Air Card for Wireless Internet?

[PolkaHero]

Okay, I'm finally looking to move up to broadband internet from dialup. I can't get cable or DSL broadband where I'm located (in the sticks!), so I'm looking at wireless aircards. There are other wireless options but everyone wants a 2-year commitment and I may move within two years. I'm liking the portability option with the aircard in case I move. Anyone here use these for their laptop, desktop, etc. and how do they like it? Looks like most plans run $60/month but there seems to be many options as far as brands and coverage. Thanks for any opinions/recommendations!

[TrooperFarva]

I used to have a Verizon aircard for my job. I used to travel to sites in the middle of nowhere, and I would need internet access, but most times not have it. It was very useful. I think the plan was $60 a month, I'm not sure, I didn't pay the bill.

One thing to consider that the worse your cell phone reception is, the slower your speeds are going to be. So if you have terrible cell reception in your house, the card may not be of much use to you.

Have you considered satellite internet?

[Papazita]

Virgin Mobile has a new pay-as-you-go broadband device.
$150 for the unit; only available at Best Buy.
The review's on the Best Buy site are pretty mixed. True, you don't have to sign up for a long-term contract, but, it's from Virgin Mobile, who just suck in general.
Virgin Mobile has broadband plans ranging from $10 to $60.
Personally, I wouldn't really have a need for a broadband device like this on a regular basis. The only time I could see getting one is if I was going on vacation, taking my laptop, and wanted guaranteed internet access. In that case, a paygo plan like Virgin's would make more sense than locking myself into a 1 or 2 year contract for something I'm only going to use 1 or 2 weeks out of the year.

[PolkaHero]

Originally Posted by Papazita

Virgin Mobile has a new pay-as-you-go broadband device.
$150 for the unit; only available at Best Buy.
The review's on the Best Buy site are pretty mixed. True, you don't have to sign up for a long-term contract, but, it's from Virgin Mobile, who just suck in general.
Virgin Mobile has broadband plans ranging from $10 to $60.
Personally, I wouldn't really have a need for a broadband device like this on a regular basis. The only time I could see getting one is if I was going on vacation, taking my laptop, and wanted guaranteed internet access. In that case, a paygo plan like Virgin's would make more sense than locking myself into a 1 or 2 year contract for something I'm only going to use 1 or 2 weeks out of the year.

Thanks for the Best Buy link. I checked out the different plans and it looks like my best bet would be a Verizon card for my area. Better coverage, better download speeds than AT&T, Alltel, and Sprint. The 2-year contract doesn't bother me with these cards as their portable and usable virtually everywhere in my state. If I go with a wireless provider locally, I'll have to pay transfer/termination fees if I cancel within their contract terms.

[Tarrbot]

I admin about 30 or so Sprint AirCards at work. They work real well.

One thing you might also consider is that they have AirCard routers... that you put the AirCard into and you can create a network off of that router.

I have a job site where I have about 5 or 6 people using this setup.

I have 2 more of these routers so that I can pop an AirCard in and send it with whomever so that they have an instant office anywhere Sprint signals reach within the U.S.

I use mine when I'm on my laptop and away.

The speeds aren't bad and as noted above, the speeds get slower the weaker your signal is.

Check a provider you are interested in and see what their coverage is like where you live and also where you're thinking of moving to.

IMO, they're definitely worth the money.

Also, if latency is a concern of yours (for gaming and what-not) then don't bother with satellite modems. The latency will kill you.

[DigMe]

Tarrbot,

I was about to say the same thing about satellite. Many have tried it and found it tortorous.

bc