Another interesting device has come to my attention this week, as a follow-up to my first post about sharing your wireless data card.
My wife came across this device at the local Sprint retail store. It is essentially the same concept as the Best Buy device, however it appears to be noticeably smaller and less intrusive. I’m guessing that also means less powerful.
From Sprint.com:
The PHS300 Personal WiFi Hotspot is a true plug ‘n’ play solution that creates a powerful WiFi network almost anywhere. Connect all your WiFi enabled devices by simply plugging in your activated Sprint USB data modem and turning on the PHS300. It’s that easy! No more searching for a hotspot, you are one! This high-performance router platform, powered by WiPipe technology, supports multiple and concurrent VPN pass-through sessions, plus encryption modes including WEP, WPA and WPA2. Now you can confidently access the Internet and share your connection with friends, family or colleagues on the road, in the office and at home.
Features:
* A WiFi extension to Cellular Broadband
* Compliant with IEEE 802.11 b/g Standards
* Tethers to Sprint USB modems for WiFi access anywhere in coverage
* Compact and portable
* Built-in Li Ion battery provides hours of WiFi with your 3G handset
* Added firewall prevents unauthorized use of your cellular connection
As Thor mentioned on my last post, there certainly is a limitation to this solution: data plans. Sprint and several other major carriers only allow 5GB of data PER MONTH. Now that could seem like a lot, but compared to what you probably consume on your home or office broadband connection, it’s probably just a fraction.
So, the proper application for this device is to use it as a temporary mobile hotspot (service vehicles in the field could share with nearby computers) or as an emergency backup for your DSL or Cable broadband.
According to device specs, it is also compatible with:
[598U by Sierra Wireless, 8703e™ by BlackBerry®, 8830 by BlackBerry®, A900M by Samsung®, AirCard® 595U by Sierra Wireless, Aircard® 595 by Sierra Wireless, Aircard® 595U by Sierra Wireless, BlackBerry® Pearl™ 8130, Centro™ by Palm® , Centro™ by Palm® (Original model closeout), Compass™ 597 by Sierra Wireless, KATANA® II by Sanyo®, KATANA™ by Sanyo®, KATANA™ by Sanyo® (Blue), KATANA™ by Sanyo® (White), M1 by Sanyo®, MOTO Q by Motorola, MOTO Q™ 9c by Motorola, MOTOKRZR™ K1m by Motorola, MOTORAZR² V9m by Motorola, MOTORAZR™ V3m by Motorola, Mogul™ by HTC, Muziq™ by LG®, Ovation U727 by Novatel Wireless, Ovation™ U760 by Novatel Wireless, PPC-6700, SCP-8400 by Sanyo®, Touch by HTC™, Treo™ 700wx by Palm, Treo™ 755p by Palm