CradlePoint Inc. has begun shipping the MBR1000, an 802.11 draft ‘N’ Mobile Broadband Router that supports wired WAN and wireless WAN backhaul, and provides greater range and speed than any other commercially available cellular router, said the company.

Powered by CradlePoint’s WiPipe technology, the MBR1000 is the first ‘N’ router to include an Express Card slot for cellular modems (WWAN), and supports failover capability for enterprises seeking to implement continuous connectivity for remote and field offices. The MBR1000 detects when the primary uplink is lost, and automatically switches to a wireless backup.

“The MBR1000 allows enterprise customers to self-install their business networks with fail-safe backup, and at price points practical for remote and home office installations,” said Gary Oliverio, vice president of marketing and founder of CradlePoint. “Teamed with one or more cellular modems, the MBR1000 can automatically keep businesses online at full speed, full-time, and with more reliable coverage than ever before.”

The MBR1000 operates with cellular data plans offered by AT&T, Sprint and Verizon, and is compatible with modems from Kyocera, Novatel and Sierra Wireless among others. The router also can connect via a number of 3G handsets such as RIM’s BlackBerry and Motorola’s RAZR handset. So in the event of a network outage, customers can even plug in a 3G handset and remain connected.

With the MBR1000, customers can automatically switch between wired and multiple cellular WAN connections, choose from a wide range of available EVDO or HSDPA modems in Express Card or USB form factor, and determine the cellular signal strength by front panel indicators.

The MBR1000 is available from a number of distributors, Internet retailers and cellular resellers at an MSRP of $249.

CradlePoint www.cradlepoint.com