Sprint Mobile Broadband By: Kevin Torio HTM 304 Prof. Fang Fang By: Kevin Torio HTM 304 Prof. Fang Fang

What It Is Sprint mobile broadband offers wireless connectivity to computers through their broadband cards or cell phones. The signals are transmitted between Sprint’s products and their respectable cell phone towers. Speeds vary, but Sprint states their mobile technology offers “broadband-like” speeds. Currently, Sprint utilizes the 3G network. They are known to be the largest and fastest national broadband network. Capable of downloading speeds up to 600 kbps-1.4 mbps. Sprint mobile broadband offers wireless connectivity to computers through their broadband cards or cell phones. The signals are transmitted between Sprint’s products and their respectable cell phone towers. Speeds vary, but Sprint states their mobile technology offers “broadband-like” speeds. Currently, Sprint utilizes the 3G network. They are known to be the largest and fastest national broadband network. Capable of downloading speeds up to 600 kbps-1.4 mbps.

Speed Test Sprint Speed Test

Coverage Currently reaches 212 million people in 218 major metropolitan areas

Products Offered PX-500 by Pantech Wireless™ ($9.99 w/ 2 -year agreement)) Aircard® 595 by Sierra Wireless ($99.99 w/ 2-year agreement) PX-500 by Pantech Wireless™ ($9.99 w/ 2 -year agreement)) Aircard® 595 by Sierra Wireless ($99.99 w/ 2-year agreement)

Products Offered Merlin™ EX720 by Novatel Wireless ($ w/ 2-year agreement) Aircard® 597E by Sierra Wireless ($ w/ 2-year agreement) Merlin™ EX720 by Novatel Wireless ($ w/ 2-year agreement) Aircard® 597E by Sierra Wireless ($ w/ 2-year agreement)

Products Offered Ovation U727 by Novatel Wireless ($79.99 w/ 2-year agreement) Aircard® 595U by Sierra Wireless ($79.99 w/ 2-year agreement) Ovation U727 by Novatel Wireless ($79.99 w/ 2-year agreement) Aircard® 595U by Sierra Wireless ($79.99 w/ 2-year agreement)

Products Offered

Facts As with any cell-phone or cellular data service, Sprint's Mobile Broadband offering is prone to isolated weak and dead spots within the service areas, and you won't be able to use it in places such as subways, where cell phones don't work. Sprint's Mobile Broadband service lets you access the Internet via the wireless carrier's relatively small but growing EV-DO network. EV-DO, which stands for Evolution Data-Only, is one of a handful of 3G technologies that cellular carriers have been rolling out over the past couple of years. EV-DO is faster than Cingular’s EDGE service but slower than the new HSPDA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) services that are beginning to appear in a few cities. As with any cell-phone or cellular data service, Sprint's Mobile Broadband offering is prone to isolated weak and dead spots within the service areas, and you won't be able to use it in places such as subways, where cell phones don't work. Sprint's Mobile Broadband service lets you access the Internet via the wireless carrier's relatively small but growing EV-DO network. EV-DO, which stands for Evolution Data-Only, is one of a handful of 3G technologies that cellular carriers have been rolling out over the past couple of years. EV-DO is faster than Cingular’s EDGE service but slower than the new HSPDA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) services that are beginning to appear in a few cities.

Facts (Cont.) At $59.99 per month for unlimited data transfers, Sprint's Mobile Broadband service is a bit more expensive than DSL and cable. With areas without EV-DO, expect speeds similar to that of dial-up. Sprint Nextel Corp. announced its plans to develop and deploy the first fourth generation (4G) nationwide broadband mobile network. The 4G wireless broadband network will use the mobile WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) IEEE e-2005 technology standard. The Sprint Nextel 4G mobility network will use the company's extensive 2.5GHz spectrum holdings, which cover 85 percent of the households in the top 100 U.S. markets - the most of any wireless carrier in any single spectrum band. Motorola and Samsung will also support Sprint's current and CDMA/EV-DO network technologies by creating multimode devices that will support services on both the 4G network and the 3G network in areas outside the planned 4G coverage, and will provide voice service using the core 3G network. At $59.99 per month for unlimited data transfers, Sprint's Mobile Broadband service is a bit more expensive than DSL and cable. With areas without EV-DO, expect speeds similar to that of dial-up. Sprint Nextel Corp. announced its plans to develop and deploy the first fourth generation (4G) nationwide broadband mobile network. The 4G wireless broadband network will use the mobile WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) IEEE e-2005 technology standard. The Sprint Nextel 4G mobility network will use the company's extensive 2.5GHz spectrum holdings, which cover 85 percent of the households in the top 100 U.S. markets - the most of any wireless carrier in any single spectrum band. Motorola and Samsung will also support Sprint's current and CDMA/EV-DO network technologies by creating multimode devices that will support services on both the 4G network and the 3G network in areas outside the planned 4G coverage, and will provide voice service using the core 3G network.

