The era of wireless broadband connectivity for rapid access to the Internet is just beginning in major Russian cities. If the UMTS network companies "Big Three" to actively run in the regions, in Moscow until the solutions are only available from the "Sky Link" (standard CDMA2000), as well as "Scartel" (trade mark – Yota) and "Comstar" (for both networks – standard IEEE 802.16e).
Cravnivat these technologies in the access network "directly" would not be entirely true. Still, "Sky Link" is based in Moscow and St. Petersburg is not the first year, to optimize network coverage with regular detours quality laboratories, and the operating frequency of the network (450 MHz) radio waves can penetrate better into the building and the "punch" reinforced concrete walls. "Scartel" has started in the autumn of last year (and even then – in the test operation), and "Comstar" (similar to – test run) – from the beginning of 2009.
Thus, we will not have a direct comparison, the winners and losers – we just look at three projects for the deployment of wireless broadband access, which are the real alternative to the 3G networks of operators "Big Three". They are something, unfortunately, in the capital in the near future is foreseen.
- In fairness, we note that the high-speed wireless access technologies to the Internet in Moscow, there are still network Wi-Fi, but from our testing, they drop out because they do not differ the most important factor – mobility.
- Installation and connection
Of course, even the most powerful solution for the "besprovodke" can not be compared with the channel fixed rate of response to information resources (ping) and the reliability of the connection (assuming that the fixed-line operator is not any work is carried out with the main equipment). But the wireless network, in fact, require very different. The main thing here – mobility, speed of installation of equipment, a small start time communication session control and ease of built-in connection manager.
All the equipment we received from communications providers, it was compact and light – a typical portable USB-modems. To communicate with a network of "Sky Link", we used a modem AnyData ADU-520A, for the network "Scartel" (Yota) – USB-modem, Samsung SWC-U200 for network "Comstar" – Nortel WiMAX 2501.
Note that preobretaya Mobile modem in the sales package you will not find anything extra. In all versions there is a small-size packing box, warranty card, CD with drivers (optional, in case of "Sky Link" – on disk is software for older systems like Windows 98, for "Comstar" management software simply does not yet written to the internal memory Device Nortel) and an additional USB-cable, or a combined USB-adapter for mounting the device in an upright position (helps if such a structural feature not present in the device). By the way, an additional USB-cable has been detected only in the package "Sky Link". Too bad – if the USB-ports are located one above the other (not uncommon for mobile PCs), but still close to the power plug, then install the modem at the same time and, say, flash is not obtained. It should be borne in mind these features in advance to study the configuration of USB-ports of your mobile PC.
Installation of equipment like fast enough, but with a difference – if the drivers for modems, "Sky Link" and "Scartel" are loaded from the internal memory, then the "Comstar", as already mentioned, it uses a separate CD-ROM. First you have to install the software from the disk, and then connect the hardware to the USB-port. If you spend all the actions in this sequence, the adjustment will take about 3-5 minutes.
Log in network
Note that the authorization for the network to all operators is different. The simplest version of a "Sky Link". RUIM-card (similar to SIM-card operators standard GSM) installed in the slot and the modem user does not need to enter username and password to connect to the network: it happens automatically and deducted the cost of access to his personal account. In "Scartel" authorization bit different – the system "binds" a particular modem or express-card to a well-defined personal account number. To do this, after purchasing the device, use it to go to the Network, go to the site operator (other resources at the first connection is still blocked), and in your account to authorize the access device. No more passwords for inclusion in the network already is not necessary, but the device can be used from any computer. In "Comstar" login and password must be entered once in the control software, which manages a modem connection to the network (the data written on the inner side of the box with the device) – they are saved and remembered this information before each connection is no longer necessary. Thus, all operators of the "quick start" is implemented quite well.
Connection
Connecting all three modems are fast enough (of course, if the network), but with a difference. For example, the "Sky Link" after connecting the modem to the USB-port to run the control software must take 2-3 seconds until the light turns PWR (orange), and an indicator IDLE / BUSY turns green – otherwise the program will not detect the communication device. Further, the connection should click on the blue button with the logo of Internet Explorer – this is starting to connect to the network. Modem "Scartel" in finding the control program in memory, instantly recognizable and immediately establishes a connection to the network without any additional reminders from the user – it is the right decision. Modem "Comstar" are also recognized within 2-3 seconds, but for connecting please click on the Connect button in the control program.
Note that the coverage is, of course, one of the most important indicators for the wireless network. In this case, everything is pretty obvious – a "Sky Link" signal is present in almost anywhere in Moscow (we measured the velocity inside the buildings in the Central and Southern Districts of Moscow). In "Scartel" – a signal is present more or less stable (Central, Northern and Southern Districts), while the "Comstar" – yet occasionally (Southern Metropolitan Region). Despite the fact that the building where we were trying to "catch" the signal from the "Comstar-WiMAX", it would seem, were in stable reception area network (map), the signal was detected only after a detour surrounding area, focusing on the data of computer simulation company operator. As a result, the network was found at a gas station BP in Kashira Highway near the Moscow Ring Road, where we spent the necessary measurements of the velocity.
The functional "iron"
Those mobile modems that are currently on the market, of course, very utilitarian – are intended only to provide access to the Internet. Additional functionality (for example, sending an SMS) realized there is very limited. So, the modem "Sky Link" is not possible to arrange a mass-mailing SMS, and a modem "Scartel" and "Comstar" is technically impossible: first, the user is not assigned a mobile number for feedback, and secondly, for the WiMAX- Modem does not provide the ability to send SMS through the Internet gate, as well as the organization of VoIP-calls using the integrated software.
Note that these devices (mainly, WiMAX-modem – speed of access there is more than CDMA2000) can be used not only to access the network from a mobile PC, notebook or workstation, but also as an Internet gateway for multiple computers. However, for the latter option, in theory, a mobile modem is not used, it is the prerogative of the wireless router, so setup access for other participants' lokalke "require users of certain knowledge of network technologies. Note that in the Internet community in yota_ru LiveJournal blogging service over the past few months, such connectivity options and possible problems in their process, were discussed at least a couple of times, so that the necessary technical comments can be found there.
Technical characteristics of mobile modems are presented below in Tables № 1 – № 3.
The control software that comes bundled all of the test device, made quiet an impression. The most pleasant interface was at the PO "Scartel" as built into it the possibility of self-renewal in the presence of a new version of the site operator. Software "Comstar" was only a test, so a definitive conclusion about its consumer characteristics can be done later when the final version will be presented. Software "Sky Link" is sufficiently straightforward and utilitarian – to improve the design would not hurt. While operators have, unfortunately, there is no desire to add to these software packages additional functionality: for example, the metering of traffic (this is not a "Sky Link" and "Comstar"), loading data for the balance of the account, add a link to an automated profile with questions about a link or a description of the proposed solutions possible technical problems (especially true for "Scartel" and "Comstar"). There is no built-in Network Monitor, where you could see the dynamics of the load channel.