Creating a high-speed network around the home without the need for fast fixed line internet access became easier today with the launch of the new BigPond Elite Network Gateway.

Creating a high-speed network around the home without the need for fast fixed line internet access became easier today with the launch of the new BigPond Elite Network Gateway.

The new Gateway, unveiled by Telstra and NetComm Limited, turns a single Next G network wireless broadband service into a Wi-Fi and Ethernet hotspot providing internet connectivity to users throughout the home. It is the fastest device of its type in Australia providing typical download speeds of up to 8Mbps.

Executive Director Telstra Consumer, Ms Jenny Young, said the typical Aussie family now uses multiple screens and networked devices around the home to stay informed, entertained, to communicate and to learn including PCs, laptops, TVs and game consoles.

Increasingly, Australian families are looking to access content and interactive services on-demand and on multiple devices and screens around their home. The new BigPond Elite Network Gateway satisfies this need. It enables users to enjoy the freedom of secure wireless high-speed internet connectivity, without messy wires or access to fast fixed line broadband.

For the everyday Australian, this means that multiple people can be online at the same time from almost anywhere in the home. For instance, using the new Gateway kids can update their social network pages in the study, whilst dad plays an Xbox game against his mates over the internet and mum surfs the net on her laptop from the garden.

The Gateway also helps keep families entertained on holidays and while on the move. All thats required is power and Next G network coverage and parents can quickly and easily access all their online must-haves, from instant messaging and email to YouTube, Ms Young said.

David Stewart, Managing Director of NetComm, said the Elite Gateway was the first combination 3G modem-router in Australia to use embedded HSPA+ wireless broadband technology.

"After Telstra pioneered HSPA+ technology with its mobile broadband modems, were pleased to bring the same technology to a home gateway. Using the BigPond Elite Network Gateway on Telstra's Next G network, customers can share typical download speeds of between 550Kbps to 8Mbps in selected CBD, metro and regional areas. This means customers can surf the net at mobile broadband speeds up to twice as fast as the next fastest 3G gateway in Australia," Mr Stewart said.

(Typical customer download speeds of 550kbps to 3Mbps in other coverage areas.)

The Elite Gateway also features the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi technology, which delivers superior wireless throughput speeds and coverage around the home. This makes it ideal for sharing content with other people on a home network. For example, by plugging an external hard drive into the devices USB port, households can share a central music or video collection with multiple users wirelessly, he said.

Pricing and availability

The BigPond Elite Wireless Broadband Network Gateway has a recommended retail price of $399 and is available on all current in-market BigPond wireless broadband plans. It is available from 24 November from Telstra shops and dealers, by calling 13POND and online at www.bigpond.com .

Eligible Telstra customers can also take advantage of the BigPond Wireless Broadband Offer which provides a device rebate for the Elite Gateway of $200 and a discount on access fees for the first 12 months of a 24 month plan (more info: http://www.beeneverywhere.com.au/html/latest_offer.htm).

BigPond Elite Network Gateway Features

Connectivity

• Four Ethernet ports allow customers to connect their PCs and internet devices directly to the Gateway via a cable.
• The Gateway features the latest 802.11n Wi-Fi technology which delivers superior wireless throughput speeds and coverage around the home. The Home Network Gateways Wi-Fi set up is also backwards compatible with standard 802.11b/g devices.
• Two USB 2 ports allow users to plug a printer or portable hard drive into the Gateway to share content or a single printer.

Compatibility

• Works with Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Apple Mac OS X 10.4, 10.5 and 10.6 systems.

Set up and security

• Installation and configuration process runs off a bundled USB drive. The setup wizard guides the user through the entire setup process. Users can be up and running in 5 minutes.
• Each Gateway comes secured with a unique security key which offers Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2) protection standard. The unique security key is applied at the factory meaning consumers are protected from the moment they set up their home network.

BigPond membership benefits

• The Gateway comes bundled with all the benefits of BigPond membership including unmetered access to BigPond TV, Movies, Sport, Shopping, News and Games.

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