This card no longer available. Try checking out other broadband card reviews.
So you wanna finally figure it out?
Is the UM175 Broadband Card the one for you?
Most likely, you’ve got some questions like:
- Will I have excellent coverage where I am and when I travel?
- How does it look like?
- Will it be fast enough for sufing the web and my downloading?
- How does it work?
- Will it work with my laptop without major hassles?
- Who’s got the best deal?
I understand where you’re coming from. These questions are completely normal for anyone shopping to get a broadband card. We’ll cover those bases and other insider information here.
Will I be your knight in shining armor? Maybe not. I can tell you that you’ll leave here knowing more than when you arrived.
If I don’t cover all the bases, don’t get the card. Instead, do me a favor. Drop me a line at the end of the page and let me know why you didn’t. That way I can make it better.
Let’s get to it.
Contents
- Summary
- Details
- Image Gallery
- Manufacturer’s Description
- Manual
- Product Specifications
- Where To Get It
What’s Good:
The UM175 is a true USB plug and play. No CD required. Just plug in and go. Also, the price is pretty good.
What’s Bad:
The USB connection has the potential to go bad. If it does, you’re up the creek without the internet to look up the customer service number.
Price:
No longer available
Provider:
Reviewed on: 12/03/08
Bottom-Line:
The UM175 is a good card. However, you need to use it with a certain amount of care. The small space between the USB connection and the main device is a potential hazard. If it gets a hard enough bump, you’re stuck in a 2 year contract with a broken device. Hardly appetizing. Not for the feint of heart.
At first glance, the UM175 looks like a really big flash drive loosely shaped on Darth Vader’s helmet. Verizon sells the UM175 Storm Trooper version. The form factor isn’t particularly terrible. If you’re looking for something sleek, there are a couple more flashy options out there.
Coming in a USB format, it’ll fit into any computer with a USB slot. If you look closely you’ll see that the connector piece actually swivels.
Why is that important? I’ll tell you right after a couple snapshots of the UM175 in the wild (read: Best Buy).
*My hand was a little shaky on this one. Didn’t want them to call security or anything
You’ll probably notice off the bat that it’s white and not gray/black. That’s because this is the Verizon version at Best Buy. They are literally the same card in different clothes.
On to the form factor.
Imagine you’re in a car or airplane. Something shakes up your laptop and it inches over. If it’s sticking out to the side, then it could bump into something, twist up the USB drive, and it’d never work again. Luckily, that’s less likely to happen here. You point the UTStarcom 175 up and it’s safe. Hopefully you won’t be reeling from the shock of it all.
If you choose to stick it in a USB slot at the back of your laptop, don’t forget it’s there. I messed my card up that way by working on my bed.
Otherwise, it’s got what you’d expect. EVDO Rev. A (3.1 Mbps) and Mac compatibility.
Coverage
If you’re interested in what coverage will look like for the UTStarcom UM175, then check out Alltel’s Wireless Broadband Coverage for the full details:
Alltel’s coverage area is limited by itself. However, in the places they do have coverage, it’s good and will be getting better with their EVDO Revision A upgrades being made. In addition to this, they’re merging with Verizon and have a current roaming agreement with Sprint.
UM175 Installation Tips and Guidelines
1. Do not insert the UM175 before installing the software on the computer. When you complete the software installation, the system will prompt you to insert the UM175 into the USB port.
2. Once the card has been inserted into the PC, do not remove it from your PC without first completing the unplugging/ejection process.
3. When disconnecting the UM175 from the computer, close all windows and quit all running applications that are stored on the device and double click the Unplug/Eject Hardware icon in the System tray (Windows).
*Great way to keep it in good condition. If the USB port goes, so does your internet.
The UM175 is a stylish, high speed CDMA EV-DO wireless modem with swivel-type USB connector for convenient use. It is ideal for business users who need fast, wireless connectivity for mobile productivity. The sleek device provides a faster way to access corporate networks, send and receive email and access the Internet while away from the office.
Not Available
USB Plug and Play – No CD Required
Weight: 1.1 oz.
Size: 2.8″ x 1.1″ x 0.6″
There are two kinds of people that visit this page.
The 1st person that knows that this is the card they want and they’re doing their due diligence. If that’s you, I hope I’ve done that for you. If I have, then you can make $100 for getting this thing.
If I haven’t covered everything, let me know what’s missing.
The 2nd person that reads this page is considering this card but has not made up their mind yet. If that’s you, there are two things you need to do:
I. Sign up for the Free E-Course “Wireless Broadband Exposed“
It’s like your pre-marital counselor and prenuptial agreement all in one. It’ll save you from any future heartache and checkbook punches that might come your way.
It’s been designed to explain in four short, detailed lessons what most people don’t know about Mobile Broadband.
II. Check out the Broadband Card Comparison
You’ll get a good feel for what to look for in a Broadband Card. It’s designed to compliment the Wireless Broadband Exposed course so that you’ve got the right card and the right plan at the right price without any fear.
Related Reading: 
Wireless Broadband Exposed (The Free Online E-Course)
The Top 4 Places to Get An Aircard
2009 Broadband Card Comparison
Wireless Broadband Service Comparison
What is Mobile Broadband? Tech Talk Demystified
International Wireless Broadband – AT&T Tops the Chart
Need more info? Check out the rest of the mobile broadband reviews.