We’ve had a few questions about how the new MiniMax will compare to the CDMA MiniMax in terms of features and functionality, so here’s a short list of some of the specs and features for the new MiniMax. Remember, these are subject to change.

Features:

• Initial download speeds of up to around 3Mbps burst, probable sustainable speeds between 500-1500 kbps dependant on coverage and network usage. (Theoretical speeds are up to 3.6mbps)

• Upload speeds of up to 384 kbps burst dependant on coverage and network usage.

• Future possible download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps burst (theoretical) via a free firmware upgrade*.

• Future SMS via a free firmware upgrade* (this will probably be available a few months after the inital release of the modem).

• Dual band (850 / 2100 MHz) support.

• External antenna support via a provided connector.

Specifications:

System Requirements:

• Windows 2k(SP4), XP currently supported.

• Mac OS 10.4+, Windows XP Media Centre edition and Windows Vista support being worked on.

• Connection: USB Port

• Disk Drive: CD ROM

• Processor: 667 MHz or faster

• Memory: 128MB RAM

• Disk Space: 100 MB

Limitations:

MiniMax will NOT support the following:

• Voice

• Circuit Switched Data (ASYNC calls)

• Fax

• Windows versions older than 2000 (eg, ME or 98)

• Mac OS versions older than 10.4 (this is still being reviewed)

• Initial versions of MiniMax will not have SMS, this will be provided in time.

Approvals:

• Undergoing FCC, Telstra Network, ACA and SAR.

*Maxon’s firmware update process is a freely accessible service provided over the internet.

Maxon Technicians with engineers from Korea conducted some field driving tests in Sydney last week starting from Parramatta through Padstow, Liverpool all the way to Penrith. Most of the areas the test was conducted in are now covered by the new Telstra Next G network.

The new MiniMax HSDPA modem adapted well to the different network conditions averaging FTP download speeds of 1.2 Mbps even without using an external antenna plugged straight in to the laptop.

The User Interface software (UI) is going through some fine tuning and for those of you who have used Maxon product before, the new MiniMax UI has a different look altogether and is relatively simple to use.

The speed testing we’ve conducted in the past few days has been nothing if not impressive.

So far, for both web and ftp testing, the MiniMax has been averaging 2Mbps download speeds, highest burst seen is 2.5.

Even accounting for no one else currently using the network, these signs are very encouraging.

MiniMax has undergone some initial testing by Qualcomm (the provider of the MSM6280 chipset which MiniMax uses).

Reports so far have been very positive, with the MiniMax passing 95% of the tests succesfully.

We’re doing some real world speed testing in-house today, so we should have some reports on that by tomorrow at latest.

Telstra last week launched Next Gâ„¢, their new nation wide 850mhz network.
Next G is the next generation mobile network, bringing high-speed, wireless broadband internet to mobile phones and laptops across Australia. Telstra’s Next G Network is more than 100 times bigger than any other 3G network in Australia!

For more information see www.nextg.com.au.

With this launch they have also re-vamped the Telstra Mobile Broadband plans (http://www.telstra.com.au/mobile/business/products/planspricing.htm).

There are a lot of changes that have happened to Telstra (and Bigpond)’s wireless data offerings in the last week, we’ll try to keep you up to date as we make sense of it all!

Maxon Australia is currently in the middle of some exciting development. As Telstra shifts from the CDMA network to its new 3G 850MHZ network, Maxon is working hard to provide the same quality modems for this new service.

Customer service has always been our priority. This development blog will keep you informed on our progress, as things development and change.

Exciting change is in the air, and we’re proud to be a part of it.