Release dates update January 23
We’ve updated our estimated release dates for our remaining Next G modem based on our current development progress.
The updated release dates are as follows:
- Ethernet Docking station for MiniMax : March ‘07
- Industrial Modem : June ‘07
- Quad band (850/900/1900/2100mhz) compatible MiniMax : June ‘07
- Express Card Modem : TBA (the development of this modem will follow after the previous ones are complete
We have unfortunately had to delay the release dates of some of our produts. This is due to our desire to provide the product in a fully functional (and bug free!) state.
Hi David
Thanks for this update… could you clarify when a beta for the mac drivers will be available (or, if it’s available now, could I get on the beta list please?)
thanks
Simon Kaplan
simon@kaplan.id.au
… sorry, I meant the minimax mac os x drivers, of course!
Simon
That list does not mention the Ethermax modem, what is the new release date for that?
Matt
We will not be releasing an EtherMax per se, rather we will be releasing a docking station for the minimax which will provide Ethernet capabilities.
Hi David,
It is a shame you won’t be releasing an Ethermax as this is what I have been waiting for. We have 7 sites using the industrial modem for their network backbone (connected to a Cisco router) and we have about 150 other dial-up sites we are wanting to put NextG into, but absolutely require an enterprise product, not a minimax with a docking station.
I have asked before about the serial speed capabilities of the new industrial modem, but never got an answer as it was too far off. As such, I am assuming that it is still going to be 115K which is pointless on the NextG network – even double this would be helpful.
I guess we’re going to have to go with another manufacturer that already has an ethernet modem on the market.
Matt.
RE: Ethernet Docking station for MiniMax
David,
Is the docking staion still on track for a release in March 07? Do you have an estimated cost for the device?
Thanks,
Adam
Matthew,
We will still be releasing an Ethernet modem, and if you wish you can use it exactly like an ‘Ethermax’. It will simply also provide you the functionality to remove the USB modem from within it should you wish to simply take the connection with you (for a single user).
Adam,
So far, yes. I don’t have any pricing indication yet.
Hi David,
As March is only a couple of days away, has a release date been set for the Ethernet modem?
Also, if you already have the Maxon HSDPA USB Modem, can you purchase the docking component separately?
Cheers
Ben
Ben,
No firmer release date yet (I’ll chase this up today).
If you already have the USB modem, then yes you will be able to buy the docking station separately!
Thanks David for your response. Great news for existing USB modem users.
Another question. Will the Docking station use the same GUI application as the USB Modem, or will the GUI be accessed via a web browser (by entering the IP) like the Ether Max?
Cheers
Ben
Ben,
It will most likely be a web based interface (like the EtherMax). This allows administration without actually having to install anything!
Regarding release dates, it’s looking like it will be pushed back again, to April. We’ve had to re-design the casing, which require new tooling. Unfortunately, creating new tooling takes a while…
david, when will the ethermax be released
when will the docking station be released
what are the costs for both
will the docking station fit the telstra turbo modem ie minimax for next g
Mark,
We won’t be releasing an “EtherMax” as such for Next G, only a docking station. The docking station will indeed fit the Telstra Turbo Modem.
I don’t have any pricing yet for any of these modems.
We should have stock of the Docking Station ready to go by April.
David, any further updates in regards to pricing and release date for the docking station yet for Next G bigpond modem
thats the blue USB moden the same as the Telstra Turbo Modem
Regards Mark
David i am also having problems with using the bigpond next g modem, when using windows one care on windows vista on a laptop,the firewall has to be turned off as well as the user access control an anti virus all have to be turned off to use
bigpond tell me its a microsoft problem,microsoft tell me its a bigpond problem, ive even put the telstra program into allowed content in the one care firewall/antivirus with no success, any ideas or suggested sites to visit, its down right annoying to have no internet protection, considering i purchased one care at my own expense and the telstra modem but no one will accept responsibility and refund me or let alone help me but shift the blame to the other party
The UAC issue in Vista is definitely related to the drivers/windows, we’re working with microsoft at the moment to sort out a fix for it.
Regarding the onecare issue, I really don’t know! Unfortunately, given the vast amounts of different firewalls/antivirus solutions out there we are unable to test/support them! I’d suggest that your solution provider (onecare) would be the people most able to help you, as they are the only people who actually know the software, and what you could possibly to do work around any issues.
We use an antivirus called NOD32, which works without a problem.
Regarding the docking station, I don’t have much more news on that yet. We’re in discussion about the marketing/release of it which will have a large impact on the pricing, etc. No updated release date yet, this also depends on the marketing answers!
Hi David
I know others have asked many times about dates and prices, but I am desperate to get your Ethernet solution (Telstra turbo modem & docking station) ASAP for my business. Can you update this page with a firmer delivery date as it’s just run out of date. I’m assuming you’ll sell the modem and docking station bundled together. If we have to wait 1-2 months longer for it, should I buy the Telstra turbo modem now and hopefully get a good deal on buying just the docking station when it comes out (will it be sold separately)? Please advise.
