PCRange and Internode launch FRITZ!Box
Developed by German company AVM, the FRITZ!Box is the most feature-rich Home and SOHO ADSL2+ router ever offered in Australia, with a truly incredible list of features.
The FRITZ!Box supports both ADSL2+ and Ethernet WAN upstream connections, allowing seamless migration to NBN or other Fibre to the Home networks. It also supports the ADSL2+ Annex M protocol to deliver upstream speeds as fast as 2.5 megabits per second (Mbps) as well as 802.11 a/b/g/n Wireless LANs with full encryption, including both push-button and time-based wireless shutdown.
The FRITZ!Box contains a built-in DECT cordless handset base station, supporting as many as six wireless handsets, plus two wired VoIP handset ports and a "lifeline" voice port. As well as Ethernet switch ports, the FRITZ!Box supports both IPTV and IPv6 and includes integrated PABX functions including call diversion and "email-enabled" answering machine and fax service functions.
A breakthrough bonus is the inclusion of HD (High Definition) Voice, which offers higher quality phone calls than traditional PSTN services between any two FRITZ!Box units. FRITZ!Box includes a web-based wizard for simple configuration and connection as well as excellent diagnostic and control facilities.
PCRange will launch two FRITZ!Box models in Australia, with the top model including Gigabit Ethernet ports, dual-band wireless network signals on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies and support for VDSL2 as well as Ethernet WAN running as fast as 100 Mbps.
PCRange is the exclusive Australian distributor for the impressive FRITZ!Box product range. In January 2011, Internode will become the first Australian company to sell the FRITZ!Box. PCRange is completing Australian certification and testing to bring the FRITZ!Box to customers nationally.
PCRange CEO Raaj Menon said he was delighted to have secured exclusive rights to distribute FRITZ!Box products in Australia. "Launching FRITZ!Box extends our reputation for delivering excellent technology solutions to the Australian market," he said. "FRITZ!Box complements our existing extensive product range by adding the highest end consumer and SOHO devices ever seen in this market."
Internode Managing Director Simon Hackett said Internode’s imminent launch of retail sales of FRITZ!Box was the culmination of more than a year of work to bring this product to the Australian market. "With PCRange, we're pleased to do just that because the FRITZ!Box is far and away the best broadband services router I have ever seen or used," he said.
"It has the best user interface and every conceivable feature you’re likely to need. With its built-in DECT base station and High Definition Voice, it provides the best platform ever for Internode's ADSL2+ and NodePhone VoIP services. With full IPTV support to go with our FetchTV offerings, and built-in media server functions, it's also the ideal device to expand your Internet experience to the lounge room in a seamless and easy way."
AVM Sales Manager Matthew Tyler said PCRange and Internode would provide high visibility for FRITZ!Box in Australia. "We regard PCRange and Internode as great launch partners in Australia because they are clearly defined in the market through their commitment to innovation," he said.
The Internode online store will sell FRITZ!Box products from January 2011, offering special FRITZ!Box pricing with new or renewed Internode broadband services on a 24-month term. FRITZ!Box models and accessories that will be available in Australia are:
- FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7270 (RRP $369) provides high performance Internet connections via ADSL2+, four 100 Mbps Ethernet ports and dual-band Wireless LAN a/b/g/n support
- FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7390 (RRP $469), with four Gigabit Ethernet ports, ADSL2+, VDSL2, concurrent dual-band WLAN access points, ISDN support and on-board storage for media services and NAS functions
- Stick 'N Surf dual-band 802.11n wireless USB stick (RRP $89) for computers with no wireless support.
- DECT cordless phone handsets (RRP $129) optimised for the FRITZ!Box.
