Wireless Internet Cards

[Nuvite-F]

Originally Posted by Blevi

I get the feeling from the responses so far that the Verizon users seem to be satisfied. For those of you using Verizon (and maybe it doesn't matter which service vendor) are you using the USB port or a PCMCIA Card? Verizon is recommending the USB UM150 with the 3G (faster downloads).

Blevi,

I have Verizon wireless internet and am currently paying about $60 a month. I am using a Verizon USB720 USB interface with either my laptop or desktop at home.

I am frankly amazed by the extent of Verizon's EV-DO Rev A broadband coverage. As I write this I am about 12 miles outside of Ely, MN, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, and have 3 bars of broadband coverage on the built-in antenna, indoors.

I also had broadband coverage in Bisbee, AZ, out back of beyond in the other direction.

(By comparison, at home in Ohio I have to use a Wilson Trucker antenna on the roof to get the same signal strength!)

Bottom line is that I am very happy with my Verizon wireless Internet. 'Tain't cheap, but you get what you are paying for.

See you down the road,
Nuvi

[Blevi]

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

start with POST 27 in this thread and read, it's all very current from that point on...

including the links to evdo resources, the cards, amplifiers and plans...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f451...tml#post506564


2air'

Thanks 2air...this indeed is a good thread...don't know why I didn't see it when I searched. Based on what I've seen here, Im leaning to the Verizon USB Um150 card and getting a booster antenna if I need it (probably will). Still keeping an open mind as I won't order it for a few days yet. I want to be on the road during the 30 day trial period.
Bob

[maccamper]

Originally Posted by moosetags

We use Alltel's Axxces with QuickLink Mobile software. We have used it all over the lower 48, and it has worked very well. The only problem that we have run into was in northwestern Maine where the cell equipment is not up to date enough the transceive data packets.

We use one of our cell phones wired to our notebook computer to make the connection. This service costs $25 per month for unlimited use. You must have an Alltel cell phone to use this service.

Brian

Adding to the mix is this news story that Verizon Wireless is reportedly in talks to buy Altell CNBC: Verizon Wireless in talks to buy Alltel: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Just no simple "one size fits all" solution to the wireless/Internet access quandry while away from home.

nancy mac

[rceptex]

I use sprint for my connection. $99.00 mo and not limit on service. You can leave it connected 24 hrs day if that is what you want. I has worked everywhere I've ever been. It does have a 2 yr contract.

[gypsychris]

Get Verizon, with a Booster...that's what we did. I work online... so I needed a good "system". PM if you want to know also how we now have a 24/7 hotspot in our rig...

[thecatsandi]

Originally Posted by mrchinup1

If Verizon is working for Michelle then it can't be that bad. I'm not sure there is anyone on this site that has done as much traveling as her.

I think artstream has me beat.

[TBRich]

I think most plans are about $60/mo with a 2-year contract...mine is...from Alltel...and I chose Alltel only because that's my cell phone carrier...you usually get a bit of a break if you use the same service. You are most likely not going to find service without a contract involved. I am on a Mac and use the UTStarcom UM150 USB card. (I think there may be a newer version of this card out by now.) I've been pretty happy with it, though there are times the signal is not great, depending on how far out in the boonies you get or if you are in a bad reception area like in a canyon or behind a mountain. Happiest when I can get an EVDO connection. I have not used a booster antenna with it (yet), and that would probably help at those times.

[fr8gal]

Bob,
I have been on Sprint for many years. A couple of years ago I upgraded to a Blackberry, keeping with the Sprint service. Total per month for the Fair & Flexible plus the Blackberry package is 90.00.

I can tether the phone to my laptops (dell, sony) as use as a modem. The software can be downloaded, free, from either Sprint or Blackberry to a laptop.

Where we camp here in WA state, I usually have the only working cell phone, thus, over the years most of our camping group has switched over to sprint.

At our camping spot, I have Internet Service using the blackberry tether/usb, and am able to check emails, read the newspapers, even download tunes to the IPOD.

This is not a commercial for Sprint, believe me, their Customer Service stinks, just my expirience.
Brgds:

[Bambi_Bandit]

In my travels, I found to have dual coverage the best as where one doesn't have coverage, the other one most likely will.

I use a Palm 750 with PC connect plan from AT&T and use it as a tethered modem AND to access the Internet from the phone. That way, if I want to check the weather or e-mail, I can do it from my phone OR my PC...

I also use sprint EVDO thru a reseller:

Wireless Internet

The reason I LOVE them is that no contract, no tax, $49.99 per month and $35 activation for the equipment. You don't buy the equipment, they give you a Franklin USB modem that has the drivers for both PC and MAC right on modem. You can use it from both Mac and PC back and forth no problem. It uses EVDO rev A and blazing speeds, and Sprint does not have a bandwith limit like Verizon and AT&T have. Check the fine print on this....

I end up using the Sprint / Meillenicom one more than AT&T, but have used AT&T on occasion where no coverage for sprint....

Kevin

[SilverRanger]

Originally Posted by Blevi

Based on what I've seen here, Im leaning to the Verizon USB Um150 card and getting a booster antenna if I need it (probably will).\
Bob

I use the Verizon USB 720 air card along with a Wilson amp w/external antenna. As Artstream said, their coverage is expanding so well I seldom need the amp anymore. I've been to Georgia to upstate New York, and many points in between, within the past ten months and the EVDO Rev. A broadband coverage has been very impressive. I'm paying $53 per month (total) for unlimited. I prefer the USB card over the PCMCIA card because it allows you to place the antenna near a window, which is important when you're shielded by aluminum. You may want to try it for a while before investing in an amplifier. Sometimes all I need to do is use an external antenna to increase the signal strength. Which ever card you get, make sure it has a connection for an external antenna. I understand that some don't.

