Today while did our walk thru during Media  Preview day at the Orange County Auto Show we came upon a product that caught our attention: The Autonet Mobile In-Car Router

Autonet Mobile is one of the first wireless internet providers for automobiles. Autonet Mobile, supplies Chrysler LLC with uconnect web, the first WiFi entertainment system product designed specifically for cars.

An announcement is expected soon about this add on for the cars.

Uconnect web is currently available for all Chrysler, Jeep(R) and Dodge vehicles as a dealer-installed Mopar(R) accessory at more than 3,700 U.S. dealerships. We understand that the installation charge is not much more then it would cost to add a new stereo component to you car,　

The router comes with a Novatel Wireless,Expedite(R) E725 Express Mini Card Module  embedded in the Autonet Mobile's Internet service for Chrysler LLC's uconnect web. It will turn a car into a WiFi hotspot, allowing multiple passengers to connect their own WiFi enabled gadgets to the Internet at the same time. Made easier because not only is the router provided but also the internet monthly service.

Basically it is that router you have in your home to give you wi-fi thru out your house made to function in a car. As in your home and now in your car you will be able to connect to the Internet in your car when you want, wherever you are.

Basically when you want it, they way you want it and were you want it.

Its sleek form was designed to be easily installed in the trunk of your car or the cargo area of your SUV so that it’s out of your way and provides you with the best Wi-Fi signal possible. Possibly the only problem we saw with this installation was that its antenna stick out like a sore thumb and if you carry much stuff in your truck or cargo area there is a good possibility they might get broken off.

We understand that unlike a wireless system your used to that goes out when going thru a tunnel and poor reception areas that you will not have to reboot to get back on the internet do to its advanced technology included within the router.

The router runs over both 3G and 2.5 cellar data networks to give you a fast and expanding coverage in the United States and Canada. Autonet Mobile is an Internet Service Provider and does not work with your existing carrier so you have to use their service.

Your given the choice between two monthly plans. The $29 monthly plan includes 1GB of data per month and our $59 monthly plan includes 5GB of data per month. High speed access ranges from 600Kbps-800Kbps which is fater then the card we use for our computers to get onto the internet.

Customer service is expected to be just a phone call away. Autonet Mobile has centralized customer service and provides support for our router and our network in one local call center. If you have any questions about your service, router, or billing, one of their associates will be happy to troubleshoot for you over the phone.

Good customer service is often hard to come by today and they believe they will do their part to change to perception.

Any Wi-Fi enable device will work with Autonet Mobile including: desktops, laptops, Macs, PDAs, servers, PSPs, iPhones. Typically, you can connect from up to 100 feet away.

The service comes with a year sign up connected with it. The only real downer we can see for the system is that the router is on the expensive side at $499.

Hopeful this price will come down because since so many Americans tend to work out of their cars a fast system could be boon to them.

We expect to talk to their representatives at Sema in November to see if there might be some price changes in the router coming up and will let you know if there are any price changes coming at this time.

William Hoehne

Editor

 

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