Telstra (ASX:TLS) has released its battery-powered Ultimate Mobile Wi-Fi device which it hopes will coax more Australian businesses into using its high-speed wireless Next G network.
The device offers users download speeds ranging from 1.1 Megabits per second (Mbps) to 20Mbps, including upload speeds of 550 Kilobits per second (Kbps) to 3Mbps in capital cities and 300kbps to 3Mbps in selected regional centres. However, actual upload speeds vary depending on a number of environmental factors within the area and the number of users accessing the device.
According to Telstra Mobile Products executive director, Warick Bray, the mobile Wi-Fi device can connect up to five Wi-Fi-enabled devices simultaneously in capital CBDs and selected regional areas -- a capability which would appeal to business users.
“Equipped with an Ultimate Mobile Wi-Fi device, businesses can connect teams or multiple Wi-Fi enabled devices wherever there is Next G network coverage,” he said in a statement.
“This means businesses can now take their own fast network with them on customer visits, to trade and community events, or to temporary work locations. It gives businesses the flexibility to keep people productive when they’re out on the road by connecting to email and work files.”
The offers users an LED display which provides information including signal strength, the number of devices connected and battery level. It supports Wi-Fi standard N connectivity for fast Wi-Fi throughput and includes an audio alert that lets owners know when devices connect and disconnect from the network. A Web-based control portal also enables the adjustment of network security and Wi-Fi range settings from an internet browser.
Consumer users will also have access to a BigPond version of the device from 19 July.
The device is available for business customers from 21 June on Telstra mobile broadband plans for $0 upfront on a $49 monthly plan including 7 Gigabytes (GB) of data over 24 months.
It is also available from the 19 July for $49 on various 24 month BigPond mobile plans, starting at $39.95 per month including 1GB data per month.
The Ultimate mobile Wi-Fi device follows the release of the telco’s Ultimate USB, a mobile device capable of doubling of data speeds over the Next G network, last year.
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