Falling Off the Grid - and Surviving...

jkbrigman · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 12

New House, New Life

Wife and I finally got the chance to build our next home on land we'd owned for about 6 years. I bought the lot based on location and trees. But I never, ever, once suspected I would not be able to get cable broadband or DSL service there...I had already verified internet availability along the 4-lane highway the street came off: high-speed optical fiber running north along the vital transportation corridor. Businesses popping up all around, all of them getting cable broadband or DSL.

Preparing to move, I call in to move my Time Warner RoadRunner account to the new residence. They "run" the new address and quickly report: "not possible" says the customer service rep. Worse yet, customer service tells me I can't keep my existing email accounts and use them like webmail: they provide no service to anyone who doesn't have a broadband cable modem. I must completely give up my existing internet service with that company. I'll lose everything: access, email and web pages, by moving.

No DSL, Either.

Adjusting to the awful truth, I call up the local phone company. I'm literally 1 walking mile from their regional headquarters. I can almost see them from the back patio of the house. So I expect to be welcomed with open arms. More awful truth: they have no DSL available down my street and no plans to provide it. Their billboard across from the regional headquarters advertising cheap DSL now mocks me.

The Awful Truth Sets In

It's about this time that I've come to realize how much I actually do with the internet. I'm a computer geek for a living, so #1 priority is being able to VPN back into work. But I also realize that I don't buy ANYTHING any more without checking online reviews, and I often buy computer parts online to get best price and quality. Then, throw in all the personal email, finance and news access.

The revelation fully dawns on me and suddenly I realize that internet access has become more important to me than residental phone service, more important than cable TV, and almost more important than AC power. (Internet is probably less important because it takes AC power to get internet... Smile

)

So now, I'm literally in an actual panic: I have just realized how vital internet access has become to me, pricisely at the same moment I realize I going to have to go back down to a hardline telephone and modem to get that vital service. Oh, the humanity.

I check into Satellite internet (along with satellite TV): it's a possibility, but I'd have to cut an amazing number of trees, and oh, VPN won't work worth a flip, and oh, very high startup costs and relatively high monthly rate. I'm not yet ready to cut trees and lack of VPN kills the idea anyway. So I rule out Satellite.

The Neighbors Bleak Reality

I talk to the neighbors and find out the reality is as bleak as I expect: three out of three are using dial-up modems. An accountant, a homebuilder and an entrepreneur. They all relate "slow speed horror stories" to me about internet access.

The entrepreneur adds that he's considering moving because he can't run his businesses without a good internet connection (two are web-based businesses).

Not only am I being forced to use a modem...my quiet, considerate and smart neighbor is considering moving out over that very problem.

Still, not ready to give up on cable broadband, I humbly go back to the company whose guts I hated not three weeks ago and beg them to provide me service at the new house. I even offer, without conditions, to help finance some of the cable-laying cost for them. They talk "maybe", but promise nothing.

They quickly indicate that they've been through this discussion every six months for the last two years, with one of my neighbors. They won't tell me his name, but they indicate he runs a web based business. I realize who they are talking about: the one thinking of moving away. He's been at this for a long time now, extending the same deal to them that I was now.

I leave my name and cellphone number with them. "They'll call me" when they've got something to tell. I dejectedly leave the office: I recognize that look on the customer support agent's face as one of annoyance and "go away kid, ya bother me....".

I call back the company who's headquarters are 1 walking mile from me and get a quote for ISDN. Just like satellite, the cost is high (both startup and ongoing) and performance lackluster: 128k to 256k. They won't even promise it's available, so I can't sign up right away. I thank them and hang up.

A Wireless Christmas Miracle

We weren't going to be able to move into the new house by Christmas. While this was bad news overall, it gave me more time to work on my Internet Crisis. I began to research ways to speed up 45kbit modem access. I began to plan the construction of a local server to cache as many internet websites as possible, updating web content during the day while I was at work. This would mean my dial-up connection would run all day long, updating websites. It was a crazy idea: put as much of the internet "local" in my house on a server. But it was the only way I could come up with to make modem access tolerable.

Near the new house is a restaurant I happen to be fond of. I join one of my geek buds there and we have a good meal. Standing outside the restaurant and gabbing, we happen to notice a wireless "store" next door and go in to look at new PDA-style phones. My buddy half-joked that I could switch to one of these phones and get my internet that way, while my "big iron" home machines choke behind a modem. Neither of us laughed at the joke.

While lusting for the new PDA phones, I briefly whined to the sales agent about my predicament (careful not to induce coma). The agent then shocked both of us: I can sell wireless broadband - you want to take home a loaner cell modem?

I laughed. Yeah, right. I'll get it home, have no bars of signal and it'll drop signal all the time.

