evdomanuals.com

Source: EVDO Blog|EVDO info

Pros

* No need to insert a card, mobile broadband always available
* Nothing to lose or damage, it is built-in

Cons

*Horrible Support (read below)
*No option for external antennas
*No options for external amplifiers
*Hard / impossible to upgrade
*If you upgrade the laptop to one without embedded EVDO, you have to pay retail for new
EVDO card
*Adds to cost of initial laptop purchase (no they are not free)
*Firmware updates / Connection Manager updates from Manufacturer NOT carrier

Some of the newer Sony, Dells, HPs and others are now including embedded EVDO as an option. On the surface, this sounds like a good idea.

But, what are the Pros & Cons of having EVDO embedded (built-in) or as an addon via PCMCIA, ExpressCard or USB?

More on Support:

I purchased a Sony TX model with embedded EVDO Rev A when it first came out (first laptop that had embedded Rev A EVDO). After we received the first one, it was working for a few days and then we started having connection problems with our Sony TX10. I decided to recover and reformat the hard drive and that DIDN’T help, the once working internal EVDO modem stopped working. I returned the unit and got a second unit.

I got the second unit working quickly and all was well. When I started having connection problems, I decided to do what is called a ##RTN which is a trick to reset the modem back to factory settings (I did this on the first unit too). Once again, we reformatted and recovered back to factory and still, we couldn’ t use the embedded EVDO device. The device would show signal strength, BUT wouldn’t connect. I knew the account was OK, because it was previously working. I just got a “Unable to update device”.

Now, here is where the “fun” begins.

Embedded EVDO modems are a lot like illegitimate children. When I called Sprint, they told me that they didn’t provide support for embedded devices, we would have to call the manufacturer. When we call Sony, do you think they have a lot of people on staff that know the internal workings of the embedded EVDO devices? Nope! So, now we get into a finger pointing contest. Bottom line, the embedded EVDO device is not working, so I reverted to using my trusty EVDO cards from Sprint and Verizon, those always work.

Now, since we are a Sprint Master Agent, and we have a lot of contacts at Sprint, I decided to see what we can find out. According to contacts within Sprint Tech Support, they confirm that if you do the ##RTN trick to reset the modem, you can actually damage the modem and you are unable to use it any more. OUCH! Here is what we found out:

“Novatel had an issue with their pre-production 720’s that caused IOTA to consistently fail after the module is refurbed using ##RTN, which sounds like what is happening here. The fix was to send the modules back to Novatel…”

I wonder how many people of embedded laptops will have the same fate? Was this a problem only with the first batch of units or is this still a problem with the current shipping units?

If you are considering getting a laptop with embedded EVDO, you might want to consider an EVDO PCMCIA, ExpressCard or USB mobile broadband device.

So… Sony, Sprint or Novatel, how can I get a replacement for my embedded EVDO modem?

MB6800 is a new 3G mobile router in TOP Global’s MobileBridge family. It leverages 3G wireless with Wi-Fi technology and offers up to 4 Ethernet ports for local computers, printers or other network devices.

Easily connection to high-speed 3G cellular networks (no additional requirements for software, drivers or interfaces) and fast implementation makes MB6800 an ideal fast Internet access solution for home and SME.

The MB6800 is 7.5″ wide, 5.5″ deep an only 1″ tall.

The MB6800 supports the following devices:

EVDO Rev. A: Sierra AC595; Novatel S720; Pantech PX-500r
EVDO: Sierra AC580, PC5220; Novatel V620, S620? XV620;Kyocera KPC650; Audiovox PC5740
HSDPA: Sierra AC860, AC850, AC875;Novatel U730, U740, XU870;Huawei E620; OPTION Trotter
UMTS:Novatel U530, U630;OPTION Fusion, GT Max;Vodafone Card

The MB68000 has the following features:

* DHCP Server
* DNS Relay
* Bridge between LAN & WLAN
* Auto-Reconnect
* Dial On Demand
* NAPT between LAN and WWAN
* IP Port Forwarding
* DMZ Support
* MAC access control
* NTP
* OFDM Technology

Industry Leading Firewall Features
* NAPT/ Port Forwarding
* SPI
* MAC Filter
* Anti-Attack
* URL Filter
* VPN pass-through for IPSec and PPTP
* WPA
* 64-bit WEP & 128-bit RC4
encryption
* Closed system

SAN DIEGO — Novatel Wireless, Inc. (Nasdaq:NVTL), a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, today announced the development of the Merlin 720 EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized) Rev A (Revision A) PC Card for next-generation broadband wireless services. After making live EV-DO Rev A data calls several weeks ago, the company has delivered working pre-commercial units to leading operators to support future global CDMA network upgrades.

