WILLCOM "PORTUS" Review

WILLCOM announced the "WX02S PORTUS" PHS terminal equipped with a 3G Wi-Fi router function. In addition to WILLCOM's voice call and email functions, it can also be used as a Wi-Fi router using a 3G line. This is a prototype before the release, and reports on its usability.

■ A terminal with a 3G Wi-Fi router for PHS calls and emails

　"WX02S PORTUS" is a 3G line for basic PHS functions such as voice calls and emails. A straight-type PHS terminal made by Seiko Instruments (SII) with added Wi-Fi router function. "PORTUS" means "port" in Latin, and it is said that it has the meaning of a terminal where many wireless LAN devices gather as a mobile router, and a terminal where various communication standards such as PHS, 3G, and wireless LAN gather.

The three communication methods, PHS, 3G, and wireless LAN, each have different roles. PHS is for general functions as a PHS terminal such as voice and email, 3G is the connection line when using a Wi-Fi router, and wireless LAN is the same. Use as an access point when using a Wi-Fi router. Voice calls and emails using 3G lines cannot be used, and mobile routers using PHS lines cannot be used. Also, since it does not have a browser function, it is not possible to browse websites on both PHS and 3G terminals. As per the concept of PORTUS, it is easy to understand that it is a “terminal that combines PHS calling and Wi-Fi router”.

　The main body follows the design of the same Seiko Instruments "WX01S SOCIUS", and the button layout and basic functions are almost the same. Similar to SOCIUS, tools such as "split bill calculator", "salvage discount calculator", and "deca character", and functions such as "self-call" that can disguise incoming calls by pressing and holding the utterance button are also installed.

On the left side of the main unit, there is a microUSB terminal that doubles as a charging terminal and a dedicated terminal for headphones. On the other hand, on the right side, there is a switch that allows you to set the key lock and Wi-Fi router on and off. Like the previous model SOCIUS, it does not have a camera function because it is a simple model with only voice and email.

3G line is the maximum downlink provided by Softbank Mobile It corresponds to "ULTRA SPEED" of 42 Mbps. The wireless LAN supports IEEE 802.11b/g/n and can connect up to 10 wireless LAN devices, and can also be used as a modem by connecting to a personal computer via USB. Equipped with a large capacity battery of 1700mAh, the standby time is about 1200 hours in the case of PHS, and continuous communication is about 4 hours when using a mobile router.

■ Easy Wi-Fi router with one switch, startup time is over 4 hours

　First, let's take a look at the Wi-Fi router function, which can be said to be a feature of PORTUS. Wi-Fi router-related settings can be set by selecting "Wi-Fi ROUTER" from the menu or using the dedicated button assigned to the lower right of the direction key.

　In addition to manual settings, WPS is also supported, and the encryption method is WEP/WPA /WPAS2 support. In addition, detailed settings such as channel and IEEE 802.11 mode switching, transmission output adjustment, SSID stealth function, PORTUS IP address change, etc. can be used only with PORTUS.

　Pressing the switch on the right side up for more than 1 second activates the Wi-Fi router function, and you can stop the function by performing the same operation. It is also possible to select the switch time from short press, 1 second, and 2 seconds. If the 3G line is in the standby state, turn on the switch and the mobile router function will be available in about 5 seconds after "Start the Wi-Fi router" is displayed, and in about 10 seconds if the 3G line is off. . Since the switch operation of the Wi-Fi router function is effective even when the main unit is key-locked, it is convenient to start the Wi-Fi router without removing the key lock.

While using the Wi-Fi router function, an icon notifying the radio wave status of the 3G line and the connection status of the 3G line are displayed in the upper right of the screen, and the LED lamp also indicates the connection status of the 3G line. . The PHS function can be used together even while the Wi-Fi router function is running, and it is possible to send and receive voice calls and emails. You can also check the SSID and encryption key from the menu while the Wi-Fi router is running.

