Netgear partners with Ericsson for a 3G-receiving, WiFi-emanating router
By Vlad Savov 
posted Feb 9th 2010 5:36AM
posted Feb 9th 2010 5:36AM
Had enough of dealing with oligopolistic wired broadband suppliers? Well, with Netgear's brand spanking new MBRN3300E you can just ride off into the 3G sunset and say goodbye to those pesky wires. Like the majority of wireless routers today, it comes with 802.11n WiFi and a built-in firewall, but what sets it apart is the integrated 3G modem provided by Ericsson. With it, you can suckle down broadband straight from the ether and transport it throughout your home, whether you live in New York City or some remote part of Minnesota. Netgear is announcing it with immediate availability, and there will be optional car charger and battery pack accessories to maximize the mobility of the unit. Okay, it'll never be as small and portable as a MiFi router, but it's always good to have options, right? Full PR after the break. NETGEAR Announces 3G Mobile Technology Collaboration with Ericsson on NETGEAR MBRN3300E 3G Wireless Router
Mobile Router Integrates Internal 3G HSPA Radio, 802.11n Wireless and 10/100LAN
SAN JOSE, Calif. - February 9, 2010 - NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced a technology collaboration with 3G infrastructure leader Ericsson®(NASDAQ:ERIC)resulting in the launch of the new NETGEAR MBRN3300E 3G Mobile Broadband Router with internal 3G radio, available now.Ericsson contributes its leadership in 3G mobile networks, while NETGEAR contributes world-class expertise in routing, firewalls, wireless and IP networks. NETGEAR will showcase the MBRN3300E in the Ericssonpavilion, Hall 6, during the GSMA Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona February 15-18.
"We are thrilled to cooperate with Ericsson, the global leader in 3G mobile broadband network technology," said Michael Clegg, vice president and general manager of the NETGEAR Service Provider Business Unit. "This collaboration furthers our position with mobile operators, and the resulting mobile platform can be migrated to higher speeds and enabled with added features going forward. It is a clear win-win partnership."
Mats Norin, vice president of Mobile Broadband Modules at Ericsson, added, "Mobile broadband connectivity over HSPA in routers opens up new opportunities in yet-untapped home, SOHO and semi-nomadic user scenarios. We are excited to deliver mobile broadband connectivity to a new segment, home network routers for NETGEAR."
Now available, the MBRN3300 Mobile Broadband Router combines a 3G WAN with 802.11n wireless and Ethernet LAN. As evidence of its industry-leading features, this Mobile Router sports 270 Mbps on the wireless LAN side and a full-featured firewall. Utilizing the Ericsson 3G mobile broadband technology, the MBRN3300 offers cost-efficient Internet access for home and business users and is ideal for:
* locations that lack wired infrastructure;
* as an alternative to DOCSIS®, DSL or Fiber to the Home (FTTH); and
* Internet access from trains, buses, automobiles, RVs or boats.
Proven Compatibility
Mobile network connections for routers are becoming increasing popular in many countries as a backup for or alternative to wired broadband. 3G mobile networks already offer speeds close to, or even exceeding, wired options. Mobile networks also offer service in locations where there are no high-speed wired Internet connections available or alternatives are far too expensive. Ericsson and NETGEAR together are expanding the market for mobile networks into untapped applications and are helping mobile operators generate higher revenues as their customers realize more reasons to use 3G networks for data and downloadable mobile entertainment.
A Unique Combination of Features
This new NETGEAR mobile broadband router offers many unique features not previously able to be delivered in a single device, including:
* Live Parental Controls and content filtering
* Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), VPN pass-through and Denial of Service protection
* Guest networks (multiple SSID) capability to enable customers to set up multiple wireless networks within a home or small business. (This is especially useful for setting up a dedicated network for guests to give them access to the Internet but not other resources and files on the network.)
* Automatic Quality of Service (QoS) for reliable video, voice and gaming
* A broadband usage meter to ensure accurate measurement of download Internet traffic with customized alerts when close to the monthly bandwidth threshold to help avoid excess usage charges
* Push 'N' Connect with industry standard Wi-Fi® Protected Setup (WPS) for securely connecting devices at the touch of a button
* On/off switches for power and 3G / Wi-Fi to help customers conserve energy
* Optional car power charger and a battery pack for complete mobile usage
Mobile Router Integrates Internal 3G HSPA Radio, 802.11n Wireless and 10/100LAN
SAN JOSE, Calif. - February 9, 2010 - NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically innovative, branded networking solutions, today announced a technology collaboration with 3G infrastructure leader Ericsson®(NASDAQ:ERIC)resulting in the launch of the new NETGEAR MBRN3300E 3G Mobile Broadband Router with internal 3G radio, available now.Ericsson contributes its leadership in 3G mobile networks, while NETGEAR contributes world-class expertise in routing, firewalls, wireless and IP networks. NETGEAR will showcase the MBRN3300E in the Ericssonpavilion, Hall 6, during the GSMA Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona February 15-18.
"We are thrilled to cooperate with Ericsson, the global leader in 3G mobile broadband network technology," said Michael Clegg, vice president and general manager of the NETGEAR Service Provider Business Unit. "This collaboration furthers our position with mobile operators, and the resulting mobile platform can be migrated to higher speeds and enabled with added features going forward. It is a clear win-win partnership."
Mats Norin, vice president of Mobile Broadband Modules at Ericsson, added, "Mobile broadband connectivity over HSPA in routers opens up new opportunities in yet-untapped home, SOHO and semi-nomadic user scenarios. We are excited to deliver mobile broadband connectivity to a new segment, home network routers for NETGEAR."
