New Laptop: Sprint EVDO or Cingular 3G ?

SoundsGood · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

Hi guys!

I'm about to get a new laptop with an internal Broadband card. I can either get Sprint EVDO or Cingular 3G.

I'm looking for opinions on which is the better carrier for this situation... Sprint or Cingular.

Pretend for a moment that I do not have ANY carrier (like I'm starting fresh) and both services cost the same amount. Which service would you choose, and why?

If it helps, I'm in SouthEast Florida and spend most of my time here.

Thanks!

xenophon · EVDO Addict Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 2001

Take a look at this. Cingular generally can't do over 1.4Mbps yet.

http://www.dslreports.com/archive/spcsdns.net
http://www.dslreports.com/archive/mycingular.net

One big advantage of Cingular is that on phones you can do voice and data at the same time. But on data cards, Sprint wins in every category - coverage, performance, roaming on Alltel DO, Verizon 1xRTT and WiMAX coming. Sprint's sometimes sucky customer support may be the question mark but buy from this site to get the best support.

Cingular does have faster versions coming but it's unknown how wide it will be released and even then, will only be about same speed as EVDO RevA already widespread. They have a good chance of competing down the road, but it will be a while. If you travel around world, Cingular roaming has that advantage today, but the card would need to support global freqs.

Alex · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:33 am Post subject:

If my objective was having the fastest available connections in as many different places in the nation as possible, then i would go with Sprint.

gil · EVDO User Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 82

When determining which service it is much like real estate in that there are 3 things to consider. 1) location 2)location and 3) location. I am a truck driver so I travel in all 50 states and for me Sprint is the best. I can stay connected virtually anywhere. There are some markets that Cingular has the only available high speed wireless service, areas of PA comwe to mind. Also, with Apple choosing Cingular(ATT) as the vehicle for the new IPHONE I would expect rapid deployment of the upgraded towers nationwide since the technology will be practically unsellable without it. With the IPHONE costing +$500.00 and scheduled to hit stores in June they better get on the ball. My contract with Sprint will be coming due a few months after that and I will be weighing my options as well. I like having the best technology available even though I don't use it to anywhere near it's full potential, it is more of a toy.
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longtimelurker

SoundsGood · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

Interesting stuff.... thanks guys!

xchpstang · Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2007 1:32 pm Post subject:

MacDo · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 25

Actually, I read on Phonescoop.com that Edge will be just as fast (about 1.Mbps) with an available software update that
Ericsson is to release by 2009. Pretty interesting:

http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=2114

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

Wow. Don't you think 1.Mbps will be such old news by 2009? WiMax, Rev A, Rev B and whatever is next will make anything like that seem like it's in the tone ages! Think back 2 years ago . . . . . who thought we'd be seeing what some are seeing now - 2.5Mbps DLs and 1Mbps uploads - via a connection that is not only wireless but mobile all across the country!! Cool time to be alive isn't it? Very Happy

MacDo · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 05 Feb 2007 Posts: 25

I agree BigD, it will be like the stone age by then. But just think of this: the iPhone will be out soon and doesn't have high speed, only EDGE, so, when the update is out, the iPhone that people purchase now will work much faster then when they originally bought it. Good for resale value, and for those who don't want to wait for Apple to release a 3G version but won't feel left out when the 3G phones arrive.

SoundsGood · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

I happen to like Cingular... but so far it sounds like Sprint might be the better way to go for me with the internal laptop card.

deparson · EVDO Junkie Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 248

I don't know what the Cingular rates are but Sprint unlimited PC Card plans are a steal at $50/month.

SoundsGood · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

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

Before you actually buy, you may want to read the Blog post "Laptops with Embedded EVDO - Good or Bad?" at the companion site http://evdoinfo.blogspot.com/ (you have to scroll down three posts).

SoundsGood · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 08 Apr 2007 Posts: 13

deparson · EVDO Junkie Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 248

Why not purchase the card or USB device at the highly subed price /w a new line and then get the internal card /w your laptop and swap ESNs.

That way you always have a backup and are out only for the cost of the card which is $0-$100. You can also use the card/USB device if you want/need to switch computers for a time.