Communication charges for telework and mobile work are high! Focus on the "SIM-free" mobile Wi-Fi router "+F FS040W" that eliminates
The problem of "Internet connection" in telework
Under the state of emergency declaration from April to May 2020, many people are required to telework or remote work at home. However, an increasing number of companies are finally recommending full-fledged work centered on telework as a new working style.
One of the challenges in working with such telework is the Internet environment. If you already have an optical line or cable Internet line at home, you can use it as it is, but many business people who live alone have connected to the Internet by tethering their smartphones, etc. Telework. And there are many people who say that the amount of data communication has increased rapidly due to the increase in remote work.
In response to this situation, the demand for Wi-Fi routers has increased again recently. Mobile Wi-Fi routers sold by mobile phone companies used to be very popular as a must-have item for mobile workers, but due to the spread of smartphone tethering, the number of contracts has recently declined and popularity has faded. I was starting to see it.
However, due to the increase in data communication volume due to telework, more and more users are considering introducing mobile Wi-Fi routers and home routers. Of course, smartphone tethering can also be used, but tethering for a long time will consume the battery of the smartphone, and it is not uncommon for the terminal to not be able to respond to voice calls in an emergency or to heat up the terminal. In that respect, prepare a new mobile Wi-Fi router and use it normally, and use smartphone tethering like a "super sub" when the mobile Wi-Fi router cannot be used.
Pay attention to SIM-free mobile Wi-Fi routers
So, what kind of mobile Wi-Fi router should you choose? First, there is a method of contracting mobile Wi-Fi routers of each mobile phone company, but domestic companies have just started 5G services in March this year, and there are few models of mobile Wi-Fi routers that support 5G. It's also expensive. Of course, we also sell 4G compatible products so far, but there is no discount when purchasing a terminal (device purchase subsidy) like before, and it is an additional line contract, so even though it is a data communication plan, monthly The usage fee is a little heavy.
On the other hand, a method that has been increasing recently is to use SIM-free compatible mobile Wi-Fi routers sold in the open market. When it comes to SIM-free support, smartphones and tablets tend to attract attention, but the number of mobile Wi-Fi routers that support SIM-free is increasing. There is no need to explain it again, but SIM-free means that you have the freedom to choose the carrier you contract with. Especially when mobile phone companies and MVNO companies are developing new campaigns, there is also the advantage of being able to switch at any time.
Fujisoft's "+F FS040W" that we tried this time is a SIM-free mobile Wi-Fi router that was just released in July this year. The company is developing business such as system development for corporations, but for individuals it is also known as the development of New Year's card software "Fudegurume" and the organizer of the "All Japan Robot Sumo Tournament" that has been held since 1990. We also handle many data communication products such as modems and mobile Wi-Fi routers. This "+F FS040W" is the company's fourth mobile Wi-Fi router. The price is an open price, but it is sold for 19,800 yen (tax included) at home appliance mass retailers.
Mobile Wi-Fi router "+F FS040W" (Fujisoft): Height approx. 76.0mm x Width 76.0mm x Thickness 19.6mm, weight approx. 142g, open price
A maximum of 15 devices can be connected with the main unit only
The main unit has a compact palm-sized shape of about 76 mm in length and width and 19.6 mm in thickness, and weighs 142 g, making it a mobile Wi-Fi router. is mid size. The main unit is equipped with a detachable 3060mAh high-capacity battery. As a mobile battery, it also has a function to supply power to other products, so it can be used to charge smartphones and IoT devices while out and about. The built-in battery pack is detachable, so if you purchase an optional battery pack (4800 yen), you can use it while replacing it.
Equipped with a display on the front of the main unit, you can check the communication status of the mobile line, the amount of data communication used, the remaining battery level, the wireless LAN SSID (wireless network name), password, etc. However, since the display is not a touch panel, each menu is operated by pressing the buttons on the front and side of the main unit. Detailed settings can be set on the web page "FS040W setting tool" displayed from the browser of the personal computer.
Equipped with a USB Type-C external connection terminal, a SELECT button on the side, and a power button on the front. You can also use USB tethering by connecting a computer to the USB Type-C external connection terminal.
A removable battery pack of 3060mAh is attached to the back of the main unit. It can also be used as a mobile battery to power other devices. Insert the nano SIM card into the central part inside the main unit with the battery pack removed.
The display on the front of the main unit can display the remaining battery level, radio wave status, Wi-Fi frequency and number of connections, etc.
Wi-Fi supports both 2.4/5GHz and conforms to IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. The Wi-Fi speed of the main unit only is up to 433 Mbps when receiving, and up to 15 terminals can be connected at the same time.
Registration of terminals connected via Wi-Fi can be done by entering the encryption key (password) displayed on the display into the terminal, or by simple registration using WPS. What is unique is that it also supports input of encryption keys using QR codes. Install the dedicated app "+F Setting Tool" for Android and iOS, read the QR code displayed on the +F FS040W display, enter the Wi-Fi encryption key, and connect via Wi-Fi. can do. By the way, simple Wi-Fi settings by reading the QR code are supported by some smartphones equipped with Android 9/10, and the latest version of iOS is also supported, so there is no need to install a dedicated application. If you read the QR code in the same way, you can set up the connection.
If you display the QR code on the display and read it with the "+F setting tool", you can easily set the encryption key. Easy registration with QR code reading supported by Android 9/10 and iOS
Setting tool for smartphones "+F setting tool" can be downloaded from Google Play Store and AppStore (iOS)
Startup screen of "+F setting tool". You can check the radio wave status of the mobile network, the remaining battery level, the amount of data communication, etc. By tapping Advanced Settings, you can launch the browser and display the settings page.
