Mobile Broadband Cards

[your_dreamguy]

Another non-aviation laptop question. Recently talked to a businessman at the airport who says he uses a Sprint Mobile Broadband card for his laptop and pays $60/month. I haven't looked around but I am looking for a Mobile Broadband card for my new laptop. I have a cell phone account with Verizon. Does anyone have recommendations? I am looking for the most reliable for the cheapest price. Thanks!

 

[Fugawe]

I use the Verizon card for my travels. It's $60/mo and I get a 17% airline discount. See if whomever you work for is on their corporate discount list.

In bigger cities I get high speed from the card, almost as fast as my cable modem at home. Remote areas, it slows to near dial-up speeds. Majority of areas I've used it in it's high speed. Even use the computer traveling on the interstates and get good speeds.

I have friends I do some consulting with with, they have TMobile and Sprint cards. One guy tried Sprint and Verizon and found Sprint faster in his area. But, I think it really depends on the area you will be using it most in.

I think there is some setup with the fancier phones where the phone serves as your computer 'card' too. Won't be long our phone will do everything for us.

Fugawe

 

[Redtailer]

Best Option

I don't have a broadband card, I just have a Sprint Pocket PC.. Connects the laptop consistantly at DSL speeds for free except for the weakest of signals. The broadband cards are nothing more than a gimick to rape you for more money.

Most 3G phones, contrary to what Sprint or some other service will tell you, DO act as modems. Quite good ones at that. My phone came out of the box with the capability. Nothing extra to buy. This is not the case with some of the cheaper phones, you will have to buy a $30 USB kit for your phone.

Under my plan because I have unlimited vision for $10/mo I pay NOTHING extra and have great service. Some of the older 3G phones have some quirks with them and run about 125kbps, but it is still worth it for the price.

Verizon phones work the same way as well from what I understand. I have never used it, but I have seen the kits out there for them.

You can go to futuredial.com to find the kits for your phone or just visit the local Radio Shack.

 

[CA1900]

You don't necessarily have to get the "kit" from the wireless company, either. Instead of an expensive kit, I got a cable for my LG 7000 (Verizon) on eBay for $8, including shipping. Works like a champ.

Verizon does charge (a lot) for access to their high-speed network. But you can use it at low-speeds (roughly the speed of bad dial-up) for just the cost of minutes. I usually only use it if the hotel doesn't have internet, or I'm in an airport that wants to rape me for $10 (such as my home airport, Albany).

 

[Groundpounder]

Dreamguy, check your PM's