Pantech UML290 (Verizon Wireless) Fastest USB Modem in the U.S
The Pantech UML290 ($99.99-249.99) is the fastest mobile Internet device within the U.S. Period. If you’re looking for a modem on Verizon Wireless, and also you cannot watch for the carrier’s cellular hotspots to come to market, this is the one to get; as opposed to its competitor, the LG VL600 ($99.99, three.five stars), it’s even considerably Mac appropriate. That tends to make it our current Editors’ Choice for mobile modems on Verizon Wireless.
Design , Software and Plan
Verizon’s first-generation 4G LTE modems are each bulky, but at 3.five by 1.four by .six inches (HWD) and 1.8 oz, the UML290 is really a small shorter than its competitor, the LG VL600. It’s also wittily created; the front of the case swivels 90 degrees on the hinge to become the antenna, letting the USB port pop out from your bottom. There is a single LED close to the leading of your modem that exhibits connectivity status, but it is not too useful. On the back, there are two external antenna jacks (one for 3G, 1 for 4G) if you want to juice up your signal. No 4G external antenna is obtainable but, but at least there is possible here.
Officially, the UML290 only functions with Windows PCs running Verizon’s VZ Access Supervisor. But you will find plenty of Web websites displaying how you can unofficially configure it to work with Macs, which puts it ahead of the LG VL600, which has no Mac option at all. VZ Access Supervisor by itself is really a relatively easy connection supervisor, much much more responsive and less crash-prone than T-Mobile’s and Sprint’s competing products.
Verizon has 4G LTE service in 38 metro locations right now; outdoors these zones, the UML290 functions on Verizon’s 3G EVDO Rev A network. Ideas price $50/month for 5 GB or $80/month for ten GB, plus $10/GB extra.
As a CDMA modem, the UML290 functions in components of Canada, Mexico, India, China and a few other nations, but not Europe, and roaming rates are intolerable: as much as $20.48/MB. I wouldn’t purchase this modem for use outside the U.S.
Performance and Conclusions
We tested the UML290 in New York City head-to-head against the VL600, at 11 different places more than the program of a day. We transferred files over FTP, downloaded Web pages utilizing curl, and ran the pace tester at speedtest.net.
Overall, the two modems had nearly identical typical speeds. On speedtest.net, which simulates Internet streaming, we acquired just around 16Mbps down and about 5.75Mbps up with both modems, with much less than a 5% variation in between the modems in our Speedtest and FTP tests. That stated, when 1 modem came out slightly forward, it was the UML290 61% of the time.
We did two tests in 3G mode, and the UML290 arrived out ahead of the VL600 there, with speeds of one.5Mbps down compared to the VL600′s one.2Mbps.
I’ve seen some complaints about both of Verizon’s 4G modems getting difficulty in locations in the edge of 4G coverage. We didn’t see any dropped connections in our tests.
Having seen and tested dozens of USB modems by now, I’d consider Verizon’s two LTE modems roughly equal on performance. But I’d pick the UML290 because of its other factors – a better design that’s less most likely to break, the antenna ports and the (admittedly unofficial) Mac support.
If you have a Verizon 3G modem and you are inside a location that isn’t obtaining 4G any time soon, stick with what you’ve. But in the event you live in or travel to 1 of your cities covered by Verizon’s 4G network, the Pantech UML290 is your best wager. It’s the quickest, best-designed and most convenient modem Verizon has to provide right now.
In the event you do not spend much time in Verizon’s 4G coverage area, think about other carriers also, simply because Verizon’s 3G network is slower than AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s, according to our quickest mobile networks test. Also, if you are patient, you may want to watch for the Verizon LTE MiFi devices, which are coming this Spring and can connect up to 5 computers and phones to an ad-hoc Wi-Fi hotspot.
