BigPond launches Maxon’s initial Next G modems! December 15
Bigpond has today launched the first two of our Next G modems, a MiniMax replacement, and a replacement for the old BigPond Mobile Broadband CDMA external modem.You can find out more details about the pricing options for these modems over at Bigpond’s Wireless Broadband page.
Sales and tech support for these modems is available from BigPond (Sales – 131 282, Tech – 133 933)
Make sure to check out the coverage for the areas you need mobile internet access in.
Unfortunately MAC OS support is not available at this stage, but we are working hard at providing that.
I got my Next G Wireless modem yesterday, great speeds and even better signal than my Next G phone.
Have purchased USB Modem from Telstra – looks good and works well on NextG network when I use my MacBook Pro in Windows XP mode. I have other Apple laptops and would like to use the modem with them. I am getting mixed messages from Telstra help desk – could you advise when the Mac OSX Driver will be released for the USB Mobile Modem. Thanks and regards.
The Mac OS drivers should be complete early this month, add on a couple of weeks for BigPond to build software around the drivers, and you will probably be getting something by the end of Jan.
I am thinking of getting the USB modem to connect a desktop. Telstra don’t seem to know if you can connect multiple pcs/laptops with this device.
Could you please advise if this is possible. I currently use ISDN connected via USB to a Mitsubishi R100 wireless router, which has Open-Wrt Firmware installed to utilise the USB Port as the WAN port.
Could I expect this to work with this modem as well?
Evan,
Most likely this will not work. It is possible that it might, but in order to communicate with the modem, the appropriate driver set would be required in your router, and most likely it will not have drivers for the Next G modems.
The only conceivably possible way of doing it is to connect the modem to one computer, and then use ICS to share that connection to the others. This isn’t something we’ve tested extensively though, and so can’t guarantee that this will work either.
If you don’t need it urgently, then we should have an ethernet Next G modem out in the next month or so which will be designed with connection sharing in mind.
Hi, just wondering if the Next G Desktop Modem should be connected to USB 1.1 or USB 2.0, just wondering if it would connect to both or one or the other. Thanks.
Danielle,
The modems are USB 1.1, so you can plug them into either 1.1 or 2!
thanks david for your answer, just another question, if I connected my Next G Desktop modem to my USB 1.1 instead of USB 2.0 port would it reduce my data rate or would it make no difference whether I connected it to USB 1.1 or 2?
Danielle,
It won’t make a difference! The fastest that the Next G modems can operate currently is 3.6mbps (and even that is a theoretical figure, and you’d never actually reach that). USB 1.1 has a transfer speed of around 13mbps. Hence your data rate will not be affected if you connect it to USB 1.1 rather than 2.
We would like to use NextG modems to connect to a number of remote sites that each have two ethernet devices – a video surveilance system and a PC based weigh station.
I have two questions.
1. What is the recommended way to extend the antenna on the modem given that it has two (Primary and Secondary) we need to mount antennas approximately 5 mtrs from ground to achieve reception?
2. When will the ethernet modems be available and will they allow port forwarding (we need to forward UDP and TCP ports in the 15000 area to the surveilance system)
Jason,
1) In order to provide a signal strength increase, you need to connect an external (higher gain) antenna to the Primary port. The secondary port is used as a diversity connection, which actively monitors the surrouding base stations to try and find a better connection than the one currently established. Due to this, in remote areas, there isn’t any loss in just using the primary one. We have a range of external antennas to suit our modems (see shop.maxon.com.au)
2) I’ll have an update on the release dates for all our forthcoming products in the next few days.
And regarding the port forwarding, yes, it most likely will allow port forwarding.
Hi David,
The Telstra sales rep today upgraded from my Mini-Max to the Telstra Turbo Modem to run on my Mac (not the new Intel one). The sales rep said that all I need to do is download the software from your site.
But after reading this it doesn’t sound like it is available.
Is that correct?
Thanks
Shawn
Shawn, that’s correct. The Mac software is not yet available.
Hi David,
I gather you are probably getting sick of this question…but have you fowarded the drivers for Mac to bigpond to build software around? Your modem’s are great, I am just getting sick of using the inferior windows xp os to connect to the net..
Hiya, quick query re the USB desktop modem.
Will the unit be upgradable to the newer speeds being announced this week? And this may be more a network query but will the latency be improved? I’m in a position where I will have to disconnect ADSL when moving and the new place doesnt have the infrastructure (im a bit of a wow player).
Nath,
We certainly are working closely with BigPond to provide a solution.
Josh,
What speeds are you refering to? All our Next G modems are firmware upgradeable, and we will provide firmware in time to take advantage of the maximum limit of 7.2mbps of the current hardware chipst.
I don’t know how much this will affect latency, as that is mostly a network issue.
Have Wireless Network Adaptor on System Preferences (Apple Mac) and Network Status which says “The cable for Wireless Adaptor is not plugged in” Have spent several hours trying to get the Modem to work – also spent an hour at telstra today – worked for a couple of minutes and then dropped out. Am at a loss to understand what is wrong – rang your Tech who was very helpful and suggested deactivating the pin with a mobile phone – this has already been done – does it need to be done again, when it has been proved it works fine on another laptop? I am trying to use it on a 12″ PowerBook G4 Verson 10.4.9.
I am at a loss to understand why it wont work and would be grateful for any help you can suggest please. Thank you
I have your CDMA1x PCMCIA Card, I use an external antenna that I purchased from your shop.
Is it possible to use the antenna with the new 3G USB card?
The reason I ask is because I was told that if I had a Car Kit for my old CDMA phone (which I don’t, but if I did) I could get a conversion cable to patch the new phone into the old system.
Anne,
I probably won’t be able to help you beyond what our tech support guys can, so I’d suggest try calling them again.
