RFI: Wireless Data Carriers

Service providers are investing billions of dollars in this new infrastructure--to a certain extent because they must to remain competitive--but many seem nervous about generating return on that investment, especially from enterprise customers. They're also concerned about system capacity, which is one reason they aren't pricing services more aggressively. Each is approaching the enterprise with its own twist, but uptake patterns are decidedly wait-and-see. Cellular carriers also are dipping their toes into the Wi-Fi hotspot market, where T-Mobile has made big waves, and even deploying next-generation technologies, like Nextel's Flarion trial in North Carolina (see "High-Speed Cruising in RTP,").

Enterprise IT pros have a lot of questions, both about the underlying technology and the role IT will play in promoting or discouraging the use of such services. Some carriers see IT as an obstacle to expanded use, so they work through business units to pitch the value proposition, looking to pressure IT from within. Avoid being cast in a defensive position--forward-looking IT managers know they must be prepared for wide area wireless. Failure to get ahead of the knowledge curve can lead to significant security, integration and support headaches.

IT pros thinking strategically wonder whether these emerging services are viable and cost-effective, not only for horizontal applications like e-mail but also for specialized line-of-business apps. Also key is their understanding of how emerging cellular data services fit into other wireless data offerings, including Wi-Fi.

Tell Us a Little About Yourself

We sent the six major nationwide U.S. cellular carriers--AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless--an RFI (request for information) questionnaire covering current and future wireless data plans for enterprise customers. Although we had to do some prodding to get them to talk and the quality of responses varied considerably, all six replied and made their case for market leadership.We also performed hands-on evaluations of these data services by sending one of our lab associates on the road with his laptop and a bag full of cellular data NICs, trying to get a feel for how effective these services are for notebook mobilization (see "Wireless on the Road,"). Finally, we took a stab at analyzing the leading converged PDA/phone devices that rely on embedded cellular data modems to put information in your hand (see "Are Smartphones Lagging Behind?").

We asked providers to describe their existing and planned data service infrastructures, specific options for connecting handheld devices and notebook computers to their networks, and pricing for these services. We also asked carriers to summarize their value-added data services, including application services and Web optimization. Finally, we delved into some connectivity and security issues, including IP addressing options, integrated security services, and the integration of carrier and enterprise networks.

We concluded that all the providers deliver viable enterprise data services, each with differentiators. However, we were disappointed by the lack of detail in most responses--with the exceptions of AT&T Wireless' and Nextel's replies--and an unwillingness to dedicate internal resources to follow-up inquiries, though in fairness to the vendors, we did hit them at the peak of summer vacation season. Still, we couldn't help but wonder why these vendors wouldn't jump at the opportunity to tell their stories to our readers. Finally, based on our analysis of the offerings and hands-on experience with these services, we came away with the impression that though today's services can deliver positive ROI for some organizations, performance must improve and prices must come down before broad deployment occurs. The magic numbers? We'd like to see several hundred Kbps of throughput and unlimited usage at less than $50 per month. According to our reader poll, you agree.

We didn't choose a winner, but rather have included a "SWOT" (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis for each provider to help you make the best choice for your location and needs. You can find the vendors' complete responses at ID# 1520rd1. Our features chart with details of each service is to the left.

A discussion of AT&T Wireless is in some respects academic because the company has agreed to be acquired by Cingular. With AT&T Wireless' 22 million subscribers, that's a big event, and barring unforeseen regulatory issues, the deal is likely to be completed by year's end. Still, it's worth noting that AT&T Wireless provided one of the most detailed RFI responses and also found time for an extensive follow-up interview, in which representatives were quite forthcoming about the company's offerings and the overall wireless data market. AT&T Wireless is justifiably proud of its focus on the enterprise, and its experience addressing the wireless data challenges of large organizations came through quite clearly. Cingular, which has a reputation of catering more to the broader consumer market, should benefit from AT&T Wireless' enterprise expertise.

In contrast, AT&T Wireless is not quite so proud of its reputation for spotty network performance. Much of this is historical, due to a less-than-smooth migration from TDMA to GSM technology. Recent J.D. Power & Associates customer-satisfaction ratings place AT&T Wireless dead last, a result the company says is based on old information. Still, we've heard enough first-hand complaints about its service to be a little suspicious, at least when it comes to voice. According to the company's latest SEC filings, service is available in only 87 of the top 100 U.S. markets. In addition, the company's subscriber growth has been anemic this past year, and its churn rate (a measure of customer retention) is the highest of any carrier.

