D-Link Router Combines Wi-Fi and 3G/EV-DO

D-Link this week announced a family of wireless routers that combine Wi-Fi and wireless broadband network solutions to let IT create instant wide-area Wi-Fi hotspots.

D-Link's 3G Mobile Wireless Routers work like this: Users plug a compatible 3G notebook adapter into the router's built-in card bus slot, delivering EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) or HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) wireless network access. The router then shares this signal via Wi-Fi 802.11g/b technology to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices in the area, essentially creating a hotspot anywhere in range of a broadband cellular network.

Since many notebooks and handheld devices have built-in Wi-Fi access--but fewer can tap into wireless broadband networks--the combined solution maximizes wireless access without requiring wholesale clientside upgrades, D-Link says.

The D-Link routers are available in two versions: the DIR-450 (EV-DO) and DIR-451 (UMTS/HSDPA). For security, both versions support the latest WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy), WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) and WPA2 that ensure a secure Wi-Fi network regardless of the connected devices. They also employ dual active firewalls (SPI and NAT) to prevent Internet attacks.

In the United States, compatible ISPs for the EV-DO version include ACS Wireless, Alltel, Cellular South, Embarq, Sprint and Verizon Wireless. For the UMTS/HSDPA version, supported carriers include Celcom, Cingular Exelcom, Globe Telecom, Maxis, OrangeNet, T-Mobile and Vodafone.

Prices for the routers start at $299.99.