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Sprint Mobile Broadband USB Modem -- Novatel Wireless U720

Product Summary

The first USB modem for high speed EV-DO Rev. A cell data networks makes blazing connections with both PCs and Macs.

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Product Summary | JiWire's Review

By Becky Waring (Updated 12/29/06)

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JiWire's Quick Take

Likes
EV-DO Rev. A provides cell data speeds yet, no card slot required, reliable connections, very good Windows connection utility, works on OS X Macs, external antenna port, built-in GPS receiver for future use.

Dislikes
Rev. A coverage area still ramping up, upload speeds disappointing, Mac support not official yet, bulky Y cable needed for maximum performance.

Good for
Ultraportable and MacBook owners without PC Card slots, who want the fastest broadband cell data service available.

Bad for
Slot-equipped laptop users will find a Rev. A cell data card to be the more convenient way to go. PC Cards are available now, and ExpressCards will be coming soon.

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EVDO Info "When we first heard of the Ovation U720, we thought that a USB device could possibly not "keep up" with a PCMCIA EVDO Card. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the performance of the Novatel U720 vs. Merlin U720 PCMCIA card....During our testing of the U720 vs. the S720, we saw comparable downwload and upload speeds. The only difference we saw, was the S720 has slightly better ping times. When we were not at busy airports, we regularly saw speeds over 1Mbps."

Basic Specs

WIRELESS
Compliant Standards	CDMA: 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev. 0, EV-DO Rev. A

Typical Throughput	450-800 Kbps downstream; 300-400 Kbps upstream in Rev. A coverage areas

Frequency Bands	CDMA 800/1900 MHz