Thanks
Gavin,
To answer your second question first. We will sell the docking station both bundled and on it’s own. If you go out and purchase a USB modem now, then you will be able to purchase just the dockign station on it’s own at a cheaper price later.
Regarding firmer release dates, unfortunately I don’t have any yet! Technically I could give you a date when we expect to have the docking station ready, but unfortuantely there are still marketing considerations, and I really don’t know when they will be resolved…
David
Thanks for the reply – I’ve been watching since December for the docking station to arrive. So, I will go and buy the USB modem now so at least 1 computer here will have a decent connection!
But I need to confirm the actual model I should buy: I originally got a Maxon USB NextG modem from Telstra in December which was a blue square shape about 10cm x 10cm x 2cm, it had a 1m cable that plugged into the USB port and a primary and secondary antenna connection on each side of the modem, also had a chrome cradle to sit the modem – I sent it back because I have multiple PCs I need to connect and couldn’t find a way to make it happen.
I know there is also Telstra Turbo modem which plugs straight into the USB port (no cable) and is much smaller. Just want to make sure I get the right one – the Telstra Turbo modem right.
Thanks again
Gavin
Gavin,
Either of them should work with the docking station. As long as it’s a Maxon manufactured USB Next G modem, it should work.
david any idea when release date for docking station
it says on web site went from march to april 07
is that early or late april or maybe may 07
your help would be appreciated
microsoft tell me its safe to leave the UAC off to use the modem, i’m still worried about this fact
any opinions about the UAC in VISTA being left off
David
as well as the UAC issue with next g
the window one care has issues with the anti virus and also firewall settings conflict and won’t let me access the net even disabled they still lock up explorer
so i had to uninstall one care as instructed by microsoft
ive tried NOD32 anti-virus as you recommended-works fine
could you reccomend a good firewall to use
or will windows firewall surfice combined with routers firewall (lynksis wireless g router)only thing is 1st pc not protected with next g when used as primary connection then router hooked in after-if thats the way it works??
or what about telstra’s firewall service
only problem i have 3 pc’s networked
windows one care was very cost effective 3 licences for under $100.00 pretty good value
Mark,
Re: the docking station, it will be at least late april if not may. There are still some marketing decisions that are slowing down the release process…
We are looking into the UAC issue. The next version of the software should not require this to be off. I don’t see it as huge problem having it off (Win XP never had it…). Windows firewall in Vista is reportedly pretty good, that combined with a router’s firewall should suffice. Otherwise try something like zonealarm, from memory it should work with the Next G connection and is free!
well it’s now late april guy’s, do you have an update on the docking station release date ?
like simon said ,but its now may
look what is going on over there
you are a professional company
surely you can nail down a deffinate date instead of delaying it every month, is the docking station really a reality or just a pipe dream, i’m shure i’m not the only one who is getting annoyed about the continual pushing back of the release date
a deffinate date and cost would be a pleasant surprise
people just cant keep waiting inmdeffinately
or we may just have to start looking elsewhere
people vote with their dollars and feet and go elsewhere if stuffed around enough
i’m shure i’m speaking for everyone out there with our frustrations
Hi all,
Rather than continually posting release date updates, I’ve included links on the right which show the current expected release dates.
hi david
well its now june
you said marketing decisions were the reason for the release date delays, i see today that on 25th may it still needs quite a bit of work, so are you now saying that its technical issues not marketing decisions
i wish you stick to one answer and not change
makes me believe you dont know whats going on at all
have you got a release date and price yet or should i come back next year
regards mark
the new software for the minimax do we source it from you or bigpond when available
Woah, steady on there Mark. There’s a lot of June still to go.
“The docking station has also been receiving a fair bit of attention. There’s still work to do on it, but most testing at this stage is going quite favorably, which is a good indicator of a close release.”
I don’t see where that says that it still needs quite a bit of work, on the contrary, it says we’ve been doing a lot of work on it, and that our testing is showing that it’s all coming together now!
The marketing concerns are in fact still there, and as pricing depends on that, I don’t have finalised pricing info on it yet.
If you have a BigPond branded modem, then you will get the software updated from BigPond. If you have a Telstra branded modem, you can get them either from us or from Telstra.
So when will the Docking Station be avaialbe and where will we be able to get it from? It is frustrating to be in an area where only the Wireless service is avaialbe and then not be able to have more than one computer at a time be able to use the modem ….
hi david.look it just seems to be dragging on forever
and im not the only one haging on for the product
as you can see by Jonathan’s comment on the 4th june
are we looking early,mid,late june or more than likely july
just anxious to get my hands on the “goodies”
approximate cost price and where to purchase would also be good
regards anxious customer
mark
I appreciate that you’re eager to get hold of this product!
As the product hasn’t actually been finished yet, by the time you count production time, it’ll be late June before we have stock of the docking stations. Initial indicative retail pricing (this is very much subject to change) is around $300. Regarding where you will be able to buy it, that’s one of those marketing issues that are still being resolved. Either way, you’ll pretty much definitely be able to buy it directly from us.
