Sprnt & Verizon Mobile Broadband Device Comparison
Last Updated April 10, 2010 CST


Device Name

Operating
System Req.

Antenna
Types

Form
Factor
Routers

Notes
Sierra 250U (3G/4G2)
read review
purchase with Sprint service
purchase WITHOUT contract
Vista/XP/7
OSX3, linux
built-in
w/ jack
USB
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRAG4
Franklin U600 (3G/4G2)
read review
purchase with Sprint service
purchase WITHOUT contract
Vista/XP/7
OSX3, linux
built-in
w/ jack
USB
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

antennas coming soon

BRA4
Novatel MiFi2200 (3G1)
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP/7
OSX3, linux
(anything
with wifi)
no cellular
rf jack
USB/WiFi
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Options available

BRG4
Novatel U760 (3G1)
read review
purchase with Sprint service
purchase WITHOUT contract
Vista/XP/2000/7
OSX 10.4.7+3
built-in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRG4
Novatel C777 (3G1)
read review
purchase with Sprint service
purchase WITHOUT contract
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+3
built-in
w/jack
ExpressCard
w/ PC Card
adapter
CTR500
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BR4
Sierra 598U (3G1)
read review
purchase with Sprint service
purchase WITHOUT contract
purchase REFURBISHED
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4.11+3
built-in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

BRAGS4
Sierra Aircard 402 (3G1)
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+3
built-in
w/jack
ExpressCard
w/ PC Card
adapter
CTR500
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2
Sierra Overdrive (3G/4G2)
read review
purchase with Sprint service
purchase WITHOUT contract
Vista/XP/7
OSX3, linux
(anything
with wifi)
no cellular
rf jack
USB/WiFi
none
Franklin U301 (3G/4G2)
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+3
no cellular
rf jack
USB
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

BRAGS4

Franklin U300 (3G/4G2)
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
NO Mac
no cellular
rf jack
USB
PHS300
CTR500
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200

Sierra Compass 597 (3G1)
read review
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.4+3
built-in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

BRAGS4
Novatel EX720 (3G1)
purchase REFURBISHED
Vista/XP
10.4.8+3
built-in
w/jack
ExpressCard
CTR500
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2
 Antennas available

BR4
Pantech PX500 (3G1)
purchase REFURBISHED

Vista/XP
OSX 10.3.9+ 3

flip up
w/jack

PCMCIA
MBR1200

Antennas available
Sierra Aircard 595 (3G1)
purchase REFURBISHED
Vista/XP
10.4.8+3
built-in
w/jack
PCMCIA
MBR1200
Antennas available

BRAS4
Novatel U727 (3G1)
read review
purchase REFURBISHED
Vista/XP
OSX 10.4+3
flip up
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRG4
Novatel U720 (3G1)
read review
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.4+3
flip up
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BR4
Franklin U680 (3G1)
read review
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
10.4.8+3
built-in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
PHS300
CTR500
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
Antennas available
Device Name

Operating
System Req.

Antenna
Types

Form
Factor
Routers

Notes
Novatel MiFi2200
read review
purchase with 2-Yr Verizon service
purchase REFURBISHED
Vista/XP
OSX, linux
(anything
with wifi)
no cellular
rf jack
USB/WiFi
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Options available

BRA4
Novatel USB760
read review
purchase with 2-Yr Verizon service
purchase REFURBISHED
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+
built in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRA4
Novatel PC770
read review
purchase with Verizon service
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+
built-in
w/jack
ExpressCard
w/ PC Card
adapter
CTR500
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRA4
Pantech UMW190
purchase with Verizon service
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+
built in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Global-capable5

Antennas available
Verizon Fivespot
purchase with Verizon service
Vista/XP
OSX
(anything
with wifi)
no cellular
rf jack
USB/WiFi
None

Global-capable5

Novatel V740
This device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.3.9+
flip up
w/jack
ExpressCard
34 or 54
CTR500
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRA4
ZTE AD3700
read review
this device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP/7
NO Mac
built in
w/jack
USB
None

Global-capable5

Antennas available
Novatel USB727
This device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.3.9+
flip up
w/jack
USB
CTR350
PHS300
CTR500
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRA4
Pantech UM175
read review
This device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.3.9+
built in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200

Antennas available

Pantech UM150
read the review
This device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.3.9+
flip up
w/jack
USB
CTR350
PHS300
CTR500
MBR900
MBR1000
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available
Sierra USB598
read the review
This device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP/7
OSX 10.4+
built-in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR1000
MBR900
MBR1200

Antennas available

BRAGS4
Novatel USB720
This device is no longer
available for purchase
Vista/XP
OSX 10.4+
built-in
w/jack
USB
CTR350
CTR500
PHS300
MBR1000
MBR900
MBR1200
BC2

Antennas available

BRA4
All of Verizon's devices are 1xRTT, EVDO Rev-0 and EVDO Rev-A Capable
  1. Sprint's 3G-only devices are 1xRTT, EVDO Rev-0 and EVDO Rev-A Capable
  2. Sprint's 3G/4G devices can connect to 4G WiMAX and 1xRTT, EVDO Rev-0 and EVDO Rev-A
  3. Sprint provides limited Mac tech support on SOME devices (not all) and Apple does not provide EVDO support!
    3Gstore will perform 'PreActivation' Service on all devices purchased with 2-year contract before they leave the 3gstore warehouse
  4. The "BRAGS" coding explains which Cradlepoint admin features work with each device.
    B = signal bars; R = RSSI; A = Activation/PRL; G = GPS; S = 'Service Display'
  5. Verizon's "global-capable" modems can be used internationally, BUT additional charges apply.

Definition of Terms:

Sprint and Verizon call their EVDO (3G) service "Mobile Broadband" and both refer to their 1xRTT service as "NationalAccess"

Sprint calls their WiMAX (4G) service "Sprint 4G"

Average Speeds by type of Network:
1xRTT 50 ~ 100kbps Download and Upload, bursts to 144kbps
EVDO Rev-0 400 ~ 1000kbps Download, bursts to 2Mbps; 50 ~ 100kbps Upload, bursts to 144kbps
EVDO Rev-A 600 ~ 1400kbps Download, bursts to 3Mbps; 300 ~ 600kbps Upload, bursts to 1.8Mbps
WiMAX 3000 ~ 6000kbps Download, bursts to 10Mbps; upload speeds up to 1000kbps