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jfarris
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 212
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 Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:16 pm Post subject: |
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| qball803 wrote: | I just came from seeing the local Alltel rep. He said he doesn't even carry any of the cards nor do any other area reps. In fact he said the only thing he has now that will work with EVDO is an LG AX8600 phone. Something about that was the only phone he is allowed to put a data plan on now???? Anyhow, he said there shouldn't be any problem switching cards as long as the card I get is chipped properly and has a clear ESN. He did say there was talk about starting the Rev. A rollout in November and it should reach here sometime after the 1st of the year. He also said there was no guarantee the PC5750 would work with the Rev. A even with the firmware upgrade but they think it will. His suggestion was to avoid being locked in a contract until they know what's going on. He said the new razr phones sold had the EVDO blacked out on -- whatever that means......
I'm half temped to get the usb device even though it isn't Rev. A just because I only have one laptop I can use the PCMCIA card in, but all my computers have USB support. |
A couple of notes:
When I look at the properties of my 5750, it says Rev A compatible - I'm assuming via firmware. Also, when I was having trouble with the 5750 going to 1x, they sent out a firmware update to fix it, and had me reload prl 30007. Now I have fewer problems - usually once a day I need to restart my router. |
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qball803
EVDO User
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Aurora, NE
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:15 am Post subject: |
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| I spoke with Kyocera tech support and they said they will have someone call me back before the end of the day Friday. I guess we'll see what they come up with....... |
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Bigdave
EVDO Addict
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 1069
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 8:45 am Post subject: |
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| qball803 wrote: | I just came from seeing the local Alltel rep. He said he doesn't even carry any of the cards nor do any other area reps. In fact he said the only thing he has now that will work with EVDO is an LG AX8600 phone. Something about that was the only phone he is allowed to put a data plan on now???? Anyhow, he said there shouldn't be any problem switching cards as long as the card I get is chipped properly and has a clear ESN. He did say there was talk about starting the Rev. A rollout in November and it should reach here sometime after the 1st of the year. He also said there was no guarantee the PC5750 would work with the Rev. A even with the firmware upgrade but they think it will. His suggestion was to avoid being locked in a contract until they know what's going on. He said the new razr phones sold had the EVDO blacked out on -- whatever that means......
I'm half temped to get the usb device even though it isn't Rev. A just because I only have one laptop I can use the PCMCIA card in, but all my computers have USB support. |
That rep is very misinformed which, sadly, is not at all unusual. I wonder if that store is a corporate store or an authorized agent?
Other Alltel phones that are EV capable include the Hue and the Wafer as well as the Q, Treo 700p, any BB they sell, the ppc6700 and the ppc6800.
What in the world does "chipped properly" mean? The clear ESN is correct. Of course, this is important when transferring ownership of any device if you want to activate it. Buy an Alltel card with a clear ESN and you're in business. I wouldn't take it to THAT rep to activate it though!! Just call CS to activate it.
As for starting rollout of Rev A in November, I can confirm that to be wrong since I've seen it already in south Georgia in the Dublin area.
FWIW, I wouldn't buy a device that is not Rev A capable right now. But since you're only a few months from being out of contract it wouldn't be so bad to get one from eBay like I'd mentioned before.
The PC5750 either is or will be Rev A capable when Rev A is available. It apparently depends on who you talk to. I think it really depends on when it is/was sold. I would guess the newer models are coming out with the firmware that will run on Rev A where it's available. The KPC680 is Rev A capable out of the box. If you look at the technical details for the PC5750 and the KPC680 on the Alltel site you see where both are Rev A devices. The PC5750 didn't used to show that it the spec details. |
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qball803
EVDO User
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Aurora, NE
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:41 am Post subject: |
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This is what I was looking at on eBay, I did a search for Alltel EVDO and this was one item that came up. I don't think it's Rev. A but it's USB instead of PCMCIA and the new Laptop I am looking at doesn't have a PCMCIA slot in it.
FRANKLIN CDU-550 ALLTEL EVDO USB WIRELESS MODEM
Item number: 230162636201
The other thing that I had thought about was ditching my contract, paying the $200 buy out ---- that would be $160 cheaper than staying on it for the next six months --- upgrading my second phone and putting a $25/mo. data plan on it.
I tried using my razr v3c and I'm very happy with it, I did an online speed test and got 280k. That's plenty good for my use. The only downside I see with using this phone, I keep getting important calls when I'm in the middle of something online and I can't keep working online and take the call at the same time.
