Amazing 4G Speeds From a USB Modem

In early October, we traveled to Baltimore to witness the launch of the first 4G network in the country: Sprint Nextel's (S) WiMAX-based Xohm service.

At that time, journalists were given glimpses of special test laptops and a home modem that provided super-fast data download speeds. What we witnessed was very impressive. But it was a hands-off demo. We could take pictures, but we couldn't take units and do our own testing.

All that has changed. Sprint Nextel has announced a new Xohm/WiMAX modem -- this one is a USB, plug-in 3G/4G dual mode model. We have tested the device in the New York City area (on Sprint's 3G EV-DO network) and we were very impressed. Then we drove back to Baltimore and ran our own unsupervised speed tests. We were blown away with the results.

Sprint's New 4G Speed Demon

The modem in question here is Sprint's new U300 modem. It is made for Sprint by Franklin Wireless. It's very easy to use. You install the software from the included mini-CD, plug the modem into any open USB port and you're on your way. The software, called Sprint SmartView, first looks for a 4G "WiMAX" signal, and if/when it doesn't find one, it connects to Sprint's 3G EVDO Rev A (or 2G in rare instances) "Mobile" network.

Using the U300 modem on the EVDO network is fast. Actually, it's faster than using a similar USB modem on AT&T's (T) 3G/HSDPA network (the same one that the Apple iPhone 3G uses). Maybe it's the locations where we tested (lower Manhattan, upper Manhattan and Suffolk County, Long Island) but in all three test locations, EVDO was the clear speed winner.