An 802.11 Router For 3G Internet Service

An anonymous reader writes "Possio AB has launched a Linux-based wireless access point that allows users to connect to the Internet through 3G (third-generation) mobile telephone networks, which carry Internet data at broadband speeds. According to the Swedish company, which has filed for a patent on local-to-cellular routers, the PX30 can bring broadband wireless Internet service to small sites such as cafes, temporary hotspots such as building and event sites, mobile hot-spots such as buses and limos, and hot-spots in locations without a wired backhaul alternative. It can also be used, Possio says, by mobile-only carriers wishing to offer broadband Internet service, and in data acquisition and remote management applications such as M2M (machine-to-machine) applications."

Comments

How is Routing Between Two Networks Non-Obvious

[HeelToe]

I don't get this - how can you file for a patent on routing between two networks? There's no way this is non-obvious to an engineer in the trade.

Jeez, I've done this with nat under linux to my Verizon Wireless 1x phone.

Patents are out of control.

Re:How is Routing Between Two Networks Non-Obvious

[Mr Rohan]

I don't get this - how can you file for a patent on routing between two networks? There's no way this is non-obvious to an engineer in the trade.

Without seeing their actual claims it's hard to know whether it should be obvious or not. Perhaps they are patenting the combination of hardware being used, rather than the idea. There are lots of legitimate existing patents that are "the application of this notion thats obvious in another field to a new domain".

The test of obviousness is an interesting one. Lots of things are obvious after the fact, the question for the patent lawyers is does that make them obvious before the fact or not.

prior art = http://www.rauhauser.net/

[puzzled]

Please, please don't slashdot me, but I've been talking about this so called patented invention for some time and I've got one sitting right here. Feel free to contact me if you're a patent attorney with an axe to grind ...

Re:prior art = http://www.rauhauser.net/

[puzzled]

*Sigh*

Their patent application predates my work by about a year. But its still nonsense ... routers aren't patentable and most all routers change from one media type to another.

Let the junk patent busters loose on them ... I am highly motivated to clean up the Aircard/OpenSoekris stuff and make it available for free ... we'll let the market decide just how useful their patent is.

Re:a nice idea but come on

[Anonymous Coward]

Has anyone here RTFA? This device is not a 3G device. UMTS is mentioned as an optional WAN connectivity feature. I'm not familiar with OSGi, but the device seems to be basically a router between different wireless networks.

From a technical perspective this is interesting. There's quite a bit of radio hardware integration in that box. However I don't see why I would use 3G as a backhaul. Why would you use a lower-bandwidth pipe as a backhaul? What's the point of 802.16 then?

I don't quite see how connecting Bluetooth to WLAN is useful, at least with the current devices we have in the market.

The different wireless networks are designed for different purposes and usage scenarios. This cross-wireless-network router to me sounds like a proof-of-concept looking for a problem.

other idea...

[mshultz]

I have absolutely no idea how this would be implemented realistically (or if it has, and I'm just an idiot), but I'd also be very impressed if there were a way to have a bridge go in the opposite direction... in other words, you'd be able to set up a miniature cellular tower that would be able to route everything through existing IP networks (through some kind of tunnel) onto the telecom carrier's voice or data network.

I know that this has sort of been discussed before, but what about on a much smaller scale? This would hopefully provide a seamless way to patch up holes in a wireless coverage area in a cost-effective way...

The problem is the processor... not the pipe

[EvanKai]

I have a Treo300 through Sprint and I love it. When I'm surfing with my phone, it is very slow... but when I connect using Scott Gruby's WirelessModem on my G4 laptop, I get transfer speed comparable to a 56K dial-up.

The difference in speed is the difference between the 33MHz Dragonball VZ in my Treo and the 800MHz G4 in my laptop. I've tried Treo600's and will be upgrading to a 610 when it's released. Moving up from a 33MHz to a 312MHz processor will make a huge difference.

Think about it. What would broadband do for a 33MHz Pentium?

Re:Would be nice if these were useful around Japan

[Anonymous Coward]

wow.
at what kind of speeds?
144k+?


Not OP, but yeah,seems 144. NOT CONSISTENT... tower bandwidth is shared like a cable broadband connection. You do not have dedicated 144 between you and Verizon.

My connection is great (near tower @ work, home) but I notice high latency. BUT, that could just be my handheld (new Samsung i700 @300MHz, Wince 2002).

I'll have to try out those CDMA USB drivers for my PC and compare relative speeds. As is, I'm not seeing what I've experienced on 128/128 cable (but it's not as bad as 33.6 dialup)

Re:Would be nice if these were useful around Japan

[thumperward]

3G in UK comes per-MB at 75 per month; 75 will get you unlimited access. Coverage outside of large towns is patchy, at least in Scotland.

For what it's worth I think this is awesome, patented or not (ain't no way I'm going to be sued for sticking a 3G card in my laptop and letting others share my connection). One more step towards an always-on-everywhere Internet connection.

- Chris