Nexaria's NexConnect SOHO router does 3G and 4G on the trot, BYO modem (video)
By Tim Stevens 
posted April 7th 2010 11:07AM
posted April 7th 2010 11:07AM
Little wireless routers with built-in modems, like the MiFi, are great for getting easy access to 3G (or, soon, 4G) wireless on the go and for sharing it with a few friends. But, they're not exactly meant for sharing with the whole office. Nexaria's NexConnect 3G/4G SOHO router is (for small-to-medium offices, anyway) and it brings some impressive compatibility to the table, able to connect to 3G networks from AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, plus others, and even 4G WiMAX from Clear. How does it manage all this? Simple: you bring the modem. There's a PCMCIA slot on the top and a USB port on the back, either of which can be used to get this thing connected -- even Ethernet if you have a little Cat-6 lying around -- and setup is handled through a simple GUI shown after the break. The router is due to start shipping in May with a cost of $99.95. 
Not bad! I'd almost do this if I could find a use for it. Probably would work real nice in an RV.
PCMCIA slot?
Do people still use that?
I thought expresscard was pretty much the standard now.
@DoctarPeppar
Ya, most laptops come with both slots..
The price is solid at $99 but I guess with no sign of physical antennas the range on this thing will be limited.
@Plazmic Flame
This does not have a modem built in. You will use the antenna on the PC card or USB device provided by the carrier.
@Kamalot I think they were referring to the antenae on the device for routing the signal within the office or home.
@RDiggity
As far as I can tell, it isn't wireless at all. The device turns your 3G/4G modem into a wired router that you can then *plug into* your network.
@Kamalot
Yea he definitely meant the Wifi antenna - the USB / PCMCIA device should have some form of antenna by itself.
@Kamalot
My bad. I didn't have access to the video before. Looks like it does provide WiFi from the box itself.
Shoot. I'll use the MyTether App for the Palm Pre and turn my phone into a WiFi router.
@Kamalot To confirm it is 802.11b/g/n with an internal antenna, for better or worse, but you could connect it to a separate WiFi router over Ethernet if desired.
this would be good to add as a secondary backup to our mainline going into our sonicwall. I'll have to check this out!
What's the difference with http://www.cradlepoint.com/ products? They have been around for awhile and you don't have to wait till May.
my HTC does this for free. Yet another trap for the naive.
I wonder who long it would take the whole office to burn through the 5GB cap on 3G?
@KAL326 Exactly. These kinds of devices are kind of self-defeating for that reason. What we actually need are 3G router/modems that use sim cards so we can use unlimited plans on them.
@KAL326
Isn't that 5GB cap carrier specific?
@Ken J I don't know about outside the states, but in the US I can't think of any major carrier that does not have a soft 5GB cap on data cards. Smartphones not used as phone as modem are "unlimited", but if allowed to use as phone as modem its still 5GB.
If it had a battery and lasted for about 5 hours I would be interested. Portable 4G MiFI is cool but so far everything I've tested leaves much to be desired.
GUI looks very openwrt'ish. No?
an Asus RT-N16 with tomato firmware can do the same thing