Broadband Data Cards

[boinky 0]

If I understand the concept correctly, you plug a card into your computer and you can get internet service almost anywhere you are (available service areas, of course).



I've recently started a small craft business and have already realized that having internet at my disposal at the site would be of GREAT assistance to encourage people to make special orders, etc. There is no available regular wireless to tap off of.

My cell phone gets internet, but just basic pages. I'm trying to weigh my options of whether I should try to just get a better phone that might get a few more web pages, try getting something like a Blackberry or if I should suck it up and get the data card.

In addition to the new business, I also travel a good bit to areas that also have no regular wireless available. And man, does dial up SUCK!!!

Do you have a broadband data card for your computer? If so:

*Can you tell me how the basic concept works?
*Who your plan is with? And pricing?
*Do you have any extra fees in addition to the basic cost, like data /usage fees?

***Most importantly, do you like the service and do you feel like you're getting your money's worth?

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[SBS 0]

I have had the cards for a couple of years. It's awesome. I don't know how much it is, I think unlimited is something like $80 a month.

You can open up your computer pretty much anywhere...taxis, hotels, airports, airplanes, etc. and get internet.

You have the concept right...plug a card in the side of your computer and sign on. Some HPs have it built in now.

Our company plan is Sprint, but Verizon I know has them too, don't know about others.

To my knowledge, there are no other fees. There is basic for $50 a month or something, and when you go over that it clicks over to unlimited, so you don't get hit with neverending overages.

Hope it helps.

-S

_____________
I'm not conceited...I'm just realistic about my awesomeness...

[beowulf 1]

The wireless internet cards for your computer work on the same network that cell phones do. They are just for data only, that includes text messaging. I personally don't have the service, but some of our salesmen have it and they are very happy with it.

[boinky 0]

I currently have phone service with Sprint. These are the two options I found on their web site:

Quote

Monthly Price
$39.99-----40 MB
$59.99 Unlimited

I don't really understand the 40 MB. I don't think that means time. What DOES it mean?

I wonder if they give you any break for having multiple services provided by them?

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[boinky 0]

The data cards sound WONDERFUL!

I'm just wondering if the data card might be overkill for me and should I just get something like a Blackberry instead.

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[SBS 0]

the 40MB will refer to the amount you download. You could download 400 emails that were 100k in size, for example.

If you're just doing email, do the Blackberry...if you are doing webpages, do the card. Think about the wireless membership fees you would save, and you can get it anywhere. And you're thinking about work right now, but you'll be glad when you can pull your computer out and surf dz.com or something when you're bored.

_____________
I'm not conceited...I'm just realistic about my awesomeness...

[beowulf 1]

I have a Blackberry for work and it can be "tethered" to a laptop. What that means is that I can hook my Blackberry up to my laptop and use it just like a "data card". But it is an added cost to the phone service and you can not talk on the phone and have it tethered to your laptop at the same time.

The 40mb per month is how much data you can download in a month before it costs you more money on your cell phone bill just like minutes.

[boinky 0]

It's odd to think of internet service in "download" terms. I've had unlimited access on AOL for probably 10 years. I now have unlimited cable modem in my home. I also have a wireless connection in the house for when I want to use the laptop instead of the desktop. I doubt I'd use the card for e-mail, unless I got the unlimited.

How do they figure download size when you're looking at a web site, such as dz.com?

And speaking cable modem...do you know if cable companies offer anything like this? Or is it JUST cell phone providers?

And another thought....I noticed a lot of different options on the cards on Sprint's site. Any recommendations? It doesn't have to be lightning fast (although that would be wonderful), but it definitely needs to be better than dial-up!

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[TFFTM 1]

I use Verizon Wireless Broad Band which is great and have the Sprint "Tethered" for emegency -Sux (~56k)

Whatever you do get the unlimited plan. Trust me on that 1.

BSBD
Home of the Alabama Gang

[stitch 0]

I've had a Sprint card for a few years, It ROCKS. Much like a cellphone, I don't know how I ever lived w/o it. And the cost is right around $60 a month unlimited. Keepin mind your download speeds are pretty much dependant on signal strength. But hey thats only a small issue, since it protects the user from meteorites.

Unfortunately, it doesn't protect us from broken bones.

"No cookies for you"- GFD
"I don't think I like the sound of that" ~ MB65
Don't be a "Racer Hater"

[marcandalysse 0]

I have a sprint card in my laptop. Works in most places but sometimes like in airport and today at a conference center it can have poor reception.

Often sprint offers the card for free when you sign onto the service.

"The reason angels can fly is that they take themselves so lightly." --GK Chesterton

[boinky 0]

Well, the internet service on my phone works fine in the area that I would be primarily using the card. Most of the other areas I would be in would be major cities or suburbs of them, so I think the connection speed would be pretty good.

It's just that my phone won't access any cool pages like dz.com. The darned phone keeps telling me "insufficient memory" or shows the pages in basically unusable form.

Nina

Are we called "DAWGs" because we stick our noses up people's butts? (RIP Buzz)
Yep, you're a postwhore-billyvance

[Gawain 0]

In lieu of a PCM/CIA card, look into some of the devices that you can tether to your computer and use it as a broadband wireless device. For Verizon, I know you can do it with the Motorola Q, and the Blackberry. However, these devices do not have WiFi capability.

That way, you have one device that does it all.

So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh
Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright
'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life
Make light!

[mnealtx 0]

Great....MORE people running around with Crackberries!!

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[n2skdvn 0]

I have the iPhone and it works amazingly good. you can set up multiple e-mails up to receive and the browser is great! only down side is being restricted to using at&t only. but i'm sure that will eventually change.

if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN
my site

[Remster 30]

Quote

I have a Blackberry for work and it can be "tethered" to a laptop.

How do you set that up?

Remster

[mnealtx 0]

Quote

Quote

I have a Blackberry for work and it can be "tethered" to a laptop.

How do you set that up?

Some sort of data cable (like most phones) or maybe via wifi is my guess - but I could be wrong since I don't have one.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[beowulf 1]

I have Verizon for my work cell phone and they provide software for the tethering. It also cost the company an extra $15 per month for the tethering. Talk to your cell phone provider about tethering.

[Remster 30]

thx... I was thinking it was part of the basic BB sw...

Remster

[beowulf 1]

It hooks up through the USB cable