High Speed Connectivity for Teams on the Move

Wednesday, 14 September 2005, 10:16 am
Press Release: Vodafone

High Speed Connectivity for Teams on the Move

New Zealand businesses will be among the first in the world to be able to access a new product that allows teams to create mobile data hubs wherever they need them.

Vodafone, Linksys and Cisco Systems yesterday launched globally the 3G Router, a new product that provides high-speed mobile data connectivity for teams working on the move. It enables teams of up to five people to use the wireless LAN capability already built into most laptop computers to access high-speed mobile data services provided by Vodafone’s 3G network.

The 3G Router combines the Linksys WRT54G3G Wireless-G Router, which provides Wireless LAN for users, and the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G/GPRS datacard.

Vodafone New Zealand Director Business Markets Phil Patel said today the 3G Router would be available exclusively through Vodafone’s data channel partners and Linksys channel partners from early October, providing local businesses with a valuable new mobility tool.

“This will allow businesses to create mobile data hubs wherever they need them - making it as seamless and easy for teams on the move to work anywhere as though they were in the office,” Patel said.

The highly portable, cost-effective and simple-to-use product is ideal for businesses in sectors such as accountancy, construction, engineering or media, who regularly have teams working away from their main office and who need easy access through their laptop to high-speed internet services or corporate applications.

“This is an ideal solution for customers who require group working in locations where fixed internet connectivity is not available,” Patel said. “With the recent introduction of Vodafone’s “flat rate” data plan, customers with small or satellite offices may find the 3G Router a more cost-effective option to fixed connectivity such as Frame Relay and ADSL, as the router can be installed immediately and also moved if required.”
Vodafone was already a leading provider of high speed mobile data to businesses and this initiative, coupled with its simple, predictable and transparent data pricing meant it was better placed than ever to meet the changing mobile needs of its business customers.

The 3G Router can be taken anywhere there is 3G or GPRS coverage and a power supply, enabling New Zealand travellers to use it at any of the 31 countries with which Vodafone has data roaming agreements. That’s great news for business customers, following massive reductions in the price of data roaming on Vodafone’s global data network, which is now $10 per megabyte.

In addition to providing instant group access to networks, email and the Internet the 3G Router allows additional devices, such as printers, to be connected using Ethernet or 802.11g wireless connections. It is designed to be quick and easy to set up, just plug in and go. The 3G Router is a highly secure mobile wireless solution that can be taken almost anywhere. The 3G Router was launched in Spain yesterday and along with New Zealand will be introduced in Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden and the UK over coming weeks, with other countries to follow.

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