Where to buy Alltel modem and can I use a Sprint one?

ml12 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Hi,

I'm new to this, looking to sign up with Alltel since they have the best deal (unlimited access) and seemingly comparable speeds to everyone.

If I sign up on their website I only have the option of:

KPC680 ExpressCard
Huawei EC360
UTStarcom UM150

From what I have read in PC Magazine these are not the best, (I want the fastest speed, don't care too much about size).

According to PC Mag the Sierra AirCard 595u is the fastest, but when I search to buy it it always comes as Sprint branded or with a Sprint Contract.

I'd rather avoid the contract if possible, I could buy one for $100 or less on ebay, but can I use a Sprint card with Alltel? Can I use a used card? Where can I buy besides from Alltel?

Also let me know if you think another card is better than that one.

Thanks a lot! Really appreciate any advice.

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

First, no, you can not use a Sprint card with Alltel or visa versa.

Second, not sure about the PCMagazine reviews but I use the KPC680 with great speeds averaging over 2Mbs downloads. Many have reported much success with the UM150 as well. The difference is obviously the form factor - express card slot vs USB. Performance is pretty much equal across the board. I'd stay away from the Huawei cards mainly due to the fact that they're not currently compatible with any EVDO routers in case you ever want to use one of those.

Kind of strange that PC Mag would list any card as the fastest since there's really no way to prove that due to so many factors affecting EVDO device performance. The one they're recommending is a good card but I would certainly not think it to be the best.

If that's the card you want then you'll obviously have to go with Sprint service. If you're in a native Sprint area then it's really no big deal which carrier you go with (Sprint or Alltel) since they have an EVDO roaming agreement.

Search this forum as well as the links above to evdoblog and evdoinfo. Lots of good info, reviews, real life usage, etc. to help you make your decision.

Good luck!

F34R · EVDO Junkie Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Posts: 158

if you already have alltel phone service, consider getting a card for internet service off ebay. You won't have to tie yourself up with a contract, and prices are really good on a lot of the cards.

Just shop smart though.

ml12 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Thanks for the reply,

I know that Alltel can roam to Sprint but wasn't sure if it worked vice versa. According to their coverage maps, Alltel looks a lot better, and claims higher speeds! Is this false?

For example the Alltel maps show 'speeds up to 2.4mbps' in nearly all of Georgia whereas Sprint has 3G only in Atlanta basically, and only up to 1.4 mbps. What is the deal?

I guess there is no option other than a 2-year contract actually... is that correct?

Thanks

ml12 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 9

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Well, actually Alltel doesn't claim higher speeds. What Sprint is saying is that the average speeds are between 600kbps and 1.4mbps. See quote from from the SprintPCS Coverage Tool page below.

"Sprint Mobile Broadband Network* (avg 600 kbps - 1.4 mbps download, 350 kbps - 500 kbps upload)"

Most of Sprint's network is actually faster than Alltel's since most of Sprint is at Rev A while Alltel is still only Rev 0 over probably 95% of their network. (No, you can't get Sprint's Rev A speeds with Alltel's data cards - yet. That's probably coming along when Alltel rolls out their Rev A upgrade eventually.)

Typically you don't really see much of a difference in download speeds on Rev A vs Rev 0. Top end for Rev 0 is 2.4mbps while top end of Rev A is 3.1mbps. It's the uploads that make the big difference. Most Sprint users see upload averages between 400 and 600kbps with many seeing much higher than that. Rev 0 is limited to 144kbps.

Also, you don't have to have a cell phone with Alltel to buy and/or activate a data card. If you can find a card via Ebay or anywhere else for that matter you can call Alltel on their 800# and have the card activated without having to have a contract no matter what anyone tells you. If you get a card and call Alltel and one of their CS reps tries to tell you otherwise just hang up and call back until you find someone who knows what they're doing. (BTW, this isn't specific to Alltel . . . . it's apparently the way we let all the carriers treat us . . . but that's a whole nuther issue.)

If you can't find a used card (be sure to shop smart as was noted above - have seller provide the ESN to you prior to the sell to verify that the ESN is clean otherwise you're wasting your money. If a card is tied to a bill that was never paid you might as well toss it in the trash unless you are willing to pay someone else's bill!!) then you can buy one through Alltel at full retail price and avoid a contract that way. You are only tied to a contract if you buy the card at a discounted price.

I'm a very happy Alltel user for several years but if I lived in Atlanta I would go with Sprint for their Rev A. Rev A is a really big difference, so much so that I also have a Sprint card and although Alltel will probably have it this year who knows until it's actually up and running.

taxmantoo · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 5:01 am Post subject:

One addition to what Dave said:
I got mine from "sells4you" on eBay. They had 18 of them at the time. When I emailed and asked for ESN, they said that for security purposes they wouldn't pass out a future customer's ESN to just anybody, but if I bought one, they could give me the ESN and wait for my approval before shipping. Paid less than $80 for a previously activated UM150 in mint condition.

Since I bought mine, I haven't seen ANY Alltel UM150 on eBay, and few Verizon UM150s. I don't think Sprint has the UM150, which I wanted because I figured it would be easier to set up with the signal strength display on the modem.