Ok i could not find a noob forum

littleogre · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 13

Ok just trying to find out what all i need to buy in order to set up an evdo system. I do not have a laptop. I want to connect to my desktop pc and my nintendo wii. I live in the sticks with lots of trees everywhere. I am currently useing sat internet. I know i need a usb modem but whatelse do i need? if possible i would like the system to be contained entirely in my house. Would like to avoid paying someone to crawl under house and run wires. Also the only wireless store within 20 miles of me is verizon. So i assume they are the only ones that have a tower anywhere close my.

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

The first thing to do is check out the Verizon and Sprint and Alltell service area maps and determine that EVDO is available in your area.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=NEWREQUEST

Make sure broadbandAccess is checked.

http://coverage.sprintpcs.com/IMPACT.jsp

Make sure Powervision is checked.

http://powervision.sprint.com/mobilebroadband/plans/coverage.html

Much will depend on which if any carrier serves your area, find that out first then it will be easier to determine what you need.

littleogre · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 13

Ok i am not in a evdo area at the moment but a lady at sprint said they would be covering my area in the future. She also said some things that confussed me. She asked what my wireless # is and i explained that i do not have a sprint wireless phone but would like to use evdo on a desktop pc. She then told me they would only sell me the service if i brought a evdo phone or some kinda card. Can't remember what she called it. She said since i have a desk to pc i could just buy the phone and i would use it as a modem. She did not seem to know anything about a power antenna or usb evdo modem. This is confussing to me she makes it sound like that once the service is available i can just subcribe and stick a phone in my comp and i will be good to go.

squatchie16 · EVDO User Joined: 28 Dec 2006 Posts: 28

Goodness....no.

You can have a Sprint broadband service plan with NO phone plan. Period.

The card she is referring to is your typical PCMCIA slot, sometimes called Aircard. This can be made to work in your desktop with a PCMCIA to PCI adapter. Use the google to find one cheaply.

The other option is the USB device that you spoke of. Think of it as an Aircard that simply has a USB connector on it. Very simple and seems to be pretty easy to use.

littleogre · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 17 Jan 2007 Posts: 13

ok once the service is in my area is it possible to get it with out haveing an antenna outside my home? Does the modem have a built in antenna or do they make antennas that work inside a building?

Walter · EVDO Junkie Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 307