Can EV-DO Help Mobile VoIP?

EV-DO (Evolution Data Optimized), aka EVDO, aka 1xEV-Do Rev. A (Revision A), is a wireless network available through some cellular service providers, particularly CDMA, in Europe and Asia. It’s just starting to make its way into Canada and the US, and some people think that it can help increase mobile VoIP quality, because of its speed - up to 800 kbps (kilobits per second) download and 300-400 kbps upload.

In the US, it’s being offered by Sprint, who have a plan to cover over 20 markets by the end of this year. In Canada, it’s being offered by at least Telus Mobilty and Bell Mobility. I have it through Telus, on my Palm Treo 650. Although the problem with CDMA and PalmOS devices is that most mobile VoIP offerings simple do not work properly. Some of the services that do a call back, such as Mino Wireless, work by implementing a delay before calling you on your cell number.

So while EVxDO might be touted as a boon to mobile VoIP quality, if you have a PalmOS device, it isn’t likely going to matter. However, the cellular wireless network is fairly fast. I use it as a backup to my cable Internet connection. Though it’s dreadfully expensive. Cdn$100/mth plus taxes for a maximum of 250 Mb.

During a regular day of surfing for research for freelance writing, I used up about 120 Mb. In one day. I connected to the Internet on my laptop using a Bluetooth USB dongle, over to the Bluetooth on the Treo, and from there via the EVxDO wireless network.

As I said, it’s pretty fast, and great in a pinch, or if I’m out with my laptop where there is no other Internet connection. I just wish they still offered their old “unlimited” plan. But if EVxDO catches on in North America, the price will probably go down. (In the UK, you can unlimited EVxDO wireless plans for a very reasonably monthly rate.)