VisorCentral.com - Wireless Data Speed

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Visor General Chat (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=31)
-- Wireless Data Speed (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=9721)

Posted by nurcombe on 11-27-2000 03:32 PM:

I'm curious as to what real world speed you get out of your wireless solutions, over the pond.

I'm in the UK, so there's no chance of being able to test them out myself, but we do have a GSM phone network ('Orange') that can provides HSCSD at 28.8k, and Nokia has just released a phone ('6210') that supports this.

So as soon as I get one of the phones (next week!) I should have my own wireless data access at 28.8k, without PQA's and the need to upgrade my VDx.

How does this compare?

(Also, I apologies if this is in the wrong place, I couldn't think what the best forum would be, it's related to wireless so should it be in Springboard, but it's also about GSM & HSCSD)

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Posted by mxgian on 11-27-2000 06:05 PM:

depends on quality of connection

i've got the minstrel and as long as I have a strong connection the speed is great! pretty snappy, but if the connection is coming in and out it can be painfully slow (because it has to resend packets and requests, etc) You shouldn't have that problem with the phone. Are they billing you by the minute or the actual amount of data being sent? (like GPRS...etc, too many letters) If it's by the minute won't it get expensive? I can easily spend 10 minutes reading a website every morning, multiply by a few websites (long train ride) and I'd have 30 a day easily!

Minh

Posted by Old El Paso on 11-27-2000 06:28 PM:

Damn Yanks!!!

Over here in the states I believe we top out at 14.4 Most of our wireless "solutions" tend to be about 9600 though. We're sooooooo behind Europe as far as wireless goes it's not even funny.

OEP

Posted by Lacutis on 11-28-2000 09:09 AM:

Over here in the united states we top out at 19.2 thats the speed of the minstrel.

Posted by nurcombe on 11-28-2000 10:10 AM:

Surf by the second

quote:
Originally posted by mxgian
Are they billing you by the minute or the actual amount of data being sent? (like GPRS...etc, too many letters) If it's by the minute won't it get expensive? I can easily spend 10 minutes reading a website every morning, multiply by a few websites (long train ride) and I'd have 30 a day easily!

They bill by the second, but I have a talk plan that 'gives' me 150 minutes per month. I'm hoping this should be adequate for picking up e-mail and minor surfing. I have a ThinModem for when a phone line is available.

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Posted by MarkEagle on 11-29-2000 02:51 AM:

I just got SprintPCS with the Wireless Web option (early Christmas present to myself ). Connect time comes out of my standard minutes (1500! - Holiday Promo) and the SprintPCS network supports transmission speeds of 14.4. All I'm waiting for is the data cable for my web-enabled StarTAC.

I believe this is going to be a better option in the long run than OmniSky, YadaYada, or whatever. I say this because
1) there's only one monthly fee for voice and data,
2) the Visor and phone will always be with me, and
3) I can still use other modules anytime I want.
Plus, at this time, coverage through SprintPCS is far better than that of the others (at least in my neck of the woods).

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by LMidnight on 11-29-2000 01:22 PM:

Can anyone recommend software that accurately measures the actual connect speed?

Posted by Lacutis on 11-29-2000 03:19 PM:

Try...

http://www.dslreports.com

click tools
then speed test

Its meant for broadband, but should work for modems as well.

Posted by LMidnight on 11-29-2000 03:26 PM:

Sorry, Lacutis. I was thinking about a program for the vdx. I guess I should have been clear. Thanks, though. It looks like my connection here at work is '** Speed 397(down)/1958(up) kbps ** (At least 7 times faster than a 56k modem)'.

That would be nice on the Visor!

Posted by nurcombe on 12-01-2000 11:32 AM:

28.8kbs Over Mobile Network!!

It's true! I can achieve up to 28.8 kb/s using my mobile phone modem.

Unfortunately I have to pass some AT commands to turn this on, so I'd like to be able to set up separate modem profiles.

If anyone can help, see http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...p?threadid=9813

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Posted by DLPanther on 12-01-2000 08:45 PM:

Sprint PCS

quote:
Originally posted by MarkEagle
I just got SprintPCS with the Wireless Web option (early Christmas present to myself ). Connect time comes out of my standard minutes (1500! - Holiday Promo) and the SprintPCS network supports transmission speeds of 14.4. All I'm waiting for is the data cable for my web-enabled StarTAC.

Wouldn't it be awesome if they came out with a springboard module that worked on the SprintPCS network? Think that could happen any time soon?

__________________
DLPanther
<a href= "http://www.dlpanther.com">DLPanther's Nonsense Page</a>
"When All Else Fails, Improvise!"

Posted by dredhead on 12-04-2000 12:00 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by MarkEagle
I just got SprintPCS with the Wireless Web option (early Christmas present to myself ). Connect time comes out of my standard minutes (1500! - Holiday Promo) and the SprintPCS network supports transmission speeds of 14.4. All I'm waiting for is the data cable for my web-enabled StarTAC.

I believe this is going to be a better option in the long run than OmniSky, YadaYada, or whatever. I say this because
1) there's only one monthly fee for voice and data,
2) the Visor and phone will always be with me, and
3) I can still use other modules anytime I want.
Plus, at this time, coverage through SprintPCS is far better than that of the others (at least in my neck of the woods).

