EVDO Rev A Cards, Only Have EVDO Rev 0 Software

Michael

There are 2 pieces that make EVDO Rev A Cards work. There is the EVDO Rev A hardware and the EVDO Rev A software, or Firmware that is on the EVDO Rev A cards.

We have been hearing that the EVDO Rev A Software has not yet been completed by Qualcomm. So, how can Sprint be releasing new EVDO Rev A PC Cards?

Apparently, the new EVDO Rev A Cards have the hardware to support EVDO Rev A, BUT the firmware that is included is only EVDO Rev 0. This means, that at some point in the future, there will be a firmware upgrade required in order to support EVDO Rev A.

This really isn't a big deal, since the Sprint Connection Manager (Windows 2000/XP Only) will automatically handle the firmware upgrade later, when Sprint decides t push the firmware upgrade out.

Sprint is estimating that the firmware upgrade will be available available early 4Q’06. Mac users / Router users, you will only be able to get this upgrade by inserting your card in a Windows laptop that is running Sprint Connection Manager.

So far, the following EVDO Rev A PCMCIA Cards have been released by Sprint:

Merlin S720
AirCard 595

Other EVDO Rev A Products Coming Out Soon:

Pantech PX-500
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xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 1970

Well that explains why no one is getting RevA when we know towers are out there have it. I figured they may flip a switch at the tower end, but this is interesting. I wonder if the Sierra and Pantech cards will also ship with Rev0 firmware initially. Oct 1 is the beginning of Q4 afterall.

Semi75 · EVDO Junkie Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 230

Just a bump because this is one of the more interesting pieces of info I've seen regarding Rev A deployment so far. This explains why we aren't seeing any reported Rev A usage other than a few bandwidth tests at broadbandreports.com and this is the only place I've seen the info posted.

Wally · EVDO User Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 36

How do you tell when you are recieving rev A with the S720, is there a blinding yellow light? I can tell the EVDO from the 1x with the little arrows.

Sprint is telling me that my tower will come on the end of this month if all the pinging goes well, they needed some kind of new swiching to handle everything, they have all the new EVDO with rev A just waiting. The tower has been here for about two years.
Very Happy

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jschurawlow · Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:36 pm Post subject:

Per sprint at this time there is no update available yet. I managed to get the technician from tier2 to look into it further for me on if they are able to force an update or provide a direct file to use to flash (I'm sure they do have such, just probably not willing to release to customers, which is pathetic and seems similar to the issue I had with HP's phone tech support).

Wally · EVDO User Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 36

There was a large update today, download - install, does anyone know what it is? It made mine load faster but still no rev A.
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Steve Brown · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject: 27 meg update

It seems like with a 27 meg update the version number or something would change. There is no way to tell if my connection manager on a given laptop is updated or not.

Steve Brown

jschurawlow · Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 1:07 pm Post subject:

If there is a hardware update done the connection manager (Sprint) will prompt to receive/accept the update (yes/no dialog box). Currently I was told my tech support (tier2) that there is no update available as of yet (and they also claimed that there is no way for them to push a firmware flash to the card manually either).

cherokee · EVDO User Joined: 23 Mar 2006 Posts: 61

I just did that 27 meg update for the second time in a week. Same software version and firmware. Also no gps so it would be cool to know what the heck this update is.
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Jeff

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

From what I can tell, none of the Verizon evdo cards support Rev. A. Is this correct?

Michael · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:20 pm Post subject:

At this time that is correct. However, I have heard that will change in January.
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Michael · Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:21 pm Post subject:

BTW, in the last update from Sprint, the 3 EVDO Rev A Cards had firmware upgrades that supported EVDO Rev A.

There are many threads up here discussion those.
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