Sprint recently introduced their new 3G CDMA 1xRTT service PCS Vision (www.pcsvision.com/), available nation-wide through Sprint's all-digital network. PCS Vision offers wireless multimedia services to mobile users, including e-mail, Web browsing, messaging, pictures, games, screensavers, and more. PCS Vision also includes the Business Connection application that allows mobile users to access their Microsoft Outlook or Exchange e-mail and folders as well as the My Documents folder on their desktop PC. PCS Vision runs on the "Enhanced Sprint Nationwide PCS Network," which is based on Qualcomm's CDMA 1xRTT protocol. The "enhanced" network doubles Sprint's voice capacity and allows data transfers at up to 153 Kbps.

The first PC Card device to take advantage of this network is the Merlin C201 from Novatel Wireless (www.novatelwireless.com/welcome.html). The card is marketed by Sprint as the PCS Connection Card (Screen 1) and is available only through Sprint and Sprint dealers.

Screen 1: The PCS Connection Card, Sprint's version of the Novatel Wireless Merlin C201, adds a high-speed CDMA modem to your notebook PC, Handheld PC, or Pocket PC.

I have been using the PCS Connection Card in my Compaq iPAQ H3850 for two months in Dallas, Texas, without a hitch. I've also used it in Houston and in Columbia, MO with the same results. Sprint says that average speeds are 50-70 Kbps but I haven't gotten below 92.5 Kbps on my notebook or 80 Kbps on my iPAQ. I assume this will change as more people get on the new network. This article focuses on using it with the iPAQ.

Setting up the software and "provisioning" the card

The PCS Connection Card comes with a CD that includes software for Windows 98/2000/ XP as well as for Pocket PC 2000 & Pocket PC 2002. The installation steps are as follows:

1. Have your Connection Card activated through Sprint or your Sprint dealer.
2. Install the Wireless Connection Manager software from the CD onto your notebook PC (or desktop PC with a PC Card drive). The installation program should start automatically when you insert the CD into the PC's CD drive.
3. Select the first option ("Install Wireless Connection Manager Software") and install both the Notebook and the Pocket PC software.
4. Insert the PCS Connection Card into your PC's card drive.
5. Start the Wireless Connection Manager on your PC. Sprint will "provision" the PCS Connection Card "over the air," meaning that Sprint programs your card over the air with your phone number and account information. The data cards must be provisioned in a PC before you can use them in a Pocket PC. They cannot be provisioned in a Pocket PC.