Well, now that the data issues with Sprint have been resolved, I can do a detailed writeup of my data tests between Sprint and Verizon wireless EVDO data services.

Let’s face it, WiFi access points aren’t always where they’re needed. At times it can be quite annoying to have to take time and set up a connection, make payment (for access points that charge a fee), find oneself in awkward spots to get a decent signal, and often find that many WiFi hotspots are crowded with users, and slow to work as a result. While finding a good free hotspot is a welcome surprise, I’ve found that the majority of the time, WiFi isn’t always practical, and I need a good, fast internet connection on the fly.

Enter wireless WAN networks. Currently, the networks that are built out the broadest in the US are CDMA EVDO networks, run by Sprint and Verizon Wireless. These networks typically offer speeds that come close to “budget” DSL, or about 768kbps on the downlink. Not exactly as high as a good home broadband connection, but it’s far better than dialup, and will certainly do in a pinch. And after I found myself in a few situations where internet access on my laptop would have REALLY been a good thing, I took the plunge with EVDO.

I have been using Verizon Wireless’ BroadbandAccess service for several months now. It has proven to be an indespensable tool for mobile internet access. The problem is price. Even at Verizon’s current promotional rates ($59.99 per month with a voice plan), a customer’s monthly cell phone bill can reach triple digits after taxes and fees, even under the lowest priced voice plan offered. While this can easily pay off for someone who regularly is mobile and uses the service very frequently, it’s not such a great deal for someone who has a demand for this service only once every few months or so.

Enter Sprint. While Sprint offers a similarly-priced plan for Wireless data card, they are offering, for a limited time, a plan for $39.99/month that allows one to connect an EVDO-enabled phone to a computer for use as a modem, for unlimited usage. Combined with their much lower basic voice plan of $29.99 a month (which incidentally, offer “fair and flexible” minute add-ons and night minutes that start at 7:00 PM), a Sprint user can stand to save $30 a month over Verizon Wireless’ offering.

But, how do the two compare? Is one faster over the other, or better implemented? And the pressing question: will the cheaper option offer at least the same level or service and reliability, or or it really true that you get what you pay for? I sought answers to the questions.

I tethered a Verizon BB7130e, and a Sprint Samsung MM-A900 to a laptop in an area with full signal (maximum bars showing on each device), using each carrier’s respective connection software. I then conducted three speed tests each using dslreports.com’s Mobile speed test (http://www.dslreports.com/mspeed), dslreports’ full Java speed test (http://www.dslreports.com/stest, I used the nac.net test as it was the closest to my location).
The tests were conducted between 5:00 and 5:10 p.m. on April 27, 2006 in what is arguably one of the nation’s busiest and most crowded wireless markets: the New York City MSA. Note that your area may be configured differently and thus, have different results; I felt the New York MSA would be a significant challenge and would test the networks at their heaviest-loaded. All tests were done using a USB connection from the laptop to the wireless phone. I refrained from using Bluetooth for this test because

1. the Blackberry 7130e doesn’t support Blueooth DUN, and

2. Earlier tests I’ve done with Bluetooth show that you cannot reach EVDO’s full
speed potential with it.
The laptop used was an IBM ThinkPad T42, running Windows XP. It was disconnected from all other network connections during each test, and the the built in WiFi was turned off.

First up: the Verizon Wireless Blackberry 7130e.

The Blackberry 7130e is a phone designed for tethering. It does have the requirement that a Blackberry service plan be included, but combining this with the $15 BBA Connect plan brings the price to about the same cost as a regular Wireless data card plan. I used VerizonWireless’ VZAccess software to access the network.

Interestingly, the software detected that I also had a connection set up and ready for Sprint. I did not attempt to access this account rhough the software, however.

I then separately tested the Samsung MM-A900:

Using Sprint’s sleeker-looking Vision connection manager:

The Mobile speed test results were: (The mobile test only measures download speeds, not upload.)

Test #    Verizon               Sprint
-----------------------------------------
1.        354 kb/s              679 kb/s
2.        594 kb/s              422 kb/s
3.        574 kb/s              564 kb/s
------------------------------------------
AVERAGE:  507.33333 kb/s        555 kb/s

The full JAVA test results were: (listed as downlink/uplink speeds)

Test #     Verizon               Sprint
---------------------------------------------
1.         612/126 kb/s         679/163 kb/s
2.         188/98  kb/s         393/126 kb/s
3.         442/175 kb/s         592/119 kb/s
---------------------------------------------
AVERAGE:   414/133 kb/s         554.6667/136 kb/s

Looking at the raw numbers the speeds seem relatively close, but the overall averages show Sprint seems to have a sigificant edge in download speed. Uplink speeds seem about equal. Also, I tried to do a raw download speed test with Verizon and Sprint, downloading a 64MB binary executable file using an ftp site with known good bandwidth. For Sprint, the transfer started out at about 390kbps, but then steadily climbed over 15 seconds to a peak speed of 748kbps and stayed there, occasionally bursting to 771kbps. Impressive! I can easily seem myself not even bothering with WiFi connections in favor of this, unless of course the WiFi was free to use, and not already crowded with other traffic. This just about matches a bare-bones, budget-priced 768kbps DSL connection. Unfortunately, I could NOT test Verizon’s BroadbandAccess using this method. It appears Verizon’s service blocks active ftp transfers. I could not get passive mode working either, alas. However, I’m not surprised, considering Verizon Wireless’ stance on tethered EVDO (even when paying full price for it), which states:

“Unlimited NationalAccess/BroadbandAccess services cannot be used (1) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (2) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, Voice over IP (VoIP), automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, or (3) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections.”

I can see this as a huge negative. So I guess from a purely technical perspective, Sprint wins my version of the shootout.

Sprint wins on price too: for a limited time, Sprint is offering the unlimited “Phone As Modem” add-on for $39.99 a month with a voice plan (some of which start as low as $29.99). With just the basics, you’re paying $69.98 plus taxes and fees on Sprint. With Verizon, the unlimited tethering plan is $59.99 with a voice plan, the lowest of which is offered at $39.99. Total cost for just the basics with Verizon: $99.98 Verizon DOES win on customer service though. My BroadbandAccess setup was established on Verizon in mere minutes and was handled correctly and thoroughly on the very first call. With Sprint I had enormous problems wading through the mess they call customer service, and my EVDO service was incorrectly provisioned and stayed that way for almost three days before someone was able to figure out what the problem was and get it corrected.

So, those are my results. Interpret the numbers as you see fit.