BEWARE!! Sprint OverDrive 3G/4G hotspot does NOT work

wdswong

Just bought an OverDrive from Sprint yesterday in Seattle WA, one of the (supposed) 4G areas. Unit says it connects to 4G, I can connect to the device but it will not allow web browsing -says “server not found”. WiFi and all other configs seems fine (and work, browing stec, as long as it's not 4G).

Spent 3 sessions with Sprint technical support, who it was obvious did not know anything and insisted it was was web browser configuration. Finally went to repair at Sprint Store in Seattle. I was told that there is a "known problem" with the OverDrive product line that it does not work on 4G and no solution ETA available. And there is no mechanism to let customers know when a solution is available.

I am disturbed that I was sold a product that was KNOWN NOT to work, that there is no estimate for a fix and there is no where that I can get status on whether the problem is resolved.

BEWARE! The OverDrive 3G/4G mobile hotspot does NOT work in Seattle -they would not give me details whether it's all areas. They claim it is not a network problem but the OverDrive Device. Sprint will not give me a refund and I must pay the $200 early termination fee if I stop the dataplan service. BEWARE of the false claims being made!

orbitalcomp · EVDO User Joined: 28 Apr 2007 Posts: 95 Location: Texas

You might try exchanging your Overdrive for another one, it may be defective. I also had bought an Overdrive last week, but could not get it to connect to 4G in the exact same places that I currently connect with Clear 4G. Called Sprint, they told me "4G is not in that zip code, blah, blah, blah", which is definitely not true since my Clear works flawlessly.

3G mode worked fine on the Overdrive, no problem there, but I decided to go back and exchange for a new one. Problem solved! My Overdrive now works great on 4G or on 3G, and I can either have it fallback to 3G, or just force 4G. In fact, I'm on it now using 4G to post this reply.

Also, if you just bought your device yesterday, you can without a doubt return it for a full refund and not have to pay an ETF. Sprint gives you time to try any hotspot or phone, and if it doesn't meet your needs they will take it back, cancel the contract, and refund your money.

Worst case scenario, just use it as a 3G hotspot for now, since the 3G-only plans are the same price as the combo 3G/4G plans, and be patient as Sprint expands the 4G towers in your area. I don't know what would be different about Seattle, but there is not a problem with all Overdrives, as I saw at least a dozen of them working fine at CES in Las Vegas a few weeks back.

One last thing - make sure that you are on a true combo plan and didn't just move an old 3G plan over to the new Overdrive from an older broadband device. If you go this route, it will not connect correctly to 4G, and when it does connect, will take you to a Sprint bounce page to sell you a day pass or an upgrade to a new plan.

Michael · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 5:51 am Post subject:

Anyone interested (or has one), should read this:

Sprint Sierra Overdrive Problems and Upcoming Resolution - EVDOinfo.com
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vezhiux · EVDO Newbie Joined: 25 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

This device completely a RIP-OFF. They advertise as unlimited, as soon as you walk inside any building even in 4G areas - it comes back by itself to 3G automatic - and then you are on the clock. 5MB limit per month - after 20 days of service - I'm $80 OVER THE LIMIT!!! And just like I said - I live in 100% 4G area when you look at coverage map (Chicago IL). I call CS to complaint and try to avoid these charges - they don't care - they said it is LEGAL CHARGES, please read your contract. So basically every time you are searching online - you HAVE TO WATCH YOUR device and make sure it is still 4G on the display, because you never know when it switches back to 3G. I returned it after 20 days, my total charges for 20 days appeared to be over $150!!!

Victor · Site Admin Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 155

Vezhiux,

I have seen this very same thing happen to me in known 4G areas in the Chicago-land area. The only advice I can give in situations like these would be to force the Overdrive into being a 4G Radio with Wifi as opposed to getting sucked into a Black hole with no end in sight.

How do you do this:

1. Connect to your Overdrive over WiFi or USB

2. Open your Web Browser to the Overdrive IP address of: 192.168.0.1

3. Once you see the Overdrive Admin page, you will need to login as an administrator. (default password is: password)

4. Go to the WAN Tab and change the setting from 4G Preferred to 4G ONLY!

At least there will not be surprise bills from Sprint;-(
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- Victor

OVD-2 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 16 Mar 2010 Posts: 5

ok - I had problems with my device, button and lost connections.

Took it to Sprint within the 30 day exchange time frame, got a new one, and so far it has worked fine on 3G.

If you have problems with your device within the first 30 days, TAKE IT BACK and get a new one! There is no charge!

Granted, Sierra seems to have dropped the ball on quality for sure. Hope they get their act together, quick.

4gDreamer · EVDO Newbie Joined: 19 Mar 2010 Posts: 1

wdswong · Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:08 am Post subject: Update to Beware...

After 2 and a half months, thought I'd update this thread from my original post of Jan 18, 2010. I kept my OD and am still living in urban Seattle, one of the original 4G areas. My 4G finally started working when firmware 1.06 was released and I am now up to 1.07.

However, it is buggy and disappointing slow for 4G. I can now connect via 4G although per speedtest.net, I only get 1.92 mbps down/ .30 mbps up even though the device is saying I'm getting all bars and reporting 80-100%. [Interestingly, my 3 year old S720 on EVDO in the same location and PC gives me 2.48 mbps up/.38 mbps up.

I laugh everytime I see the OD commercial on TV where the guy is streaming video to his phone -yeah, right. Any of the streaming sites I've tried results in stuttering and stops for buffering about every 15 seconds -impossible to watch.

Basically, I am now "only" experiencing the same issues that are listed by the admins at the top of this OD section of the forum. Power button issues, hanging on power down requiring battery removal, random disconnects, etc.

I feel defeated and extremely disappointed at Sierra Wireless. I've given up on Sprint, years ago who continually demonstrate that they don't care about customers. The concept of the OD is brilliant, the implementation is shoddy and flawed and the carrier and their 4G network is more promise than delivery. BTW, I also tried to use 4G in several other 4G markets as I travel quite a bit -same issues with slowness and lots of disconnects.

I was so spoiled by my s720 EVDO-A -it almost always worked no matter whether I was moving or stationary and it is as fast as this OD. For a business user, EVDO has enabled me to truly be mobile as there are not as many WiFi hotspots as people want you to believe and I can't tell you the number of times I've been able to re-book the last flight of the day in a cab on the way to the airport. None of this has been doable with the OD.

I'm way pass my 30-day period so I'm stuck and even face Early Term Fees (ETF) if I attempt to change. Anyway, that's the update -the OD is finally "working" but it's performance is worse to even with my old EVDO PC card.

Michael · Posted: Wed Apr 07, 2010 8:16 am Post subject:

We are *hopeful* that OverDrive users will be very happy in the coming weeks.
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macmuchmore · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 09 Apr 2010 Posts: 12