Australian ISP Internode has launched a new battery-operated, portable 3G Wi-Fi modem, citing "market demand" as the key driver for its release.
Read our reviews of the best mobile broadband modems with Wi-Fi.
The Huawei E5832 will sell through Internode for $149 on its own, or for $49 when bundled with a 24 month NodeMobile data contract.
The low-cost device is a personal wireless hotspot router that can share an Internode 3G connection with up to three Wi-Fi-enabled devices including notebooks, desktop PCs, smartphones, digital cameras and tablets like the Wi-Fi-only version of Apple's iPad 2.
The Huawei E5832 modem is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, weighs less than 100 grams, and can also function as a storage device through a built-in microSD card slot.
"It's easy to set up, has a great battery life and is very affordable, especially if you bundle it with a 24 month NodeMobile data account," said Internode product manager Jim Kellett.
The Huawei E5832 replaces the company's MiFi 2352 mobile hotspot, which was launched last year for $349 outright, or $299 when bundled with a 24 month Internode data service.
The Huawei E5832 is unlocked when purchased outright, so it will work with Optus, Vodafone, and Virgin Mobile SIM cards that are data-enabled. The device won't work on Telstra's 850MHz Next G network.