On the data side, AT&T Wireless makes a solid case for market leadership, with nationwide EDGE data services and free data roaming to competitor's networks. Although its latency was a little higher than competitive 1X networks, we experienced downstream data rates as high as 186 Kbps compared with a high of about 124 Kbps on Verizon's network and 110 Kbps on Sprint. In addition, AT&T Wireless is the first carrier to offer a UMTS-capable 3G network (four cities today, two more by the end of the year) that sped our downstream data at speeds of up to 347 Kbps. Not only will Cingular benefit from AT&T's 3G experience, but the combined unit will have a dominant position in spectrum holdings, which will let it deploy 3G services without acquiring additional licenses. Justifiably, cellular carriers are concerned that demand for data services, especially under unlimited usage models, could outstrip system capacity. Although all these companies have plenty of experience in maximizing the use of wireless spectrum, there may come a point when the well runs dry--a problem that can be solved only by acquiring more spectrum licenses.AT&T also clearly understood our concerns about security and addressing. The company offers a range of frame relay and VPN WAN services that let large organizations avoid passing information over the public Internet, regardless of whether they are running client VPN software. For IP addressing, the company offers public and private as well as static and dynamic options, with a fixed range of addresses dedicated for specific customers. AT&T Wireless will even integrate a customer-supplied fixed range of IP addresses into its network. And the company offers an array of Web acceleration services, including a client-server offering.

Cingular is a joint creation of SBC Communications (with a 60 percent controlling interest) and BellSouth (40 percent). The financial stature of these carriers makes the massive acquisition of AT&T Wireless possible. SBC is shelling out $21 billion, while BellSouth is ponying up $15 billion. Cingular is the second-largest U.S. cellular carrier, with approximately 25 million subscribers, but its growth rate is slightly below average, and its ARPU is the lowest in the industry. However, the imminent merger will make it the market leader in terms of total subscribers (46.7 million combined subscribers compared with Verizon Wireless' 40.4 million). Cingular and AT&T Wireless have partnered on various service offerings for several years, and the compatibility of their networks should make the merger relatively painless, at least in terms of technology. The integration of business processes and customer service is likely to be a bit rockier.

Cingular has focused on the consumer market, but its infrastructure is well-positioned for enterprise users, especially with the addition of AT&T Wireless, which not only brings customers, but also additional spectrum in many markets. In June, the company completed its GSM/GPRS network, which now covers 226 million POPS. At the time of this writing, EDGE services were available in 84 percent of its coverage area, and the company indicated that the remaining 16 percent will have such services by the end of October.

To promote its EDGE data service, Cingular has begun to discount its retail pricing of $79.99 for unlimited data on its Data Connect plan, offering promotional contracts at $49.99 per month, a price that makes the service more easily justifiable for widespread enterprise deployment. We hope that's a trend. Interestingly, Cingular does not offer a discounted unlimited data offering for smartphones. It's business-oriented smartphone offerings are more limited than its competitors and include the PalmOne Treo 600 and the RIM BlackBerry 7280.Cingular provided an excellent description of its value-added data service offerings, which include data acceleration, professional services and support for a range of horizontal and vertical applications. The company offers a range of e-mail services based on partnerships with Good Technology, Intellisync Corp., RIM and SEVEN Networks. It also offers clientless in-network data acceleration using compression, caching and transport optimization, and while it does not offer a client-server acceleration option, it says it plans to in the future. Static and dynamic IP addressing services are available, as are dedicated address pools for specific customers. Also, Cingular offers extended session connections, which let session timers run up to 23.5 hours before time-out.

It's worth noting that though Cingular has only recently rolled out EDGE services, it's been delivering packet data services for more than 10 years using its low-speed Mobitex network, which still makes up the majority of its data traffic. If Cingular and AT&T Wireless can find a way to successfully integrate their business service offerings, they may be in the best positioned to take advantage of growing demand for enterprise data services. Cingular has announced plans to deploy UMTS as well as the HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) service overlay that, theoretically, will let it offer true mobile broadband data services. Because no carrier has yet deployed HSDPA, there's no way to verify these performance claims. Cingular says it plans to deploy UMTS and HSDPA in the majority of its markets beginning in 2005, with the bulk of service availability in 2006. That's not a very precise time line, but it does suggest a serious commitment to expanding its business data-service offerings.

