Making the jump to EVDO mobile broadband

Previously I’ve been using my Blackberry tethered to my laptop as a modem.  Which worked rather well, but a little fiddly, but the data speeds were capped to the 1X level (few hundred k of download/upload).  This gave me decent connectivity in Canada, but in the US, I didn’t even try.  Why?  Because the data rate for that level of connection would just be prohibitively expensive.  Canadian data plans didn’t provide for Canadian roaming, not affordably and certainly not as an unlimited data plan.  That is until now.

Unlimited data, IMHO, is the only thing that really makes sense for a mobile broadband card.  The idea is anywhere, anytime mobility and internet access.  Keeping an eye on your bandwidth is a pain.  So much to my surprise, and geeky glee, I found this limited-time offer plan from Telus called Connect 100.  What do you get?  Unlimited data in Canada and the US and unlimited access to the Telus wifi HotSpots around Canada.  All for $100/mo (actually $107 with access fees).

In a later post I’m going to talk about my experience buying the card–a great lesson in customer service–but let’s get into the nuts and bolts of this EVDO card (at least my first day of having it).

Which EVDO mobile broadband card?

I opted for the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595.  It’s a PCMCIA card (full-size) because that’s what my laptop has.  Yes, I could have gone for the USB model and I happen to have an x54 adapter, but I just wanted the convenience of a slot-based card (once it’s in, it stays in).

This card is ready for (and looks like I don’t have to update) EVDO Rev A and even comes with a nice little case for it.  Sure it’s big, but hey that’s okay with me.  One thing I didn’t think of is that this bugger has it’s own phone number.  Of course it does, you answer, it’s a freakin’ cell phone essentially.

The software install, as I would  expect under Vista, didn’t go smoothly.  The install on the CD didn’t work, but I figured I’d have to download the latest software from Sierra regardless.  So with the latest stuff and the little vbscript dll registration that is often required for Vista, I was off and running.

Activation was no problem.  The auto worked just ducky (I did have an activation code just in case) and I was ready to connect.

Connection, easy.  One button click on the Sierra Wireless Watcher and I was golden.

How fast is EVDO in the real world–the connection question

The big question is performance, of course.  On the EVDO Rev A network I’m looking at about a meg down and a few hundred k up which is about DSL speed.  Thus far I’m happy with the experience for my day to day stuff.

IM, email, surfing, all pretty good.  I haven’t done much RSS yet on this connection and this is the first post through the connection.

I’m not the only one looking at this at either.  WirelessNorth had a post yesterday on how good, affordable mobile broadband can be a gamer changer for connectivity:Wirelessnorth.ca » Blog Archive » Mobile broadband is a revelation.  BTW, on a three year contract I only paid $49 for this card.  Which is a sweet deal.

I went through Tom Harris Cellular and because of their tell a friend promotion you can get $10 off from them if you mention my name and cell number.  I also, disclosure here, get a $10 gift card and they donate $10 to charity to boot.  If you want to take advantage of this deal, leave a comment and I’ll email you the number for this card so you can use that.

Update Apr 15: Wow.  Just wow.  I’ve been putting this bugger through it’s paces for a week now and yeah it rocks.  I’ve even done voice calls over Skype … not a problem.  Even connecting to a POTS toll-free number.  This was a great decision.

Image source Telus Mobility

Post from: EveryJoe

Buying a Telus EVDO Rev A mobile broadband card–first experiences