Tethering vs Mobile Broadband Card

[mikejames07]

I was wondering if you can achieve the same speeds and reliability with tethering a phone vs. using a mobile broadband card. Tethering would be the cheapest option (extra 15.00 a month) vs the mobile card's 59.99 unlimited 2yr contract plan. If it's any help, I have a Blackberry 8830. Also while the phone is tethering, it should be charging as well through the usb cable correct?

[mike068]

I use my Katana DLX as a modem and it works just fine in my opinion it is comparison to dsl. I wont beat cable or fiber optic speeds but for your average internet user it will work fine providing you have a good signal.

[PiggyGirl]

I am considering upgrading to PAM, mainly so I can finally tell TWC what they can do with themselves, eventhough I haven't had any connection problems in a few weeks their CS makes Sprint's CS look excellent.

Do you get like free GPS and Sprint TV and unlimited texts with that $40 package? I am also worried about the speed but if I go ahead and treat myself to a new laptop Sprint is obviously the best solution.

[mikejames07]

I am considering upgrading to PAM, mainly so I can finally tell TWC what they can do with themselves, eventhough I haven't had any connection problems in a few weeks their CS makes Sprint's CS look excellent.

Do you get like free GPS and Sprint TV and unlimited texts with that $40 package? I am also worried about the speed but if I go ahead and treat myself to a new laptop Sprint is obviously the best solution.

If you get the 49.99 Blackberry Enterprise package, u get the Enterprise service and unlimited PAM i believe but no GPS, txts, and Sprint TV, however, if u get the $30 Blackberry Powervision Pack, you get Sprint Navigation, Unlimited texts and the BIS (Blackberry Internet Service I believe) which lets u link up with up to like 10 email accounts or something like that and for $15 dollars more, you can get unlimited PAM. So basically for $45 u can get unlimited Txt's, PAM, Sprint Navi, and BIS. I currently have the Blackberry Power Vision Plan and I am thinking about adding the $15 for PAM...just wanted to see how it compared to the Mobile Broadband Cards

[PiggyGirl]

I have a Centro so I can't get on the Blackberry Plan. I wish they would offer PAM as a $15-25 add-on by itself, for everyone.

[ink718]

You don't need a PAM if you can disable the NAI option in your phone. Disabling the NAI option makes it so that Sprint network can not detect that you are using your PAM. SOme phones like the Mogul and Touch don't have NAI options so you tether without worrying to disable the NAI option.

[inftaxs]

I have a Centro so I can't get on the Blackberry Plan. I wish they would offer PAM as a $15-25 add-on by itself, for everyone.
Get PDAnet. This program has 2 components: 1 installs on your Centro and 1 on your PC. Costs approx $35 one-time, lets you tether using your vision/power vision without PAM, just don't overdo it (i.e, don't download full-length movies, etc)

[corrupt81]

Or just do it the legit way and pay for the$40 PAM plan.
Since I use Sprint as my primary internet connection I think its worth it, especially now that my Mogul gets RevA speeds.

[corrupt81]

By the way I average about 4gb a week.. one of the main reasons I chose Sprint over Verizon: unlimited really means unlimited.

[sde780]

Ah well in your case, the PAM plan would be a good idea.

[leicabug]

I would go with a broadband card because it is much faster. The main difference is latency and Rev A speed. My U727's latency is usually 100ms but it's 300ms for tethering with Treo.
You can get it for $49.99/month either through SERO or ebay. I got it from ebay because NVP discount can be applied this non-SERO account.

[PiggyGirl]

Or just do it the legit way and pay for the$40 PAM plan.
Since I use Sprint as my primary internet connection I think its worth it, especially now that my Mogul gets RevA speeds.
I would actually pay for it since it's way cheaper than TWC. But do you get free GPS, unlimited texts, etc., with PAM? That would make it even more cost effective for me.

[corrupt81]

You could use Google GPS but unfortunately PAM is pretty much just an unlimited data plan by itself. They just recently made PAM a powervision plan so you can buy songs from the music store for .99.. for some reason PAM didn't use to fall under powervision.

You could always try emailing ecare and see if they'll give you some kind of break on a text message package since you're already paying for their most expensive data plan.

In my case PAM is worth it and I use the internet just as much on my mogul as I do my laptop.

[PiggyGirl]

Well, they recently upped my 500 free text messages to 1000 - I can manage on that but unlimited would be a nicer safety net.

GPS doesn't actually work on the Centro but I would have bought one of those keychains if I got the service. Do you get any TV channels? I don't ever actually look at the channels I have now but I probably would if I had more news channels.

Anyways, I'm seriously thinking I'm going to go ahead and get it so I'm going to start looking at laptops. I think it's definitely worth it :-)

[PiggyGirl]

Do your discounts apply to PAM? If so that's even better.