Specifications
- Service Provider Verizon Wireless
- Cellular Technology CDMA 1X, EV-DO, LTE
- Bands 850, 1900, 700
- 802.11x No
- Mac Compatible No
The Pantech UML290 ($99.99-249.99) is the fastest mobile Internet device within the U.S. Period. If you’re looking for a modem on Verizon Wireless, and also you cannot watch for the carrier’s cellular hotspots to come to market, this is the one to get; as opposed to its competitor, the LG VL600 ($99.99, three.five stars), it’s even considerably Mac appropriate. That tends to make it our current Editors’ Choice for mobile modems on Verizon Wireless.
Design , Software and Plan
Verizon’s first-generation 4G LTE modems are each bulky, but at 3.five by 1.four by .six inches (HWD) and 1.8 oz, the UML290 is really a small shorter than its competitor, the LG VL600. It’s also wittily created; the front of the case swivels 90 degrees on the hinge to become the antenna, letting the USB port pop out from your bottom. There is a single LED close to the leading of your modem that exhibits connectivity status, but it is not too useful. On the back, there are two external antenna jacks (one for 3G, 1 for 4G) if you want to juice up your signal. No 4G external antenna is obtainable but, but at least there is possible here.
Officially, the UML290 only functions with Windows PCs running Verizon’s VZ Access Supervisor. But you will find plenty of Web websites displaying how you can unofficially configure it to work with Macs, which puts it ahead of the LG VL600, which has no Mac option at all. VZ Access Supervisor by itself is really a relatively easy connection supervisor, much much more responsive and less crash-prone than T-Mobile’s and Sprint’s competing products.
Verizon has 4G LTE service in 38 metro locations right now; outdoors these zones, the UML290 functions on Verizon’s 3G EVDO Rev A network. Ideas price $50/month for 5 GB or $80/month for ten GB, plus $10/GB extra.
As a CDMA modem, the UML290 functions in components of Canada, Mexico, India, China and a few other nations, but not Europe, and roaming rates are intolerable: as much as $20.48/MB. I wouldn’t purchase this modem for use outside the U.S.
Performance and Conclusions
We tested the UML290 in New York City head-to-head against the VL600, at 11 different places more than the program of a day. We transferred files over FTP, downloaded Web pages utilizing curl, and ran the pace tester at speedtest.net.
Overall, the two modems had nearly identical typical speeds. On speedtest.net, which simulates Internet streaming, we acquired just around 16Mbps down and about 5.75Mbps up with both modems, with much less than a 5% variation in between the modems in our Speedtest and FTP tests. That stated, when 1 modem came out slightly forward, it was the UML290 61% of the time.
We did two tests in 3G mode, and the UML290 arrived out ahead of the VL600 there, with speeds of one.5Mbps down compared to the VL600′s one.2Mbps.
I’ve seen some complaints about both of Verizon’s 4G modems getting difficulty in locations in the edge of 4G coverage. We didn’t see any dropped connections in our tests.
Having seen and tested dozens of USB modems by now, I’d consider Verizon’s two LTE modems roughly equal on performance. But I’d pick the UML290 because of its other factors – a better design that’s less most likely to break, the antenna ports and the (admittedly unofficial) Mac support.
If you have a Verizon 3G modem and you are inside a location that isn’t obtaining 4G any time soon, stick with what you’ve. But in the event you live in or travel to 1 of your cities covered by Verizon’s 4G network, the Pantech UML290 is your best wager. It’s the quickest, best-designed and most convenient modem Verizon has to provide right now.
In the event you do not spend much time in Verizon’s 4G coverage area, think about other carriers also, simply because Verizon’s 3G network is slower than AT&T’s and T-Mobile’s, according to our quickest mobile networks test. Also, if you are patient, you may want to watch for the Verizon LTE MiFi devices, which are coming this Spring and can connect up to 5 computers and phones to an ad-hoc Wi-Fi hotspot.
Specifications
- Service Provider Verizon Wireless
- Cellular Technology CDMA 1X, EV-DO, LTE
- Bands 850, 1900, 700
- 802.11x No
- Mac Compatible No
