SYDNEY & SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NETGEAR®, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR) (www.netgear.com), announced the launch of the Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate with Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications company (www.telstra.com.au). This is the first pre-paid mobile broadband hotspot in Australia with a data usage meter integrated into Telstra’s billing system. The feature offers customers visibility into their data use so they can pay for data only when they need it and more effectively manage their budget.
Telstra provides Australia’s largest mobile network with four times the 4G coverage area of any other mobile network in Australia, enabling customers to experience fast mobile broadband in more places. The Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate (www.netgear.com/MyPocketWiFiUltimate) mobile hotspot supports Category 4 LTE speeds and is the first Pre-Paid mobile device compatible with Telstra’s new APT700MHz spectrum, expected to roll out from January 2015.
Telstra’s Director of Device Management, Andrew Volard, said “Our customers have told us cost certainty is really important. We want them to enjoy the benefits of being connected in more places while staying up-to-date with their available data allowance.
“The other exciting aspect of the My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate is that it’s our first pre-paid mobile broadband device that’s compatible with our APT700MHz spectrum. 700MHz spectrum is the next stage of Telstra’s network evolution and will be progressively switched on from the start of 2015. This will offer customers wider regional and deeper in-building 4G coverage, improved speeds and more capacity. Owners will be among the first to benefit when we switch this new spectrum on.”
Supporting up to 10 WiFi devices simultaneously, this mobile hotspot (NETGEAR AirCard® 785S) provides support for students, travelers, renters, telecommuters, temporary work sites, and seasonal and mobile homes. Laptops, tablets, smartphones, digital cameras, gaming consoles, and other WiFi-enabled devices can easily connect on-the-go to the built-in 802.11b/g/n wireless access point and share a single mobile broadband connection.
This sleek lightweight hotspot features a 1.77-inch colour LCD toggle screen that can monitor connection status, receive alert messages and view estimated data usage. Customers can view, monitor, adjust and change settings from the device’s web portal where they can also be guided through the startup and activation process.
Set-up is accomplished in minutes as there’s no software to install, and new WiFi devices are easily added to the network. Using the latest wireless encryption technology, customers can easily set up one-time guest WiFi access to the network.
“We’re pleased to be a part of Telstra’s commitment to offer innovative solutions that help their customers conveniently manage their data usage,” said Michael Clegg, senior vice president and general manager of the Service Provider Business Unit at NETGEAR. “With the Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate, Telstra customers have the advantage of secure, reliable WiFi when they need it, now and in the future.”
Key Features
- Integrated data usage monitoring conveniently on the LCD color display
- NETGEAR AirCard App compatible
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- 4G LTE/3G support
- Simultaneous dual band WiFi
- Guest WiFi
- Connects up to 10 WiFi devices
- Color LCD display
- Future-proof for Telstra 700 MHz network
- Compatible accessories: Cradle, WiFi Range Extender, Extended Battery, MIMO antenna, 5-port switch
The Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate offers flexibility and performance with simultaneous dual-band WiFi support. While the 2.4GHz band can be crowded with interference from WiFi networks at home, workplaces and public places, the 5GHz band is a more efficient band with eight times more channels, resulting in much higher throughput speeds. Running on both bands simultaneously, the Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate enables both top speeds (5GHz) and greatest range (2.4GHz) while minimizing interference from nearby devices. The 5GHz band is also ideal for gaming or for uninterrupted streaming of HD content, as other WiFi devices may use the 2.4GHz band.
Accessories for the Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate
Ethernet and Antenna Charging Cradle: Similar to a desktop cradle, the charging cradle easily charges the battery and boosts the 3G/4G signal in fringe areas by docking the mobile hotspot and taking advantage of the built-in MIMO (multiple-input and multiple-out) antennas. In addition, the cradle is equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet port for connecting a desktop computer, laptop, printer, network attached storage (NAS), media server, or any other Ethernet-enabled device. Customers can also connect a WiFi home router to provide Internet connectivity. Beyond the built-in MIMO antennas, the cradle has two external antenna connectors to support additional antennas to further boost the range.
NETGEAR AirCard App: NETGEAR offers a complimentary app that enables customers to conveniently manage the Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate Mobile Hotspot status, connection, and settings from an iOS or Android™ smartphone or tablet. The NETGEAR AirCard App is available for download on Apple iTunes®, Google Play™, and Amazon Appstore.
Pricing and Availability
The Telstra Pre-Paid 4G My Pocket Wi-Fi Ultimate Mobile Hotspot is available now through Telstra branded retail stores and online for $149 (AUD), which includes 5GB of data.
The Ethernet and Antenna Charging Cradle is available through antennashop.com.au and Telstra stores.
More Information
- Customers will be able to purchase the device at Telstra stores from 3 June.
- Learn more about the NETGEAR AirCard 785S Mobile Hotspot at www.netgear.com/MyPocketWiFiUltimate
- Find out more details on the free NETGEAR AirCard App for iOS and Android devices at www.netgear.com/AirCardApp.
About NETGEAR, Inc.
NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT. The company also supplies top service providers with retail-proven, mobile broadband solutions for their customers on the go. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and Powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 49,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 39,000 value-added resellers. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in over 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR® partner. More information is available at www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at twitter.com/NETGEAR and www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.
©2014 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo, and AirCard are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand names mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective holder(s). Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.
**Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE standard 802.11 specifications. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility with any future standards.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR's products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR's products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
