Adding Aftermarket 3G data card to the CF-28/29

Surprisingly I found zero to none information about using fast 3G data connection cards in Toughbooks. Yes there are some factory kits for CF-29/30 which cost around $1k so nothing interesting for me.

Starting to talk about fast mobile internet I propose we should skip older 2G technology like GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSCSD. Why? Because its yesterday. Because its damn slow.
Today is 3G era and we should talk about HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) and HSUPA. Tomorrow we will talk about 4G.

Today's HSDPA (also know as 3,5G) users can surf the web and read emails at much higher speeds than actual 3G. Just a few facts:
HSDPA is 9 times faster than 3G, 65 times faster than GPRS. Current HSDPA deployments support down-link speeds of 1.8, 3.6, 7.2 and 14.4 Mbit/s. Further speed increases are planned for the near future.

Such speed makes 3G comparable with ADSL connection that people have on their home computers.

To use 3G data, you need a new generation mobile phone, regular phone with data card or (my favourite) an PCMCIA data card. The current dual-system (3G/GSM) 3G card automatically selects the network enabling the highest speed without discontinuing the internet connection.

Later today I will walk to my local mobile company and try out GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready". Unfortuantely they do not have GlobeTrotter GT MAX HSUPA in store which gives besides 7,2Mbps downloads also 2Mbps uploads. Of course I understand them, because our mobile companies support "only" 7,2Mbps HSDPA and not HSUPA yet.

Monthly fees for 3G data transfers are around $15-36 here, "12h day ticket" costs around $1,3 so I will probably use this option because I'm mostly at my home office which is already 15Mbps equipped, so 3G (HSDPA) for me is for off-site activities like hiking, travelling, drinking in pubs etc

Feel free to tell which cards are you using and how much it costs in your countries.

 

Back from the store, GlobeTrotter GT MAX "7.2 Ready" was sold out. I'm especially interested how the card fits in toughbook PCMCIA socket and if the PCMCIA door closes normally. Looking at the pictures I guess it should fit.

GlobeTrotter users please share your opinions! Anyone?

 

My new CF-29 that is on the way supposedly hs CDMA installed. I was originally thrilled because I saw that as a platform to install GPS. I may have to play around with it before I decompile it.

 

I am gonna call Verizon this week to see if I can use my card that I got on a monthly basis, otherwise it'll cost way to much to try it out.

I've seen plenty of Sierra wireless cards on eBay... and not too expensive either.

 

Lots of EVDO info at evdoforums.com I think there are a few here that have done it. Basically any miniPCI should fit in a Toughbook I think. You will probably need to mod an external antenna for it.