Sprint's new mobile broadband routers pack WiMAX and 3G, MiFi looks on in jealousy
By Paul Miller 
posted August 5th 2009 11:26AM
posted August 5th 2009 11:26AM
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posted August 5th 2009 11:26AM
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Annnnnd.. the service still packs that 5GB monthly limit just like any other service like this does.
but the 4G plan is unlimited and the 3G/4G plan for business is now unlimited
yeah, I really don't understand that neither. I mean, why are these carriers releasing devices that expressly enable multiple devices to suck down data if they only cap it at 5GB a month? Do the people that buy these things KNOW what they're getting themselves into beforehand, or after they see their first months bill?
crazy
No shit.. unlimited for 4G you say? Hmm.. that makes the whole deal a bit more enticing...
The 4G is still in very limited areas. When they expand to the point of the 3G coverage, we will probably see Sprint change the definition of "unlimited" to a set monthly max before charging per MB.
If they want to make a profit, fine. Just don't feed us BS that bandwidth hogs are the reason for the 5GB monthly limit and then sell routers that will increase bandwidth usage per account. If they would just say they are doing it for the money I would at least have some respect for them.
I am not from the states so this may be a stupid question but, wouldn't business or even personal users be better off and maybe a little richer getting just a normal broadband connection going into their buildings then using a wireless router? This doesn't exactly look portable and I don't have the urge to connect all my devices to the internet while on the road. I could always tether my phone and have internet on my laptop, instead of carrying around a wireless router with me everywhere.
Extreme worst case scenario, I can convert my phone into a wireless router using the data from my service provider and create a hot spot, if I do want to connect multiple devices.
The idea is that this will replace your home broadband and give you broadband speeds anywhere in the coverage area. You'd have the router at home and then a WiMAX equipped device for traveling with regular 3G data services when you out of WiMAX coverage.
I personally like it and really hope to see it take off, and not just because I'd like to tell Comcast/RCN/Time Warner etc to suck it.
Being anonymous; an endangered phase.
@ Bryan
Yes, they want to make money. That is the ultimate goal of almost all businesses.
Is latency any better on a 4G network? I know latency will vary depending on location, time of day, (maybe even signal strength?), but I can usually expect upwards of 300-400ms latency tethered to my phone on EVDO. It can get as high as 700-1000ms. While just browsing or downloading isn't impacted much by that, playing online games because borderline impossible with latency like that.
It's kind of sad that a game that only really needs about 10 KB/s of bandwidth is unplayable because of latency.
That's your phone introducing the latency I bet... I moved this year and didn't have internet for two weeks... I had a usb aircard (sierra wireless i think) i borrowed from a friend and I was able to play COD4 and have about a 100-150ms ping on most servers.
Typical 3G (HSPA/EVDO) latency is about 350-550ms (depending on distance to the tower, number of users, etc). Typical Wimax latency is about 180ms with occasional dips to 50-75ms.
Hmmmm.... go go Engadet comments? mine didn't post... I'll try again... :P
I said : Cradlepoint has a bunch of different routers, some even just have USB, so any aircard will work. Deathstar, Big V, etc.
Those CradlePoint things are GREAT (yes, I have one). You can connect it to your phone (I use USB) and share your phone's 3G to anyone in the area...
http://www.cradlepointstore.com/ is the link, direct - you can find the prices more competitive is you search....
Enjoy!
thanks for enlightening me on that. wasn't questioning the business practice so much as I was wondering if people that buy these things know the type of limits they have.
Meh, definately needs more antenne.
Four Wifi connections? Seriously? In my house with only two people we have two laptops, two iPhones, two Tivos, an Apple TV, a Wii, etc all on Wifi. And I can only imagine there will be more in the future. I don't see how a need for more than four connections defines me as a "business" user.
is that ketchup??
Funny. People think they actually need net access while sitting on the crapper in a Greyhound. Unplug once in a while FFS.
I hate to chime in with a inconsequential comment...but I own this thing and it rocks. I've had it now for over 6 months.
Speed on clearwire tops out at 2mb according to their website. Painful if you want to do things like HD streaming, downloading anything, or have >1 user...
@ Randomness
www.clear.com
I've tested just over 13Mbps here while mobile in Portland, Oregon...
http://www.speedtest.net/result/488788511.png
http://www.speedtest.net/result/472020282.png
What's the difference between clearwire.com and clear.com?
But ... why would Amazon be selling REFURBISHED Cradlepoint MBR-1000's already ???
the Cradlepoint MBR-1000 is not new, it has been around for several months, we have been using them on marketing street tours for awhile. The MBR-1100 is new, and much better, it automatically switches between 4G and 3G depending on availability, the MBR-1000 will automatically downgrade to 3G when 4G is not available but will NOT automatically upgrade to 4g if it becomes available again. (you have to do a hard reset.)