Europe : Telabria, the award winning wireless network developer, announced the latest addition to its mSystem family of indoor and outdoor wireless mesh access points and routers.

The AP-3G is the first multi-radio wireless system to combine an enterprise-class 802.11a/b/g access point with 3G data network access in a portable ‘hotspot’ solution. This innovative product, weighing just 3lbs (1.4Kg), offers Internet access to multiple concurrent Wi-Fi® clients such as Centrino®-equipped laptops or PDAs wherever there is 3G or GPRS data network coverage. The product is ideal for temporary situations where Internet access at broadband speeds is required, but where fixed line access such as ADSL or dial-up is unavailable. Uniquely, the AP-3G also detects the presence of higher-capacity metro-scale mesh networks, and if available, seamlessly connects to the faster backhaul route.

“The AP-3G represents the first fully mobile combination of Wi-Fi and 3G”, said Jim Baker, Telabria CEO and founder. “It allows the rapid deployment of Wi-Fi Internet access where no other connectivity is available. For example in a bus, coach or taxi, a single AP-3G can provide Internet access for any Wi-Fi enabled device, using the 3G data network to backhaul traffic and providing an Internet connection to anyone throughout a journey.”

95% of all notebooks now ship with integrated WLAN support and it is estimated that 3G data coverage between the leading network operators is available to over 60% of the UK population, with GPRS data coverage extending to over 95%. The AP-3G bridges the two technologies, ensuring that Wi-Fi users can get Internet access when out of range of the estimated 7,500 traditional Wi-Fi hotspots found in airports, hotels, coffee shops and pubs around the UK. The AP-3G features integrated support for user authentication and billing, enabling operators to charge for Internet access on a tariff of their choice.

“While the AP-3G is perfect for use as a revenue-generating mobile hotspot, it’s also targeted at the business and public sectors, in emergency services for example,” continued Baker. “Wherever a group of people have to get together, whether at an accident scene or on a building construction site, the AP-3G provides a high-speed network link back to headquarters that can be shared by an y Wi-Fi enabled device for email, web access, and secure VPN connections into remote networks. Most importantly, the AP-3G lets a single 3G data card and subscription be shared via Wi-Fi by multiple concurrent users – this significantly reduces the cost of deploying mobile data connections where otherwise each user would require their own 3G hardware and subscription.”

The AP-3G’s security features, such as WPA/AES 128-bit encryption and RADIUS authentication, ensure privacy of communications for connected users. The device runs on an internal rechargeable battery, and can also be externally powered and charged via a 12V adaptor from an in-vehicle power supply. Wired devices such as IP cameras can be connected to the AP-3G via a weather-proof RJ45 Ethernet connector.

The AP-3G supports a range of third-party 3G data cards and networks, including Vodaphone, O2, T-Mobile, and Orange, at speeds up to 384Kbps. It also supports GPRS fallback, so when outside 3G coverage areas a data connection is still possible. The AP-3G features a third radio slot that can be filled with an mSystem mesh radio via an optional upgrade, enabling the device to seamlessly connect with Telabria’s CampusMesh™ and CityMesh™ public access solutions, and for multiple AP3G units to mesh together as part of Telabria’s MobileMesh™ ad-hoc network solution. So equipped, the AP-3G will detect whether a mesh network is present and will automatically choose the higher capacity backhaul connection. This feature is particularly useful in public transportation situations, where buses equipped with AP-3Gs would connect to a CityMesh network in town, the 3G network in suburban areas, and fall back to GPRS in more rural areas.

mSystem products including the AP-3G are built on global wireless network standards such as IEEE 802.11 and IEEE 802.16, providing customers with a migration path to WiMAX and HSDPA as radio products in compatible form factors become available.

The AP-3P retails at £849 and is available in black, grey, and orange high-impact copolymer enclosures. Telabria will be showing the AP-3G on booth 911 at the Wireless LAN Event between April 20-21st at London’s Olympia exhibition centre. The device is expected to ship in Q2/2005. mSystem products, including the AP-3G, are available through Telabria’s network of distributors an d resellers.