3G Unlocked USB Modem for GSM - Zoom 4595

3G Unlocked USB Modem for GSM - Zoom 4595 unit is solid. Nice simple design. It's a little tricky putting the SIM card into the slot - after you take off the back cover, you have to carefully position it so it will slide under a thin metal band. But you eventually get the hang of it.


Unfortunately the AT&T voice/data card that I use in my smartphone didn't work in the Zoom modem. I couldn't connect with the network. I called Zoom tech support several times. The Zoom tech support people were helpful, but this unit is really new - they admitted that they haven't gotten a lot of calls on it yet. I finally talked to "Dennis," who said that you have to get a "data only" SIM card from AT&T. Unfortunately the reps at AT&T say there is no such thing - that you can only get a data SIM if you also buy a PCMCIA modem. Called tech support back at Zoom and they said you can get one if you go to an AT&T store. I was getting tired of the AT&T runaround, so I checked T-Mobile online.

It turns out T-Mobile has an unlimited data plan for $39.99/month. Went to the local store with my laptop and my Zoom modem, signed up for the plan, and got the SIM card. Didn't have to get a contract, or buy a modem or phone. Plugged the card into the Zoom modem, and plugged the Zoom modem into the laptop. Bingo. It downloaded pages faster than my cable modem - tough to believe, but true.

The 3G Unlocked USB Modem for GSM - Zoom 4595 software is nicely designed. It shows you your usage rate, in case you're watching your megabytes. Makes it easy to receive SMS messages - which comes in handy when you're registering on the T-Mobile site, for example. We'll see how this works with local SIM cards in other areas of the world, but so far - thanks to T-Mobile - this is pretty encouraging.

3G Unlocked USB Modem for GSM - Zoom 4595 Product Features and Technical Details

• The Model 4595 is an unlocked 3G mobile broadband modem that works with service providers around the world.
•  The 4595 supports data rates of up to 7.2 Mbps on downloads and 5.76 Mbps for uploads using a wide range of cellular data communications standards
•  Standards including: HSDPA, HSUPA, UMTS, EDGE. Tri-band frequency support allows to operate nearly anywhere GSM data service can be purchase

Technical Details

• Brand Name: Zoom Telephonics
•  Model: 4595-00-00F
•  Hardware Platform: PC, Mac
•  Form Factor: External
•  Connectivity Technology: Wireless
•  Networking Feature: None
•  Width: 3.3 inches
•  Depth: 1.1 inches
•  Height: 0.5 inches
•  Weight: 1.1 Ounces