When the Wi-Fi router function was turned on and the smartphone was always connected, the battery icon remained the last even after 4 hours. I have one left, and the official 4 hours seems to be enough. Also, by using PORTUS' power saving settings, it is possible to customize the mobile router to turn off when the wireless LAN device is not connected for a certain period of time, or to turn off the 3G line when the mobile router is turned off. Combining these features will likely increase the amount of time you can actually use it.

　By connecting to a computer via USB, it can also be used as a 3G modem instead of a Wi-Fi router. It supports zero installation, and utility software can be installed simply by connecting it to a computer. The USB connection is not a dedicated cable, but microUSB, which is becoming standard in recent smartphones, so it's nice to not have to carry around a cable for modem connection or charging.

　In terms of communication speed, several Mbps is secured within the area When it was fast, it sometimes measured more than 10 Mbps. However, ULTRA SPEED in the 1.5 GHz band is currently expanding its area, so radio waves did not reach some spots such as subway stations, and in downtown areas such as Shibuya, speeds of less than 1 Mbps were measured. , there was variability. SOFTBANK is rapidly covering the area, so I would like to expect further area expansion in the future.

■ Basic function as PHS, "flat rate with anyone"

　The function other than the mobile router is a simple PHS voice terminal centered on voice calls and emails. For voice calls, WILLCOM's "flat rate with anyone" can be used, and by paying an additional charge of 980 yen per month, you can use up to 500 calls within 10 minutes per month regardless of the other party.

Mail supports light mail that can be sent and received between WILLCOM terminals in addition to e-mail. Japanese input supports Wnn and also has a predictive conversion function. Although the main unit is small, the keys are stepped, making it easy to operate the buttons and inputting characters. If you don't use the mobile router function, the standby time is 1200 hours, which is a great thing because it can achieve a standby time that is incomparable to mobile phones and smartphones.

　Infrared communication is also supported, and it is possible to send and receive phone book data. In addition, the "Split Bill Calculator" and "Original Discount Calculator", which continue to be installed from SOCIUS, seem to be useful when collecting membership fees at drinking parties, etc., even though they are simple tools. It also has a schedule management function using a calendar, and has a set of functions for business use.

■ The combination of PHS and Wi-Fi router is a new genre

　With the popularity of smartphones and mobile broadband, mobile devices with communication functions are required to have three major elements. The first is the functions such as voice calls and e-mail that were handled by conventional mobile phones, the second is the function that can be expanded with applications such as smartphones, and the function of a mobile router that can share data communication with multiple terminals.

　In terms of specs, the latest smartphones meet all these requirements, but they also consume a lot of battery power, and if you try to use the three functions, it is difficult to operate with one device unless you prepare a separate battery. Many users have mobile phones for voice calls and emails, and use apps and mobile router functions on smartphones, or use smartphones and mobile routers separately.

　This PORTUS is not so unusual considering that it is a smartphone that can be used for both voice calls and mobile router functions, but in terms of the fact that the mobile router element that was previously handled by smartphones is now taken over by a terminal that performs voice calls and emails. A simple yet interesting combination. I feel that the combination of PHS, which has a longer standby time than mobile phones and smartphones, and mobile routers, which consume more power, is more compatible than smartphones, which consume more power.

In addition, WILLCOM's unique ``Flat rate with anyone'', which is a flat rate no matter which phone number you call, can be used in conjunction with a mobile router, which is highly convenient. With the spread of social media and the Internet, the necessity of using the phone has become less than before, but the phone is still an indispensable part of our lives. Especially for business use, where you often make phone calls during the day, PORTUS, which allows you to use a mobile router in addition to a flat rate with anyone, seems to be a good match.

　The problem is the usage area. It is said that ULTRA SPEED is still expanding its area, but I was worried that there were many places that could not be connected to downtown areas and subways. Since it is a PHS terminal, even if the speed is slow in areas where ULTRA SPEED is not available, PHS can be used to supplement the area. In addition to future area expansion, I would like to expect 3G utilization unique to PHS terminals.