Berlin based nova media has unveiled the GlobeSurfer III
(http://www.novamedia.de/e_pages/e_produkte_gs_3.html), a wireless
router for Macs that establishes a mobile internet connection through
a mobile network operator and uses WLAN and Ethernet to distribute
this connection to the network. Local computer networks can now share
a mobile Internet connection using GlobeSurfer III, a 3G wireless
router with WLAN and Ethernet network access.
Within mobile networks GlobeSurfer III supports download speeds with
up to 7.2 Mbit/second and upload speeds with up to 5.7 Mbit/second.
It can be used worlwide. Within a local network GlobeSurfer III
supports WLAN connections with up to 54 Mbit/s and Ethernet
connections with up to 1000 Mbit/s.
The router uses a web interface for configuration and offers a setup
wizard for an easy start, says Jan Fuellemann of nova media.
GlobeSurfer III supports all relevant encryptions and features a
preconfigured firewall, and an expert mode allows a user-defined
configuration, she adds.
The built-in USB 2.0 port supports external drives and printers to be
connected to the router and accessed by all computers in the local
network. In addition, a standard telephone can be hooked up to the
router to make and receive calls using the mobile network. To boost
the signal strength in areas with difficult reception, an external
antenna can be attached.
GlobeSurfer III is available today from nova media for approximately
US$363. It requires Mac OS X 10.4.3 or higher.