Ditching my Cable modem for Merlin S720 & Linksys WRT54G

Zambini · EVDO Newbie Joined: 04 Nov 2006 Posts: 1

Currently I'm using cable (Time Warner) and VoIP (Vonage) at home and thinking about ditching my cable and switch to the EVDO services with Sprint Merlin S720 & Linksys WRT54G3G-S. Site admin or anyone else...Do you think it will work well with my VoIP added to the Linksys WRT54G3G-S? And also what is the average download/upload speed with the card and do I get a constant speed at all time with my card staying in the same position since I have never use or tried the EVDO services before. Is the Rev. A a better choice? Thanks for helping me out...Guys

horsessmellfunny · Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2006 12:44 am Post subject:

Keep your cable connection. Use the connection card as a novelty for now. Currently, the REV A services will not be sufficient for VOIP. They are still working out the kinks, if you see the post regarding Spring REV A sightings, you will see that the download speed is barely 1MB and the upload is between 500-800 kbps with the latencies in the 160's ms at best I have seen. For VOIP you need at least 1.5 MB download, I would say at least 400kb's upload, and a latency at least in the low 100's ms if not less then 100 ms. Not only that, but you may not be in a REV A area. Sprint will have their entire network REV A by the end of 2007.

Regarding consistency, when they work on the tower and ddue to usage, the network does go down on occasion. Not only that, but tower load, weather and a sleuth of other factors will cause "issues". Staying in one place with a good signal will help, but you cant control all the other factors.

In my opinion, dont do it - yet. Keep checking out this board to see how the REV A progresses. I am sure somebody here when things pick up, will attempt a VOIP call. For now, it is not worth while!
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