The agent was serious: "You've got nothing to lose - I'll loan you a modem to try out at home". She begins to tell me about EVDO for the first time: "broadband internet over cellphone". "performance 10x as good as dial-up". I can't believe my eyes and ears. First, that I had never heard of this before, and second, because I think it's all a hoax. Otherwise, more people would have it, right?

The agent continued: "They have a deal going on the new Kyrocera KPC680. She proudly brought out the device, commenting that it's her fastest product, because it uses the expresscard connector. She offered me that very one as a loaner to try out the service at the new house.

I countered: You're right, but you're still taking internet access to only one PC. (Mentally acknowledging to myself that even only one PC with fast internet access is way, way better than one PC with a modem attached.)

"Yes", she said, just like a dial-up modem, one PC. But 10 times faster than that one dial-up modem.

She was right, and her siren song was beginning to work it's magic on me. "10 times faster", the words echoed in my head. The voice inside my head chimed in: "internet connection sharing", but I said nothing to the agent. I didn't yet trust anything she said, but I had to try. It was hope, something more than a modem. I handed over my credit card as collateral and she signed out the mysterious KPC 680 device to my waiting, shaking hands.

Hope Realized, Kinda

I take one of the Expresscard KPC680s (with PCMCIA adapter) home and try it out on a laptop. I'm stunned: 3-4 bars strength and 400kb/sec down make it a winner. I can't believe what I'm seeing: I won't have to use a dial-up modem...but I'm going to get my home internet access over cellphone? I discussed my situation with other computer geek friends: they'd never heard of such a thing but encouraged me to try it out.

After two weeks of testing and use, I returned to the wireless dealer. I bought the KPC 680 and signed up for the 2 year plan so I could get the $50 rebate on the wireless modem device. Internet access was gonna cost me a whopping $1440 over the next two years and I was going to gladly pay the price.

One Computer, Many Needs

I had the card in a laptop, and even though the laptop was "naked" out on the 'net, which is an unforgivable sin for a computer geek. I knew that would have to change. I had to figure out how to solidify the quirky service and distribute it to my home network.

I used the system for several weeks, under all kinds of conditions. I tested speed, longevity of connection, overall performance, VPN and general reliability. I was able, with some tweaking, to reach a true ftp download speed of 65kBytes/sec, about 12x the speed of the average dial-up modem.

The KR-1 EVDO Router

One night while surfing the 'net, I fell asleep with my VPN software turned off. I woke up in the night and was able to get the laptop powered off, but when I got up the next morning, the machine had been hacked, and would only reboot over and over. I set it aside, planning to get to it when I had the time.

I now realized that EVDO-land was the new hacker frontier: EVDO products didn't have firewalls built in and the windows firewall was no match for a determined hacker. I had to have a router. I couldn't continue to use the 'net without a firewall.

I scour my local area, trying to come up with a solution at the local computer stores. I talked it up with anyone who would listen. Mostly, they thought I was a nutjob who didn't understand what a firewall was. But what I kept trying to get across to them, without success, is that I need something to firewall the connectivity from my wireless modem.

After a week of looking, I found a KR-1 router at a local computer overstock store. I had never seen such a device, and this one looked perfect for what I needed.

I knew from past experience not to buy products from this vendor, but the KR-1 was seductive: it offered me a way to immediately distribute my fledgling EVDO wireless connection to more than one computer. It even offered me a way to provide the signal over 802.11g. Besides: it was just a router - they've been around for a decade, so the code base is mature and products are cheap - except this one. At almost $200, I gambled and took the device home.

From the start, the KR-1 was a mixed bag. It did provide the fundamental functions of a switch and wireless access. But ironically, it would not work at all with the KPC680.

I finally got the KR-1 working usably well with the KPC 680 over a USB adapter. It wasn't perfect, but then again, it was cellphone. But I was finally able to implement a home network using the KR-1 and KPC680 card.

You Are Not Alone...

The KR-1 was a mixed bag from the start. Lots of things didn't quite work right, and I had to reboot it often. But no way could I do without it. My laptop was still hacked and broken, so no way was I going to "go naked" on the 'net again.

But there's got to be a way to tweak the KR-1. I start researching on the 'net, of course, starting with google. I come up with a zillion links to something called "EVDOforums.com"

Here, I find an incredible amount of information and posting from others who get their internet via EVDO. Clearly, EVDO has come to the rescue of a great many people who, like me, are trying to get the best utility out of the service that they can.

I am amazed by the forums, the tech support, the knowledge and the enthusiasm for EVDO. The guys running EVDOforum.com are super-knowledgeable and seem to know that for many, EVDO is their last great hope for decent home internet access. I get a forum login and research what can be done to help the KR-1. Many good tips, but nothing to fix it's worst technical flaws.

Enter 3Gstore

I begin to realize that the EVDOforum.com is the "community support arm" of what is now "3Gstore". 3Gstore is an online vendor providing everything for the EVDO user.

