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Telstra
Telstra has announced a new dongle for your dash offering mobile data to road trippers, with the launch of the Pre-Paid 4GX Car Wi-Fi.
The mobile hotspot plugs directly into a car’s USB slot or 12 volt power outlet (the outlet where the cigarette lighter used to be), allowing up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices such as mobiles or tablets to use the same data allowance.
The device is designed to utilise Telstra’s 4GX network, which has gradually been rolling out since it was first launched last year. The 700Mhz network has been promoted by the telco as the next generation of 4G, capable of bringing fast mobile data speeds to indoor areas and over great distances, thanks to the lower frequency of the spectrum.
The 4GX is a logical fit for car connectivity: think indoor coverage in car parks and mobile coverage outside big city hubs in the places where 4GX has already been switched on, including Albany, Ulladulla, Bateman’s Bay, Swansea and Port Macquarie.
The device will offer 4GX speeds when it’s within Telstra’s 4GX network footprint (which includes all the capital city CBDs as well as selected regional hubs), and will automatically switch to Telstra’s “fastest available 4G” or 3G speeds in other coverage areas.
With the help of an AC wall charger, the 4GX Car Wi-Fi device can come out of the car for set up in a hotel room or holiday house, with Telstra’s GM of Emerging Mobile Devices, Nick Broomfield, saying it offers real flexibility.
“With coverage across more than 2.4 million square kilometres of land, this product will help Aussies connect to the Telstra Mobile network in more places when they’re travelling,” he said. “And because it moves so easily from car to home, it’s ideal for families, weekend adventurers and business travellers as well.”
The Pre-Paid 4GX Car Wi-Fi is available for AU$79, and includes 3GB of pre-loaded data with a 30 day expiry. It can be recharged using Telstra’s Pre-Paid Mobile Passes, which range from AU$10 for 1GB (3-day expiry) up to AU$140 for 16GB (2-year expiry).