As far as doing another 2-year contract with Alltel for an EVDO card upgrade, ain't gonna happen. |
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jfarris
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Bigdave wrote: |
That rep is very misinformed which, sadly, is not at all unusual. I wonder if that store is a corporate store or an authorized agent?
Other Alltel phones that are EV capable include the Hue and the Wafer as well as the Q, Treo 700p, any BB they sell, the ppc6700 and the ppc6800.
What in the world does "chipped properly" mean? The clear ESN is correct. Of course, this is important when transferring ownership of any device if you want to activate it. Buy an Alltel card with a clear ESN and you're in business. I wouldn't take it to THAT rep to activate it though!! Just call CS to activate it.
As for starting rollout of Rev A in November, I can confirm that to be wrong since I've seen it already in south Georgia in the Dublin area.
FWIW, I wouldn't buy a device that is not Rev A capable right now. But since you're only a few months from being out of contract it wouldn't be so bad to get one from eBay like I'd mentioned before.
The PC5750 either is or will be Rev A capable when Rev A is available. It apparently depends on who you talk to. I think it really depends on when it is/was sold. I would guess the newer models are coming out with the firmware that will run on Rev A where it's available. The KPC680 is Rev A capable out of the box. If you look at the technical details for the PC5750 and the KPC680 on the Alltel site you see where both are Rev A devices. The PC5750 didn't used to show that it the spec details. |
If the rep is here in Aurora, then it's an authorized agent. There is an alltel office about 20 minutes from here, though. I've gone to the rep for phones - they've been very helpful for those, but not for data cards.
I have a feeling there is a lot of misinformation on the Rev A rollout on all levels. I had the rep email me yesterday that there were no plans for Rev A at all, but then said they would check with a department that knows. 
Apparently, they didn't hear about GA.
I also wonder if the November rollout they are talking about may be a wider rollout, where it appears that the GA areas are a testbed of sorts. Or, we just have a case of tons of misinformation being sent out on this. |
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Bigdave
EVDO Addict
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 1069
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject: |
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| qball803 wrote: | This is what I was looking at on eBay, I did a search for Alltel EVDO and this was one item that came up. I don't think it's Rev. A but it's USB instead of PCMCIA and the new Laptop I am looking at doesn't have a PCMCIA slot in it.
FRANKLIN CDU-550 ALLTEL EVDO USB WIRELESS MODEM
Item number: 230162636201 |
This is definitely NOT Rev A capable but otherwise it appears to be a good device. HAven't heard of many people using it but those that do haven't reported any problems that I'm aware of.
| Quote: | The other thing that I had thought about was ditching my contract, paying the $200 buy out ---- that would be $160 cheaper than staying on it for the next six months --- upgrading my second phone and putting a $25/mo. data plan on it.
I tried using my razr v3c and I'm very happy with it, I did an online speed test and got 280k. That's plenty good for my use. The only downside I see with using this phone, I keep getting important calls when I'm in the middle of something online and I can't keep working online and take the call at the same time. |
That sounds like a good way for you to go if you can manage with not being able to talk on the phone while you're online. I used that before and it was just too problematic getting cut off all the time. There may be some tweaks you can do that will up your speed a little with the Razr. Mainly try moving it a little at a time and allowing 30 seconds or so after each movement before you run a speed test to find the optimum position for the phone. Does the Razr have the ability to plug an antenna into it? I can't remember.
| Quote: | | As far as doing another 2-year contract with Alltel for an EVDO card upgrade, ain't gonna happen. |
I would certainly scream loud and hard about the ETF if you cancel since you had service for all this time and now it doesn't work. Make them prove it's the card and not their network. If it's the network they can't make you pay the ETF. Just my 2ยข worth. |
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Bigdave
EVDO Addict
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 1069
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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| jfarris wrote: | | Bigdave wrote: |
That rep is very misinformed which, sadly, is not at all unusual. I wonder if that store is a corporate store or an authorized agent?
Other Alltel phones that are EV capable include the Hue and the Wafer as well as the Q, Treo 700p, any BB they sell, the ppc6700 and the ppc6800.
What in the world does "chipped properly" mean? The clear ESN is correct. Of course, this is important when transferring ownership of any device if you want to activate it. Buy an Alltel card with a clear ESN and you're in business. I wouldn't take it to THAT rep to activate it though!! Just call CS to activate it.
As for starting rollout of Rev A in November, I can confirm that to be wrong since I've seen it already in south Georgia in the Dublin area.
FWIW, I wouldn't buy a device that is not Rev A capable right now. But since you're only a few months from being out of contract it wouldn't be so bad to get one from eBay like I'd mentioned before.
