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We tested AT&T Wireless EDGE network using a Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB GC83 EDGE PC Card, which AT&T Wireless offers for free with a two-year unlimited-access contract.
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We tested AT&T Wireless EDGE network using a Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB GC83 EDGE PC Card, which AT&T Wireless offers for free with a two-year unlimited-access contract.
The GC83 has a short detachable antenna and, like all GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications)-based phones and access cards, a slot for a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module). We were able to swap a SIM between the EDGE and UMTS cards we tested to try both out using a single account.
Using the GC83 to access the AT&T Wireless EDGE network, we experienced an average downstream transfer rate of 94K bps and average ping latency of 745 milliseconds. In comparison, the ping latency were accustomed to on our production network typically stays below 100 ms.
We first tested AT&T Wireless UMTS network using Novatel Wireless Inc.s Merlin U520 wireless PC Card modem, which AT&T sells for $149 with a two-year unlimited-access service agreement.
Using the U520 on the UMTS network, we experienced the lowest ping latency of any of the services we tested—an average of 369 ms. This translated into snappier performance, particularly when browsing Web pages.
As advertised, the UMTS network was fast—in most locations, we experienced downstream transfer rates averaging 190K bps. But we came across a few areas in which the rates we measured dropped to about 28K bps.
We also tested the UMTS network with a Motorola Inc. A845 handset, which AT&T Wireless sells for $299. We were able to use the A845s built-in Bluetooth radio to connect to the UMTS network from our test notebook and from the Bluetooth-enabled PalmOne Inc. and Microsoft Pocket PC handheld devices with which we tested. We were impressed to find that, while our laptop was connected to the Internet via the A845s Bluetooth radio, we could also make a voice call without encountering a loss of transfer speed on our data connection or a loss of quality on the voice connection.
Both the GC83 and U520 worked with a connection manager application called AT&T Wireless Communication Manager 4.1.
Communication Manager can also manage Wi-Fi links. We appreciated being given the option of continuing to manage our Wi-Fi links separately, but since this tool could automatically swap among preferred networks, we were happy to hand over the reins. During tests, when we were in range of one of our preselected Wi-Fi links, Communication Manager used that link, switching over to the UMTS or the EDGE network only when Wi-Fi was not available.
AT&T Wireless offers an $80-per-month plan for unlimited access that applies both to the EDGE and UMTS services.
Senior Analyst Jason Brooks can be reached at jason_brooks@ziffdavis.com.