David
thank you for your information
at least now i have a rough price & approximate time for release
thank you very much
David,
I’m also eagerly waiting for a release of your docking station as I’m suffering from drop outs with the telstra trubo modem and once dropped out it needs to be ‘pulled out and put back in again’ before it will work even though its ‘connected’. I presume your docking station does not suffer from this problem. If this is the case can pre order and buy directly from you as I need something to solve my problem as of yesterday and last week and last month and the month before.
Hi Tim,
The issue you are experiencing requires a firwmare update for the modem. It would possible still occur with the docking station.
The firmware update that will address that issue is currently undergoing Telstra approval. Once that has been given, we will release it.
David,
So will this update be notified to us through Telstra/Bigpond, or are we just to guess it is out there or be lucky enough to know that Maxon are working on it? I to have constant drop-out, and as I work from home onto a Corporate VPN it become a real pain with the drop outs, I end up needing to reboot everything.
Jonathan,
When the update is released, it will be released through the appropriate channels (ie, BigPond / Telstra). I’m not completely sure how they notify their corresponding customers of product updates, but I assume that they would provide sofware updates.
Either way, we will post any updates for the Telstra Turbo Modem on here, and if the Telstra Turbo Modem has an update, then more likely than not the BigPond modems will also have an update…
Hello Everyone,
I have a solution to the Telstra NextG USB problem.
I contact Onecare – and a very patient and clever guy there stuck with me through many emails backwards and forwards… and finally… I got the NextG USB device to work on my laptop & 2 desktop pcs.
Here goes…
1) Go to Firewall Tab on the View or Change Settings
2) Go to Ports and Protocols Tab on the Advance Settings
3) Click add Button and add four Protocols: 6(TCP), 17(UDP) & 68(DHCP)
- 6(UDP)
a) In the name box, please type “6(TCP)â€Â.
b) Under “Protocol†ensure “TCP or UDP†has a dot and choose “TCP†in the drop down, and the port range should be “6 to 6â€Â.
c) Change the “For Connections†to be “BOTH”.
d) Ensure that “Scope†says “Internetâ€Â.
- 17(UDP)
a) In the name box, please type “17(UDP)â€Â.
b) Under “Protocol†ensure “TCP or UDP†has a dot and choose “UDP†in the drop down, and the port range should be “17 to 17â€Â.
c) Change the “For Connections†to be “BOTH”.
d) Ensure that “Scope†says “Internetâ€Â.
- 68(DHCP)
a) In the name box, please type “68(DHCP)â€Â.
b) Under “Protocol†ensure “TCP or UDP†has a dot and choose “TCP/UDP†in the drop down, and the port range should be “68 to 68â€Â.
c) Change the “For Connections†to be “BOTH”.
d) Ensure that “Scope†says “Internetâ€Â.
Then reboot the pc.
This WORKS.. you can leave your firewall on while you connect…
Hope that helps all those people that like me were going crazy with this issue.
Regards,
Craig
Attn Craig Meddings
was that for windows xp or windows vista
as my laptop is on vista & desktop is on vista
thanks for letting us know of the issue thatyou have a fix for
regards mark
david
any further updates in regards to release date for
the docking station
Well here we go again. It is now the last week of june and surprise surprise no sign of the docking station. Are you guy’s sure it does exist or is it just a pipe dream ?
here here, i agree with simon
it really is a pipe dream
DAVID
action speaks louder than words
put you money where your mouth is
put or shut up
just do it
no more empty promises
proof is in the pudding
is it going to be late this year or early next year
i look forward to a pleasant surprise
Well I have just joined the list of consumers waiting patiently for the Ethernet Docking Station and would like to know just when it will hit the market & how much?
Me too.. I have a NextG router from call-direct, but am not yet satisfied it will meet our requirements. I’m also keen to see where the Maxon solution is positioned w.r.t. price and features (e.g. query signal strength by SNMP, how successfully does it reconnect after an outage, etc).
Or do we have to wait (and pay) for Cisco routers with UMTS card?
DAVID
as you can see i am not the only one who
wants the information
surely your powers to be above you can give you something more substantial to feed back to us
im sure we wouldnt mind being guinnny pigs with the product
to help solve any problems you might be having
we are all willing to hand over cold hard cash
but we want the product
NO COMMENT FROM YOU SINCE 19TH JUNE
THATS BASICALLY HALF A MONTH
COULD YOU PLEASE UPDATE US ASAP
regards mark
The indicative pricing I have at this stage is around $380 ($299 ex GST).
Regarding the release of it, I’m getting another post cleared at the moment updating on a bunch of different developments we’re doing.
As is probably obvious by now we won’t have stock of the modem in June. Production is under way though, so mid July is probably a safe bet.
Mark, I understand you’re keen to get this product, unfortunatley however we can only work so fast.
DAVID
thank you
DAVID
with the problem with the UAC in windows vista
i just downloaded the latest software from big pond version 2.6.4
and i still cant leave the UAC in vista on and connect to the internet- it just sits there and wont connect
is there a later version to come still
mark,
To be honest I don’t know anything about that particular issue, or what the fix is…
BigPond themselves develop their connection manager, so I don’t know what their development timeline is.
So it is now mid July … are we any closer to seeing this unit?