The setting page displayed in the browser can also be displayed in the smartphone browser. Each function can be fine-tuned
Display the settings page in your computer's browser. Rakuten UN-LIMIT's SIM card was automatically recognized and I was able to use it immediately.
SIM cards from mobile phone companies and MVNO companies can be used, and Rakuten UN-LIMIT also works
Mobile data communication is 4G (up to 300Mbps when receiving) and 3G (up to 300Mbps when receiving) 42.2 Mbps), and one nano SIM card can be installed inside the SIM card after removing the battery pack.
For lines, it corresponds to each frequency band of NTT Docomo, au, and Softbank. 3G is not supported by au, and Softbank is only band 1 (2.1GHz), but au plans to end 3G services at the end of March 2022 and Softbank at the end of January 2024. So, considering that the 4G area is over 99%, there is no problem.
Since it supports the 4G networks of the three major companies, it also supports the services of MVNO companies using these networks. For SIM-free terminals, it is necessary to select or register an APN (connection information) to connect to the network of each MVNO company, but in the case of +F FS0404W, a SIM card is installed for some carriers' SIM cards. Then, when the power is turned on, it is automatically recognized. This time I tried SIM cards such as UQ mobile, Y mobile, IIJmio, BIGLOBE, mineo, etc., all of which were automatically recognized and could be used immediately. Conversely, OCN Mobile ONE and NTT Docomo (sp mode) SIM cards require manual APN settings, and information such as APN must be entered by displaying the "FS040W setting tool" in the browser.
Several MVNO connection information is already registered as a profile, and it is also possible to switch on the display of the main unit
Also, when I tried the SIM card of Rakuten Mobile's "Rakuten UN-LIMIT", which has been officially switched to service since this spring, it was automatically recognized, immediately connected via Wi-Fi, and mobile data communication. was available. It is known that Rakuten Mobile does not work properly unless it is a model compatible with the company's line, but Fujisoft's conventional model "+F FS030W" is included in the compatible models, so the successor model "+F FS040W" seems to work as is. Rakuten Mobile's "Rakuten UN-LIMIT" is free for one year, and it has been announced that data communication within the Rakuten area is unlimited (with a limit of 10GB per day). If so, for the time being, one way to use it is to attach a Rakuten UN-LIMIT SIM card to the "+F FS040W" and use it. By the way, outside the Rakuten Mobile area, roaming to the au network is limited to 5GB per month, so users moving inside and outside the area need to check the amount of data communication.
Speed up Wi-Fi with a dedicated home kit (sold separately)
As explained at the beginning, mobile Wi-Fi routers generate heat when used for a long time, and the number of connected devices increases. increases, performance may not be sufficient. In that respect, the "+F FS040W" this time can operate stably on its own, but as an option to meet the needs of users who want even more performance, a "dedicated home kit" (10,780 yen) is available. .
"+F FS040W" is attached to the dedicated home kit sold as an option
The "dedicated home kit" sold as an option is a cradle for placing the "+F FS0404W", and has a shape similar to the former mobile phone desktop holder. On the front of the main unit is an LED that can check the power supply and Wi-Fi operation, on the back is a 1000Base-T compatible LAN port, a USB Type-C terminal for connecting an AC adapter, and a button for setting WPS. By the way, use the AC adapter that comes with "+F FS040W".
On the back of the dedicated home kit, there is a power button, a WPS button for simple settings, a 1000Base-T compatible LAN port, and a USB Type-C external connection terminal for connecting an AC adapter.
As mentioned above, the "+F FS040W" is a specification that can connect up to 15 terminals with a maximum Wi-Fi reception of 433 MHz in the state of only the main unit, but by connecting to a dedicated home kit, Since the built-in antenna is enabled, Wi-Fi will improve to a maximum of 867 MHz when receiving, which is comparable to a stationary home router, and up to 32 terminals can be connected. You may think, "32 devices in a private home...", but the number of devices that can be connected via Wi-Fi, such as TVs, recorders, game consoles, and IoT devices, is rapidly increasing, and even if the number of connectable devices increases, Safe to use. By the way, the "+F FS040W" is used with a battery pack attached, but when connected to a dedicated home kit, it can be operated without the battery pack attached.
After installing the "+F FS040W" in the special home kit, this screen will be displayed for about 30 seconds, and you will have to wait a while.
One device that can easily enhance the telework and mobile work environment
In order to work efficiently in a telework and mobile work environment, it is still necessary to prepare an Internet environment. is important. Wi-Fi spots such as smartphone tethering and cafes are convenient, but mobile Wi-Fi routers are still useful tools for stable mobile data communication environments, and Fujisoft's "+F FS040W" It is a unit that can be used safely on the networks of domestic companies. Since it can also be used in the noteworthy Rakuten UN-LIMIT, there should be many users who can use it more effectively. I would like to pay attention to it as a unit that can be combined with a dedicated home kit to easily enhance the telework and mobile work environment.
[Reference] “+F FS040W” product information (Fujisoft) https://www.fsi.co.jp/mobile/plusF/products/FS040W/
“+F FS040W” news release (Fujisoft) https://www.fsi.co.jp/company/news/20200707.html
Interview / Text / Takeyuki Horabayashi
Mainly for web media and magazines, he writes review articles on digital-related products such as smartphones, mobile phones, and personal computers, and commentary articles for beginners. He has also written many books such as commentaries. Opinion number of the mobile industry.