Leading broadband router brand, Billion, has launched an Australian first, a “mobile hotspot” that blends ADSL2+ broadband connectivity with backup Internet access through mobile phone networks.

Billion's BiPAC 7300GX dual-interface firewall and router provides broadband access via 3G mobile phone networks in case ADSL on a phone line drops out or is not available.

With four Ethernet ports and 802.11g wireless networking, the BiPAC 7300GX stands out through its ability to act as a “mobile hotspot” for road warriors. The compact unit even comes with a 12-volt car adapter to let you charge it from your car's cigarette lighter when you’re on the move.

Billion’s Australian distributor PC Range has tested the BiPAC 7300GX device with Australian 3G networks. Customers can buy a 3G data card, which plugs into a PCI card slot in the unit, from their preferred mobile phone service provider.

The Billion BiPAC 7300GX will be available through Billion’s national distribution network in October. The recommended retail price for the unit is $299.

PC Range managing director Raaj Menon said the BiPAC 7300GX guaranteed high-speed Internet access at the home, the office or on the road. “What really rocks is its mobility,” he said.

“To date, wireless data cards only let one person use a laptop when they were out of the office: The 7300GX allows you to share broadband access among several people when you’re out and about.

“What makes this unit so sweet is that it provides 3G access on top of standard ADSL2+ connectivity, so if your wired link drops out in the office, you get a broadband backup through the mobile phone network.”

Adelaide-based PC Range has established Billion as a leading broadband router brand in the Australian market, according to the 2006 Australian Broadband Survey. Conducted by tech-savvy website Whirlpool, the survey reported that Billion routers were used by 21 per cent of its more than 20,000 respondents. Full details are online at http://whirlpool.net.au/survey/2006/

Billion routers are sold through a national network that includes Westan Australia and Harris Technology.

The BiPAC 7300GX uses ADSL2+ to offer download speeds as fast as 24Mbps over a phone line while wireless connections offer speeds up to 14.4Mbps via 3G/HSDPA, EDGE, UMTS or GPRS networks.

The four-port full-duplex 10/100 switch can directly link four PCs or attach more hubs and switches to create a larger network. The integrated router shares an ADSL2+ or 3G-based Internet connection with automatic fail-over to ensure an always-on Internet connection in the event one Internet service fails.

The BiPAC 7300GX can also encode all 802.11g wireless LAN transmissions with WEP or WPA encryption to ensure that your data is protected and boasts a DHCP Server and a powerful SPI firewall to protect against intruders and most known Internet attacks. Secure WLAN setup is simplified by the web browser-based configuration for easy access to the Internet wherever a 3G connection is available.

More details are at http://www.billion.com/product/wireless/bipac7300gx-3G-wireless-adsl2-router.html

About PC Range

PC Range is the exclusive Australian distributor for technology convergence products including Billion broadband networking devices and Minitar wireless networking devices.