Novatel Wireless’ second generation EV-DO PC Card will enable downlink speeds up to 3.1Mbps (Megabits per second) and uplink up to 1.8Mbps. This is approximately eleven times faster uplink than the currently deployed EV-DO networks. CDMA Revision A technology also incorporates quality of service controls to manage latency on the network. With the Merlin 720, operators will be able to introduce advanced multimedia data services, including data and broadcast over all IP networks. Commercial shipments of the Merlin 720 are currently expected to begin in the third quarter of 2006.

“Our delivery of pre-commercial Merlin 720 PC Cards ahead of schedule demonstrates our commitment to leading the way in our core PC Card market, while simultaneously diversifying into additional markets,” said Peter Leparulo, CEO of Novatel Wireless. “We look forward to even further expanding our position as the market leader in EV-DO PC Cards in North America as we migrate to Rev A with the Merlin 720.”

Verizon on Thursday launched the V740 ExpressCard. The Novatel-made adapter links any current notebook PC with an ExpressCard 34 or 54 slot to Verizon’s mobile Internet network, including its recently launched EVDO Revision A service with up to 800Kbps real-world downloads and 400Kbps uploads.

The card works with any recent Windows PC and will also work with MacBook Pros through either a separate driver or those included with Apple’s own WWAN update. Verizon sells the card online today for $180 and will carry it in retail stores on March 30th; 3GStore is already offering pre-orders for the card at $110.

V740 ExpressCard Features Superior Wireless Broadband Connectivity for Verizon Wireless Customers..

SAN DIEGO and BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Novatel Wireless, Inc., a leading provider of wireless broadband access solutions, and Verizon Wireless, operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless broadband network, today announced the commercial availability of the V740 ExpressCard™. The world’s first ExpressCard to operate on Verizon Wireless’ faster wireless broadband network, based on Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Revision A (Rev. A) technology, the V740 offers advanced data speeds and connectivity, lower latency and quick, reliable access to important information.

“Novatel Wireless is committed to providing the latest in broadband wireless technology with innovations in ExpressCard products and reliable connectivity,” said Brad Weinert, acting chief executive officer and chief operating officer for Novatel Wireless. “Paired with Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess service, the V740 ExpressCard offers the latest technology available for EV-DO Rev. A networks.”

The V740 ExpressCard provides Verizon Wireless customers with access to Verizon Wireless’ flagship business data service, BroadbandAccess, which runs faster and more efficiently on Rev. A technology. Customers in Rev. A coverage areas can take advantage of upload speeds that are eight to nine times faster than that of Verizon Wireless’ existing wireless broadband network, while interacting with Web-based applications with improved latency for a better customer experience. For example, BroadbandAccess customers in enhanced broadband wireless coverage areas using the V740 ExpressCard can expect average download speeds of 600 kilobits per second (kbps) to 1.4 megabits and average upload speeds of 500-800 kbps, which means customers can download a 1 Megabyte e-mail attachment – the equivalent of a small PowerPoint® presentation or a large PDF file – in about eight seconds and upload the same-sized file in less than 13 seconds. Verizon Wireless customers can download files approximately ten times faster than customers of wireless service providers who use non-EV-DO technology.

The V740 ExpressCard’s small and light form factor is designed for use in mobile computing notebooks that support the ExpressCard 34 and/or 54 interface, as well as USB 2.0, and easily functions with Windows® (2000, XP, Vista) and Mac® (10.4.8 or higher). The intuitive user interface, via Verizon Wireless’ VZAccess Manager software, is simple to install and allows for convenient navigation through the card’s vast feature suite, in addition to allowing easy access to remote access connections and business applications. The sophisticated dual-band diversity antenna system design incorporates a flip-up antenna, maximizing data speed performance and allowing for stronger network signal reception and the V740 ExpressCard features a dual-color LED service status indicator for data throughput monitoring.

The V740 ExpressCard is $109.99 with a new two-year customer agreement or $199.99 with a new one-year customer agreement when ordering at 3Gstore.com.

Verizon Wireless and Research In Motion (RIM) are introducing the new BlackBerry 8703e operating on Verizon Wireless’ CDMA EV-DO network. Available to Verizon Wireless customers beginning Sunday, 17 September, the BlackBerry 8703e integrates advanced device hardware, software and network technologies in a handset with a full 35-key QWERTY keyboard.