Eventually, I come to understand there are many paths to EVDO enlightenment, and the 3Gstore guys are there to help guide us down those paths. They appear to be extremely motivated, extremely engergetic, very honest and professional.

I eventually find out that the 3Gstore guys are big Cradlepoint fans. Cradlepoint? What the heck is THAT? (If it ain't D-link, NetGear or Linksys, I don't wanna hear about it...) And besides, I just spent $170 on this KR-1, so no way am I getting rid of it now. It frustrates me sometimes, but I can't tell how much of the problem is with Alltel and how much the KR-1. And I read reports of problems with other products as well. So I'm not ready to ditch the KR-1 just yet....

But Cradlepoint...I don't see the litany of complaints and problems there that I see with the KR-1, or some of the other "name brand" routers. I'm intrigued and begin to learn more about the product line.

As time goes on, I watch the forums, reading everything I can about Alltel, the KPC680 and the KR-1. From what I can tell, overall, Alltel's got a lot of happy EVDO customers and the KPC680 is a fairly well-received product. OK so far, but my KR-1 seems to be stacking up bad reviews and experiences on the forums.

Cradlepoint Revelation

Then, one day, the KR-1 is replaced by the KR-2. And much to my surprise, it's not a D-Link product, it's a Cradlepoint MBR1000 in a different case design and color. Wow...I'm blown away by that validation of the Cradlepoint products. I begin to read-up and watch the CTR300, which looks like the right combination of features and size.

Then, 3Gstore gets their hands on a preproduction CTR500. I voraciously read everything I can find about the product. The 3Gstore guys are obviously "in their element" with the new product. Their knowledge of it is is unsurpassed and their anticipated price is competitive.

Then: 3Gstore announces availability. I call their order line within 48 hours of the announcement. They still have stock. Against all my past experiences with vendors, I decide to go ahead and buy the CTR500 at it's introductory price. In fact, even more risky, I decide to go for the overnight shipping on a Thursday. Talk about rolling the dice - but if I could have the product in time for the weekend, I'd have that time away from work to get it up, running, and use it.

The courteous, knowledgeable and professional young lady on on the phone closes the deal. I'm still expecting to get smacked around for my unwise choice...but so far, so good.

Then, much to my continued surprise: the CTR500 arrives by 3pm the next day. I'm stunned: they filled my order in time to get it to FedEx for next day delivery. Good sign #1.

I hurriedly take the box inside and crack it open. Inside, I find the compact but extremely sexy "Cradlepoint CTR500 Personal Wi-Fi Hotspot". I tear into the box like a teenage boy on a girlie magazine.

I'm an EE by education and employment. I'm completely impressed by the build quality, featureset and overall design of the CTR500. I have it up and running with the KPC680 in about 15 minutes after the FedEx guy leaves. I spend another 15 minutes experimenting with the system settings using the amazingly high-quality web admin interface.

Inital testing looks fantastic: I'm seeing nearly double the speed of the KR-1, no reboots, web interface works like it should, and DHCP behaves properly. So far, the product looks to be worth every penny. I carefully put away my KR-1 in it's original packaging.

About 4 hours later, I finally wrap up that day's internet surfing, and the CTR500 turned in an incredible and impressive performance: NO dropped connections, at least 2x measurable performance increase over the KR-1, and a phenomenal, worry-free internet experience. FINALLY: EVDO lives up to it's promise as a reasonable replacement for broadband cable and DSL.

3Gstore Epilogue

Life in EVDOland isn't perfect. Sometimes high cell traffic means my connection gets cut. But the Cradlepoint re-initiates the connect and if the HTML is written right, I never know the website dropped off.

The signal strength I get varies sometimes. Since springtime and the new leaves on the trees, I've not seen 4 bars. Generally I see between 2 and 3, which gives good enough signal for the Cradlepoint to provide 100kBytes/sec.

If I could get Alltel EVDO cheaper, that would go a long way toward equalizing the value I get with broadband and DSL users. But I can't really complain, I'm doing way better than satellite internet users.

And I'm no closer now than I was before to getting broadband cable or dsl. There are over a dozen residents on my street, and all of us would gladly sign up for either cable or dsl. But neither company shows the slightest interest in extending their lines down our street.

Now I'm considering buying an external antenna from 3Gstore to add to the EVDO modem. Forum posts indicate better performance overall with an antenna. As one poster aptly put it, "signal strength is king" when you're talking wireless.

3Gstore has continued on their mission, tirelessly, and shows no sign of stopping. I regret not finding them earlier, but now that I have, I know I'll never have to drop back down to modem internet access again.

Thank you 3Gstore. For the forums, the products, the expertise, and your incredible support to those of us who have no where else to turn for high speed internet access.