[mikejames07]

I would go with a broadband card because it is much faster. The main difference is latency and Rev A speed. My U727's latency is usually 100ms but it's 300ms for tethering with Treo.
You can get it for $49.99/month either through SERO or ebay. I got it from ebay because NVP discount can be applied this non-SERO account.

Will the latency difference cause a big difference in speed? As I said, because I have the Blackberry Powervision plan...I just have to add 15 more dollars for PAM, so that's 15 vs 49.99 or 59.99. Is the faster latency speed that crucial to pay 35 to 45 more dollars?

[leicabug]

Latency make a big differnce if you play games. In web surfing, it probably feels like one or two more seconds of waiting.

[mikejames07]

Latency make a big differnce if you play games. In web surfing, it probably means one or two more seconds of waiting.

Oh ok, well I wouldn't be playing any major games, maybe online poker or something that's about it. It's mainly going to be used for just surfing the web not my main internet source

[stevew8841]

i actually just received my novatel u727 from sprint today. and i must say, its about twice as fast as tethering with my htc mogul (which used rev. A network) i can easily d/l at 1000-1300 kb/s
i used to tether with my treo, i could acheive 35-45KB/s max
my mogul would max at 60-65

[corrupt81]

I just upgraded from my Mogul (using the $40 phone as modem) to a dedicated data card line with the merlin ex720 expresscard.
I haven't really noticed an increase in anything other than price! Last time I tested my Mogul (which was running the latest official firmware with RevA) it was around 1200kpbs down and 250-300kpbs up.
Testing the merlin ex720, I'm getting about 1000kpbs down and 175kpbs up.

***!

[stevew8841]

I just upgraded from my Mogul (using the $40 phone as modem) to a dedicated data card line with the merlin ex720 expresscard.
I haven't really noticed an increase in anything other than price! Last time I tested my Mogul (which was running the latest official firmware with RevA) it was around 1200kpbs down and 250-300kpbs up.
Testing the merlin ex720, I'm getting about 1000kpbs down and 175kpbs up.

***!

wow man. sorry to hear that. ive definitely noticed a speed increase. and i get better signal too, where the mogul would drag at.

[2kmy477]

By the way I average about 4gb a week.. one of the main reasons I chose Sprint over Verizon: unlimited really means unlimited.

Wow..4gb a week?that's a lot of data,so how much you use average in a month?Sprint didn't saying anything?I use about 5g a month and i afraid they're going to charge me extra for that,BTW,i'm using a Mogul.

[Monk3y]

I have a Samsung Upstage that I use as a modem and the speed is just ridiculous. The latency is through the roof. I try and use it in my CarPC and I can't even stream radio stations through WinAmp's ShoutCast. I think I am just going to get that " Compass™ 597 by Sierra Wireless" through SERO. Anyone else have experiences with it? I have to use something that is USB since my CarPC and Laptop do not have an Express Card slot.

[stevew8841]

I have a Samsung Upstage that I use as a modem and the speed is just ridiculous. The latency is through the roof. I try and use it in my CarPC and I can't even stream radio stations through WinAmp's ShoutCast. I think I am just going to get that " Compass™ 597 by Sierra Wireless" through SERO. Anyone else have experiences with it? I have to use something that is USB since my CarPC and Laptop do not have an Express Card slot.

thats teh problem i was having tethering with my mogul, slow speed, and high latency

so i returned it, and bought the novatel U727. its a great device so far. I've had it for one week. Havent had a single problem with it, and the speed is great, i can watch you tube videos, browe web, and even stream audio, with no problemo. it uses the evdo REV.A netowrk, check the sprint map to see if you have coverage in your area.http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/evdoEnterZip.jsp

What i like about the U727 is its small form factor, micro sd slot, included usb cable, and noteboox monitor clip, and carrying case. I HIGHLY recomend this product!

[kupikunskio]

Do your discounts apply to PAM? If so that's even better.

Officially: NO, Unofficially: Yes.
It really depends on how your discounts are built, you may or may not get a discount on the PAM attachable, but you are not entitled to it, no.

[corrupt81]

Wow..4gb a week?that's a lot of data,so how much you use average in a month?Sprint didn't saying anything?I use about 5g a month and i afraid they're going to charge me extra for that,BTW,i'm using a Mogul.

Remember this is SPRINT we're dealing with, so "unlimited" really means unlimited! It's the main reason I went with Sprint over Verizon, they don't cripple and cap your data usage.
Since I've been with sprint I've been on the $40 phone as modem plan and average anywhere from 10gb-20gb a month. Now I'm on the mobile broadband card (which jumped to $60 a month) and the data usage is about the same.

