Palm Treo Pro Cell Phone Review - Connectivity

The Treo Pro has all the right stuff to keep you connected to the most prevalent cellular networks in the U.S. and abroad, including 3G networks. Wi-Fi is also present to get you faster connection speeds when a network is available, and Bluetooth offers good functionality and a super-easy way to tether it to your computer to share your internet connection. Infrared is also present, though this is a legacy technology that fewer and fewer phones have these days.

Cellular Bands (8.0)
The Treo Pro is a quad-band GSM device, able to operate on the 850MHz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz frequencies. Since it's sold unlocked, meaning that it is not locked to a specific carrier and can be used with any carrier's SIM card right out of the box, it offers the greatest level of flexibility for globe-hopping business travelers. GSM networks are more prevalent than CDMA networks outside of the U.S., so it makes the most sense for those frequent other countries regularly to have a GSM device. With the ability to use any SIM card from any provider, you'll often get far better rates for calls and data usage than you would with roaming rates through your home carrier.

Data Support Score (8.0)
The Treo Pro is a tri-band UMTS/HSPDA device, enabling it to connect to 3G networks in the U.S., though on AT&T's network only, and other networks outside of the U.S. When a 3G network is not available, it will connect to any available GPRS or EDGE data network instead.

T-Mobile users should note that T-Mobile's 3G network operates on the 1700MHz frequency, with which the Treo Pro, along with many other unlocked smartphones not made specifically for T-Mobile's U.S. network, is not compatible.

Bluetooth (7.5)
The Treo Pro has a Bluetooth radio operating on the 2.0 + EDR standard. Pairing with the Treo Pro is easy and straightforward. There are 7 Bluetooth profiles, including the all-important Personal Area Networking profile to make sharing your Treo Pro's internet connection with your computer as easy as pie. It also has the Service Discovery Application, Audio Video Remote Control, Headset, Handsfree, Synchronization, Object Push, and Phone Book Access profiles.

The Treo Pro's Bluetooth settings menu

Wi-Fi (5.0)
The Treo Pro has a Wi-Fi radio that can connect to 802.11b/g networks. With Wi-Fi networks becoming more and more available at public places, we appreciate a device that offers Wi-Fi connectivity since it usually offers faster speeds still than any 3G connection and could save you on data connectivity charges if you surpass your plan limit or are charged per kilobyte.

The Treo Pro's Wi-Fi settings menu

Infrared (7.0)
Infrared connectivity is becoming more rare in cell phones these days, surpassed in speed and security by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Treo Pro is a bit of a holdover here since it has an infrared radio. Among our comparison phones, only the Treo 750 and Nokia E71 also offer it.

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