Is that a hotspot in your pocket? (Cradlepoint PHS300)

I have long desired for a way to turn my phone into a WiFi hotspot. When I was told of the Cradlepoint PHS300 Personal Hotspot, I knew I had to give it a try. Below is a video of the unboxing. Forgive the quality of this one as it is my first (and last) experiment using YouTube's "Quick Capture" feature.


I apologize for the delay between the unboxing video and this actual review. I had some difficulties (my fault) that I will get into later. Let's look at the hardware:


In the photo above, it's sitting next to a Nokia N810 and on top of an Asus Eee PC. It is slightly shorter and thicker than the N810, so is a good size for a jacket pocket or laptop bag. There is a USB port, a charging port, and a power switch on one edge and three LEDs on the top. The LEDs show power, connection status, and WiFi status.

The set-up is simple: Plug in your mobile broadband phone or USB module into the device and turn it on. From there, it will create a WiFi hotspot quickly and automatically.


To configure the hotspot or check connectivity status, simply tell your computer to use the hotspot. Your first attempt to browse the web will automatically redirect you to the PHS300's configuration page. There is a default password set automatically and it's based on the serial number, so there's no worry about getting your hotspot hacked as soon as you turn it on.

Once in the preferences, there is a VAST catalog of settings and configuration options. Some of these options are only found in very high end routers, so Cradlepoint went a long way to develop the firmware.

It is intended to work with USB EVDO data cards, tethering compatible phones , and Blackberries. Sprint and Verizon users are in luck. I tried getting it to work on my AT&T Nokia N95 and it did not like the HSDPA network, but that is a software issue. I am sure that Cradlepoint can release a GSM/HSDPA version if demand is high enough. I also tried to get it to work on a Blackberry and it did indeed attempt to dial - but that was also my fault as I did not have a tethering plan on the Sprint account. Instead, I relied on my friend John Tokash (who built a sweet KITT light bar) as he has a Cradlepoint with a U727 USB EVDO adapter on Sprint.

His first attempt to get me benchmarks was difficult as he initially could not get the U727 to work directly with his MacBook Air. He tracked it down to a preferences issue on his MacBook Air that requires extra steps to be taken in order to use the EVDO module directly on the Mac. The Cradlepoint, on the other hand, worked right away as a normal WiFi hotspot. This brings up the important advantage of device drivers. I have WiFi devices running Linux, Windows, Mac OS, Symbian, and custom operating systems. The USB device is supported directly under Windows and, with some hacking, under OS X. It may work on Linux too, but that would be through some advanced configuration. Converting the USB device signals into a universally understood WiFi signal makes life a lot easier.

From there - we got a surprise in the benchmarks: Using the PHS300 actually resulted in FASTER downstream speeds. These are the results John reported:

Best speed when directly connected to the modem with a ISB cable

• 1100 kb/s down
• 444 kb/s up
• 248 ping

Best speed when connected over WiFi to the PHS300

• 1355 kb/s down
• 266 kb/s up
• 269 ping

The ping was slightly higher (naturally - as there is one more hop on the route) and I have no explanation for the cut in upstream speed, but the downstream speed boost was amazing. This can be for a couple reasons: First, the CPU and operating system on the client machine does not have to do the work of interpreting the USB signals. It simply goes through a familiar WiFi signal. It can also be due to the distance put between the USB modem and the computer, cutting interference and allowing the USB modem's antenna to be more effective. In fact, this solution will allow a user to place the USB modem anywhere in the room, near a window, or at a high point to maximize EVDO reception.

On a final note - the PHS300 allows multiple machines to share the same EVDO connection. This is an advantage that needs no further explanation. It's just darn convenient.

Conclusion:
The Cradlepoint offers the following advantages:

• Eliminating the need for drivers.
• Allowing the EVDO antenna to be placed a distance from the PC or laptop for maximum reception.
• Ability to share EVDO connections.
  

There are only a couple limitations:

• One more device to carry in the laptop bag.
• Having to monitor the battery of that device.

All told - this is something I've wanted for a long time. It's a shame that I ditched EVDO when I purchased my Nokia N95 and switched to the AT&T network. There is an alternative for Symbian phones called JoikuSpot, but the WiFi hotspot actually runs on the phone, offers no security so far, and bleeds the battery faster because the HSDPA and WiFi radios are running at the same time. On a final note: While there is no word on if this will work with WiMAX modems, it is still a good time to give Sprint a try when XOHM is released. If the PHS300 works on WiMAX, I can see myself switching all my mobile broadband needs to that platform.