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Using the EVO's HotSpot

BenChase7

Android Expert
Jun 16, 2010
2,229
874
Phoenix
Well, My Cox internet took a dive on me (again) today. I had a document I need to submit immediately, so I called Sprint and activated the wireless hotspot on the EVO. It works like a champ. I went to speakeasy.net and did a speed tests... consistantly around 1.8-2.2 down on 3G. I'm pretty happy with it! Just thought Id share my experience in case anyone is interested in this. :)
 
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Well, My Cox internet took a dive on me (again) today. I had a document I need to submit immediately, so I called Sprint and activated the wireless hotspot on the EVO. It works like a champ. I went to speakeasy.net and did a speed tests... consistantly around 1.8-2.2 down on 3G. I'm pretty happy with it! Just thought Id share my experience in case anyone is interested in this. :)

Can you test something for me? Have someone call you and see if it stops tethering completely while the call is active. I suspect that it will be, but just wanted to doublecheck on a phone using the official paid tethering service. thanks in advance :)
 
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It does disconnect if you are using 3G as your data connection. To my understanding, if you're in a 4G service area... you're good to go!

I'm in a strong 4G area, use the 4G with paid hotspot, and can assure you that your hotspot connection to your computer will grind to a halt during a phone call and bounce back to normal when the call is ended. The 802.11 (G) connection (computer to Evo) will remain excellent, while the network connection (computer through Evo to tower) will stop functioning. The 4G connection between device and tower remains functional during voice calls.
 
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It does disconnect if you are using 3G as your data connection. To my understanding, if you're in a 4G service area... you're good to go!

That was my understanding as well, but one guy is reporting other -

http://androidforums.com/evo-4g-support-troubleshooting/159136-wi-fi-issues-anyone-else.html#post1454534

If anyone with 4G can test that and hop over and confirm or deny in that thread, I'm sure that would be appreciated.

PS - pfft! Guess I was slow on this one! :D
 
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Im using EasyTether and 4G right now while Im creating this post. Also streaming Live ESPN radio...Earlier my wife called me and I DID NOT drop my connection. My streaming radio had no hiccups and I even opened new web pages all the while I was talking on my cell. I was really surprised. I know this is not with Sprints paid tether but just sayin.....
 
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Im using EasyTether and 4G right now while Im creating this post. Also streaming Live ESPN radio...Earlier my wife called me and I DID NOT drop my connection. My streaming radio had no hiccups and I even opened new web pages all the while I was talking on my cell. I was really surprised. I know this is not with Sprints paid tether but just sayin.....

That's good to know.
Not only does Sprint throttle their Hotspot network connection to roughly 50%-65% of tower to device speeds, their $30.00 premium add-on is rendered useless if one dares to use the phone at the same time.

I think I'' go check the bathroom mirror to see if the word "Chump" has been tattooed on my forehead.
 
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That's good to know.
Not only does Sprint throttle their Hotspot network connection to roughly 50%-65% of tower to device speeds, their $30.00 premium add-on is rendered useless if one dares to use the phone at the same time.

I think I'' go check the bathroom mirror to see if the word "Chump" has been tattooed on my forehead.

Actually, the data speeds are much faster throught the hotspot than they are on the phone.
 
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^

In my experience, data speeds directly through the phone are slower than data speeds when I have my laptop tethered to the EVO via the wireless hotspot. I only have 3G right now, speed tests average about 1.5 to 2.0 down when tested directly on the phone. speed tests average 2.0 to 2.5 when I test on my laptop wirelessly tethered to my EVO on 3G.
 
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^

In my experience, data speeds directly through the phone are slower than data speeds when I have my laptop tethered to the EVO via the wireless hotspot. I only have 3G right now, speed tests average about 1.5 to 2.0 down when tested directly on the phone. speed tests average 2.0 to 2.5 when I test on my laptop wirelessly tethered to my EVO on 3G.


icon1.gif


I am not concerned with with 3G speeds. I purchased the Evo specifically for 4G Hotspot service.

I live in Baltimore and enjoy a Wimax signal strength of -63dBm on average.

Average tower to device speeds mid afternoon are 6+ mbps while average Hotspot speeds for the same time come in at 4+ mbps.

Evening tower to device speeds come in at 3.5 mbps while Hotspot speeds for the same time come in at 1.75 mbps.

There is no appreciable difference in Hotspot speed between wireless or tethered connections.

These numbers are determined by:
Using Speedtest.net on Evo's stock browser, and laptop, using the same server.
Test evo, then test laptop, then test Evo, then laptop, and so on for 25+ test on each.
Toss the highest and lowest two speed test results on Evo and laptop.
Obtain the average of the remaining test results.

To Mods,
I think we have two parallel threads going here.
 
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^
I see.

There is no 4G in Phoenix (yet), so I can't relate or test what you are saying. One thing, in my experiences, the SpeedTest.net is erratic and seems to be inaccurate (several others have mentioned that here, too). Maybe try another, I have become a fan of speakeasey.net/speedtest.

I have heard the same about the Speadtest.net application. Did a battery of tests with Speakeasy... more of the same. Still 50%-60% through speeds on 4G hotspot. BUT, I installed Easytether (free version) and I can't believe my eyes. My laptop is now coming in faster than my Evo. Not much faster, but faster none the less.

So... do I continue to pay the $30.00 monthly fee for Hotspot service?
Will doing so Grandfather me in to "Unlimited data?" How long until Sprint goes to a tiered data price schedule? There are no free lunches, and the $10.00 premium data charge wouldn't put a dent in my actual data usage on any of the competitors' tiered plans.
 
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well, over the last two weeks I have been using the EVO as a hotspot to test it out as I was considering canceling my Cox internet. The EVO been working out great! I have Cox's lowest internet service (throttled at 1meg dwn). My EVO averages 1.5 to 2.5 down so its much faster. Unfortunately there is no 4G in Phoenix yet, so I wont be able to talk and surf at the same time until the 4G deployment happens here in Phx. But today, after not using Cox in 2 weeks, I canceled.

anyways... Question: What security should I choose? I have been using it unsecure so far, but since it will now be my full time internet connection, I want to secure it. Any recommendations. Don't know anything about any of the 3 or 4 choices so any help would be great! Thank You!
 
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