The PC5750 either is or will be Rev A capable when Rev A is available. It apparently depends on who you talk to. I think it really depends on when it is/was sold. I would guess the newer models are coming out with the firmware that will run on Rev A where it's available. The KPC680 is Rev A capable out of the box. If you look at the technical details for the PC5750 and the KPC680 on the Alltel site you see where both are Rev A devices. The PC5750 didn't used to show that it the spec details. |
If the rep is here in Aurora, then it's an authorized agent. There is an alltel office about 20 minutes from here, though. I've gone to the rep for phones - they've been very helpful for those, but not for data cards.
I have a feeling there is a lot of misinformation on the Rev A rollout on all levels. I had the rep email me yesterday that there were no plans for Rev A at all, but then said they would check with a department that knows.
Apparently, they didn't hear about GA.
I also wonder if the November rollout they are talking about may be a wider rollout, where it appears that the GA areas are a testbed of sorts. Or, we just have a case of tons of misinformation being sent out on this. |
I vote it's a case of tons of misinformation being sent out on this!!! Who knows that there aren't several areas with Rev A since there's so few cards that can pick it up? And even a Sprint card won't generally pick up the Alltel signal if it's in Sprint native coverage area. I am unable to force my Sprint U720 to connect to Alltel here where I live and I know I have an Alltel signal. It seems it only roams when not in native coverage areas. Anyway, just my opinions.
As far as the authorized agent question, it's my experience that at the corporate stores you find varying dis-information about data services and in the authorized agent's stores it's even worse. They don't appear to educate themselves about their products and that's something I truly don't understand as a business person. |
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jfarris
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Bigdave wrote: |
I vote it's a case of tons of misinformation being sent out on this!!! Who knows that there aren't several areas with Rev A since there's so few cards that can pick it up? And even a Sprint card won't generally pick up the Alltel signal if it's in Sprint native coverage area. I am unable to force my Sprint U720 to connect to Alltel here where I live and I know I have an Alltel signal. It seems it only roams when not in native coverage areas. Anyway, just my opinions.
As far as the authorized agent question, it's my experience that at the corporate stores you find varying dis-information about data services and in the authorized agent's stores it's even worse. They don't appear to educate themselves about their products and that's something I truly don't understand as a business person. |
I don't know how well an authorized agent can possibly educate themselves when not all reps you talk to at Alltel have the same information, really.
Maybe this tool that Barrett was talking about will help out.
Barrett, did you manage to get that tool today? |
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qball803
EVDO User
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Aurora, NE
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject: |
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The following is a true story -- names have been changed to protect the ignorant.....
I just got off the phone with someone else who is in the computer repair business and they said their was no difference between Rev. 0 and Rev A it's just given different names by different carriers.
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What burns me up is they sell you a pcmcia card, I think I paid $200 for my kpc650, then put you on a 2-year contract, but there is only a 1-year warranty on the card. They have you pay $59.95/mo. but you get 80-100k. They say just hang on EVDO will be here in a few months. Okay, EVDO is here and you still get 80-100k. Now they say, yes it's an EVDO card but it prefers the 1xRTT system. Then I'm told Alltel no longer has these cards and doesn't have any firmware upgrades available for them, but if I wait quietly for a few more months and keep paying the $59.95 for my 80k, I can get a free card with another 2-year contract.
Now after paying $59.95/mo. for a year and a half, they still want $200 for me to get out of the contract, they said it's a contract and it's binding.
Does Alltel realize how bad it makes them look when I'm in a group and have this slow internet? Or is the company just too big to care? Does anyone realize how many people have seen my internet and told me to dump Alltel? I've even had a bunch tell me they were thinking about getting one of these cards but after seeing my slow internet would never get one from Alltel. Wouldn't you think they should be paying me NOT to use the card????
I'm just a little upset that I might have to buy a card off of eBay just to finish out my contract. |
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jfarris
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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| qball803 wrote: | The following is a true story -- names have been changed to protect the ignorant.....
I just got off the phone with someone else who is in the computer repair business and they said their was no difference between Rev. 0 and Rev A it's just given different names by different carriers.
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qball, is this someone in the central nebraska area? Because I have a few in mind who would make that kind of statement.
BTW, you're getting a raw deal. Unfortunately, the early adopters seem to get the shaft in several cases (just ask someone who bought an xbox 360 at launch compared to the last few months). My opinion is that it's how the companies get when they get big. |
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Bigdave
EVDO Addict
Joined: 08 Nov 2006
Posts: 1069
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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| qball803 wrote: | Updating the PRL didn't seem to do anything. The card finally starting working again don't know why but after closing, opening, turning the computer off and on, removing the card, reinserting the card --- someplace in there it just started to work.
