EVDO just became active...

LordFlux · EVDO User Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 46

I'm located in central Georgia, near Dublin, and EVDO was just activated in our area yesterday. I'm very impressed with the speeds I am getting with my Kyocera KPC650 and Kyocera KR1 Router.

I called the local Alltel store and they said that the towers are EVDO Rev A. Is it worth my while to see about upgrading the KPC650 to a KPC680? I'm not under any kind of contract. Or should I just stick with my current setup since it seems to working very well.

Also, is there any way to lock my card into an EVDO mode? I noticed that there are times when my transfer speeds get locked in at 16.4kbyte/sec, so apparently the card is going back down to 1xRTT mode.

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

I'm quite certain the reps are mistaken. Alltel doesn't have Rev A anywhere yet. Sources predict the end of this year or early next year for Rev A. The cards they are currently selling are NOT Rev A out of the box. The ones that are capable at all will require an upgrade that will be available when they launch Rev A. Besides, the KPC680 requires a USB adapter that isn't even out yet for it to work in the KR1.

As for your last question, the last time I checked there is no way to lock into EVDO mode with the Alltel software. Sorry.

Barren_CPM4 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:54 am Post subject:

Hello, I work for Alltel, and i can assure you that Alltel is starting to launch Rev A. It will not be advertised until we achieve large network conversion. So for now, areas that are Rev A will not be made public.

Another thing to consider to the original poster, is that we have a new data roaming agreement with Sprint. Sprint and Alltel are sharing their broadband networks with one another wich will benefit customers on both sides.

Regards
Jason Peterson
Wireless Consultant
_________________
Alltel Wireless

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

Barren_CPM4 · Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject:

Hello again.

I do not know if he is in a Rev A area as our retail maps have yet to be updated for that area. I just know that Rev A is being rolled out slowly but surely.
And as far as the agreement with Sprint being "new" I mean that we have just recently got the PRLs to use Sprints broadband. Before we could only access Sprints EVDO in select areas, now it is accessable throughout their entire owned and operated network.

The problem in my part of MI is that Sprint does not own its network North of about Mt. Pleasant, MI. The company up here is an affiliate market called IPCS and I have seen no signs that they plan on rolling out EVDO Sad

.

In regards to the Mogul 6800, that is still a couple weeks away from launch. The other card we are going to release (was supposed to happen today) was recalled last week. The Huawei EC360 had firmware issues and the re-release date is unkown.
_________________
Alltel Wireless

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

LordFlux · EVDO User Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 46

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

ansar · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 10:55 am Post subject:

I am curious when the 5750 will be upgraded to RevA as well. I don't travel too often, but it would be nice to take advantage of Sprints RevA if I do.

I wonder if there is a way to detect RevA even if my 5750 hasn't been upgraded to support it yet. Maybe the test tool?

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

ansar, If I were you I'd call Alltel tech support and ask them this question. (Hopefully you'll get someone who has a clue! Actually, Alltel data tech support have always been fairly competent in my experience. Much better than Sprint!)

I have searched all over and can't find anything about the upgrade. It almost appears that the PC5750 might actually be able to run on Rev A already. Or that might be the case with the new one's they're selling right now. It's all rather confusing.

Have you done the update at http://www.alltel.com/personal/cs/announcements_wireless_13.html ? This was posted May 11, 2007 and was probably pushed to your card but . . . . . .

What PRL do you have? There actually appears to be several PRLs that will allow Sprint roaming although obviously you'll need a Rev A device to roam on Sprint Rev A (as you already know)

The PRLs are:
40007, 40020 & 40023 which allow roaming on Sprint EvDO. I think 40023 is now the latest national PRL instead of 40007 that I posted above. (Note: These are currently for Alltel data cards and the Treo 700's only.)

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

ansar · Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 3:59 pm Post subject:

It is nice to know that they have already started deploying RevA, even though secretly. Smile

BigDave, did you get the impression that we will have to upgrade the 5750 or are they already RevA capable with the latest updates from the website?

I installed the May updates posted to the Alltel Announcements page. I can't recall the exact numbers though.

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

Barren_CPM4 · Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 7:17 am Post subject:

According to our equipment page on the retail homepage, the 680 is evdo without any upgrades. I know that the page is not always correct (i.e. they do not list the razr v3m as being gps capable after the new firmware does make it capable), but I will get in touch with tech support and try to find out more today. I also came up with the same answer about the 5750, that they basically don't know when a firmware upgrade is available.

And the latest PRL is 40023.

As far as the 6800, I have been unable to get any solid info on it. Sorry.

Regards
_________________
Alltel Wireless

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

Thanks for the info Jason. Always good to have someone on the inside around here. BTW, welcome to the forums. Very Happy