Telstra has just released the world’s fastest 3G wireless hotspot with the ‘Ultimate’ Mobile Wi-Fi, sporting download speeds up to 20Mbps.The Telstra Ultimate Mobile Wi-Fi unit is a battery-powered hotspot that connects up to five devices at a time to the Next G network for high speed mobile broadband in covered areas. Unlike the last Wi-Fi device from Telstra, the Ultimate supports wireless N connectivity, akin to newer routers, for faster throughput capacities and speeds.
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It also sports its own screen that shows throughput speeds, connection times and other relevant information.
There’s half an hour less active battery life on this slightly heftier unit than the previous ‘Elite’ mobile Wi-Fi device from Telstra, but it more than doubles the maximum download speeds, ranging from 1Mbps to 20Mbps. Uploads of 300kbps to 3Mbps haven’t changed though.
With tablets surging in popularity, and many now coming in Wi-Fi-only models rather than taking SIM cards, Wi-Fi dongles and wireless hotspots are growing in popularity.
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“Australians are now taking a growing range of Wi-Fi enabled devices with them when they’re outside the home and office,” said Telstra’s executive director of mobile products, “However managing separate mobile broadband accounts for each gadget can be a hassle.”
See next page for full pricing and availability.
The new offering from Telstra hits shelves on June 21 for business customers on a range of plans like $0 upfront on a $49 plan with 7GB of monthly data on a two year contract.
BigPond customers have a wait in store though, with the BigPond version coming around on July 19. The device will sell at $49, with two year contracts like $39.95 monthly charges for 1GB of data.
Outright, the device sells for $349, while the previous device in Telstra’s mobile Wi-Fi line-up sells at $129.