While the other U.S. cellular carriers line up on either side of the industry divide between CDMA2000 and GSM/ UMTS, Nextel instead relies on Motorola's proprietary iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network) technology. Nextel was one of the first carriers to offer nationwide IP packet data capabilities and has carved out an interesting market with some unique iDEN services, but that technology's limited global market share (systems are deployed in only a dozen major countries) and a questionable growth path for supporting high-speed data services may raise some concerns in larger enterprises. Still, the company's base of 14 million subscribers has grown by almost 19 percent in the past year, and its ARPU of $70 is the highest in the industry (Sprint is second at $62).

Nextel has enjoyed considerable success by focusing on small and midsize businesses, whose use of targeted vertical data applications is growing rapidly. Its Push-to-Talk walkie-talkie capabilities, which are widely used in vertical markets such as construction and field service, are superior to competitive offerings. In addition, Nextel arguably has the strongest story to tell with respect to location-based applications. Its assisted-GPS capabilities, included on all phones sold since October 2003, open the door to a range of innovative applications.

However, iDEN's data capabilities are limited. Although its latency is much lower than competitive offerings, its data throughput is between 10 Kbps and 20 Kbps. Nextel says that WiDEN, which is expected to be available in Q1 2005, will boost data rates fourfold, to 40 Kbps to 80 Kbps. But competitors are deploying network upgrades that support throughput of several hundred Kbps. Nextel acknowledges that WiDEN won't be as fast as alternatives, but argues that most mainstream business applications do not require such high data rates. Still, the company is hedging its bets. Evidence of that can be found in a trial deployment of Flarion's Flash OFDM service, an impressive wireless technology that consistently delivers data throughput more than twice as fast as competitive systems. (For details of our test of this system, see "High-Speed Cruising in RTP,"). Nextel says it has no immediate plans to expand this offering beyond a single trial deployment, but the experience should be valuable for defining future strategy.

Nextel will take its lumps when compared with competitors on data performance, but it deserves credit for focusing on business applications. The company was an early supporter of J2ME (Java 2 Mobile Edition) as a client application-development environment and has been successful in nurturing a third-party application ecosystem. Nextel says it offers more than 70 specialized mobile data applications that are certified to run on its system. Although that number isn't huge compared with some smartphone platforms, Nextel was the only carrier to provide substantive information about mobile apps. Most of these are focused on vertical industries--including construction, field service, public safety and utilities--and its market leadership here may be a lifesaver.

Because of its reliance on Motorola, Nextel offers a somewhat limited range of converged mobile devices. Although all the Motorola iDEN phones support data services, the only full-keyboard, large-screen device available is the BlackBerry 7510.

Nextel is in some respects the most aggressive carrier when it comes to monthly charges for unlimited service ($10 for phones and $54.99 on notebooks), but if you calculate on the basis of dollars per bps, it doesn't stack up as well because of limited throughput. To fully enhance the user experience, Nextel supports both clientless and client-based Web optimization, which it says can boost effective performance up to 3.8 times.

Nextel offers enterprise customers private virtual connections into its network over frame relay, a service that has been available since 2001. However, it does not offer similar connections over VPN. The company provides both private and public IP address options. All public addresses are static and can be maintained by subscribers for as long as they maintain their service.Unlike most rival carriers that made the transition from first-generation analog to digital cellular, Sprint PCS made its way into the U.S. market with an all-digital CDMA network. With more than 22 million subscribers, Sprint PCS is a little over half as big as Verizon Wireless, which offers service based on the same CDMA technology, but Sprint's $62 ARPU is substantially higher than Verizon's $50.80. Given its close ties to Sprint's Internet Services organization and strong portfolio of enterprise data solutions, Sprint is uniquely positioned to deliver bundled data services to enterprise customers.

Still, there's a perception that the company's market efforts have focused more on consumer than business sectors. Sprint has trailed Verizon in packet data technology, and it was the last cellular carrier to add support for RIM's BlackBerry, which is immensely popular with enterprise users. Although Sprint appears to be increasing its focus on enterprise customers--through service bundling options and SLAs (service-level agreements) for wireless service--its response to our RFI contained the least amount of information provided by any of the carriers.