Facts (Cont.) Sprint Broadband Direct uses exclusive digital frequencies to provide two-way, high speed Internet access to homes and businesses. This service allows use of the Internet at speeds faster than today's dial-up modems. Sprint Broadband Direct provides high-speed connectivity to both small and mid-sized businesses as well as homes. Because Sprint Broadband Direct is “always on,” the service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sprint Broadband Direct is an "always on" service, therefore, continual pinging is completely unnecessary and degrades your service and everyone's enjoyment of Sprint Broadband Direct. Continuous ping sessions performed simultaneously with other sessions, such as surfing, receiving or conducting a file transfer will not help you maintain access or gain quicker access-it will actually degrade your service because of the sharing of bandwidth. Sprint Broadband Direct uses exclusive digital frequencies to provide two-way, high speed Internet access to homes and businesses. This service allows use of the Internet at speeds faster than today's dial-up modems. Sprint Broadband Direct provides high-speed connectivity to both small and mid-sized businesses as well as homes. Because Sprint Broadband Direct is “always on,” the service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Sprint Broadband Direct is an "always on" service, therefore, continual pinging is completely unnecessary and degrades your service and everyone's enjoyment of Sprint Broadband Direct. Continuous ping sessions performed simultaneously with other sessions, such as surfing, receiving or conducting a file transfer will not help you maintain access or gain quicker access-it will actually degrade your service because of the sharing of bandwidth.

Competition $59.99 monthly fee, but only if customer also has a cell phone line activated with them; otherwise $79.99 “Unlimited” plan is not really unlimited (There are restrictions, most especially when downloading). 2-year contract required.

Competition Cingular’s EDGE, now AT&T, is the slowest of the three. $59.99 monthly charge; used to be $79.99 per month (the most expensive) AT&T now uses 3G in addition to EDGE. Good for basic web-surfing / e- mail accessing. Nothing more. EDGE is ATT’s answer to Sprint and Verizon’s EV-DO. Pricing

Pricing For equipment, the devices range from free to $300 plus tax as long a you commit to a 2-year agreement. Using as broadband for notebook, pricing is $39.99 as a “Phone as modem” (PAM) plan, however, unlimited data usage on phone also. For equipment, the devices range from $29.99 for a broadband card (which doesn’t fit every notebook) to $ (as long as the notebook has an express card slot). USB usually works best because practically every computer nowadays have USB. Broadband connection is $39.99 for 40mb usage, or $59.99 for unlimited usage. For equipment, the devices range from free to $300 plus tax as long a you commit to a 2-year agreement. Using as broadband for notebook, pricing is $39.99 as a “Phone as modem” (PAM) plan, however, unlimited data usage on phone also. For equipment, the devices range from $29.99 for a broadband card (which doesn’t fit every notebook) to $ (as long as the notebook has an express card slot). USB usually works best because practically every computer nowadays have USB. Broadband connection is $39.99 for 40mb usage, or $59.99 for unlimited usage.

Why You Should Consider Sprint Pros $59.99 for true “UNLIMITED” usage. Fastest data transmission among for mobile Internet. Also provides cell phones to act as a modem, and $20 cheaper with it. Great service, especially around Riverside, San Diego, and Orange counties. Internet anywhere If you live in an area where broadband isn’t offered (DSL / Cable), and Sprint has good service for cell phones, then this is most likely the best option. Pros $59.99 for true “UNLIMITED” usage. Fastest data transmission among for mobile Internet. Also provides cell phones to act as a modem, and $20 cheaper with it. Great service, especially around Riverside, San Diego, and Orange counties. Internet anywhere If you live in an area where broadband isn’t offered (DSL / Cable), and Sprint has good service for cell phones, then this is most likely the best option. Cons The speed varies, with it most of the time only being faster than dial-up. To utilize “broadband-like” speeds, you’d have to be in an EV-DO rev. A area. Connection isn’t really “always on.” Once you lose signal, you lose connection, just like a 56k modem. Although on, not reliable. $59.99 is pricey compared to $20- $45 for DSL and cable. If using the PAM option, cannot receive calls when on the Internet.