Wireless / Mobile → Millenicom > BYOD - But What Devices?

BYOD - But What Devices?

Anyone have a list of compatible devices? Id like to keep it around $50, as 4G is iffy where I live so it needs to mainly do 3G. Thanks for any help.

any device that will work on the Sprint network ...usb modems, hotspots, Mifi devices they will all work as long has it has a clean ESN or MEID. values abound on eBay
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Im not sure what will work on their network, or what they are phasing out or what has issues. Can you suggest a good one?

If you want a solid performer for 3G the USB 598 is at the top of the list. Example price: »www.ebay.com/itm/Sierra-Wireless···d813147f
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Thanks!

Bigglesworth, I believe it may not be advisable to focus on what works just for 3G. The fact is that there is a possibility, perhaps even a certainty, that 4G may come to your neck of the woods sooner or later. Remember too that Millenicom charges $50 for EVERY DEVICE you connect to their service.

In other words, if you start out with a 598U, and then 4G comes walking in to your neighborhood, and you eBay a new device to accomodate, Millenicom will charge you ANOTHER $50 to switch to that device.

Why hand yourself that potential additional hassle and expense?

If I had stayed with Millenicom (my usage came too close to exceeding their soft 50 gig cap so I switched to Wireless 'n' WiFi), I would almost certainly have bought a Tri-Fi Hotspot, since that can accomodate all three of Sprint's current networks, 3G, 4G WiMax and 4G LTE. In retrospect, I would have bought that from the beginning; that way, I could have at least had access to LTE as well as WiMax during the waning months of my subscription to Millenicom. I suggest that you don't make my mistake; go ahead and buy the Tri-Fi on eBay now.

Let me make clear that I have nothing against the 598U. I used one for years and it worked fine for me when my only option was 3G. In fact, I still have one, and I like having it as a backup just in case something really unexpected and bad happens. But as the first device to purchase for Sprint's BYOD Unlimited plan it is simply not where I would go.

Yes, it will exceed your $50 price tag; you should be able to get a Tri-Fi Hotspot on eBay for under $100, and make sure the seller is including the USB cable and the AC adapter.

One other wrinkle of which you should probably be aware. Currently Sprint's LTE runs only on the 1900 frequency. Eventually however it is expected that that will expand to the 800 and 2500 frequencies. The Tri-Fi only handles LTE on its current 1900 frequency. From what I've read, the LTE service on 800 could be significantly superior to the 1900 frequency. Once 800 becomes available in my area, I may very well drop the Tri-Fi and buy a tri-band LTE device that can accomodate all three frequencies, if I can find a provider that will accept that device. So I am by no means claiming that the Tri-Fi will handle all your Sprint needs forever and a day, amen. Time marches on, and so does technology. But it certainly is the best way to go at the moment, I think.

Thanks Criggs, I always appreciate 'in retrospect' experiences. Right now I'm basically waiting till Millenicom gets angry with me for going over their softcap of 20GB and get rid of me. Lol. I TRY to stay below it, but sometimes it seems like it gets passed without me realizing, even thought I have set up meters and the lot.

Once they do boot me (seems my best option, sadly, as they do not supply incentives for current customers to upgrade plans. Their loss and mine really. They need to get rid of the retarded setup fee BS for existing customers that want to upgrade) I will have ample reason to get the sprint plan that has the reasonable cap. I'm weighing my options until then. so thanks again.

Been looking on ebay, and im not sure how to justify the added cost. Im seeing ones like the U301 that does 3g/4g for like 15$. Do these just not work or something anymore?

U301 was for 3G/4G WiMax ... not 4G/LTE ... pretty much worthless unless you are in a Clearwire area
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Ah, thanks. These are important distinctions a noob like me wouldn't know just looking. I see 'Sprint' and '3G/4G' and assume it would work on sprints 3G/4G networks... =/

indeed. all 4G is not the same. Be sure the device is 4G/LTE capable. The term was used loosely by the networks
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Thanks will make sure LTE is in the info

Is this guy misleading? »www.ebay.com/itm/Sierra-Wireless···802feaa8

yes, the U301 uses WiMax - not LTE

Thanks jim. Ill kick that guy in the shins.