The BlackBerry 8703e offers Verizon Wireless customers push e-mail, Web browsing and other mobile data applications, together with premium mobile phone features including dedicated phone keys, smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, call forwarding, built-in speakerphone for conference calls and hands-free use and Bluetooth support for use with headsets and car kits.

The large, bright, high-resolution LCD screen on the BlackBerry 8703e incorporates intelligent light sensing technology that automatically adjusts LCD and keyboard lighting levels to provide optimized viewing in indoor, outdoor and dark environments.

For corporate customers, BlackBerry Enterprise Server software tightly integrates with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise and works with existing enterprise systems to enable secure, push-based, wireless access to e-mail and other corporate data. For individuals and smaller businesses, BlackBerry Internet Service allows users to access up to ten corporate and personal e-mail accounts (including Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and most popular ISP e-mail accounts) from a single device.

Verizon Wireless customers can use their BlackBerry 8703e handset as a modem and get BroadbandAccess on Verizon Wireless’ CDMA EV-DO network. A cable connection from the BlackBerry 8703e to a laptop and a subscription to BroadbandAccess Connect gives customers the option of using Verizon Wireless’ wireless broadband service to download data.

CTIA just concluded, and as expected it was all about wireless broadband. And why not - too much money is tied into the wireless data networks and companies need to figure out how to monetize that.

We look at the forthcoming EVDO Rev A and what it means for not only the users but also for the carriers. The latest version of EV-DO, revision A, promises up download speeds up to 3.1 Mb/s, upload speeds as fast as 1.8 Mb/s, and latency as low as 50ms.

HSDPA is a competing standard for GSM networks. It is capable of download speeds up to 3.6 Mb/s and uploads of 384 Kb/s. HSDPA allows simultaneous voice and data and can downgrade to older UMTS when a newer network is not available. But HSDPA is woefully behind, not just in US but also in Europe.

Also, you Mac lovers, Novatel Wireless is about to introduce a new Express Card version of EVDO modem, probably by next month.

Sprint’s current 3G network, based on CDMA 1xRTT EV-DO Rev 0 technology covers more than a hundred cities in the USA. Verizon uses a similar technology. EV-DO Rev 0 allows download speeds up to about 1 megabit in real-life circumstances, but has very slow uploads. From there, both Sprint and Verizon are moving to EV-DO Rev A, which slightly improves download speeds and greatly improves upload speeds.

Cingular and T-Mobile are far behind in the 3G race. Cingular’s HSDPA system, which is about the same speed as EV-DO Rev 0, is only running in 18 cities. T-Mobile hasn’t deployed any form of 3G in the USA yet.

Mobile WiMax, otherwise known as 802.11e, will boost real-world download speeds to 2-4 megabits/second, said Sprint CEO, Gary Forsee.

“Much of this 4G usage will be user-generated content,” Forsee said. “Imagine accessing and building MySpace and YouTube literally on the fly.”

Sprint will make a relatively seamless transition to 4G thanks to dual-mode devices and a common applications platform across their 3G and 4G systems, Forsee said.

“As we deploy 4G services, there will be certain devices where we want to embed additional capabilities. It will be an application-based transition,” he said

The EVDO phone has evolved considerably. Telus Samsung A950 offers an all-in-one entertainment experience – with a top-quality phone, video and music all in your pocket – but now you can get something you won’t find on any other phone: XM Satellite Radio.

Does it all.
The A950 is packed with features, including a 1.3-megapixel camera with zoom and built-in flash, a camcorder with a movie light, and a built-in MP3 player with external audio controls. You can store 32MB of your favourite photos, music or video clips right on the phone, or add a micro SD memory card for even more.

There are two speakers for real stereo sound, or plug in headphones for a more private listening experience. The A950 even lets you search for new music and download it straight to your phone, so there’s no need to mess with your computer. Of course, you can also transfer MP3 files from your computer to your phone and take them with you.

The A950 works with TELUS’ lightning-fast EVDO network, with more than enough bandwidth to let you watch TELUS mobile TV™ content right on your phone.

Stay connected to your entertainment, from this planet and beyond.
With the A950, you not only get access to an amazing array of entertainment choices (such as 200,000 songs in the mobile music library), but you can also look to the skies for even more options, like satellite radio programming. Satellite radio is on 24/7, and it offers great digital audio quality and stunning variety.

