that was the case why would you even need it??

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 17th 2009 6:11PM]

I just bought a lap top , there is a rogers tower close to my home , should I get the rocket stick?? thanks Joe

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 29th 2009 9:39AM]

First off the Rocket hub the plans are gonna start Around $50 dollars a month, and is a good alternative to anyone who can not get Rogers High Speed internet.

As well it will come with an antenna so if you are not getting the kind of speeds you need just hook it up and you will see some improvement, a much better option for people who only want to pay one price for internet and home phone service. ( when you factor in the cost of the 2 services combined. )

it is also backwards compatible with EDGE, and can support up to 4 landlines. ( provided you have a splitter)

as for the price all i will say with no term to buy it out right it will be $399. and it's much cheaper on a 2 year term. that's right no 3 year is required for this device.