If you're on the $15 basic data plan which is meant for phones only (not tethering) and you're hitting that kind of data usage, maybe sprint might say something (though I haven't heard of it yet) but if you need that much data or if sprint is your primary internet connection (as in my case) the PAM or mobile broadband plans, which are truly unlimited, are wel worth it IMO.

[PiggyGirl]

Well, after suffering through another outage with TWC I decided to try out PDA Net and, unfortunately, I wouldn't survive with it as my primary ISP, but it is definitely a convenient backup for whenever my main internet isn't working -- which has been out 2 or 3 times this year already, almost 3 full days this time! My up and download times on PDA Net are 134 and 395 kbps respectively. That is just too drastically and noticeably slow, but it's definitely good enough for occasional/emergency regular browsing, and it's definitely faster than dial-up, but I still had flashbacks to my old dial-up days. I think I would go crazy, but I'm keeping it, as a backup.

[kupikunskio]

Well, after suffering through another outage with TWC I decided to try out PDA Net and, unfortunately, I wouldn't survive with it as my primary ISP, but it is definitely a convenient backup for whenever my main internet isn't working -- which has been out 2 or 3 times this year already, almost 3 full days this time! My up and download times on PDA Net are 134 and 395 kbps respectively. That is just too drastically and noticeably slow, but it's definitely good enough for occasional/emergency regular browsing, and it's definitely faster than dial-up, but I still had flashbacks to my old dial-up days. I think I would go crazy, but I'm keeping it, as a backup.

The upload speed of 134 is to be expected, but your 395 is actually pretty slow most people average 700-1300.

[PiggyGirl]

The upload speed of 134 is to be expected, but your 395 is actually pretty slow most people average 700-1300.Well, if I were getting 1mb I think I'd be okay. Maybe I should play with my settings since I think I'm supposed to be getting the highspeed/EVDO. Unless the speed varies throughout the day/week.

[kupikunskio]

Well, if I were getting 1mb I think I'd be okay. Maybe I should play with my settings since I think I'm supposed to be getting the highspeed/EVDO. Unless the speed varies throughout the day/week.

You are getting EVDO or your max download would be around 144. Signal quality is very important, the better the signal the faster it goes. You MAY also be losing some speed because of PDAnet, but someone more familiar with the program might be able to give a solid answer on that.

[INTERNET2000]

You don't need a PAM if you can disable the NAI option in your phone. Disabling the NAI option makes it so that Sprint network can not detect that you are using your PAM. SOme phones like the Mogul and Touch don't have NAI options so you tether without worrying to disable the NAI option.

I'm pretty sure that Window Mobile phones do have NAI that is configured in the phone's registry.

[Monk3y]

thats teh problem i was having tethering with my mogul, slow speed, and high latency

so i returned it, and bought the novatel U727. its a great device so far. I've had it for one week. Havent had a single problem with it, and the speed is great, i can watch you tube videos, browe web, and even stream audio, with no problemo. it uses the evdo REV.A netowrk, check the sprint map to see if you have coverage in your area.http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/evdoEnterZip.jsp

What i like about the U727 is its small form factor, micro sd slot, included usb cable, and noteboox monitor clip, and carrying case. I HIGHLY recomend this product!

Thanks for the info Steve! Do you know anything about the "Compass™ 597"? How does it compare to the Novatel in terms of speed? I like how the Compass comes with an external antenna, that would be great for my car especially since my computer is in the trunk, but then again I could always use a usb extension cable. I wonder if my employee discount would work on the data plan too.

[MISTRESS]

Well, if I were getting 1mb I think I'd be okay. Maybe I should play with my settings since I think I'm supposed to be getting the highspeed/EVDO. Unless the speed varies throughout the day/week.

Yes, I've noticed varied speeds at differnt times too. After Sprint re-programmed the data on the Centro--I think thats what they said--my speed was up and ruunning again

. I use the a900 AND the Centro as modems. the a900 is usually faSTER THAN THE cENTRO AND HERE i WAS THINKING IT WOULD BE THE OTHER way around.

PAM is included in the vision plans that I have.
My PAM speeds were sometimes higher than my U720 so I dont use the usb modem anymore-(i put it on the seasonal plan) the card was ok and all but it was too pricey esp since my Centro is doing just fine for free .

[About SprintUsers.Com]

SprintUsers.com was created in January 2002 as a resource for users of Sprint PCS products and services to learn about and share information. We have cll phone reviews, Cellular Accessories, Downloads, PDA reviews, Ringtones, all of the latest Sprint PCS news and information, an area where you can find help in creating a ring tone or custom image for you phone, and so much more. The most popular section is the message board where visitors can read and write messages, ask questions, and get advice about their cellular phone from other users.