vB Easy Archive - Semi-scientific benchmark of UMTS/HSDPA PC Card vs. Tethered Phone

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Semi-scientific benchmark of UMTS/HSDPA PC Card vs. Tethered Phone
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Posted by: goestoeleven

Ok, so it looks like I was bored, and so far I haven't seen anybody else try this so why not, right?

As the owner of a Sierra Wireless AirCard 860 (UMTS/HSDPA) and an HTC TyTN (UMTS/HSDPA), I figured I could be the first to compare different types of PC data connections.

Anecdotally, it seemed like the TyTN USB-tethered connection was roughly the same speed as the direct PC-Card connection, and the TyTN tethered over Bluetooth definitely seemed slower, but it was time to confirm.

For all tests, I used Cingular's ISP.CINGULAR APN, and I logged in as ISP@CINGULARGPRS.COM. There was no proxy server used at all. Also, I disabled all apps on my PC that might try and hijack the data connection and disconnected WiFi and wired ethernet connections before getting started.

For my benchmark, I ran the 600k test from DSLReports.com

Finally, all tests were run within a 45-minute period at my home office desk in the Boston area (I had a good 3G connection for all tests).

So the results:

Siera Aircard 860
11:25pm 634 kbs
11:26pm 559 kbs
11:27pm 651 kbs
11:28pm 737 kbs
11:29pm 646 kbs
-----------------
Avg: 645 kbs

HTC TyTN (USB Tether)
11:41pm 585 kbs
11:42pm 737 kbs
11:43pm 748 kbs
11:44pm 648 kbs
11:45pm 520 kbs
-----------------
Avg: 648 kbs

HTC TyTN (Bluetooth 1.2 Tether)
12:06am 307 kbs
12:08am 296 kbs
12:09am 312 kbs
12:10am 275 kbs
12:11am 308 kbs
-----------------
Avg: 300 kbs

So what did I learn from all this? Statistically, there was no difference in speed between the PC-Card and the Tethered USB connections. Also, as expected, the Bluetooth connection was significantly slower.

Other conclusion: I really can't justify keeping the PC-Card 3G plan anymore! I'll be giving up simultaneous Internet-on-PC and phone connectivity, but at a $59.99/mo savings? I think it's worth it!

Posted by: Eagle117

Thanks for this information!

Posted by: moddestmike

Seems it would just be cheaper to add a line with media works unlimited, and being that I get a 26% corp disc off the monthly bill, that would eat the cost of the additional line with the mediaworks. I love getting over on the "man".

Posted by: importluva

which data plan would you have to continue tethering to your PC using your phone?

Posted by: walkguru

thanks for doint that reserch.

Posted by: awj223

Where did you do these tests (was there other equipment operating in the 2.4 GHz ISM band nearby, like WiFi hot spots or access points, microwaves, etc.?)

I'm surprised that the Bluetooth was THAT slow. Even BT 1.2 is supposed to go up around 720 kbps, so I would have expected a real-world throughput of around 500. I don't carry a USB cable. The logic I use is that if there's 2.4 GHz interference, there's probably an AP that I can use instead of tethering. It's the areas that nothing is interfering with the BT that you should be using HSDPA because nothing else is available.

Posted by: goestoeleven

@awj223: The bluetooth behavior was absolutely consistent even with my old phone (an SX-66) when compared to a USB tether. There is just plain latency in the connection, and it is 50% slower... sorry!

Now it would be nice if the TyTN supported Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, but it doesn't, and my laptop only has Bluetooth 1.2, anyway.

In final answer to your question, yes, there is an 802.11b/g network in my house, and there's probably another 3-4 of them in range, too. I honestly don't think that will make one iota of difference...

@importluva: keep your eye on what Cingular requires with the 8525. I'm using PDAConnect with the ISP APN. The phone definitely works on the WAP APN, too, but I've found it is not as fast....