Is EV-DO the same as 3G in Europe?

timbo66 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

I have an O2 XDA Exec (PDA/Phone) bought in the UK that supports 3G. I'm moving to southern california soon and am trying to find out if it will work there, and on what network. As near as I can tell, what we in Europe call 3G is either EV-DO or UMTS in the US but I cannot tell for sure if they are the same thing or are they slightly different and whether they are compatible. If anyone can shed some light on this I'd be very grateful.

Also, in the UK, a 3G phone can utilize the high speed 3G data network as well as making mobile phone calls. All the talk on this forum seems to focus around data only. Does anyone know if Verizon or Sprint's EV-DO network supports mobile phone calls as well as data to PDA's/laptops?

Thanks,

Tim

SL10 · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject:

You would be able to use it on Cingular. Provided it is unlocked? Cingular is the only UTMS/HSPDA carrier currently in the U.S. And, no the PDA you have will not work on Sprint nor Verizon's network.
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EVDO Addict.

xchpstang · Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 1:56 pm Post subject:

Your 3G device will likely not work on Cingular's high speed network since Cingular uses 1900 MHz and European carriers use 2100 MHz for UMTS and HSDPA. You may be able to use EDGE but for sure GPRS will work. EVDO is totally different than your European 3G device so that won't work.

clarkgable · EVDO User Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 89

EvDO supports only data. To make a voice call you will need to make a separate connection using a wireless handset.

timbo66 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

After looking into this further it seems you are right -- there is no chance of this working. It's a real shame that there's no consistency between the US and EU/etc. You'd think they'd have learned from the hassles of different frequencies for standard 2G systems. Now they're repeating it with 3G!!!

Anyone have a preference for basic 2G service in L.A.? Verizon, Cingular, Sprint? I heard Cingular uses 850 and 1900 but mostly 850 and so you need quad-band on Cingular. My phones (and family's) are mostly tri-band with no 850 support.

rickster · EVDO Junkie Joined: 27 Aug 2005 Posts: 216

Consistency ? HA we can't even agree to drive on the same side of the road!

timbo66 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Apr 2006 Posts: 3

True. And yet together we somehow managed to agree to invade a sovereign nation who posed no threat to us. But alas, I digress....