Now available, the MBRN3300 Mobile Broadband Router combines a 3G WAN with 802.11n wireless and Ethernet LAN. As evidence of its industry-leading features, this Mobile Router sports 270 Mbps on the wireless LAN side and a full-featured firewall. Utilizing the Ericsson 3G mobile broadband technology, the MBRN3300 offers cost-efficient Internet access for home and business users and is ideal for:
* locations that lack wired infrastructure;
* as an alternative to DOCSIS®, DSL or Fiber to the Home (FTTH); and
* Internet access from trains, buses, automobiles, RVs or boats.
Proven Compatibility
Mobile network connections for routers are becoming increasing popular in many countries as a backup for or alternative to wired broadband. 3G mobile networks already offer speeds close to, or even exceeding, wired options. Mobile networks also offer service in locations where there are no high-speed wired Internet connections available or alternatives are far too expensive. Ericsson and NETGEAR together are expanding the market for mobile networks into untapped applications and are helping mobile operators generate higher revenues as their customers realize more reasons to use 3G networks for data and downloadable mobile entertainment.
A Unique Combination of Features
This new NETGEAR mobile broadband router offers many unique features not previously able to be delivered in a single device, including:
* Live Parental Controls and content filtering
* Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI), VPN pass-through and Denial of Service protection
* Guest networks (multiple SSID) capability to enable customers to set up multiple wireless networks within a home or small business. (This is especially useful for setting up a dedicated network for guests to give them access to the Internet but not other resources and files on the network.)
* Automatic Quality of Service (QoS) for reliable video, voice and gaming
* A broadband usage meter to ensure accurate measurement of download Internet traffic with customized alerts when close to the monthly bandwidth threshold to help avoid excess usage charges
* Push 'N' Connect with industry standard Wi-Fi® Protected Setup (WPS) for securely connecting devices at the touch of a button
* On/off switches for power and 3G / Wi-Fi to help customers conserve energy
* Optional car power charger and a battery pack for complete mobile usage
So, it's basically a large,m home version of the Mifi? Not bad I guess but the portability of the MiFi is key. It would be nice if you could have both. For example, the core unit could be a small, portable component which can detach from the main unit which provides stronger antennas and more power.
@tonicboy ya, over USB.
Yesterday a colleague and I turned our Symbian and Windows Mobile phones into these to accomodate for a corporate network collapse... I'm sure it cost considerably less to do, and the whole operation was outrageously effortless.
S60 - 'Joikuspot'
WinMo - 'WMWifiRouter'
Both offer limited free versions. No doubt similar iPhone and Android equivalents exist. I recommend giving these kind of app's a whirl should you already be in possession of 3G/HSDPA data contracts tied to your mobile phone.
Just pack a spare charger!
A few weeks back I was forced to tether my Sony Xperia X1 to my workstation so I could get online ( comcast was down ). The process was extremely easy using internet sharing App that comes standard with Windows Mobile 6.1.
But a router like this will make it easy for your entire house to use the 3G / HSDPA to surf the web. I bet AT&T will love these.
@blogwhitesitescom
My software suggestion above yours renders the whole operation wireless. Subsequently, multiple users can connect within range of the 3G/HSDPA phone, and no mobile drivers or cables are required for operation either which is the particularly useful bit for instant connectivity with any hardware - be it PC, Mac or your favourite flavour of Linux, wherever you are.
@LRawlins My bad, I didn't realize those programs were essentially turning your phone into a wireless router. I will definately look into that program, Thanks!
How are the 3G data prices? The speed etc? Things like this could start making the prices more competitive with dsl and cable.
@(Unverified)
3G Prices are not that bad here in the UK. If you're a very light user, like less than 5GB of data per month, it can be cheaper than ADSL. But if you want streaming video, online gaming or P2P then it's not really viable.
@Monstermunch
Sadly it would seem that signal is key here. I was looking at the different offers from UK providers, but 3G reception is so poor where I live that it makes no difference.
Sadface.
@(Unverified)
I am with AT&T and pay $30 / month extra for unlimited data ( 3G / HSDPA ) and unlimited texting. I was forced to tether to my cell phone a few months back to get internet at home. I ran some benchmarks and they were pretty fast. Keep in mind these speeds were while I was on HSDPA, and not everywhere has this type of coverage. But it is faster than the slower types of DSL connections.
Yay, more GSM crap.
I love when people think Minnesota is a remote wasteland...it's really not. If you want to compare NYC to something that's the exact opposite, try Eastern CO, Eastern MT, ND, or NE. Now that's barren (god I hate driving through them)
@caryjanderson
The 'barren wasteland' image helps to keep to riff-raff out.
Can anyone share info on how speeds compare?
ie. Up and Down?
I'll take one that does the opposite please... Start with my internet connection and give me working 3G in my house, in SF. AT&T still sucks.
Sell me a dock for my phone that automatically sets up a wifi connection through my 3G when I charge it, and I would buy it. Otherwise something like this is going to be last resort as Cable is faster and cheaper. Unless of course you live outside of cable/dsl range, but then again, you probably wouldn't have a decent 3G signal if you did.
Just don't exceed your 3G contract throughput limit, 5GB/mo or whatever. Easy to do if you're using the same connection for your always-on desktop.
How is this in any way better than the Option GlobeSurfer III? That has built-in support for AT&T and T-Mobile 3G, Voice, SMS, support for LAN and USB Printers/File Sharing.
No joke, I was just thinking of a way to get one one (or some) of the computers at my school, to get online without blocks, or download speeds of 11 KB/s down and 453 KB/s up (crazy... I know, but uploading a file to the interwebs that's 20MB is a HELL of a lot shorter than downloading)
And engadget posts something that includes the ability for Ethernet on 3G, because I was thinking, oh the mifi and then an adapter for wifi to Ethernet (a gaming bridge)
THANKS ENGADGET