Which treo has the best data network, verizon (EV-DO) or cingular (EDGE)?

[Lethargic]

I am ordering a new treo as soon as possible, but this is what it comes down to for me.
I live in the New York metropolitan area, so coverage isn't much of an issue for me.
I understand that cingular uses EDGE, and verizon uses EV-DO on their treos, but I don't really know much about how the specific technology works.

Could anyone lend insight into which service and data network I would want?
The prices are almost thet same so that isn't really a factor.

[kabeyun]

I am ordering a new treo as soon as possible, but this is what it comes down to for me.
I live in the New York metropolitan area, so coverage isn't much of an issue for me.
I understand that cingular uses EDGE, and verizon uses EV-DO on their treos, but I don't really know much about how the specific technology works.

Could anyone lend insight into which service and data network I would want?
The prices are almost thet same so that isn't really a factor.

Verizon uses EVDO in their network in about 20 major metro markets. But it doesn't matter (assuming you posted this thread in the Treo 650 forum deliberately); the Treo 650 is not EVDO compliant.

Not to rub salt in the wound, but EVDO is faster by roughly a factor of 10, with max rate of 2.4 Mb/s. EDGE reportedly hits bursts of 200 Kb/s but typically runs slower than that. (Any EDGE users out there care to post their actual throughput?)

-K

[Lethargic]

Verizon uses EVDO in their network in about 20 major metro markets. But it doesn't matter (assuming you posted this thread in the Treo 650 forum deliberately); the Treo 650 is not EVDO compliant.

Not to rub salt in the wound, but EVDO is faster by roughly a factor of 10, with max rate of 2.4 Mb/s. EDGE reportedly hits bursts of 200 Kb/s but typically runs slower than that. (Any EDGE users out there care to post their actual throughput?)

-K

Oh, I see.
So essentially, if we are talking about the Treo 650, then Cingular with its EDGE network is -fastest- data network, at least in theory.

[Lethargic]

Oh, I see.
So essentially, if we are talking about the Treo 650, then Cingular with its EDGE network is -fastest- data network, at least in theory.

Ok, stupid question, but is Verizon's "3G" network faster than EDGE?

[kabeyun]

Ok, stupid question, but is Verizon's "3G" network faster than EDGE?

3G is a general term for third-generation wireless.
It has various standards, of which Verizon uses CDMA2000.
The CDMA2000 standard can be implemented at various packet rates:

1xRTT ["1X"] (80 Kb/s, bursts to 144 Kb/s) = Verizon's "National Access"
1xEV-DO ["EVDO"] (up to 3 Mb/s) = Verizon's "Broadband Access" (not Treo 650-compatible)
1xEV-DV ["EVDV"] = multichannel EVDO
3x = future (?)

So...if you wanted to be thorough (or verbose) you could call the 1xRTT protocol "CDMA2000 3G1xRTT." It is somewhat slower than EDGE at its quickest (144 Kb/s peak v 200 Kb/s peak). What actual EDGE customers, and 1xRTT customers, get will vary.
So...

So essentially, if we are talking about the Treo 650, then Cingular with its EDGE network is -fastest- data network, at least in theory

you're absolutely correct. Technically. In my mind unless you're planning to be a very data-intensive Treonaut, I'd base my wireless carrier decision on local signal quality and reliability. Hope this helps.

Cheers.