Thursday, June 20, 2013

Band 4 AWS(1700/2100MHz) – Operators and UEs

Band 4 (AWS 1700/2100MHz) is used in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Chile. It replaces some of the spectrum formerly allocated to Multipoint Multichannel Distribution Service (MMDS), sometimes referred to as Wireless Cable, which existed from 2150 to 2162 MHz. The AWS band uses microwave frequencies in two segments: from 1710 to 1755 MHz for uplink, and from 2110 to 2155 MHz for downlink. The service is intended to be used by mobile devices such as wireless phones for mobile data, video, and messaging services.

Now, AWS has become "an essential LTE band for LTE roaming support in North America and Latin America, advancing AWS as a solid candidate for one of the essential seven or eight LTE bands deemed critical for global roaming LTE devices and services," said the Current Analysis report.

List of countries / operators with LTE AWS networks or plans:  

 

1.      Argentina

2.      Canada , Bell , 2012.10

3.      Canada , Rogers , 2012.10

4.      Canada , Telus  , 2012.10

5.      Chili

6.      Colombia

7.      Mexico, Telcel, 2012.11

8.      Peru

9.      Uruguay

10.   USA, AT&T , 2012.10

11.   USA, MetroPCS (USA)

12.   USA, T-Mobile (USA)

13.   USA, Verizon Wireless (USA)      

 

Below is the list UEs for 4G LTE FDD Band 4 (AWS 1700/2100MHz)    

Smartphones  

1.      Apple iPhone 5 A1428, 2012.09

2.      HTC One XL, 2012.08

3.      HTC Windows Phone 8, 2012.10

4.      Motorola Droid Razr HD, 2012.09

5.      Motorola Droid Razr MAXX HD, 2012.09

6.      Nokia Lumia 920.2, 2012.09

7.      Pantech Flex, 2012.09

8.      ZTE Anthem 4G, 2012.09      

 

Fixed Routers  

1.      Netgear MBR1516, b4, 2012.10

2.      ZyXEL LTE5121, b4, b17, 2012.09      

 

 

USB dongles/Modems/Surfstick  

  1. 4G LTE Novatel Wireless U679 Turbo Stick / Ovation MC679
  2. HUAWEI E397bu-501
  3. Sierra Wireless Aircard 330U
  4. Sierra Wireless Aircard 313U
  5. LG Adrenaline AD600 4G Modem
  6. BandLuxe C505 4G USB modem

Tablets  

  1. Apple iPad mini (GSM, b4/17), 2012.10

       

Modules    

1.      Novatel E371,  b17 700 / b4 AWS, approved f.e. by AT&T 2012.10

2.      Sierra Wireless EM7700, b17 700 / b4 AWS, approved f.e. by AT&T 2012.10

3.      Sierra Wireless MC7700, b17 700 / b4 AWS, approved f.e. by AT&T 2012.10      

 

 

MiFi Hotspot/Mobile 4G Router    

  1. T-Mobile Sonic 2.0 Mobile HotSpot LTE, 2013.03
  2. Sierra Wireless 754S 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
  3. Sierra Wireless 770s 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
  4. Sierra Wireless 763s 4G LTE Mobile Hotspot
  5. Bandluxe PR55 4G Pocket Router

 

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Unlocked Rogers LTE Aircard 330U from Sierra Wireless General Review

You may had seen a 4G LTE Modem which support 4G Band 4(1700/2100MHz) or 4G LTE Surfstick which is for 4G FDD Band 7 (2600MHz), but do you know any 4G USB modem that could support them together?

Today, we will recommend a 4G Aircard which could support the 4G LTE FDD Band 4 and Band 7 simultaneously. The model number is Rogers AirCard 330u LTE Rocket Stick. This is the successor of Sierra Wireless AirCard 320u. They are both from Sierra Wireless. The difference between them is that Aircard 330U is capable of LTE FDD Band 7 and Band 4, but AirCard 320U could support band 3 and band 7.

 

The Rogers LTE AirCard 330u looks cool in red color, but it's unlocked to Rogers network. It means the AirCard 330u could support any operators' SIM card.     Just like the brother model AirCard 320u, 330u is in square shape and it's bigger than AirCard 306 or 308. The USB could rotate for 180 degree. On the front, There is logo of Rogers and one the back, there is printer of "4G LTE" on it. Below the "4G LTE", we can see the icon of the manufacturer "Sierra Wireless" logo, and the indicator of data transmission.  

 

Open the back cover, we could see there is a stick indicating the model number "AirCard 330u" and the IMEI number of the 330u. Belie the stick, we can see the SIM card slot and MircroSD card slot. At the side of the SIM card slot, there are two external antenna connectors for MIMO. They are covered by two small cap, user need open the cap and then connect the external antenna.

 

The connector of the external antenna is TS-9 model, so if you want buy external antenna for AirCard, you could check here: http://www.4gltemall.com/external-antenna-for-huawei-4g-lte-usb-modem.html  

the 4G Antenna is also usable for Aircard 320U and 313U. 

 

After plug the two external antennas, the data link speed would improve obviously. The AirCard 330u is apt for North America 4G LTE networks band 13 and band 7, so it could also roam in Europe or Asia. In conclusion, AirCard is a cool USB modem that will be a good gadget for 4G networks.