The downside is, I'm still connected to 1xRTT and the best explanation I can get is that the card is too old and even though it is an EVDO card and I got it from Alltel, it doesn't like their EVDO. What?????????
It's on a 2-year contract with 6 months left and only had a 1-year warranty. So after one year you are still under contract but SOL if the card goes bad????
As far as forcing EVDO with the Alltel KCP650, the tech guy told me this just isn't possible and nothing can be done, I'll just have to be satisfied with the 1xRTT until I can upgrade and get on another 2-year contract or buy one off of eBay and hope it works. I've went through these instructions before I ever posted here the first time but my dialogue box doesn't have HDR Only in it. My only options are "Manual Activation" "Mobile IP" and "Field test" Under "Mobile IP" my choices are Mobile IP off, Mobile IP Preferred and Mobile IP On.
1. Open up AccessLink, but don't connect.
2. Press Control-D
3. In the dialogue box that appears, type "diagsmsi" without the quotes
4. There will be several buttons appear, I can't recall the names exactly. One of the buttons will display a few toggle selections with "HDR Only" as one of them.
5. Select HDR Only and exit. |
I got confused by this post qball. What exactly happened when you did this? I don't think this is specific to your card. Do you have the latest version of the Mobile Link software? You can even try this without the card in the laptop I believe. If your dialog box doesn't have HDR in it can you update the Mobile Link software? |
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karlyn
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 02 Apr 2007
Posts: 396
Location: Lynchburg, VA
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Bigdave wrote: | | I don't think this is specific to your card. |
You're right -- those are the instructions ansar posted for the PC5750 in the "Lock to EVDO?" thread. The PC5750 has an HDR only option under "Preferred Operating Mode" but the KPC650 does not. |
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thorcomm
EVDO User
Joined: 04 Jun 2007
Posts: 49
Location: Lynchburg, VA Area
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:15 pm Post subject: KPC650 and EVDO |
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I bought a KPC650 from ebay for $25.
It cost $25 for Alltel to assign a number and activate the card.
It now costs me $60 a month for EVDO - with NO contract!
Data Services had to update my PRL and I started getting EVDO in the 400-500 kbps range. I added an Arc Freedom indoor antenna and now get 900-1000 kbps consistently.
Don't listen to the sales people in the store. As BigDave has said, most of them know very little about their own products and services.
Call Business Data Services and keep escalating the call until you get the answer(s) you need.
Good luck!!!  |
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qball803
EVDO User
Joined: 22 Aug 2007
Posts: 28
Location: Aurora, NE
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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I just heard from Kyocera -- what a waste of time! The guy said it was good if the card connected to the 1xRTT network because that means I have a strong 1xRTT signal and the card is functioning perfectly! I tell him I'm right on top of an EVDO tower and he says "that's your problem, your too close to the tower to pick up the signal"
I don't use this in one spot, I move around, that's what I'm paying for. I've been different locations in town, other towns, I use this thing everywhere. Doesn't matter where I have it, sill wants to go back to the 1xRTT. So he tells me maybe Alltel doesn't have the EVDO and they are going off of another carrier.
I've been all over this card, no way to lock it onto EVDO. No updates available. Kyocera customer service said there was never any firmware updates for Alltel. |
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jfarris
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 10 May 2007
Posts: 212
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| Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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| qball803 wrote: | I just heard from Kyocera -- what a waste of time! The guy said it was good if the card connected to the 1xRTT network because that means I have a strong 1xRTT signal and the card is functioning perfectly! I tell him I'm right on top of an EVDO tower and he says "that's your problem, your too close to the tower to pick up the signal"
I don't use this in one spot, I move around, that's what I'm paying for. I've been different locations in town, other towns, I use this thing everywhere. Doesn't matter where I have it, sill wants to go back to the 1xRTT. So he tells me maybe Alltel doesn't have the EVDO and they are going off of another carrier.
I've been all over this card, no way to lock it onto EVDO. No updates available. Kyocera customer service said there was never any firmware updates for Alltel. |
What an idiot! I work about 5 blocks from the tower that provides EVDO to Aurora, and I can connect to EVDO with both my Razr V3m and the PC5750. I live around 10 blocks from the same tower, and I don't have trouble (unless the damn tower goes down). I wish I knew how some support people can remain employed. |
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