Sprint's data offerings are limited to 1xRTT. After initially indicating that it would bypass EV-DO and wait for EV-DV, a move that would make the most efficient use of limited spectrum, the company recently changed direction. It now pledges to offer EV-DO service in major markets by mid-2005 and nationwide in early 2006. That will take some work on Sprint's part.

One of Sprint's competitive advantages is a low-priced 1xRTT data service plan for smartphones. The company offers PalmOS devices from PalmOne (Treo 600) and Samsung, as well as Pocket PC devices from Hitachi and Toshiba. As an add-on to an existing voice plan, the unlimited data option costs only $15 per month. Unfortunately, you won't get a bargain if notebook connectivity is your priority--for that, Sprint offers an unlimited data plan at $80 per month. 1xRTT network cards for notebooks and PDAs range from $150 to $300.The company also offers both clientless and client-server acceleration services and a service called DataLink, which optimizes TCP transport services for PDAs and laptops. It partners with SEVEN for both personal and behind-the-firewall mobile e-mail and PIM (personal information management) services.

Sprint claims to offer dedicated frame relay and network-based VPN connections to customer networks. In response to our question about IP addressing options, the company said it offers only dynamically assigned public IP addresses. This surprised us because static IP addressing is a key requirement for enterprise customers, and we had expected Sprint to provide this service.

T-Mobile U.S.A., a division of Deutsche Telekom AG, serves 15.4 million U.S. voice and data customers and is growing faster than any other provider, with a 35 percent year-to-year increase in subscribers, according to Q2 2004 numbers. T-Mobile has also been an innovator in the U.S. market as the first to deploy a nationwide network compatible with the predominant global GSM standard and the first cellular carrier to jump into the Wi-Fi hotspot market. With more than 4,700 Wi-Fi locations, including high-profile nationwide installations at Starbucks, Borders and Kinko's, it is the undisputed leader among carriers. The company also has a reputation for aggressive pricing of data services, especially in the consumer market. For example, it is the only U.S. carrier to offer the ultra-hip Danger Sidekick smartphone, and the first carrier to offer the new iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC smartphone with integrated GSM, GPRS and 802.11b Wi-Fi capabilities.

T-Mobile's response to our RFI was sparse, and the company declined our request for a phone interview to delve more deeply into its coverage, indicating all its staff were focused on new product and service announcements. But given Network Computing's large enterprise readership, that has to make you wonder how serious the company is about the enterprise data market. Although it offers a nationwide moderate-speed GPRS service, it does not provide higher-speed EDGE services like those offered by Cingular and AT&T Wireless. The company's response to our question about its future road map for wireless data was met with a one-sentence response saying it had performed extensive testing last year and is "upgrading its sites to EDGE in the United States."

When asked to outline notable value-added business services, the company emphasized three items. First, it touted its variety of converged mobile devices. Second, it emphasized its best-value pricing, most notably its $79.99 monthly rate plan for the new iPAQ h6315 that includes 1,000 minutes of anytime voice and unlimited cellular and hotspot data. Finally, T-Mobile cited what it modestly dubs the industry's "best out-of-the-box e-mail experience," using the iPAQ with partner Good's system or the BlackBerry with RIM's mail services.

T-Mobile was the only vendor to give us volume price discounts aimed at midsize and large organizations, on as many as 500 lines with 500,000 shared minutes at a monthly cost of $25,000. Oddly, though we explicitly requested it, the company did not provide any pricing for its data services. Undaunted, we extracted that information from its Web site, and it seems clear that the company offers the lowest list prices of any of the carriers. For example, unlimited GPRS data on your notebook computer costs $29.99 per month, $10 less as a supplement to an existing voice plan. Wi-Fi hotspot service was also priced lower than competitors, at the same price as GPRS.

We did not receive answers to several of our questions regarding IP addressing options or enterprise network connectivity. But we do have to admit that Catherine Zeta-Jones is our favorite advertising spokesperson.

