USB to PCMCIA, something Vodacom should consider

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erike

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Elan Digital Systems has a USB-to-PCMCIA adaptor available. It currently supports two 3G cards (either available in SA). If you do not have a notebook / notebook with a PCMCIA slot this can work great!

Vodacom should consider looking into working with Elan and the manufacturers of the new HSDPA cards to make them compatible with the adaptor as well as sourcing these adaptors for the SA market.




http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/usb/u111.php
 
I don't think Vodacom can do anything about it. It's up to the OEMs like Novatel, to supply Elandigitalsusytems with the correct specs to develop a the new adaptor. :rolleyes:
 
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I'm using an PCMCIA to PCI adapter and it works fine with both my 3G & Iburst!
 
We work very close with Elan Digital System and the PCMCIA <-> PCI adaptor you buy in a Vodashop today actually is an Elan unit.

Last time I requested the USB adaptor for testing, Elan could not yet supply but I think we just got a unit in for testing.

Important to note that it won't work with all adaptors.

Will ask for feedback on the testing.
 
Will the PCMCIA to USB adapter support Windows XP x64, I emailed Elan and they said that they don't have drives for Win x64 yet.

I don't want to buy a Linksys router at the moment, becuse I am waiting for D-Link to release their 3G router, I want to keep my wireless network all D-Link (108Mbps)
 
MeercatMilker said:
Will the PCMCIA to USB adapter support Windows XP x64, I emailed Elan and they said that they don't have drives for Win x64 yet.

I don't want to buy a Linksys router at the moment, becuse I am waiting for D-Link to release their 3G router, I want to keep my wireless network all D-Link (108Mbps)
Click to expand...

As the developer of the product, Elan will have the last word.
 
Is there anything special about PCMCIA tech that does not exist in USB ? Why are manufacteres still even producing PCMCIA cards at all and not -straight- USB dongles ? I've seen USB GPRS modems and such, you don't need adapters and weird extras..why even bother with these types of adapters? It just looks like an unnessary additional cost [almost like middleware] for something that should have been sorted out after the first 3G cards hit the markets...
 
The way I understand it, they actually build a USB controller into the card. Or at least used to.

This is easy to plug into the PCMCIA slot but when you try and plug it into the USB bus, you get two masters (one in the card and one on the motherboard) clashing.

There are USB HSDPA modems on the way, but no dates yet, not even for beta.
 
Another thing with USB devices VS PCMCIA devices is that USB 2.0's maximum speed is 400 Mb/s whereas PCMCIA runs at bus speed, way faster. As far as internet connection speeds are concerned this isnt a factor because you can even use a USB 1.0 device as its speed is 12Mb/s, and as you know our fastest internet speed is 1.8 Mb/s (in theory) barring a few thousand disconnect/connect procedures. ;) ;)
 
vodacom3g said:
We work very close with Elan Digital System and the PCMCIA <-> PCI adaptor you buy in a Vodashop today actually is an Elan unit.

Last time I requested the USB adaptor for testing, Elan could not yet supply but I think we just got a unit in for testing.

Important to note that it won't work with all adaptors.

Will ask for feedback on the testing.
Click to expand...

V3G, did you get feedback on the testing? Particularly with the novatel cards..
 
U111-530/630

I had a word with one of the technical guys that stock these products, they tell me that the U740 being a 32 bit card will not work on any of these products, However they will be getting a new USB to PCMCIA in the next 2 weeks.:( :(
 
Just noticed on the same website, the Option globetrotter distributed by Vodafone and Vodacom, is also supported.... Yippee!
 
3G4me said:
Just noticed on the same website, the Option globetrotter distributed by Vodafone and Vodacom, is also supported.... Yippee!
Click to expand...

The Globetrotter 3G+ (PLUS) is not supported.

Not supported in the U132
Globetrotter HSDPA NZ
GlobeTrotter 3G EDGE (HSDPA-Ready) NZ
GlobeTrotter FUSION+ (HSDPA-Ready) NB
GlobeTrotter FUSION+ HSDPA NB
GlobeTrotter GT Max GA or GW
 
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