Wireless Internet Reviews Blog » Broadband Modems

Verizon introduces another worldwide modem

Joe — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 16:48:09 +0000

Verizon has done a good job lately of introducing modems which not only work on its CDMA network, but on worldwide GSM networks. This is essential for Verizon. CDMA networks are limited essentially to the US and Canada, so those traveling to Europe have no use for a CDMA-only broadband modem. By adding GSM frequencies, Verizon is appealing to a larger market. Their big splash was the ZTE AD3700, which covers HSPA worldwide. The above-pictured device, the UMW190, works worldwide as well, but only dials it up to EDGE speeds. It is smaller and cheaper than the AD3700, though, which may attract a different type of customer. All told it’s $49.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, and is available online now, with an in-store release likely later this month.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

Verizon introduces another worldwide modem

Verizon launches global wireless modem

Joe — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:30:14 +0000

That’s the USB1000 Global Modem from Verizon Wireless. It looks like your run of the mill dongle, but the hidden gem is that it will work on both CDMA and GSM networks, making it the first world edition modem from VZW. According to the Phone Scoop item, it will run on “800/1900 EVDO Rev. A, quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band 850/1900/2100MHz WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA.” Verizon will also offer a few plans for this one, including one for $130 per month, which includes 5GB of domestic data and 100MB of global roaming. The $220 plan doubles the global roaming amount. This one is available now.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

Verizon launches global wireless modem

New Sierra card from Sprint caters to laptops new and old

Joe — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:46:35 +0000

One of the troubles in buying a wireless broadband modem is that some of the newer ones are not available with older laptop models. The last thing you want to do is get a modem for an ExpressCard slot and find out that your PC only takes PC Card models. The new Sierra Wireless AirCard 402 takes care of that, offering both types of connections. This also keeps your USB slot free and clear (though with most USB modems including flash memory, or at least microSD expansion, keeping it free might not be as high a priority). The 402 also has a built-in GPS receiver, which should be at least marginally useful. The AirCard 402 will run $99.99 after $50 mail-in rebate and the signing of the two-year contract.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

New Sierra card from Sprint caters to laptops new and old

T-Mobile unveils first 3G broadband modem

Joe — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:43:22 +0000

Finally, the nation’s No. 4 cellular provider has released a broadband modem. While it won’t single-handedly catch them up to their competitors, it is a formidable device — a perfect way to kick off T-Mobile’s broadband access. It features tri-band 1700/1900/2100 MHz HSDPA/UMTS radios, which is just fancy talk for it works in T-Mobile 3G network zones. As for the extras, it has a microSD slot for up to 8 gigs, but the best part is that it has Wi-Fi on board, which is compatible with T-Mobile’s Hotspot @Home calling service. Pricing and plan details after the jump.

T-Mobile’s broadband plan will be right in line with its competitors, charging $60 per month for 5GB of data, with overages costing 20 cents per megabyte. At least T-Mobile is up front about the data cap. There was a fiasco a few years ago regarding Verizon’s internal policy of a 5GB cap, while they advertised an unlimited service. The modem itself will cost $50 with a two-year agreement or $250 a la carte.

Eric Zeman of InformationWeek took the card for a spin, and it seems pretty average. He finds it a bit slower than his Verizon laptop card, which is understandable. All in all, though, it “gets the job done.”

Via Phone Scoop

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

T-Mobile unveils first 3G broadband modem

Cricket launches A600 broadband modem

Joe — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 18:55:22 +0000

That there is the A600, the newest broadband modem for the Cricket broadband service. It’s a pretty standard device, featuring an expandable microSD slot for extra storage. Also notable is that it comes with connection manager software already embedded, nixing the need for a setup CD. It runs on all major computing platforms, including Mac OSX 10.3.9 and higher. It’s available now for $69, and can go along with Cricket’s $40/month broadband plan — $35 if you’re already a Cricket wireless subscriber.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

Cricket launches A600 broadband modem

35 million mobile modems shipped in 2008

Joe — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:54:19 +0000

I wonder what happened the year after 35 million cell phones were sold worldwide. I bet shipments more than doubled — might have even quadrupled. That’s how technology typically grows. In 2008, 35 million cellular modems shipped, so we could see a real gaudy number by the end of 2009. Well, that is, we would have if it weren’t for this worldwide recession. We’ll still see some growth in the number of cellular modems shipped, but it won’t be by an astronomical multiplier.