With more than 40 million voice customers, Verizon Wireless is by far the largest U.S. domestic cellular carrier, though the combined Cingular-AT&T Wireless will likely have slightly more subscribers moving into 2005. Verizon has also been a leader in cellular data, offering both a mature nationwide low-speed CDMA2000 1xRTT network and an expanding high-speed 1xEV-DO footprint. Although available in only 14 U.S. markets (about 75 million POPS), the company pledges to expand that coverage to 150 million POPs by the end of 2005. That's still not true nationwide coverage, but with dynamic fallback to 1xRTT, with a reach of 240 million POPs today, its network is impressive. Verizon's data services build-out has not only placed pressure on Sprint to deploy 1xEV-DO, it will also put pressure on Cingular-AT&T Wireless to quickly expand its UMTS/HSDPA deployment. Perhaps most significantly, Verizon has a positive reputation for both coverage and customer service, as evidenced by its having the lowest churn rate in the industry.

Because it was among the first to deploy nationwide data services, Verizon found itself in the role of establishing initial market pricing. Its current $80 per month unlimited data charge for a PC Card modem is down slightly from its initial rollout but still more than many enterprises are willing to spend. Verizon deserves credit for making the much faster EV-DO services available at the same price, but if the company wants to significantly increase demand, it must exercise its leadership position by reducing monthly charges and bundling free NICs, which currently cost $100 to $150. Verizon's $45 to $50 monthly charge for unlimited data on a smartphone is the highest rate in the U.S. market.Verizon offers both clientless and client-server Web optimization services, which it says can improve effective performance by two to three times the raw throughput rate. If you combine that with Verizon's EV-DO network, which offers average throughput of 300 Kbps to 500 Kbps, Verizon can lay legitimate claim to best broadband performance, at least in the limited markets where EV-DO is available. Only Nextel's Flash OFDM trial network in North Carolina is faster.

Verizon offers multiple wireless e-mail and messaging services. Its VZEmail system, which is based on technology from Intellisync, is targeted for Microsoft and PalmOS smartphone platforms and provides wireless e-mail and PIM sync between mobile devices and desktop computers. RIM BlackBerry also is supported.

Verizon supports both direct integration with enterprise networks using frame relay and T1, and a network-to-network VPN option. All IP addresses on Verizon's system are public, and the company supports both public and private options. Verizon does not support private addresses, and the company did not provide any information about reserved address blocks or mapping of enterprise IP addresses into its system. Unfortunately, the company did not honor our request for a follow-up interview, nor did it respond to a follow-up e-mail inquiry.

Dave Molta is a Network Computing senior technology editor. He is also assistant dean for technology at the School of Information Studies and director of the Center for Emerging Network Technologies at Syracuse University. Write to him at [email protected].Working while on a vacation may sound like the antithesis of relaxation, but the opportunity to evaluate cellular data NICs meant I could stay caught up with my e-mail while letting my children play their favorite online games.

Sales of cellular data NICs and embedded NICs are projected to grow from 550,000 units in 2003 to 2,300,000 in 2005 to 8,700,00 in 2007, according to a June report from In-Stat/ MDR. Clearly, the cellular NIC market is just beginning to gain traction, with wide area data services being of great interest to those who responded to our reader poll. Although I didn't perform as systematic an evaluation as I would have for a comparative product review, I got a good feel for the offerings. I tested these services in three cities: Syracuse, N.Y., Detroit and Marine City, Mich. Run pilot tests of the services that interest you in your area before committing.

Novatel Wireless, Sierra Wireless and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications are the dominant suppliers of cellular NICs, with the bulk of sales coming through cellular providers, which sometimes slap private labels on their offerings. Some computer manufacturers also resell NICs and services with their notebook systems, but no major vendor embeds cellular NICs in notebook computers, as is common with Wi-Fi.

My travel bag contained NICs from all three vendors, and I performed testing on networks from T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless and Sprint PCS. Before heading out, I installed each vendor's software and card on a Dell Latitude laptop running Windows XP Professional in our Syracuse University Real-World Labs®. I verified the installation and tested some services in Syracuse. Only the Novatel U520 did not work because it relies on AT&T Wireless' UMTS service, which is available in only six cities. I tested it solely in the Detroit area. In each case, I performed multiple tests using online performance utilities from Visualware that let me measure both upstream and downstream throughput and latency. I varied the time of day and, where possible, the physical location. The results reported are averages of all the tests.