On another note, the only place I was shut out was in Almonte, Ontario while at the Region 2 rally a couple of weeks ago. IF a signal was even available, it would have cost about 70 cents per minute for international roaming charges. Fortunately, I was parked about 40 feet from someone who had satellite internet and who was kind enough to share it with all interested via WiFi. With several users sharing the bandwidth, it was a bit slow but more than adequate for e-mails. If I recall, the system they were using required a hardware investment of approx. $1,200, and $70 per month for the service.

[ZoominC6]

We've gone to VERIZON from AT&T and are using the USB720 device with connections for both USB ports for the strongest signal. So far we've been pleased and have used it from the passenger seat of the TV while motoring down the highway. We'll give it a good test when we take the Grands on an Alaska cruise next month.
HAPPY TRAILS

[redstart]

Are there any Canadians out there who can chime in with what air card they use? I'd like to know if there are any options that don't involve interntational roaming charges while traveling in the U.S.

THanks

[Glenn G]

I used the verizon card with good success for around three or four years. It started out at around $60/ mon. went down to around $50 with unlimited access. I don't have it now but I think that a limit has been set on new plan holders but I don't have affirmation of that. If so it is large. I was transferring about 5 MB at a time and for me it was not bad.

[Gator1]

I've been using Verizon for about a year and a half now. Anywhere there is even the smallest signal I can get connectivity. Pricing varies but can be reduced if you have other phones with Verizon and/or take advantage of some of their discouts (military, govt, teacher, etc) dig through the web page, you might qualify.

I'm typing this now from by desk deep inside a cinder block and steel building - 4 bars and super fast.

Jim

[magna1111]

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

In my travels, I found to have dual coverage the best as where one doesn't have coverage, the other one most likely will.



I use a Palm 750 with PC connect plan from AT&T and use it as a tethered modem AND to access the Internet from the phone. That way, if I want to check the weather or e-mail, I can do it from my phone OR my PC...

I know in the "old days" of cell service you could tether your ;palm for a modem, but I use sprint and my palm and according to them, you can no longer do this,
How do you do it? Where did you buy the connector?
I wish I could just use my palm instead of buying another device or two.
Thanks

I also use sprint EVDO thru a reseller:

Not sure How evdo is different than wireless? Their page just has a form requesting my info, no info on what they offer

Wireless Internet

The reason I LOVE them is that no contract, no tax, $49.99 per month and $35 activation for the equipment. You don't buy the equipment, they give you a Franklin USB modem that has the drivers for both PC and MAC right on modem. You can use it from both Mac and PC back and forth no problem. It uses EVDO rev A and blazing speeds, and Sprint does not have a bandwith limit like Verizon and AT&T have. Check the fine print on this....

I end up using the Sprint / Meillenicom one more than AT&T, but have used AT&T on occasion where no coverage for sprint....

Kevin

why does this forum say my message is too short, I have to add three words? So extra words here, Oh, I get it, I quoted them and answered in their quote, thus forum thought I did not type.

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by magna1111

...Not sure How evdo is different than wireless?...

the basic explanations are here...

Evolution-Data Optimized

What is EVDO?

and here along with great resources on the gear and coverage and plans...

What is EVDO : EVDOinfo.com

they also have a good q&a forums...

cheers
2air'

[Midamrail]

We use the Verizon broadband card with our MacBook Pro at home and on the road, as we live in the boonies where the only other options are dial-up or satellite. Ben also has one for his work PC. We've been very pleased with the Verizon card, including the coverage area and reliability. It's also extremely handy on the road while we're in the truck, as we can research campgrounds and other things while we're on the move.

I would highly recommend staying away from the USB-connected cards and using your ExpressCard slot instead. The USB cards are far more prone to falling out or being bumped out than the steady Express cards.

[magna1111]

After reading these posts, I found June Fabrics PDA Technology Group
It is a link to software that is called Pdanet.
Within minutes, I have internet connection in my AS, running from the palm sync usb cable to my laptop.
It is costing me an extra 15 dollars a month for Sprint Vision, unlimited internet. Now, cross my fingers that it works on extended networks, going to Yreka to park her on the 23rd. I do get cell phone service there, not sure whos incharge of the network.
I love this forum!
Will read about EVDO soon, have to caulk for a few hours.

[Stephen Mick]

As a follow-up…

A few weeks ago, I picked up a Sprint Wireless USB Card (Sierra Wireless Compass 597). Once it was set up in the Sprint store to work with my MacBook Pro, I took it out on a trip to Colorado. We spent a week traveling between Denver, Glenwood Springs, Salida, Winter Park and Steamboat. In each location, and in most places in between, I was able to connect easily and at decent speeds.

I just received my first billing statement, and they've got me down for "Unlimited MB" monthly for $59.99/month. Now, I know they may change my unlimited to 5GB at some point, but I knew that going in.

So, again, to recap… Sprint service seems strong, even in mountainous areas. I think I'll keep it.

--SM

[richinny]

do you know what your MB usage actually was?