My cell phone is given to me by my company, and can be taken away at their leisure. Bastards. I didn't want my wireless data solution to be dependent on equipment that wasn't mine. For this reason, I opted for the Minstrel S (which more or less ROCKS, by the way) because should the day come when our clients no longer feel like paying for my 1000 minute package, I won't be left without a wireless option.

I see how much time I've put on my Minstrel just in the week since I got it. This doesn't include any time sitting around in airport termninals, because this was an off week for flying. I can predict that my usage online would be well over 1000 minutes per month, just in waiting for planes alone.

With the Minstrel, I get unlimited time (until the battery dies, anyway). There's no way I could afford to stay connected if I had to use a GSM phone 'n' modem, billed by the minute.

In summary:
1. There are perhaps two seperate monthly fees for voice and data, but neither one will bankrupt me (even if I get my own phone)
2. My Visor and phone are also always with me, and I can even use them at the same time ;-)
3. I can also use any module any time I want. It takes about 10 seconds to switch

I'll agree, my AT&T phone (if it were PocketNet) would have better coverage than the CDPD network that my Minstrel uses (though anywhere I go on business is well covered). But I have to believe that the coverage will improve greatly, so long as shmoes like me keep buying CDPD modems.

In the long run, the web-enabled phone WILL be the answer, only it'll have the PDA built into it too, as well as the GPS, universal remote control, and ultrasonic tooth brush. When that happens, I'll pitch my VDX and it's CDPD modem in the can. Til then, it's the cheaper and faster solution.

__________________
...the patron saint of the easily amused...

Posted by MarkEagle on 12-04-2000 01:04 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by dredhead
In summary:
1. There are perhaps two seperate monthly fees for voice and data, but neither one will bankrupt me (even if I get my own phone)
2. My Visor and phone are also always with me, and I can even use them at the same time ;-)
3. I can also use any module any time I want. It takes about 10 seconds to switch

There are pros and cons to both sides here. For me, #1 is the deciding factor right now. Wirele$$ voice and data all comes out of the same pocket... mine! Bankruptcy doesn't scare me... the Mrs. does!!!

You've got me beat on #2 since I can't use the phone while online

, but I win with #3 because I can still use most any module without giving up my connection.

If SprintPCS offered a combined service for a module like the Minstrel, I'd definitely be interested. Until then (or until a real need arises

), I'll stick to my current setup

__________________

God bless America, my home sweet home...

Posted by dredhead on 12-08-2000 04:29 AM:

quote:

If SprintPCS offered a combined service for a module like the Minstrel, I'd definitely be interested. Until then (or until a real need arises ), I'll stick to my current setup

Agreed. Any service that offered timed voice plus unlimited data would be the bomb as far as I'm concerned.

Maybe I need to move to Japan.

__________________
...the patron saint of the easily amused...

Posted by the_zerox on 12-09-2000 10:29 PM:

Australian GPRS

Jim,
Are you sure your GPRS is limited to 28k? In Australia Telstra have had wireless data access for about 2 years but using GSM it was restricted to 19.6.

They have just released GPRS at 64k but the good thing about it is you pay 'by the bit' so only what you download.

Having said that, I have not looked at the poricing plans yet or have any indictaion on how expensive it will be to pay this way.

Dean

Posted by nurcombe on 12-11-2000 09:08 AM:

GPRS itself is not limited to 28.8k, my service provider is limiting it, over their network, to this speed.

I presume so that the network does not get completely overloaded.

__________________
Regards,
Jim Nurcombe
[email protected]

Posted by ThunderRay on 12-12-2000 07:39 AM:

Future Sprint PCS speeds

For what it's worth, I recently got a piece of propaganda called the Sprint PCS News in the mail. In part, it says:

"Sprint PCS has been developing faster communications systems using a process known as �third-generation code division multiple access 1x technology� ... or 3G CDMA 1x for short. Utilizing this technology, Sprint PCS will be able to increase data speeds over the Sprint PCS Wireless Web from 14.4 kpbs (or 14,400 bits per second) up to 144 kpbs (or 144,000 bits per second) - an astounding 900% increase in speed. And that�s just the beginning.

"In addition, Sprint PCS will be conducting trials and testing of 3G 1xEV DO ... a higher generation of high-speed transmission technology. Using this new system, speeds up to 2.4 mbps (or 2,400,000 bits per second) are possible. This would mean an incredible 1,666% increase over previous speeds."

I thought I read somewhere (Qualcomm website?) that the 3G CDMA 1x will be available sometime in the first half of 2001. I'm hoping new handsets will not be required since the modems are built into the network... I, for one, prefer not to spend the money on another handset. The Mark/Space+serial phone cable setup works fine for me.

Posted by Velvet on 12-12-2000 11:12 PM:

Wireless data cable

I agree that the GSM phone/cable/Visor is going to be the better solution for many. I have a Nextel/Motorola i100+ with wireless capability, and they make a cable for all Palm models, but I have little confidence that they will look out for the Visor folk any time soon. How could I encourage them? Any ideas?

Posted by LMidnight on 12-13-2000 01:14 PM:

Here's an interesting link that would solve the ever-so-small () inconvenience of aligning the ir ports.

The only words on the whole page I understand are 'No Good' that are underneath the picture of the vdx/phone combo. There are some decent solutions, though. I think something that folds to fit into the springboard slot would be perfect. Looks like a project for this weekend.

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