Hi guys. Can you tel me if the 8800 performs better as a tethered modem with verizon or cingular as a provider? Is there a clear cut answer? Thanks!

EVDO on Verizon is significantly faster than EDGE. One would assume that would transfer over to modem use as well.

I agree with John Clark.

Hi John. I am a noob. So just to verify, data access for the 8800 uses EVDO if you have verizon, and EDGE if you have cingular?

Almost correct.
Cingular/AT&T has an 8800. There is no 8800 for Verizon. Verizon has an 8830. Different device entirely.

The 8830 uses EVDO and the 8800 uses EDGE.

I wouldn't say that they are entirely different, just mostly different. I mean there is a GSM radio in the 8830. It doesn't support domestic GSM bands, but it is there.

I support customers on 3 carriers... Verizon, Nextel/Sprint & Cingular...
When I EA customers on Verizon, it is ripping fast!

EDGE speeds are 50-90 kbps average, 235 kbps max or up to about 285-300 kbps on modified towers.

EVDO average is 400-800 kbgp and about 3.1 mbps max on Rev A.

Keep in mind however, that speed is related to the connection, the processor, available memory, distance to the tower and tower congestion. Also, voice always has the priority over data.

Different processors, different radios. It's really enough from a practical standpoint to make them two completely different models (hence the difference in model numbers). It's nothing like the 8700c versus 8700g.

random question, along the same lines here though....but is there speedtest I can run directly from the browser on my 8830? link?

You're entitled to disagree.
I still stand by my previous statement.

I am getting about 100 kpbs while tethered. I am reading the speed off my Mac. Anyone know how to get the 400 to 800K speeds I have heard about?

And anyone know of a link to test speeds directly from the BB browser?

As I said, there are a lot of variables in play here. Not sure if any of the speed tests will be very accurate. One I know of for cable and DSL is Rioplex Broadband - Bandwidth Meter