Novatel Wireless Merlin C201

I tested the Novatel Merlin C201 using Sprint's CDMA-1xRTT service. The Merlin C201 is autoconfigured as a NIC using its Wireless Connection Manager, but once the driver and client software were installed, I didn't need to open the application to get connected. This card has a stub antenna and a single LED that provides some visual feedback on connection status. Our tests showed downstream throughput that fluctuated between 50 Kbps and 110 Kbps but averaged 86 Kbps, while upstream performance averaged about 29 Kbps. Latency was better than GPRS or EDGE, consistently hovering around 550 ms. Available from Sprint PCS; list price $149.99

Novatel Wireless Merlin U520

The Novatel Wireless Merlin U520 uses a stub antenna, with a bright blue LED. The SIM (subscriber information module), which handles identity services, installs underneath the card. I tested it in Windsor, Ontario, across the river from Detroit. Downstream throughput averaged 250 Kbps and upstream 50 Kbps. Latency averaged a consistent 235 ms, providing a user experience similar to EV-DO. Available from AT&T Wireless and Cingular; list price $149.99 with a two-year activation.Sierra Wireless Aircard 550

I tested the Aircard 550 using the Sprint PCS CDMA 1xRTT service. The 550 requires the PCS Connection Manager to make a connection. The card uses a foldable antenna, and it includes an LED for visual feedback. The 550 turned in downstream speeds averaging 77 Kbps, but on several test iterations, it sustained rates over 100 Kbps. Upstream performance was about 50 Kbps. Available from Sprint PCS; list price $299.99

Sierra Wireless Aircard 750

I tested the Aircard 750 on T-Mobile's GPRS network. The NIC includes a removable and foldable antenna, and the SIM card is installed at the end of the unit. The "Network Adapter Manager" client and drivers installed cleanly. Although it's the only card I tested that supports voice with the use of an earpiece, there's no LED indicator, so you must rely on Windows for visual feedback regarding operating status. After initial configuration, I was able to insert the card at any time, and it worked like a regular NIC as far as Windows was concerned. Throughput measured an average 35 Kbps downstream and 15 Kbps upstream. Latency was very high, hovering around 1 second and making some interactive experiences very frustrating. Available from AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile; list price $299.99

Sony/Ericsson GC83The GC83 is an EDGE-based device compatible with AT&T Wireless and Cingular networks. It includes a removable antenna and a SIM that slides into a bottom slot on the NIC. Although it installed as a standard Windows network adapter, the GC83 will not operate unless AT&T's Communication Manager client software is running, and it won't autoconnect. The card does not provide much visual feedback, but the client software offers significant configuration flexibility. EDGE performance was substantially better than GPRS, with downstream throughput averaging 100 Kbps and upstream throughput averaging 50 Kbps. Latency was better than T-Mobile's GPRS, but at 650 ms, still high by conventional network standards, though well within the service's advertised technical parameters. Available from AT&T Wireless; list price $249.99

Verizon Wireless PC 5220

I tested the PC 5220 (manufactured by Sierra Wireless) with Verizon's CDMA2000 1xRTT service in Syracuse and other locations and compared it with previous CDMA2000 EV-DO tests done in the D.C. area. The 5220 NIC has a flap antenna with an LED and sticks out more than 1 inch from the side of the laptop. The installation routine was a bit bumpy, with the card drivers wanting a USB-related DLL not found on the installation CD or my target computer-- I had to retrieve the file from my laptop to complete the installation. Although Verizon advertises typical throughput of 300 Kbps and 500 Kbps, I saw average downstream throughput of almost 600 Kbps, though upstream performance was only about 40 Kbps. Latency averaged less than 200 ms. For those who don't live in areas served by EV-DO, the card automatically falls back to 1xRTT. Although this is the same network technology offered by Sprint PCS, I consistently experienced 100 Kbps throughput upstream and downstream, with a latency of 450 ms. The only significant shortcoming: The client app must be running for it to operate. Available from Verizon; list price $149.99--Frank Bulk

I tested Nextel's Wireless Broadband service, both as a mobile solution and as a stationary cable modem/DSL alternative, in and around my home in the Research Triangle Park (RTP) area of North Carolina this past July and August. Based on Flarion Technologies' FLASH-OFDM (Fast Low-latency Access with Seamless Handoff and Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) technology, the service is undergoing a limited market trial, at least through the end of this year.

