Australians applaud local launch of FRITZ!Box

Australians have responded enthusiastically to the news that broadband specialist PCRange will distribute the breakthrough FRITZ!Box ADSL2+ router in Australia, available first from Internode.

Within a week of the announcement, a FRITZ!Box discussion thread on the broadband website Whirlpool (http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1586204) had generated dozens of pages. The thread currently has more than 60 pages.

Contributors to the thread praise the FRITZ!Box for its great feature set, ease of use and the strength of its wireless network signal compared with previous routers.

“Just submitted my pre-order for the 7270 + handset,” wrote one contributor. “Looks like it'll replace my trusty old Billion 7500G, my Sipura 3000, my old DECT phone and my print server, all in one box! And with the NBN due to come to my area in September next year, couldn't be a better purchase I think!”

Next month, Internode will become the first Australian company to sell the FRITZ!Box. Developed by German company AVM, the FRITZ!Box (http://www.fritzbox.com.au) works with any broadband provider.

PCRange, the exclusive Australian distributor, is completing Australian certification and testing. From February, the devices will be available through the PCRange reseller network (www.pcrange.com.au).

PCRange is launching two FRITZ!Box models in Australia, with the flagship model including gigabit Ethernet ports, dual-band wireless network signals on the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequencies and support for Ethernet WAN running as fast as 100 Mbit/s.

From January, Internode’s online store will sell FRITZ!Box products, offering special FRITZ!Box pricing with new or renewed Internode broadband services on a 24-month term. FRITZ!Box models and accessories to be available in Australia comprise:

• FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7270 provides high performance Internet connections via ADSL2+, four 100-Mbit/s Ethernet ports and dual-band Wireless LAN a/b/g/n support

• FRITZ!Box Fon WLAN 7390, with four gigabit Ethernet ports, ADSL2+, concurrent dual-band WLAN access points and on-board storage for media services and NAS functions

• Stick 'N Surf dual-band wireless USB stick or computers with no wireless support

• DECT cordless phone handsets optimised for the FRITZ!Box.

Internode’s FRITZ!Box product, pricing and pre-order details can be found at www.internode.on.net/fritzbox.

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 (Mbit/s) 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.

About AVM www.avm.de AVM develops and manufactures products for your broadband connection. The Berlin-based communication specialist has received numerous awards for its innovative FRITZ! family. FRITZ! enables fast, user-friendly ADSL access, easy networking, inexpensive Internet telephony and versatile multimedia applications. Founded in 1986 in Berlin, AVM is one of the top two providers of ADSL devices in Europe. With more than 50 per cent of the market share, it is the leading manufacturer in Germany, Europe's largest market. AVM has 460 employees and generated a turnover of EUR 280 million in fiscal 2007.

About PCRange www.pcrange.com.au PCRange is the exclusive Australian distributor for technology convergence products including:

• Billion broadband networking devices

• Minitar wireless networking devices

• AXIMCom 3G/P2P wireless routers and 3G travel mobile routers

• 3GO data modem

• Withings WiFi Body Scale

• PADACS accessories for Apple iPad.

• AVM FRITZ!Box products

About Internode www.internode.on.net Internode is a first tier IP carrier committed to using broadband technology to redefine the national telecommunications environment. The Australian-owned company is a trailblazer that delivers broadband services to individuals and businesses throughout Australia. Follow Internode online at www.internode.on.net/about/follow_us_online.

For media assistance: Impress Media Australia www.impress.com.au Call John Harris on (08) 8431 4000 or email jharris@impress.com.au