JKB

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 3:14 pm Post subject:

Great story!
_________________
evdo-tips.com

gohawk08 · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 24 Mar 2008 Posts: 104

yep, sounds a lot like me...
no cable, no DSL, satelite too expensive and would have to cut down trees...

Good to hear your success!
_________________
-Henry

jkbrigman · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 12

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback. My story is way too long and a little navel-gazing, but I don't think I'm being melodramatic when I say I was in a panic. Going back to a 4.5kbyte/sec hardline modem is better than nothing, but useless for "real" net access, good for little more than checking email. I've tried VPN over dial-up modem. It's usable for something brief in an emergency, but not practical for daily use.

(Pausing for a moment to wonder why there's not any new dial-up modem technology that's faster than V.32. Why aren't there, say, 20 kbyte/second modems - has technical development passed by the dial-up modem?)

The folks at 3Gstore really helped with their reviews and expertise on the Cradlepoint equipment. I wish I had better luck with the KR-1 but it wasn't working well enough with the KPC680 and Alltel. That's my fault but I couldn't help it - I hadn't yet found 3Gstore at the time. Since then, they've got me set up great with the Cradlepoint CTR500.

Hey Jim_in_VA: where did you get your flat, square directional antenna? I can see the cell tower from my house, so aiming would be a snap. I'd rather have a passive directional than an omni or amplified omni.

Thanks;
JKB

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject:

I got mine from Hyperlinktech but 3gstore sells them as well:
http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=28_65&products_id=603
_________________
evdo-tips.com

james_the_composer · EVDO User Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Posts: 33

Great story. You should try to get the article posted to a blog of some kind. Just somewhere where more people will see it.

About speed of dial up; I don't think they can physically juice any more out of analog phone lines.

I kind of wish I could get just 12KBps or more out of 56k, though it has been at 2 for me.

SlyFerret · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 127

Sounds familiar to me too!

No cable or DSL available on my road either. I signed up for EVDO just over two years ago. So far, it's been great. Only a couple times where there were any sort of major outage.

With my new Rev.A card, I'm seeing solid 2 megabit download speeds regularly.

-SF

dario · Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:05 am Post subject:

Great story you should have been a writer and glad EVDO is working for you.

ChoP · EVDO User Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Alabama

jkbrigman, you still got more to do if you are using a "Naked" modem without an external antenna. I'm on Alltel EVDO because of the same reasons you are. I'm pulling the signal from just under 10 miles away with a Grid Antenna, no Amp and no line of sight. Signal runs around -77 RSSI most days with speed burst up to 1.3 gigs or more.

The fact that you are able to lock the EVDO signal with a "Naked" modem is a big plus. Find the tower you are locking on to, find the band the EVDO is running on for that tower, buy a Grid Antenna for the Band you are on, and point it in the direction of the tower and enjoy carefree Internet at decent speeds.

ChoP · EVDO User Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Alabama

nevtxjustin · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Jul 2006 Posts: 6

"Wife and I finally got the chance to build our next home on land we'd owned for about 6 years. I bought the lot based on location and trees. But I never, ever, once suspected I would not be able to get cable broadband or DSL service there"

I hear this all time. People move into $500,000 homes in a high end community and all they can get is dial-up. Which isn't a problem asmost the homes don't have ethernet into each room...just a looped through untwisted pair phone line.

bobevdo · EVDO User Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 73

i would send your story to some comp tech mags.. its a great story

jkbrigman · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 12

Thought I'd pass on a new update to "the rest of the story":

- The Cradlepoint CTR-500 has been worth it's weight in gold. Reliable, fast and capable. Great product.
- The KPC680 is a good product. I wish I'd bought mine through 3Gstore, but that was a "chicken and egg" problem I didn't know how to solve at the time.
- There is a firmware update for the KPC680 that takes it to "Rev A", but I need to improve my antenna system to get true Rev A speeds.
- 3Gstore service and support has been excellent. I'll come back again in the future.

and most importantly:
- I'm having poor luck getting Vonage to work over EVDO. I've used the D-link "PAP" and the Linksys "PAP" and both of them seem to fritz out over time. Anyone out there getting Vonage to work over EVDO?

- I'm interested in a switch to a USB EVDO modem - anyone got any recommendations on a good EVDO USB modem for use with Alltel?

Thanks;
JKB

coolken84 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Posts: 24

I'm new to Alltel EVDO, and I got the UTStarcom UM175 and it seems to be a solid performer. I get full bars and a rssi of -75dbm at home on my rev O connection. Avg download ~1200 Upload ~120. I also just ordered the same Cradlepoint router as you, and am glad to hear how it worked out for you. I'm about 8 miles from a revA tower, and I ordered a Yagi directional antenna to roll the dice and see if I can pull in the rev A signal from that tower. At work (I work for Hallmark in downtown Kansas City) I can pull a full bar rev A signal and get d/l speeds of ~2750 and u/l of ~600 with just the um175 in my notebook.