EVDO modem - Sim Card - iPhone

sotied · EVDO Newbie Joined: 16 Aug 2007 Posts: 1

I have just purchased an unlocked, out-of-contract first gen iPhone.

I have a USB720 and a Verizon data plan.

I would like to:

1 - upgrade to a newer modem with Verizon
2 - I would like to get a modem that has a SIM card in it.
3 - I would like to be able to move this SIM card on occasion to the iPhone (only for data, not for calls)

Is this possible?
Are there USB Modems that have SIM cards (I'm on a Macintosh)?
What hurdles might I face?
Would I be better off reversing the process and getting a Tethering plan with the iPhone (data and tether) and swallowing the early termination fee on the USB720 modem plan?

IS there an early termination fee on the plan?

Thanks so much,

Jeff
_________________
jeffcutler.com

gregh2000 · EVDO User Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 40

The only way to get a wireless card with a sim slot would be to get a gsm card. So you would have to get a card from ATT or T-Mobile. To use the iphone though you would be better off with an ATT card. Not sure what is needed as far as data plans for the iphone.

If you wanted to use Verizon you could get an EVDO router to use with a compatible usb card and then use the wifi on your iphone. But there is no way to have a sim on Verizon.

I guess it depends on how much you use the data card if it would work better to just tether the iphone or get a new card from ATT and cancel your Verizon card.

Torrey · Site Admin Joined: 09 May 2007 Posts: 282 Location: USA

That's correct, none of the CDMA carriers (Sprint/Verizon/Alltel) use SIM cards, therefore none of the EVDO devices contain a SIM chip bay. Only the AT&T HSPA devices will provide sim chips; which in my opinion is useless, because the only other GSM carrier you could switch to is T-Mobile & their mobile broadband service is almost non-existent.

So I would suggest that you fully test the Verizon service during your 30-day trial period to make sure it works where you will need it most. As the EVDO device is locked to the Verizon network.