Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

An 802.11 Router For 3G Internet Service

Posted by timothy on from the network-convergence dept.

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."

7 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. How is Routing Between Two Networks Non-Obvious by HeelToe · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.

    1. Re:How is Routing Between Two Networks Non-Obvious by Mr+Rohan · · Score: 4, Interesting
      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.

  2. prior art = http://www.rauhauser.net/ by puzzled · · Score: 3, Interesting



    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 ...

    --
    I am very easy to get along with, but I don't have time to waste being nice to people who are being stupid. -Theo
    1. Re:prior art = http://www.rauhauser.net/ by puzzled · · Score: 2, Interesting


      *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.

      --
      I am very easy to get along with, but I don't have time to waste being nice to people who are being stupid. -Theo
  3. other idea... by mshultz · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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...

  4. The problem is the processor... not the pipe by EvanKai · · Score: 3, Interesting
    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?

  5. Re:Would be nice if these were useful around Japan by thumperward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    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