[dklassen]

I have an 8703g / Verizon / full broadband package / VZAccess Manager

I use it often tethered to my laptop for internet access. I find the speed quite disappointing. It's better than dialup but that's about all. I thought this should be a lot faster than it is. I didn't expect cable modem performance but I certainly expected more that what I have now. Is there something I need to tweak?

[Dodge DeBoulet]

Are you in a 1XRTT or EVDO area? If the former, your signal power indicator will have a "1X" next to it.

EVDO is 5-10x faster than 1XRTT.

[dklassen]

It says 1XEV. Hum.. just my luck.

[Jack T. Chance]

1xEV or EVDO on your screen means you're getting EV-DO. Average down speed on EV-DO is 400-700 kbps, equivalent to basic 768 k DSL service. But if the system is seeing heavy usage in your area, your speeds may be lower, just like with DSL.

1xRTT, on the other hand, is LOUSY with a capital LOUSY! Speeds are roughly equivalent to dial-up, so if you find yourself in an area with only 1xRTT, you'll know it!

To test what kind of speed you're getting, point your browser to PCPitstop.Com and run their download speed test. It'll give you a good approximation of your current speed.

Good luck with everything!

[apple85]

DK,
1XEV is what Dodge is referring to. You are getting EVDO and presumably be recieving the speeds that EVDO can handle. Maybe call Verizon and their towers are having trouble. I find whenever I have an issue with Verizon service itself that they are willing to issue a trouble ticket...

[Dodge DeBoulet]

As others have pointed out, you're in an EVDO area, which is good.

One of the differences between EVDO and true "Broadband" services (DSL, Cable) at comparable data rates is that EVDO has much greater latency. It's less suitable for interactive stuff like PCAnywhere/Citrix or request/response activity such as that found on complex web pages, than low-latency hardwired services. Non-interactive stuff like file downloads will be roughly equivalent in performance, though.

I don't see EVDO/BroadbandAccess as a replacement for Broadband in the home. It's a way to get close to Broadband speeds regardless of your location . . .

[NJBlackBerry]

Just a thought - aren't COM port speeds capped at 115kbps? That is lower that what you are probably seeing with EVDO. I know that with an EVDO card, you get significantly higher speeds.

[Dodge DeBoulet]

Originally Posted by NJBlackBerry

Just a thought - aren't COM port speeds capped at 115kbps? That is lower that what you are probably seeing with EVDO. I know that with an EVDO card, you get significantly higher speeds.

Just curious, have you seen that yourself? I did some benchmarking with my 8703e at random times throughout the day, and was seeing throughput of between 930 and 1100 Kb/s. I don't think the Aircards get too much better than that . . .

[NJBlackBerry]

I don't have an EVDO based BB, so I can't test it.
I have never gotten 930-1100 even using an Aircard.