Please s-p-e-l-l it out for me?

gulfguppy · EVDO User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 28

I have read a lot of the previous posts from newbies and all the advice has helped a great deal but here is my situation:

I need high speed internet for work @ home and home use, live 10 miles away from two towns of approx 7,000 people. Yes, yes true.

Would like to have high speed internet on cell and home, possible laptop in the future.

I believe Alltel is the only provider. Checked the maps and have 4 towers only one of which is Alltel, it is 3.46 miles, one is Cingular which I do not think is very good in this area and two other private towers. Spoke to Alltel and Customer Service stated I could get "1x speed-good" which they say is 60-70 kbps unlimited for $59.95.

Read on the forums that I could purchase some equipment that I needed on Ebay without entering into the 2yr contract.

Could someone please let me know exactly what I need to purchase to get the best speed available or any other options? I know 60-70 is not great but it is a lot better than 42-44. Having had DSL prior to moving here I am in withdrawals.

Thanks!

dieselguy · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:30 pm Post subject:

I've also got Alltel and am 3.1 from the tower. Get the UM150 card, I had the EC360 Huawei and the reception is much better with the 150 card. I'm getting down speeds of 132, up =81 with 1xRTT and between 89-94 RSSI. If you get the card off e-bay I was advised to make sure the card has a clear esn.
Ken

Capt Ron · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 8:26 pm Post subject:

I don't think that I would pay $59.95 for 1xrtt speeds. You know you can get the same service by adding data to an EV capable phone. That cost is only $25.00 added to regular cell service.

This is the way I connect because I only get 1xrtt during the summer months. I use a Razr v3m and a USB cable that is set up using windows dial up. I down loaded the driver for the phone at Motorola.

If you see that you are getting EVDO service and want to turn the data off you can. You will only have what ever is left on the regular service as far as a contract is concerned.

Then you can jump into service with a data card if you decide to or try something else if you wish.

And yes you can buy a data card and not have a 2 year contract if you so decide.
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Ron

gulfguppy · EVDO User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 28

Thanks. I currently have a pay per phone with Alltel since I was new to the area and did not want to enter into a contract without testing the waters.

I think the pay per plan has EVDO for an extra fee per month. I could just get the equipment, pay the access fee per month and use my cell phone?
This would give me the same speed as getting the equipment for the desktop?

I need the fastest speed I can get for work.

Thanks again for both the responses.

Capt Ron · Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

OOPS!

I think they charge by the minute if you are using a prepay phone.

It would be cheaper for you to get regular cell service and then add the data service to the phone. If you have your own phone I think you can get away with a one year contract and maybe none at all.

Be careful what phone you get all aren't created equal for data service. And if you want to add a router later a lot of them aren't supported.

If you could find a Razr v3m somewhere it is easy to find a USB cable for and is supported by the Cradlepoint routers.

Also some people are using the service with regular cell phones during off peak times and not paying anything additional. Normal hours it uses your minutes.

So you don't have to sign up for the service to try it out.
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Ron

nuts · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2008 Posts: 5 Location: NW Ohio

I've been on Alltel for almost 3 weeks now. Previous I had Verizon, but was not able to get EVDO. Alltel is the only company in my area offering EVDO. I purchased my card from Alltel, with no contract. I had to pay the full price for the card though. You can return it within 15 days if your not happy with it. I need to get a router, as I have issues using VPN, but other than that, we're getting great service. Kicks the snot out of what I was getting from Verizon for the same monthly cost.

gulfguppy · EVDO User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 28

Thanks for all the great information.

So this is what I need to start:

Cell phone-Razr v3m or other EVDO capable phone that is compatible with Cradlepoint routers. I was planning to get a new phone so not an unplanned expense, was looking at Blackberrys though. Do the Razrs work the best or are there other phones I could look at?

Best Alltel plan for the $$ since I will use cell minutes during non peak hours. This would be better than the air card for the desktop @ $60 per mo unlimited?

USB Cable

Try to purchase the cellphone w/o contract.

And that is it? Thanks again!

gulfguppy · EVDO User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 28

OK well the more I think about this configuration the more I think it would be best to go with the EVDO. The phone would work great if I am at home but sometimes this place is active with other family members visiting who need access for work also.

Sorry but just trying to work this out.

So I need to look for a clear UM150, USB & Software then purchase the service from Alltel? Is that it?

Thanks for the help. I'm going to pass this site and info on to all the others
around here that are searching for more than dial up.

Capt Ron · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:46 pm Post subject:

If you pay the $25 you don't use minutes, it is unlimited data.
_________________
Ron

gulfguppy · EVDO User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 28

Thank you.

Tonight I am dialed in @ 41.2 and have been trying to scour the net for the best price on the Alltel UM150. So far no luck. Last night I went to purchase it from 3g of course forgot they do not offer Alltel, found some on ubid but it closed before I could get one.

So @ 41.2 it will be slow going to find a deal without a contract.

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

41.2 what? How are you determining this?

It's not perfect but to test speed go to www.speedtest.net and/or www.speakeasy.net/speedtest or one of the speed test links at www.dslreports.com.

lewxam · Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject:

The only place I could find an Alltel UM150 last week was from kikaenterprisesinc.com. If you search around this forum you will find several others that bought from them also. Mine looks brand new and works great. Got my CTR350 from the 3Gstore.

karlyn · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:38 am Post subject:

gulfpuppy -- what number were you dialing in to? #777 or something else?

gulfguppy · EVDO User Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 28

Big Dave...Thanks

Speed test just now:

37 kbs download

Lewxam thanks for the site for the UM150. Looks like the best available deal so far.

Do I need a router? What is the difference between the CTR350 and the MBR1000 besides $$?

Karlyn-I'm on dial up now. The experts here are giving me options to
get connected with UM150. The sticks don't even live out here....

Capt Ron · Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 6:18 pm Post subject:

I checked this site, kikaenterprisesinc.com. , and couldn't find the card.

How are you finding it?
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Ron