Not even a month has passed since Verizon announced that it had partnered with the USA arm of China's ZTE to release of the AD3700 USB modem which offered users worldwide coverage from a single device. And now the company is at it again, declaring the forthcoming availability of the UMW190 USB modem, which does essentially the same job in a slightly smaller and cheaper form.
The stylish black UNW190 offers worldwide wireless broadband connectivity via a combination of Dual-Band CDMA 1xEV–DO Rev. A/Rev. 0: 800/1900MHz, Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA: 850/1900/2100MHz and Quad-Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900MHz capabilities. It has a pre-installed 'Global Ready' SIM card, a visual two-color LED status indicator, two-way text messaging capabilities and promises simple plug and play installation and configuration. It also supports VPN and NDIS.
Like the AD3700 it connects to your mobile device via swivel USB (which, when not in use, is hidden via a sliding cover), comes with access management software, will connect automatically and is compatible with Windows 2000, XP and Vista.
The UMW190 is smaller than the AD3700, measuring in at 2.8in x 1.4in x 0.6in and slightly lighter at 1.4oz. It's also a bit cheaper at USD$49.99 (after a USD$50 mail-in rebate when a new two-year contract is signed).
The device is available now online at the Verizon Wireless website and through the company's business sales channels, and will hit Verizon stores later in the month.
Not wishing to repeat myself but, like I commented in my overview of the AD3700, at face value the only advantage that the UMW190 appears to offer is the convenience of not having to locate wireless broadband as you arrive in whatever country you're traveling to.
Given that such connectivity can often be low-cost or even free in some areas of the world, it may be worth doing some research before jumping into a new two-year contract when purchasing this particular mobile broadband solution.