Unlike other cellular data offerings, which co-exist to varying degrees with voice services, FLASH-OFDM was designed for mobile packet switched IP services. Therefore, it provides seamless mobility, high speed and low latency. The system is proprietary to Flarion, but the company is promoting its technology in various wireless standards organizations.I tested the cT-1000 PC Card and the mT-1000 modem, which connects to a PC or NAT router over Ethernet. Both devices use a small, removable antenna and were easy to install. Regardless of client hardware, my performance tests yielded similar results. I measured performance between RTP and a NetIQ/Ixia Chariot server in our Syracuse University Real-World Labs®. When working from fixed locations, average downstream TCP throughput ranged from about 1 Mbps when using the mT-1000 modem to 1.2 Mbps when using the cT-1000 PC card. Upstream throughput in both cases was about 500 Kbps, and latency was less than 60 milliseconds. I also tested the service in a moving vehicle (driving at 60 mph) and saw downstream and upstream throughputs of 640 Kbps and 333 Kbps, respectively. Latency was an impressive 76 ms.

For comparison, I tested a Time-Warner RoadRunner connection using the same test bed. At 2.7 Mbps, downstream throughput was more than twice as fast as that of Wireless Broadband, but upstream throughput was slightly slower. This was only noticeable on large file transfers, so my user experience was not significantly different.

The same thing can't be said for competitive cellular data service offerings. In my opinion, the Nextel service could easily perform double-duty as a home and mobile broadband data service. Nextel has not announced plans to expand into other markets, but based on my experiences and for the sake of those not fortunate enough to live in range, here's hoping it does. --Kevin Cooke

Sales of smartphones, sometimes called converged mobile devices, grew 85.8 percent over the past year, according to IDC. With an ever-increasing need for convenient and ubiquitous access to e-mail, the Web and mobile business applications, smartphones will play a key role as a complement to wireless-enabled notebooks.

Smartphones are indeed getting smarter with every release, and we're beginning to see multiradio devices that support Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular data services. These multimode devices still have room for improving text entry and seamless mobility between networks, but clearly the basic functionality is beginning to emerge. Unfortunately, device support for new cellular data protocols has lagged behind major providers' service offerings. For example, none of the most popular devices include integrated support for EDGE, 1xEV-DO or UMTS.But all is not lost. You can still get some real work done on these devices-- if you choose the right one. While smartphones come in many forms, and basic functions are beginning to converge, there's still a significant trade-off between portability and data capabilities, a distinction best exemplified by the size of a device's display screen and the type of keyboard. And although devices may offer similar features, their suitability for supporting data apps is tied to the underlying OS. In general, you must purchase a device for a specific vendor's network; not all devices are compatible with all networks.

Motorola MPx200

The small, clamshell-style Motorola MPx200 is one of the first converged devices based on Microsoft's Windows Smartphone platform to hit the U.S. market. It offers the convenience of a flip-phone form-factor, multimedia capabilities and tight integration with Microsoft messaging environments. Unlike devices based on the Pocket PC OS, the MPx200 is better for single-hand operations. A unique combination of size, power, storage and I/O capabilities gives it enough flexibility to run custom enterprise applications. Native client apps include Pocket Outlook and Pocket IE.

The MPx's native Windows Media player gives it MP3/WMA playback capabilities and support for WMV. However, the device lacks Bluetooth support, which limits its wireless synch capabilities as well as its ability to serve as a wireless modem for your notebook computer. The limited penetration of the Windows Mobile platform also restricts the choice of applications that can be run on the device, but that should change as the market matures. Some of the shortcomings in the MPx200 are addressed in the upcoming MPx220, which offers Bluetooth connectivity and quad-band performance, making it a global device.

PalmOne Treo 600

The Treo 600 is one of the most common converged devices across the North American wireless carrier market--and for good reason. It's a solid offering, though it has some notable weaknesses. Of the six major U.S. carriers, only Nextel does not support the Treo 600, though it's worth noting that newer cellular data technologies like EDGE and EV-DO are not yet supported by the Treo. The market penetration of the device can be credited to PalmOS brand recognition, the wide variety of PalmOS apps and the device's elegant design and usability.

