Mobile Broadband Help

[jcd11235 0]

I recently moved, and no longer have Internet access at home. I'm considering switching to mobile broadband, but have had little luck finding what I'm looking for on providers' Web sites.

What I need is to be able to get online with my MacBook Pro (OS X 10.6.2). I have USB, ExpressCard 34, and Bluetooth. I'm not concerned about whether I use a card or tether to a bluetooth phone, as long as the connection method does not adversely affect Internet speeds.

I would prefer an unlimited plan, since 5 GB isn't really much data for a month's time. I would prefer to not have a contract obligation, but that isn't a deal breaker. I'd also like to not to spend too much upfront for the required hardware. (I realize that hardware costs will decrease as contract length increases.)

I'm in central Florida, in case that affects coverage.

Does anyone have any experience with using mobile broadband as their primary Internet connection? Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks.

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[quade 3]

I'd look into one o these;
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_mifi

Dunno if it's perfect for you, but it might be pretty awesome.

I see people on the MetroLink in SoCal with them. If I commuted by train more often, I'd be really tempted to get one.

quade -
The World's Most Boring Skydiver

[jcd11235 0]

Quote

I'd look into one o these;
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_mifi

It would be perfect if it had an unlimited data plan available with it. I don't think 5 GB will be enough for my primary access point.

I beginning to wonder if my best option would be to get an iPhone and jailbreak it (if necessary) so I can use it as a modem and have unlimited data.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[JSBIRD 1]

You can give these folks a try...

http://www.millenicom.com/mobilebroadband/index.html

A lot of the bus conversion guys use them once they go fulltime on the road.

It's not for everyone, but there is no contract, and you can also have real unlimited service for $10 extra per month.

HTH

359

"Now I've settled down,
in a quiet little town,
and forgot about everything"

[Heatmiser 0]

It will require jailbreaking. AT&T has not figured out how to charge for tethering, so they currently don't support it

What you say is reflective of your knowledge...HOW ya say it is reflective of your experience. Airtwardo

Someone's going to be spanked! Hopefully, it will be me. Skymama

[Gawain 0]

Where in Central Florida (zip code)? Who is your local telco?

How many movies do you download a month?

How many songs do you download a month?

Do you need something that is truly mobile so you can take it anywhere?

How much per month do you want to spend?

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!

[mdrejhon 8]

A 3G mobile broadband connection has become my primary Internet connection, because I go between Ottawa and Montreal so much these days, for a Montreal contract for a few months.

It works great, and it's even enough for YouTube video, and works pretty well, but you wouldn't want to download too much. However, I have Ethernet hooks available at an office, and at home, as well as I have access to WiFi. That will take up the slack whenever I download lots of data.

It's great to have "take anywhere" Internet, and 5 GB is really no concern since I can do my 'download surges' over WiFi... over 95% of the time, I don't need to download anything.

You could also get two plans, such as a monthly unlimited WiFi plan at your favourite hotspots for the bigger downloads, and a 3G plan for the take-anywhere aspect.

I recommend an Internet stick for fastest speeds, although some cellphones such as iPhone 3GS are pretty fast. Some cellphones only have up to 3.6 Mbps while sticks can go between 7.2 Mbps and 21 Mbps (albiet real world speeds will be roughly a quarter that, depending on where you are). You can move the SIM card between a stick and a cellphone too, if necessary, or you can have two SIM's to get 10 GB (5GB each), one for your cell and one for your Internet stick.

[jcd11235 0]

Thanks. I'll try to answer your questions.

>Where in Central Florida (zip code)?

Deland. 32724

>Who is your local telco?

I'm not sure, as I only have a mobile, and it's not a local number.

>How many movies/songs do you download a month?

It varies widely from month to month. For the past few months, I have been utilizing Hulu for most movies and TV shows that I watch. I don't own a television, so downloading videos is the only practical option that I have.

>Do you need something that is truly mobile so you can take it anywhere?

It would be helpful, but not absolutely necessary. A home connection would be okay, except that I'm moving again in a couple months and don't know exactly what my internet situation will be then.

>How much per month do you want to spend?

I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I'm aware that cost and services provided are typically highly correlated.

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[jcd11235 0]

Quote

It will require jailbreaking. AT&T has not figured out how to charge for tethering, so they currently don't support it

What are the issues (if any) with jailbreaking? After jailbreaking, is an iPhone still limited to AT&T, or will any service provider work?

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[jcd11235 0]

Quote

It's great to have "take anywhere" Internet, and 5 GB is really no concern since I can do my 'download surges' over WiFi... over 95% of the time, I don't need to download anything.
…
You can move the SIM card between a stick and a cellphone too, if necessary, or you can have two SIM's to get 10 GB (5GB each), one for your cell and one for your Internet stick.

Unfortunately, I don't have any conveniently located WiFi hotspots right now.

The 2x 5 GB solution might work well, and keep costs reasonable. I'll have to look into that.

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[Lokhmaty 0]

"Clear" is your answer.

[jcd11235 0]

Quote

"Clear" is your answer.

It would be an ideal solution if they offered coverage in my area.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[Gawain 0]

Quote

Thanks. I'll try to answer your questions.

>Where in Central Florida (zip code)?

Deland. 32724

Okay, AT&T is the local telephone company. My recommendation is as follows (this will depend on where you move to also):

AT&T has solid DSL service available (6 Mbps/512Kbps) for about $42/mo. or 3Mbps/384Kbps for about $37/mo. No contract required. Accompanied by these plans, is AT&T WiFi basic, which allows you to you any of the AT&T WiFi hotspots for free (Starbucks, Airport, etc). This should take care of any broadband issues you have.

I used to have AT&T in Kentucky, and found them to be reliable. If your wireless is with them you might be able to catch a break on one or both of the services, but not likely on the telco side because it's highly regulated.

Now, if/when you move, if there are any AT&T WiFi hotspots around, you can maintain service for about $20.00/month.

This depends on where you move of course. Since the DSL has no contract requirements (but may have start-up fees), this gives you quite a bit of flexibility, and a pretty big pipe for your pornn---er---broadband data requirements...

The cable provider may have some specials going, but a contract is likely needed. If you haven't already, investing in a small Netgear Wireless-G Router may help as you move around and change providers, that way, your set-ups are less of a hassle.

Quote

>Do you need something that is truly mobile so you can take it anywhere?

It would be helpful, but not absolutely necessary. A home connection would be okay, except that I'm moving again in a couple months and don't know exactly what my internet situation will be then.

Do you know where you'll be moving?

Quote

>How much per month do you want to spend?

I'd like to spend as little as possible, but I'm aware that cost and services provided are typically highly correlated.

The wireless data solutions work very well, but they're expensive. They'll throttle back access past certain data thresholds.

In the end, I think you'll find your most flexible option through the local phone company since it's a large provider. Where I live, I have a smaller regional provider, and as much as I want to stand with them (being a former telco guy myself), if they don't polish up the connectivity issues I've been having, I'm going to have to go to the dark side (cable)...

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!