Not sure where to start...

lewgard · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 11

I'm trying to read all I can regarding EVDO, but there is so much information. To be honest, when it comes to this sort of stuff, my mind wanders...

I currently function - slowly - on dial-up. Because my patience is wearing very thin, I desperately want high speed. My options are extremely limited due to my rural location. So limited, in fact, that until this morning I thought Satellite was my only alternative to dial up.

Thank goodness for this furum! But, like I mentioned, I am having trouble absorbing the necessary information due to my stupidity on this topic. So please bear with me, as I may ask some pretty dumb questions.

My first question/concern: My land line is with Verizon; when I get their bill, there is an insert that promotes their boradband internet service. So I went to their website, plugged in my land line phone # to see if their service is available, and the response is "NOT AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA". Drats. When I view the service area via this forum for their cellular broadband, my area IS in their service. I have a "pay as you go" cell phone, which is on the Verizon network, and I get a pretty decent signal (the tower is 2.5 miles away, on the other side of a large hilly, wooded area). So I am confused. Are the two Verizon broadband "services" completely different entities?

My second question/concern Am I understanding correctly that - provided I am in the service area - I can obtain cellular broadband service by simply plugging a device into my USB port on my desktop computer? My computer does not currently have wireless capabilities (it is 6 years old), so is there anything else I need to purchase? I understand that a router is necessary if I want to hook up additional computers, but that is for a later date.

So, if anyone can answer my questions, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm going to continue to read about this stuff, and hopefully it will sink in.

Thank you

rjs2015 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 23

Your situation is very similar to mine and back in Dec. I knew nothing about this "stuff" except I could not get broadband by cable or Verizon and I was on super slow internet.

I went through the 3GStore because I knew I could turn to someone if I needed advice.

I bought the Verizon USB727 and a Cradlepoint Router. I bought the router because I also had a laptop and my husband had a computer in his study too. I plugged the router into my my computer with an ethernet cable (you didn't even need to do that. You could simply plug the USB727 into the USB port.) Bought my husband a USB wireless since he had an older computer and we were on the internet in minutes.

I had the 3GStore activate my USB727 and new Verizon broadband account for me (it was just easier and was one less thing I had to worry about), it arrived, I plugged it in and the rest is history!

I am sure you will get a lot of helpful advice on this forum.

tjuerge · Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

It really is as easy as that. Plug the USB modem in the USB port and you have connection. If Verizon, you will need the VZAccess Manager software but that is provided on the CD that comes with the USB modem. If you then get a router, you will not need the VZAccess Manager software, as the router dials the modem.
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Thanks! Tom

buckron · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

You do not really need software for the router, just log in to the routers ip address and add the codes it asks for, Your ISP customer support will give you that eg: user name """" @1x.freewire.ca dial numer #777 and password. and your mobile telephone number. The "connect" software is installed on your pc...and my tricky part is that the connection software took over my wireless connections and i had to check the box"let windows manage my wireless connections" Once that was done i plugged the modem into the router.After that sounds silly but i had to exit the connection software to manage the wireless connection on the pc with the connection software installed, the other laptops were connected no prob same as any wifi connection. So the router made the connection and broadcast wifi...Connecton software is closed on the pc that its installed in.It works for me...does anyone have any other setup ideas?[/b]

lewgard · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 16 Mar 2008 Posts: 11

Thanks for the helpful replies, greatly appreciated.

So, the USB727 is a modem? If I understand correctly, I just need a usb modem and a monthly service contract?

If the cellular broadband service area map indicates my home is within the area, then I can do this, regardless of not being able to get (non-cellular) verizon broadband ? If so, Whoo-hoo!! Am I ever happy!

Can anyone share their experience as far as their monthly usage? I mean, I assume the monthly package is for a certain amount of upload/download sessions, correct? I do some website work, and browse the internet a lot, just wondering what would happen if I exceed my allotment.

rjs2015: have you been satisfied with the speed thus far?

Thanks again!

buckron · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 10 Mar 2008 Posts: 17

Yup the USB air card is a modem,same setup as others really...internet in to modem to router and you have a network.I am not sure about packages but unlimited for $50 is good as far as i am concerned.And in a fringe area my card shows
1XRTT and its on mine right now @ 75-100 kbps so thats 2x dial up...ideally you need evdo..at say 400 ----??? and up mine was receiving evdo at 440 kbps after an update from ISP provider, I am still waiting for them to call me after a troubleshoot because i went down to apprx 90 after 2 days of 440 kbps...sooooo frustrating..bear with me this is only my third day at evdo from the cellular network..waiting for other members to pitch in and set us straight right?[/b]

rjs2015 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 28 Dec 2007 Posts: 23

I have been averaging about 1M down and about 500 up. On my cell phone I have 3-5 bars next to EV so I imagine that shows us having a strong signal where we live.

There is a website that will allow you to test your speed.
It now reads 1030kp/s down and 509 kp/s up.

After the first day of using it my husband and I decided we had entered a different world. For the first time ever we went to YouTube and we also downloaded updates to our software (in the past we started the download and then went to bed).

Because I ordered the USB with the router I did not have to fool with any software. I just decided to conenct the router to computer by ethernet cable.

It truly does work.

editor1 · EVDO User Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 81

Just one point that might not be obvious: You can choose Sprint as your broadband service provider even if your phone plan is Verizon. In other words, don't feel compelled to get your EVDO with Verizon just because your phone plan is with them.

In my area, Verizon has better tower coverage with phones than it does with broadband, while Sprint has a usage policy that suits me better and more EVDO coverage. So I have phone with Verizon and EVDO with Sprint. Nothing more difficult than two bills in the mail.

Good luck!

Whohearsu · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 06 Jan 2008 Posts: 11 Location: IL.

I looks like everybody has give you all the infor about the air cards you might need so I will just tell about everyday use.We have two computers on a 350cradlepoint router from 3Gstore and it works fine. I am on verizon, 3.2 miles from a tower that has rev. A service, my only issue is on peak times of use it slows down to 200kbs but at 3am it will go to 1.4meg. It is still soooo much better than dialup.We don't game but surf the net all evening and some in the day and so far have not went over 2gigs of use in a month. Hope this might help a little.
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Whohearsu