Finally No Wires! Guide To Using an EVDO Internet Access
Card & Router for Trade Shows
by Evan D. Owen

In February 2006 D-Link, a well known router company, and
Kyocera, a well known cell phone products manufacturer,
launched a product that will revolutionize how trade show
exhibitors will gain access to broadband Internet access.

In most cases exhibitors didn't have many options when it
came to Internet access at trade shows, in fact there was
really only one.  You either rented it from the show
production company or went without.  At some shows the daily
access rate was $500 or more.  Now there is an option.  In
the past year wireless access through cellular phone systems
has increased at a staggering rate and that access is now
available in a format that can be shared by multiple users.

The technology is called EVDO and this is what cellular
carriers Verizon Wireless and Sprint use to distribute a
wireless broadband signal to its subscribers.  A typical
setup includes an account with one of these providers, a
laptop and an access card that plugs into the PC card slot
or PCMCIA Slot.  This setup is fine if only one user wanted
access, but what if you wanted to create a wired or wireless
network?

This is where the "revolution" takes place...the EVDO
router.  This router, available at Kyocera and at D-Link in
the near future, enable you to take the access card and
share it via a wired or wireless access.  Similar
technologies existed before this router came out, but they
weren't billed as affordable options.  The Kyocera EVDO
Router has a street price of $250 - $300.  These are the
items you will need in order to use this technology.

Internet Access Account   -  $60-$100 per month* - Verizon
Wireless or Sprint
EVDO PC Card                -  $50-$200**
EVDO Router                   -  $250-$300***
Total                               -  $1740-$2900 - based
on 24 Months of Service

*see service provider's websites for details and offers.
**see service provider's websites for details and offers.
***see hardware provider's websites for details and offers.

Currently, most service providers require you to sign a 24
month contract for both a phone and Internet access to get
their lowest rate so please check to see if service (Verizon
Coverage, Sprint Coverage) and what plans are available in
your area.  The total cost of 24 months of service and
hardware can be equal to what one company pays for access at
one show so you can see the incredible value.  You also have
the use of a technology that enables you to have access to
the Internet 24/7/365 without the need of any wires.

When EVDO is coupled with state-of-the-art portable
batteries then the technology can be used in ways never
imagined.  Imagine strapping on a framed camping backpack
that has a portable battery, laptop, and an EVDO card
plugged into the EVDO router.  Also plugged into the router
is a web-cam that has been attached to a helmet that is on
your head.  You now have a wireless, portable, go anywhere
webcasting solution.  Couple this setup with a wireless
bluetooth headset that plugs into an EVDO phone (specialized
phone that can be used with the router) and now you can
provide interactive tours of the show floor with two-way
communication that is broadcast back to a website.  Other
uses include POS systems and credit card authorization
systems.

The way I see it, EVDO will not only save thousands of
exhibitors' money but it has created a new level of
connectivity for our industry.  It will also be used to
create a whole new category of trade show experiences and
for me that is the most exciting part!

Evan D. Owen, President, http://www.smashhitdisplays.com
Founded in 2003, A Smash Hit! Trade Show Displays is a
leading Internet distributor of trade show display, booth,
and exhibit products primarily servicing North America.  As
a wholesaler we can offer display products at half the price
as local suppliers.  We offer full graphics design, printing
and can work on displays as small as tabletop units to
larger island style displays.