XT datacards

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Zeon

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#34880 31-May-2009 11:45

Hey Guys,
Anyone had any experience with the new XT data access devices? I can't seem to figure out why one would get the Sierra Wireless one over the Telecom branded data device. Are they good in terms of reliability, easy to connect/consistently work.

We currently have some older generation 3g (384kbps) Vodafone ones which are horribly unreliable (I think they are Huawei branded).

Cheers!

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#220078 31-May-2009 11:52

Have a read of freitasm's blog and see the comments:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/freitasm/6517

Sierra Wireless make a very good product and I would be inclined to purchase the 885U over the Telecom MF636 simply because of the brand and past experience with their products (I could count on one hand how many faulty Sierra Wireless 595/7 devices I have seen). I'm not sure on the Telecom ZTE device in terms of reliability, but it should be ok.

I guess you could say the Sierra Wireless 885U is a business grade device.

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sson013

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#220080 31-May-2009 12:10

I went on the 24 month 3GB contract so the SW cost $50 instead of getting the Telecom one for free.

3 Reasons for SW one

1. Higher subsidy on SW
2. Well respected brand vs relative unknown
3. It has a little screw hole which you can attach a third party attennae for extra signal gain.

Pinkfish

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#220111 31-May-2009 12:54

XT data seems to work fine in my Dell mini-9 from Vodafone.

scottjpalmer

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#220138 31-May-2009 15:24

Another option for laptop users is to check if your device has a WWAN miniPCIE slot and the relevant antennas built in. You can then buy a a module off ebay cheap 2nd hand and avoid the hassle of having to plug in a USB or otherwise device and carry said device with you.

I have put a Novatel Wireless EU870D in my Dell XPS M1330 and it is working great. I was limited for choice as Dell lock the BIOS to only take the modules they supply so I only get 384k or whatever it is upload but it works well.

caldazar

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#220142 31-May-2009 15:42

Great, I have a Novatel XU870 - it looks like this should work then? (going off specs I see on Novatel's website).

I'll probably pick up a prepay sim this week.

scottjpalmer

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#220146 31-May-2009 15:52

caldazar: Great, I have a Novatel XU870 - it looks like this should work then? (going off specs I see on Novatel's website).

I'll probably pick up a prepay sim this week.

Should be fine though there is a possibility that the 850MHz UMTS isn't enabled in the firmware - I've struck this sort of issue with both a Novatel Wireless USB stick modem and a Novatel Wireless miniPCIE WWAN module.

zonky

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#220790 2-Jun-2009 11:58

No complaints with the ZTE device here. Only reasons to consider spending more:

You want the future faster speeds, when available, offered by the firmware upgrade that Sierra Wireless are already offering for other international networks. (AT&T is already posted?).

The possibility for an higher-gain antenna.

I guess you could say the Sierra Wireless 885U is a business grade device.

Why? Does the ZTE device not meet the advertised specs in some way we should be aware of?

Are there higher level of service guaranteed?

Is the warranty different? I find this a very curious statement to make.

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nzbnw

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#220792 2-Jun-2009 12:05

zonky:

Why? Does the ZTE device not meet the advertised specs in some way we should be aware of?

Are there higher level of service guaranteed?

Is the warranty different? I find this a very curious statement to make.

No, it's just that the Sierra Wireless devices are well known for their reliability. i'm not saying there is anything wrong with the ZTE device's.

nzbnw

scottjpalmer

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#220794 2-Jun-2009 12:06

Compare it loosely to buying a Teac TV or a Panasonic one.

One costs twice as much but they have similar specs, similar warranty, blah blah blah.

You may get exactly the same performance, support, lifetime, etc from it, but if you don't you accept it has having got what you paid for.

caldazar

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#220818 2-Jun-2009 12:44

Should be fine though there is a possibility that the 850MHz UMTS isn't enabled in the firmware - I've struck this sort of issue with both a Novatel Wireless USB stick modem and a Novatel Wireless miniPCIE WWAN module.

I guess there isn't an easy way to check if it is enabled? Oh well, I'll just buy a prepay sim and hope for the best.

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#220822 2-Jun-2009 12:47

caldazar:I guess there isn't an easy way to check if it is enabled? Oh well, I'll just buy a prepay sim and hope for the best.

Do a manual network scan and see if it picks up Telecom - you may strike it unlucky and detect a 2100MHz site of course, where are you located?

caldazar

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#220838 2-Jun-2009 13:14

I'm in Auckland CBD currently. It picks up another operator with 3G, listed as "Unknown". 850Mhz doesn't come up as an option when selecting the band... I guess I might have to get hold of some unbranded software rather than Vodafone's Mobile Connect.

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#220840 2-Jun-2009 13:18

caldazar: I'm in Auckland CBD currently. It picks up another operator with 3G, listed as "Unknown". 850Mhz doesn't come up as an option when selecting the band... I guess I might have to get hold of some unbranded software rather than Vodafone's Mobile Connect.

Hmmm . . .

You probably need to try it in a few places, out in the suburbs or preferably out rural to see if the "Unknown" shows up there too.

But yes, getting hold of an unbranded utility would be good, good luck though, Novatel Wireless doesn't make that easy :-(

EDIT: That one you see there could also be 2degrees

caldazar

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#220841 2-Jun-2009 13:21

Yeah, I think I may have located an unbranded utility... will do some testing and if I get it working will post a thread with the details.

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#220845 2-Jun-2009 13:24

caldazar: Yeah, I think I may have located an unbranded utility... will do some testing and if I get it working will post a thread with the details.

I have got an unbranded version of MobiLink Lite, the latest version I believe, but that doesn't allow frequency selection. I also have a recent copy of Telstras MobiLink software which does. If you want either PM me.

EDIT: You may need to find some generic firmware too, I'm not sure what the VF firmware does to your ability to use unbranded software.

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