Merlin S720 EVDO Rev A and KR1 Compatibility

Michael · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:27 pm Post subject:

It works.....

However, there is a performance hit when the Merlin S720 is used in the the Kyocera KR1.

Kyocera will be "officially" supporting the Merlin S720 in a future firmware release.

So, if you want to use it now, but have it be slower, it will work.
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mudphud · EVDO User Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 46

I thought my s720 seemed slower in the kr1 but i hadn't taken the time to do back to back speed tests. Anyone know if it is better to set it to NDIS or not?

BillG49 · EVDO User Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 27

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

Jeffrey · EVDO Newbie Joined: 02 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Actually, the 3G Phoebus from TOP Global can support S720 and AC595 very well

pwuerslin · EVDO Newbie Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 1

Kyocera engineers have acknowledged an issue with the Novatel S720, in fact the KR1 web page no longer shows this as a compatible card (see: http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/kr1-router/tech-specs.htm) . Kyocera has committed to having a firmware download available to fix the NVTL S720 problem no later than 11/30/2006.

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

simplypatrick · EVDO User Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 27

I recently contacted Kyocera Tech. Support about my Merlin S720 performance issues. Below is their responce regarding a future firmware upgrade.

"" At this time, there is no plans to offer a further firmware upgrade. The Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router can be utilized with several 32 bit 1xEVDO PC Cards. At this time several service providers allow the use of handsets as 1xEVDO modems. KWC is prepared to provide KR1 users with software updates as warranted by the availability of the service. Please refer to your service provider for detailed information and for compatible 1xEVDO handsets & 1xEVDO PC Cards that
can be utilized on their network.

The following 1xEVDO devices/cards are currently compatible with the KR1 Mobile Router.

32 bit 1xEVDO PC Cards:
Kyocera KPC650
Sierra AC580
Novatel 620
UTStarCom PC5740 (RK1006 ONLY)

If you have any further questions regarding your Kyocera phone or accessories, or are interested in purchasing genuine Kyocera accessories, please contact us at any of the phone numbers listed below:

-E-Mail: phone-help@kyocera-wireless.com
-Phone: (800) 349-4478 (Toll-free USA and Canada only)
-International Access: (858) 882-1401 (Outside the USA)
-Fax: (858) 882-1717

Thank you for contacting Kyocera Wireless Corporation.

Allison King,
Technical Support Specialist
Kyocera Wireless Corporation ""

hlederer · EVDO Newbie Joined: 27 Oct 2006 Posts: 2

I got much same response from Allison. Here is the email chain that may be of interest to all. I am big fan of the KR1 and I am disappointed with the response. I have to wonder if the support guy's are in the loop as to what is in the pipeline for firmware upgrades.

Start reading from the bottom up.

hl

*******************************
Dear Mr. Lederer,

Thank you for contacting Kyocera-Wireless Technical Support. This email message is in response to your inquiry regarding firmware support with your Kyocera KR1 router.

We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with your phone, and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

Clearly I do not agree with the assumptions you have made based on the response to your initial inquiry about compatibility of the Novatel S720 card. Please don't assume because we currently have not been in a position to update firmware with this particular card in mind that we do not support or provide firmware updates to support progressing application development.

Kyocera has is and will be in the forefront of 1X and EVDO technology and its developing applications for new versions.

There is a firmware update at our website, www.kyocera-wireless.com/support... KR1 router. Please by all means try this application update with the NovatelS720 card.

If you have any further questions regarding your Kyocera phone card, please contact us at any of the phone numbers listed below:

-E-Mail: phone-help@kyocera-wireless.com
-Phone: (800) 349-4478 (Toll-free USA and Canada only) -International Access: (858) 882-1401 (Outside the USA)
-Fax: (858) 882-1717

Thank you for contacting Kyocera Wireless Corporation.

Richard Caswell,
Technical Support Specialist
Kyocera Wireless Corporation

---- Original Message ----
Allison,
I am disappointed by your response and I will go ahead and return the Kyocera K1 and purchase the Linksys router in it's place. If future support was coming for the S720 I would keep this fine product. I gather from your email that Kyocera has no plans to support Sprint's top of the line technology and what I hear soon Verizon will be offering also. I have sold a few of these routers and had good success, but as customers purchase up to date technology they expect products like the R1 to have an upgrade plan or path, as Cisco / Linksys has in the past. I will post your response in the forms that I use for reference and support products like the R1 and that another product my a better choice. Also so others can understand that if the K1 is purchased, make sure it is on the compatibility list and if it is not, there is no hope of future support of latest technology upgrades, such as for the Novatel S720. Please respond and let me know if you agree.

