My U720 test results in southern NJ

Forcefed

I received my U720 yesterday, so I started to put it through some tests. My wife and I built our home in a location where cable/DSL are not an option, so I have been overpaying for ISDN for the last few years.

Just for reference, my ISDN has a maximum download of 124kbps all the time. The only good thing about the ISDN is it gives really good ping times, which is great for any twitch type games and all. But for anything bandwidth related, the ISDN is really slow, and you need a lot of patience.

So I used various bandwidth test sites, and used the Y cable with the U720 on my desk (since I am using this on my desktop PC in my home office). I am also getting the booster antenna, but I won't receive that until Monday. Even so, according to the GUI for Sprint, I usually have full bars (6?), and next to it says anywhere from -80dBm to -93dBm. Which of these numbers is more important, the number of bars, or the numerical? It seemed to be hovering right around -80dBm for most testing, so not sure if the antenna will help much?

Results? I ran probably 100 tests, and jotted down the results and averaged them. It come out to about 750kbps download, and 110kbps upload. This is for Rev0, though RevA hopefully will cover my home location soon (since it's all around me according to Sprint's website).

I did see some peaks of up to 1050kbps, but only a few times did it crack the 1000+. I guess these results are good for Rev0? I tried moving the U720 around my desk, but didn't really seem to make much difference in the tests.

Ping times were disappointing, usually in the 230-400 range. Sad

Hopefully this is something I can work on, or will get better when RevA comes about.

So my average bandwidth is up 6 times over my ISDN, and for $50 less a month. So for me, this is a HUGE upgrade, and I am loving it so far! Sure, it's not the 30000kbps some of my cable friends brag about (their silly epeens), but it definitely is a great upgrade for my home office. I did play some World of Warcraft on it last night, which played fine, but that game is not really ping intensive. I don't think any FPS games would work out too well.

If anyone has any tips/tricks since I am new to the EVDO thing, please pass them along! Thanks again to the EVDOinfo people, they have been EXCELLENT to deal with.

Kevin

Forcefed · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 1:29 pm Post subject:

Just an update since I got the booster antenna. My signal is typically -80dBm, or close to it with the antenna. With just the built-in U720 antenna best I would get was -88dBm, so my signal strength is definitely helped.

And for my average bandwidth now (Rev0, no RevA yet at my home) which I am VERY happy with:

Michael · Posted: Wed Dec 20, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

Thanks for posting the results - and glad that the antenna is helping.

Here is a little tip.

Even though the antenna is omni directional, you can gain a bit more performance, when you aim the antenna at the tower. The easiest way to accomplish this.... rotate the antenna around 25 degrees at a time and look at the dBm and see if you get a better number when the antenna is pointing in one direction.
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tbhausen · EVDO Junkie Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 158

Those results are very similar to what I'm getting with a U720 and Y-cable (no booster antenna, about -80dBm, as well). I've noticed that I can lay the U720 flat on its base and rotate horizontally to optimize signal (I can gain about 4dBm properly oriented). Try that with a PC card! Wink

Loving the U720!
Todd/Indy

Forcefed · Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:08 am Post subject:

I am still having some issues with random disconnects? It's getting frustrating. It seems to happen mostly with gaming (such as World of Warcraft). I tried connecting through the Sprint software (even enabled NDIS at the suggestion of others), and also just made a new dial-up connection through WinXP using the U720 (it dials #777 by default, is this right?). I still get random disconnects, and it's getting a little frustrating.

Any tips on this? Anyone else having this problem with the U720?

Kev

mrpcman · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Jan 2006 Posts: 2

Hey all!

Purchased my U720 last week!

BOY! Sprint put me through the ringer! I had to drop one my old data card plan and purchase a whole new one!!!

Sprint's customer support and representatives suck! But their technology rocks like hell!!!

For some reason I can paste my speednet test results so I'll record it below: "Who needs DSL when you can DSL speeds from your Sprint U720 USB Card!!"

Here it is:
Download: 1302 kbs
Upload: 784 kbs <- that's about what I'm getting at home with cable!
Latency: 191 ms
Server: San Jose, Ca
Distance: 2550 mi

Is that kool or what - that's double the speed I was getting with my Novatel S620! Anybody want a data card I'll never use it again, give me you best offer and it's yours!

I can't believe I'm about to say this:
GREAT JOB - SPRINT
Thanks
MrPCMan