Christopher,
You should be able to use the same antenna as they operate at the same frequency. As you mentioned though, most likely the connectors will be different, so you might need to source some sort of adaptor.
Is there 64bit drivers coming for usb bigpond modem. Big pond tech support on phone says no way are they getting 64bit drivers.
Leon,
64 bit drivers are on the way. Our next software update (which will include a software, firmware and driver update) will include Vista 64 bit drivers.
Any idea when the vista 64 bit drivers for bp will be realised. is it days,weeks,months
Any idea when the vista 64 bit drivers for bp will be realised. is it days,weeks,months
Leon,
Probably still weeks at least.
Will there be another Driver update for Minimax 5500OU CDMA via Telstra? If not what are the options?
Jan
Jan,
At this stage there will not be any further driver updates for the CDMA MiniMax. Are you experiencing a particular problem?
Yes finding the Minimax a little slower. Sitting on three bars. Hoping to find an alternative to speed things up. Noticed it is connected to QNC.
Jan,
That’s the problem then! QNC has a maximum speed of 14.4kbps! I’d suggest calling our tech support staff, they should be able to help you. (02) 9707-2000
Any closer with the vista 64 drivers for BP usb modem??????
Every day is a day closer! Still going through the various approvals (microsoft and telstra)
Hi
A colleague of mine is experiencing problems with her Telstra Turbo G modem as she has no coverage from her apartment. Telstra have sold her a Maxon 5db Magnetic Base Antenna Kit though this has no instructions.
Two questions:
1) Is this the best solution?
2) How do you connect this antenna?
Surely considering the need for an antenna on top of the initial costs from Telstra plus the monthly installments she would be better off using a standard modem – she has no phone at home though does have Foxtel, does she need to have a phone line as well (I realise this may not be a question you could or should answer)
Thanks in advance
Clinton
hi Clinton,
To answer your questions:
1) That really depends! Without knowing more about her situation it’s hard to say whether it’s the best solution or not. At the end of the day, if it gives her enough signal strength to connect properly with, then it’s a good solution.
2) To connect the antenna she needs the little adaptor that came with the modem. This plugs into the side of the Telstra Turbo Modem (there’s a grey cover over the connector), and then screw the antenna onto the connector. Then it’s just a matter of placing the antenna in the position that gives her the best signal strength!
Wireless broadband is not a ‘cheap’ option. It’s generally the sort of solution you would use either if you need the mobility or if you can’t get wired broadband… If she already has foxtel, then she should be able to get ‘cable’ broadband without the need for a phone line.
can anyone tell me where to get 64 bit driver for telstra usb stick next g? frustrated. tom
Hi tom,
These drivers are not available yet. They are still a while off. We are working on them, but they are still in progress, and haven’t gone through the various approval processes.
Hey,
Will you be updating the blog when the 64-bit drivers are released
Thanks,
Adam.
LOL 4G will be here before the new drivers for 64bit are
Where are the 64bit drivers?
As mentioned, the 64 bit drivers are still very much in development.
Can you let me know if MAC osx is supported yet with the NextG wireless usb modems? Since Jan. I’ve been told that support is coming soon…
Trish,
There is “Beta” software available for Mac OS for the USB Next G modems. Beta means that it isn’t completely finished yet, so won’t have all the funcionality and might still have some bugs. However it should allow you to connect!
You can see our Mac OS User guide here:
http://www.maxon.com.au/udocuments/TTM%20Installation%20Guide%20_%20Mac_104_300307.pdf
Where can I get a firmware update to my Maxon NextG modem, BP3-EXT. I am still on the original firmware, at it is hanging all the time.
I have BP3-EXT modem from telstra, and my computer( Acer Aspire500 series) cannot recognise the modem and will not install drivers.
I have set up many wireless connections for people in the past and believe this modem/firmware is faulty, no wonder they gave it to me for free! Could you please send me a firmware upgrade, otherwise I’ll be sending it back to Bigpond.
Regards Rob Bailey
Hi Rob,
At this stage we don’t have any firmware updates to release. What operating system does your computer have?
I read your reply to Evan on Jan 3 with interest. Not knowing that you may soon have an ethernet next-G modem I have just installed your ‘next-G wireless broadband modem’ with an external antenna. Fortunately it does provide ICS to another computer through my old ethernet hub, the only problem being that the LAN ethernet adapter does not automatically read the wireless modem’s DNS server IP addresses, so I have to enter them manually. This was OK when I was using a Telstra 2-way satellite because its DNS addresses remained constant but Telstra changes its wireless broadband DNS addresses every time I connect! Can you suggest any way around this annoyance?
Ralph,
I’m not completely sure what your setup is. I’d recommend giving our tech support guys a call on (02) 8707 3000. They should be able to advise you further.
I run Mac OS X and Linux computers. I am interested in the new Ethernet Docking station as that will work with everything I have got and I guess also allow me to connect via the Ethernet interface to a wireless hub for operation right through the house.
Now, it looks like BigPond will work out cheapest. Will they support the use of the Ethernet Docking station? Will you need a Windows computer to activate the account?
Does the term docking station imply that you need to dock an existing modem such as the USB modem or the Desktop Modem?
I will be getting a 14dB gain yagi. Will the Ethernet Docking station allow the attachment of an external cable, and will it use the same physical cable adaptor?
Hi Greg,
The BigPond modems will work with the EtherMax. Yes, it is a docking station, so you will need a USB modem to connect to it. The EtherMax will NOT include functionality to activate the modem, so you will require a windows (or MAC) computer to activate it on using BigPond’s connection software.
The external antenna connects into the modem itself rather than the docking station, so if you already have an antenna connected to a modem, nothing will change!