The promise of Netcomm’s m2 is that you can plug any USB stick into it and it’ll automatically share it out via a secure WiFi network. That’s not new in and of itself, but Netcomm’s proposition is said to work with Telstra’s 4G USB modems. Gizmodo Australia took one for a test run.
Not entirely a new category this; there have been a few USB stick routers previously, but Netcomm’s is interesting in two ways. Firstly, it doesn’t look like it fell off the back of a Shenzhen factory. Secondly, Netcomm states it’ll work seamlessly with Telstra’s 4G USB Modem.
Telstra’s NextG network is capable of the theoretical 42Mbps download speed, but you can only use it with one of the company’s USB mobile broadband modem. Hopefully Telstra is keeping an eye on Netcomm;’s new mobile data router, which can support the 42Mbps HSPA+, and has just launched in Saudi Arabia.
Combine one part 3G modem, one part wireless router and one part sex appeal slim, stylish design, and you end up with the Netcomm MyZone 3G router. And after our brief hands on with the unit back in March, it’s finally available now.
Just across the way from D-Link was the Netcomm stand. I mentioned their NB12WD update on Monday, but outside that most of their range on show was best serving bigger infrastructure needs. There was this rather weird looking outdoor 802.11g access point, though, which looks like some kind of small planter box for a midget triffid.
Good long cable though! -Seamus Byrne
Got a great tip-off from Netcomm on their update to the orgasmic NB9W ADSL2/2+ router. It’s won badges from PC Authority, CNET, APC, PC User, NetGuide, and PC Powerplay. Man, maybe we need to come up with a badge to splash around the place.
The NB12WD adds support for DECT handsets to the already long list of supported features—WLAN, VoIP w/ QoS support, 4-port Ethernet, etc. So you’ll be able to run all your home phones through this without plugging in lots of phone hubs and things. It does all the hard work so you just need the cordless handsets.
I use one of the NB9W units myself, and it is great. Adding DECT handsets into the mix sounds like a very nice feature update to me. They haven’t mentioned if they’ve added Gigabit Ethernet support, but you’d think they’d say if they were.
More cool stuff on their list of new kit, including standa-alone Skype / DECT phones, and the 200Mbps update to their powerline networking Homeplug. We’ll check it all out when we hit their stand. -Seamus Byrne
