ASCII.jp You can see the amazingness of "Aterm MR04LN"!! Interview with the development team

NEC Platforms announced the LTE-Advanced compatible mobile router "Aterm MR04LN". As the previous model "Aterm MR03LN" was a big hit as a high-speed LTE mobile router, many people should be interested in the latest model (I'm curious about Hijo).

Aterm MR04LN, a mobile router compatible with LTE-Advanced, newly announced by NEC Platforms

A cradle is also available to improve the usability of the mobile router. He also told me about the screen when I set it up.

I immediately asked the development team of "Aterm MR04LN" for an interview. Mr. Hideaki Sakama, Senior Expert, Sales Promotion Group 1, Access Device Development Division, NEC Platforms, who is in charge of product planning, and Mr. Satoshi Tanaka, Chief of Mobile Router Business Group, Access Device Development Division, who was in charge of development, explained the features of the new model. I heard about the difference from the previous model.

Demand for mobile routers is increasing with the spread of MVNOs

--First of all, could you tell us about the current market trends for LTE mobile routers?

Hideaki Sakama (hereafter referred to as Mr. Sakama) Recently, terminals such as smartphones, tablets, and PCs have diversified, and the number of devices owned by individuals is increasing. Also, with the spread of MVNO services, the number of line contracts per person is increasing. Especially for those who use mobile routers, there is a tendency to add new MVNO service lines instead of quitting the carrier lines they have been using. I think mobile routers are in demand precisely because terminals are diversifying.

NEC Platforms Access Device Development Division 1st Sales Promotion Group Senior Expert Hideaki Sakama

One more thing that some people mention is that using a mobile router saves battery power. With smartphones, connecting to the Wi-Fi of a mobile router saves battery more than connecting to a mobile line. In particular, "Aterm MR03LN" and "Aterm MR04LN" also support Bluetooth tethering, which consumes less battery than Wi-Fi connection.

Unfortunately, the iPhone does not support Bluetooth tethering, so this feature cannot be used, but it has been very well received by those who use Android devices. We believe that this is one of the reasons why people choose Aterm products.

-The number of people using mobile routers is steadily increasing?

Mr. Sakama　The mobile router itself has traditionally been developed mainly for corporate customers, so there is a "steady demand" that hasn't fluctuated much. Add to that the current diversification of devices and the spread of MVNO services, and I think that the number is gradually increasing, if not rapidly.

Recently, some users, especially young people, do not need a fixed line, and the number of cases where mobile routers are used at home is also increasing. In the future, such a trend will spread, and it will become commonplace to have a style that can be used both at home and on the go.

The latest model "Aterm MR04LN" supports maximum downlink speed of 300Mbps with LTE-Advanced!

--Please tell us about the major features of the new model "Aterm MR04LN".

Mr. Sakama　One of the points of "Aterm MR04LN" is that it supports the LTE-Advanced communication method. As a result, the maximum download speed of the previous model was 150 Mbps, but it has doubled to a maximum of 300 Mbps. The actual speed will vary depending on the carrier's infrastructure, but the hardware can deliver a maximum download speed of 300Mbps.

Another feature of LTE-Advanced is that the use of two radio waves with different frequencies makes it difficult for communication to be interrupted, and it also has the effect of preventing speed drops.

In addition, "Aterm MR04LN" is "SIM lock free^*" (SIM lock is not applied at the time of shipment. Supported frequencies/communication methods and confirmed services are available on the Aterm product information site "Aterm Station ) is also a major feature. As you all know, this is the state where the "SIM lock" that restricts the communication line that can be used is not applied at the time of shipment.

In addition, we thought about how to make it convenient for our customers to use SIM lock-free mobile routers, so we made it possible to insert two SIM cards. We call it "dual SIM", but one of the major features of this product is that you can use it while switching between the two SIM cards inserted in the display.

――Does it become easier to connect to the Internet by supporting LTE-Advanced?

Mr. Sakama Yes, it might be better to say that it has become harder to cut.

Mr. Satoshi Tanaka (hereinafter referred to as Mr. Tanaka) 　By supporting LTE-Advanced, it is now possible to receive two radio waves with different frequencies at the same time. For example, even if one radio wave is weak, the other radio wave can be used to continue communication, making it more difficult to disconnect.

Furthermore, since a frequency with a high communication speed is used depending on the radio wave conditions at that time, there is also the effect of reducing the drop in throughput during communication and stabilizing communication.

However, the LTE-Advanced area is still limited at present, so it may not be effective for everyone. It depends on the future development of the carrier, but if the area expands, I think that you will feel that the "Aterm MR04LN" is faster and more stable than the conventional model.

Mr. Satoshi Tanaka, Chief of Mobile Router Business Group, Access Device Development Division

^*Note: This product is a SIM lock free device. The SIM lock is not applied in the factory shipment state, and procedures related to unlocking the SIM are not required. Please check the frequency/communication method supported by this product on the Aterm product information site "Aterm Station". Please refer to here for the operation-confirmed services. NEC Platforms does not perform operation checks, etc., and does not guarantee any operation when inserting and using a micro SIM card for services not listed on this list. Communication speeds may vary depending on the service provided by each carrier and the coverage area. Please check with your carrier for details.