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Kyocera Router Converts EV-DO to Wi-Fi

6:30 am on August 8, 2006 | Category: Cellular, Internet, Telecom Services, Wi-Fi, Wireless, Wireless Technology

Hardware manufacturer, Kyocera, has recently launched a mobile router that allows any Verizon or Sprint Nextel 3G mobile data subscriber to turn their connection into an 802.11g wireless hotspot.

When connected to an EV-DO-enabled smartphone or PC card, the Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router will begin transmitting a Wi-Fi signal, which can be shared between several laptops. This lets two or more users get online (albeit slowly) without the need to pay for multiple mobile data connections â€“ a great money saver for mobile businesspeople.

Users of this router also gain the convenience of having a hotspot that moves, rather than being tied to the local Wi-Fi networks offered by airports, hotels, and coffee shops.

The KR1 Mobile Router features four Ethernet ports, allowing it to act as a normal Wi-Fi hub and share a cable or DSL broadband connection. The range isnâ€™t great, but within a small building, it should do the job with no problem.

At $299, the KR1 is somewhat pricey, but well worth the cost for enterprise-level users wanting to save on wireless bills.

Strictly speaking, sharing an EV-DO connection is against the terms and conditions of Verizonâ€™s 3G data service, with the company going on record as saying that BroadbandAccess is designed for individual users only.

In reality, however, it is pretty difficult for the telecom giant to enforce such a rule. The fact is that Verizon customers pay for unlimited usage of a set amount of bandwidth. How they use (or share) this bandwidth is completely up to them.

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