TELUS mobile radio (powered by XM Satellite Radio) has 20 channels available for no extra charge to TELUS SPARK subscribers on the A950, with 18 commercial-free music channels, one talk channel and one comedy channel. If you have an ‘à la carte’ plan, you can still enjoy XM Radio for a small monthly fee. The XM content is available to cellphone users exclusively from TELUS, the first company to offer mobile satellite radio.

EVDO: the name behind the speed.
EVDO (Evolution-Data Optimized) completely changes what people thought was possible, thanks to download speeds that rival some high-speed Internet services (about 400 to 700 kbps).

This means streaming video and music are effortless for EVDO phones, and enhanced security means you can reliably and safely log into corporate networks over your phone. To do so, you can use the A950 as a wireless modem for your Bluetooth-enabled laptop. (Bluetooth is also great for wireless hands-free accessories.)

Imagine – productivity and fun, all in the same device. Let the A950 add a little SPARK to your life.

The initial design of EVDO (Evolution Date Optimized a.k.a. Evolution Data Only) was developed by Qualcomm in 1999. This was done in order to meet the IMT-2000 (International Mobile Telecommunications -2000) requirements for a method of stationary communication that has a downlink speed greater than 2Mbps (megabits per second). The objective of IMT-2000 and thus the goal of EVDO was to produce a standard for high-speed data transfer using cellular technology.

There are two currently available forms of EVDO standards. The Release 0 networks and the Revision A networks. EVDO Release 0 can drive information on EVDO ports at speeds up to 2.4Mbps and upload data a rate of 153Kbps (kilobits per second). While as the newer version of EVDO, the Revision A increases the optimum speed to 3.1Mbps for downlink and an uplink speed of 1.8Mbps. CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) cellular carriers are the most compatible with EVDO which is systemized by Sprint and Verizon Wireless, the two most popular CDMA carriers in the United States.

One of the benefits of EVDO and other cellular technologies is the ability to roam seamlessly between connection points. An EVDO connection should keep you connected to the Internet even if you are traveling in a car. However, because EVDO service is not currently available in all locations throughout the United States, you may lose an EVDO connection while traveling or drop back to the slower 1xRTT (1 times Radio Transmission Technology) service, which is limited to 144Kbps.

EVDO is available for both mobile phones and laptops. Some smartphones, such as the Palm Treo 700p ($399.99 with a two-year contract; www.palm.com), come with built-in DUN (dial-up networking), which lets you use the EVDO connection on your phone as a modem for your laptop, thereby giving you high-speed Internet access on your notebook. Another benefit to EVDO is its speed in comparison to previous technologies. Sprint claims that its Mobile Broadband service offers average wireless data speeds of 400 to 700Kbps with peak rates up to 2Mbps. Verizon claims its BroadbandAccess service offers average speeds of 400 to 700Kbps. Because EVDO signals travel over cellular lines, EVDO provides the opportunity for areas without cable-modem or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) high-speed Internet to receive Internet access. In some cases, this is the best way to provide broadband Internet access to these rural areas. Although most people do not find it cost effective to use an EVDO connection as a primary connection in rural areas, it is a good option for travelers requiring an Internet connection wherever they go.

EVDO also provides data authentication and protection, which gives users the ability to securely access a corporate VPN (virtual private network) anywhere they can receive a cellular signal. Because EVDO isn’t an open network like Wi-Fi, you’re less susceptible to security breaches. Probably one of the largest detriments to any type of cellular Internet connection is its cost. In fact, EVDO will generally add at least $60 to your monthly cellular bill. Verizon Wireless offers BroadbandAccess for $59.99 per month, with a two-year customer agreement and qualifying voice plan. Users who would prefer to connect their laptop directly to the Internet using BroadbandAccess will also need an EVDO PC card, which starts at $49.99 with a two-year agreement. Sprint’s Mobile Broadband EVDO service costs about the same as Verizon’s BroadbandAccess. At press time, Sprint was offering unlimited Mobile Broadband service for $59.99 per month with a two-year wireless agreement, and a compatible PC card for $49.99 with similar qualifications.

To connect to an EVDO network, you’ll need a compatible phone or PC card. With the phone or card in hand, install the software that will tell your notebook how to use the phone or PC card as a modem. The software will vary depending on the service provider and type of phone or card you are using, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation. After the installation is complete, you should be able to connect your phone or plug the PC card in to your notebook, initialize the connection, and begin surfing the Internet. Depending on the software and security restrictions with your carrier, you may need to enter a user name and password in order to use your EVDO service on your laptop. In some cases, using a cellular phone as a modem for your computer may disable the ability to place or receive calls on your phone. Be aware of this if you are expecting an important call.

…more about evdo