Comments on: Who Wants to be My Mobile Broadband Provider?

By: Wes

Wes — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 16:16:54 +0000

I’ve tried Sprint, obtained through Millenicom (no taxes, no contract) but Millenicom relied on Sprint’s service maps which are an out-and-out lie. (I’m using this for home service as there is no cable, no DSL, etc. here) They promise EVDO Rev A, but usually I get 1xRTT.

Also the modem supplied is a USB device from Franklin (CDU680) whose performance is less than stellar. To be sure, with the signal levels available, the modem has a difficult chore but the way this thing drops connections and then just sits there without searching is baffling. A dropped connection sometimes requires closing the modem manager and restarting, at which time it connects again, so signal is there, it just doesn’t look for it. (Emails to their tech support have gone unanswered)

Also, laptop users take note. One USB port on my laptop will not power the Franklin modem. They actually supply a “Y” cable to use two ports for power. Not good it you have only one available.

This is no reflection on Millenicom, they have tried very hard to be helpful, but you can’t make a silk purse out of a pig’s ear.

By: Heather

Heather — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:51:07 +0000

We have been with AT&T for our cell phone needs since the time they were Bellsouth Mobility DCS in this area (upstate SC). They then became Cingular and after that AT&T bought them so now they are AT&T. Service is great, the iPhone comes in very handy and can get online practically anywhere. We do not, however, have our laptops connecting via wireless broadband–we simply use wifi hotspots when traveling.
For wireless broadband for your computer, check out Sprint and T-Mobile.

By: C.C. Chapman

C.C. Chapman — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:39:57 +0000

I ended up getting a UB727 from Sprint. They had the hardest time getting it to work on the laptop. But, I had a VERY helpful sales rep get on the phone and try to get it fixed. The official word he was told that the modem should be activated on a PC and then plugged into the mac. He couldn’t believe that was the answer.

What I found out that you need to do (and this is NOT said anywhere) is that you have to put in your Sprint e-mail address and password to make it work on the mac. This was actually on my paperwork. No one told me I had a Sprint address, but after my business partner went through the same thing I knew what to do.

So I can confirm that this works great with my Macbook Pro with Leopard installed, but the set up does not work as it is listed in the documentation.

By: Ben Jones

Ben Jones — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:13:25 +0000

My USB720, frustratingly, is not working with Leopard – great service until this moment, with no accountable party for my woes.

By: PookaKoo

PookaKoo — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 13:33:17 +0000

I have a MacBook Pro and I use the USB720 from Verizon. It works everywhere. Even in the sticks of Downeast Maine. But I have to confess I have not yet upgraded to Leopard. That’s the only unknown. But honestly I doubt the OS will be an issue–my gut feeling. I’ve been a Verizon air card user for a year and I wouldn’t give it up for anything.

By: Scott Schablow

Scott Schablow — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:20:49 +0000

CC,
I travel frequently and must have continuous access. I have a MacBook Pro and I connect via Bluetooth with my phone. It works everywhere (except one particular beach house – that’s intentional) and it works flawlessly. My phone is an HTC 8525, released by Cingular and have since upgraded to the AT&T software. The 3G speed is incredible. In fact if our network is lagging at the office I’ll sometimes unplug and use my phone. The setup on the Mac took about 5 minutes and I’ve been happy ever since.

By: Bill Burle

Bill Burle — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 14:19:21 +0000

CC-

It might be well worth the wait for Sprint’s “Metro PCS”.

Best I can tell, this is Xohm technology with a new name, which is _killer_ wireless broadband.

Bill Burke
Http://wirelessspeech.blogspot.com

By: Bill Cammack

Bill Cammack — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 01:20:52 +0000

I haven’t upgraded to Leopard, but my Verizon V740 Rev A ExpressCard works flawlessly in cities, in the sticks, standing still or 70mph.

http://ustream.tv/myvideos/Pz5MYrx9eoJ913yT72zCIg
http://ustream.tv/myvideos/Q03gj25,fcBD8.jUzbGW0Q

I’ll assume you don’t have an expresscard slot, though, since you’re looking at USB solutions.

By: SteveB

SteveB — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:46:24 +0000

Sprint’s your only alternative; I switched to Sprint 6 months ago and have been quite pleased – albeit on (shame) a WinXP PC. tMobile (my preferred voice wireless provider) does not provide higher than Edge speed – which isn’t broadband. I would search for the USB or ExpressCard modem first – then get the service. Word is that the Merlin EX720
is OK.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:45:56 +0000

CC,

I was going to suggest Sprint as well. They have great EVDO coverage and don’t limit you as to what you can do on mobile broadband unlike AT&T.

By: PhillyMac (Phillip)

PhillyMac (Phillip) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:37:16 +0000

Hey CC,

My friend Judi (judis217 on twitter) or judi [at] momathome [dot] com uses Sprint with her MacBook pro. It’s a Sierra AirCard. She says it works great.

Shalom,
Phillip