NTT Docomo To Provide iPad Coverage via Handheld WiFi Access-Point? ☀

Buried at the end of this Reuters report regarding the iPad being a huge hit in Japan is this little nugget of information:

NTT Docomo, Japan’s biggest mobile phone operator, will sell wireless LAN routers for the iPad’s Wi-Fi connection next month to rival No.3 operator Softbank, which exclusively provides 3G networks for iPad.

So rather than providing a SIM to insert directly in to the iPad itself, it appears NTT Docomo will be selling what I assume to be some form of a portable WiFi access-point which connects to their 3G network on the WAN side and allows your iPad to connect on the LAN side.

This sounds far more beneficial overall, seeing as it ostensibly would provide access to more devices than just an iPhone, than paying Softbank solely for iPad 3G access.

It will be quite interesting if such a product does become offered, especially since it is widely accepted here in Japan that DoCoMo has a far better 3G infrastructure compared to Softbank’s spotty coverage.

Know Thy Power User!

fig_3g-hi-speedLast Saturday night I was shopping in Kawasaki, which offers the tech geek a variety of stores all withing walking distance of each other. There is Yodobashi, BIC, Sakuraya, and a host of mom and pop stores. I tend hit the major electronics often, to see what new goodies I might spend my hard earned money on.

As I am walking through BIC Camera I notice that Softbank Mobile has a new USB 3G Data Card.  It catches my eye since it looks good and offers 7.2Mbs speed. I think to myself maybe Softbank is finally getting their act together and will really support us “power users”. After all, they did bring the iPhone over to Japan.

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