Henry Lederer

-----Original Message-----
From: Kyocera Wireless Customer Support
[mailto:phone-help@kyocera-wireless.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 12:31 PM
To: henry@henrylederer.com
Subject: Re: KR1_Mobile_Router - Sprint - Henry Lederer [REF:9808730402]

Dear Henry,

Thank you for contacting Kyocera-Wireless Technical Support. This email message is in response to your inquiry regarding support for the S720 with the KR1 router.

We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing with your phone, and appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

The Kyocera KR1 Mobile Router can be utilized with several 32 bit 1xEVDO PC Cards. The following 1xEVDO cards are currently compatible with the KR1 Mobile Router.

32 bit 1xEVDO PC Cards:
Kyocera KPC650
Sierra AC580
Novatel 620
UTStarCom PC5740 (RK1006 ONLY)

I am sorry but at this time, there is no plans for a firmware update to support the S720.

If you have any further questions regarding your Kyocera phone or accessories, or are interested in purchasing genuine Kyocera accessories, please contact us at any of the phone numbers listed below:

-E-Mail: phone-help@kyocera-wireless.com
-Phone: (800) 349-4478 (Toll-free USA and Canada only) -International
Access: (858) 882-1401 (Outside the USA)
-Fax: (858) 882-1717

Thank you for contacting Kyocera Wireless Corporation.

Allison King,
Technical Support Specialist
Kyocera Wireless Corporation

---- Original Message ----

Description of Issue and Steps Needed to Duplicate:
Hello,
I just purchased a KR1 router. I am finding a significant slow down through the router vs connected directly to my computer. Can you give me an idea when you will be issuing firmware to support the S720? Sould I return the KR1 and buy the linksys that will be supported?

*************************************************

radiorange · EVDO User Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 52

Email dated October 31, 2006:

Dear Mr. XXX:

I am going to step in here, since I am closer to the router project
than our call center folks. Currently we have not approved the Merlin S720
card with our KR1 Router. I know folks are using the card now with the KR1
but not effectively. We will be coming out with a firmware upgrade that
will support the S720 the end of November.

Regards,
Scott
kyocera-wireless.com

vip867 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Feb 2006 Posts: 6

mudphud · EVDO User Joined: 15 Sep 2006 Posts: 46

Well we are now at the half way point in november so hopefully we will be seeing the new firmware before too long.

Mackieman · EVDO Junkie Joined: 31 Oct 2005 Posts: 491

Much to my dismay, I don't think we'll be seeing S720 support in November. Three new phones will be added as well as some support/changes for Sprint on the network side. The reason this stuff takes so long is due to bug regressions that are created as side effects of changes to add additional functionality. It takes several weeks to a new device added and tested, and several more to fix and test all the issues that come up as a result of those changes.

So then, the S720 and a couple of other things should be added after the November release.

simplypatrick · EVDO User Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 27

I test my connection daily using http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest

Average Result:
Download Speed: 379 kbps (47.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 53 kbps (6.6 KB/sec transfer rate)

Latency is usally 450-600.

Was wondering what type of speeds people are getting with the S720 and KR1?

michael1t · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 17

Hello simplypatrick,

I have the KR1 and the S620 with Sprint EVDO Rev 0 ...

I get average 600-890 KB down and 50-60 Kb Upstream...

I want to switch to the S720 once the new KR1 firmware
fixes the problems you are having ...

According to the post here the S720 is generating lots of error in the error log and that is part of the reason you are getting such slow down stream ... some kind of provblem with KR1 firmware ....

This forum says will be a new firmware release for the KR1 to work correctly with the S720 coming very soon ( Late Nov) . Some have posted normal speed with the S720 and a notebook of as high as 1500 down and 400-500 up stream.

I am hoping the new firmware fixes the problem ... Then I am going to upgrade to the s720 ...

Sprint is only at rev 0 in my area right now but said they will be rev A before the end of 2007 ...

I hope this helps...

Michael T.