ABI Research has the word on growth for mobile modems: “However, shipment rates will continue to grow, albeit at a slower place, because this is an underpenetrated market and because of subsidies and other incentives offered by mobile operators.”

Also of note: 3.5 million laptops came with embedded modems in 2009. “ABI Research expects that, building on a good showing of 3.5 million units in 2008, shipments of embedded modems will more than double in 2009.” That’s good news. I wonder if this will ever see growth like embedded Wi-Fi cards, which are pretty much standard in new laptops.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

35 million mobile modems shipped in 2008

Sierra Wireless launches first USB modem for HSPA+

Joe — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 14:14:19 +0000

Sierra Wireless this morning announced two new USB modems: the USB 306 and USB 307. The names make them sound like ordinary USB modems, but they provide one thing no other USB modem does: HSPA+ compatibility. So if you’re off in an area which has this kind of network, you can take advantage of speeds of up to 21 Mbps downlink and 5.76 Mbps uplink. Those are huge speeds compared to our current crop of USB modems on mobile broadband networks.

Not only does this offer greater speeds where available, but it also offers backward compatibility with HSPA, UMTS, EDGE, and GPRS networks. This is helpful for consumers, especially when the availability of HSPA+ networks is limited. It also has global roaming support.

The 306 is targeted at North America and the Asia-Pacific regions, as it operates on the 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz bands, while the 307 runs on the 900 and 2100 MHz European bands. It comes with the Sierra Wireless Watcher, a program which monitors your speed and provides network information. And, as has become pretty standard, it comes with a microSD slot, allowing you to use it as a data transfer device as well.

“We recognize that the way people use the Internet has evolved,” said Greg Speakman, vice president of Marketing for Sierra Wireless. “Most people require higher bandwidth from their connections now than they did even two years ago. Sierra Wireless is working hard to stay at the forefront of mobile technology to ensure that our customers can get online and do whatever they need to do, whether from home, work, or somewhere in between.”

There’s no word yet on pricing. The device is said to ship in the first half of this year.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

Sierra Wireless launches first USB modem for HSPA+

Sprint releases Sierra Wireless modem

Joe — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:40:39 +0000

It’s time for another aircard release. This time it’s from Sprint, and no, it’s not for their WiMax network. The Sierra Wireless USB 598 runs on the Sprint EV-DO Rev. A network, which runs to major markets across the nation. Unlike the USB760 from Verizon, the USB 598 does not come with built-in memory. However, it does allow you to expand with a microSD card of up to 32 gigabytes. Download speeds range between 600 Kbps and 1.4 Mbps, with upload speeds between 350 and 500 Kbps.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

Sprint releases Sierra Wireless modem

Verizon debuts USB760 broadband modem

Joe — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:26:09 +0000

Verizon Wireless has just added another USB modem to their arsenal. The USB760 will hit shelves on December 1, and will take advantage of Verizon’s EVDO Rev A network. This is among the fastest mobile broadband speeds on the market. Verizon claims download speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps, and upload speeds of 500 to 800 Kbps.

Not only is it a modem, but it is also a flash drive, allowing you to store up to 8 gigabytes of information. This sets it apart from some other wireless broadband cards. I do wonder, though, how popular the feature will be, since most people already have a flash stick. Then again, combining the functions can only be a good thing.

The device will run $99.99 after a $50 rebate. This, of course, includes a new line of service. Verizon offers 50MB of monthly data for $39.99 per month, and 5GB for $59.99 per month. The latter is clearly the better choice for heavy users. As i4U notes: “Stream a few flick from Netflix or download say a new NVIDIA driver package and you have killed your monthly usage in one go.” Ouch.

This post originated at: WirelessInternetReviews.com - The premiere resource for information on mobile broadband providers like Cricket Wireless.

Verizon debuts USB760 broadband modem