There are two models of the Treo 600, with and without integrated camera, making it appealing to organizations with policies against camera phones or simply without the need for them. The Treo 600 has 32 MB of RAM, sufficient to support most enterprise apps, with additional secondary storage available through an SD/IO slot. The Blazer 3.0 browser, QWERTY keyboard and five-way navigation key make Web browsing and mobile messaging relatively simple--although small thumbs and short nails help because the keyboard is smaller than that found on a BlackBerry. The lack of support for Bluetooth and 802.11 connections are more notable deficiencies, but at least the former will be addressed in the yet unannounced but highly anticipated Treo 650.

Samsung SPH-i700

The SPH-i700 is powered by the Microsoft Pocket PC Phone edition and includes integrated Microsoft e-mail and browsing clients. The i700 sports a 300-MHz processor with 64 MB of ROM, 64 MB of RAM and an SD expansion slot to support SD/IO cards with appropriate drivers. The i700 does not have a built-in QWERTY keyboard, meaning data input is performed with a stylus or soft keys, which can be slow and cumbersome. The notable features of this device are its voice-command capabilities, voice-recognition software and an available integrated VPN client for secure communications.The i700 is primarily designed to work on Verizon's CDMA 1xRTT network. Although slightly larger than some other smartphones, it offers good overall performance. It also integrates well with back-end Microsoft products, and supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities with additional SD cards.

HP iPAQ h6315

The h6315 is the most comprehensive and complete converged device on the market, capable of communicating over T-Mobile's cellular GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth networks using integrated wireless modems. The h6315 is powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC Phone Edition with 64 MB of RAM and 64 MB of ROM. It has built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities, making it quite desirable to the corporate community because of the interface options with the PAN and WLAN. The h6315 houses a Texas Instruments OMAP 1510 processor, which doesn't exactly put the device at the top of its class in PDA performance, but this high-efficiency processor does extend battery life. The h6315 is designed to detect a Wi-Fi network and automatically switch over from a GPRS connection, but not necessarily vice versa, and only if Wi-Fi is always enabled--a major battery drain. Ideally, this device should authenticate to T-Mobile hotspots using EAP-SIM, but that is not yet the case. The networking interface also doesn't provide advanced details about the wireless connection.

Still, the h6315 is a true multitasking device, able to support Wi-Fi, a voice call and Bluetooth simultaneously. It comes with a plug-and-play QWERTY keyboard attachment that can even be installed and removed during voice calls. The included camera produces low-resolution and fuzzy pictures, but for a first release the user interface is quite capable, and taking pictures is a snap.

Nokia 6620The 6620 is Nokia's most noteworthy smartphone offering for the U.S. market. Although quite similar to its 6600 predecessor in look and feel, the 6620 is the first in Nokia's product line to support higher-speed EDGE network services (the 6820, which is a full-time mobile messaging device with a QWERTY keyboard, also supports EDGE). The 6620, like all Nokia Smartphones, runs on Symbian's OS platform, which emphasizes voice functionality. Thus, the 6620's e-mail capabilities are not as robust as its competitors, but they are adequate.

Its MMS and imaging capabilities, on the other hand, are outstanding: The 6620 has impressive video capabilities for a phone, supporting 65,536 colors on a 176x144 pixel resolution TFT color display, and it uses RealPlayer to support video and audio playback. The 6620 can sync using its Bluetooth or infrared ports and can even be used as a modem by a PC over Bluetooth to connect to the EDGE data network.

RIM BlackBerry 7230

The RIM platform's e-mail-centric functionality has made it a popular "purpose-built device" among mobile professionals. Now, the integration of voice services with the GSM wireless data network makes the BlackBerry 7230 a compelling smartphone option that can serve as a nice complement to a laptop for busy professionals. RIM sets the bar for QWERTY keyboard integration in the converged device market, having offered this feature since its first BlackBerry was released. The 7230 has the right mix of features and performance, and it's easy to learn compared with other devices we've seen. Navigation of e-mail and Web content is simple, thanks to the track-wheel on its side, and it has IR and USB ports for desktop interface and synchronization. Bluetooth support is not included in this model, but has just been extended to the new 7290. Although the device can receive e-mail from POP3, IMAP and Internet e-mail accounts with filtering options applied at the server-end, when sending e-mail it does not go through the corporate e-mail server. --Frank Robinson