Mobile Broadband Cards

[cpwclarke]

I did a search and didn't find anything on this so wanted to pick everyone's brains.

Do any members use the mobile broadband cards that plug-in to your laptop and work almost anywhere? Has anyone used those at FLETC and if so what is the coverage like?

Sprint has a plan which is about $60 a month, which is only $15 more than my cable broadband service. I'm thinking the portability might be worth the extra $15.

Thoughts, opinions?

[satpak77]

there may be free-of-charge coverage at the FLETC campus, check with their IT people

[bike123]

Are there any places like Panera Bread near FLETC which have free broadband? Another option is to buy time at a T-Mobile hotspot; I have used them a few times at Starbucks with much success. To bad you cannot use your cell phone minutes as wireless minutes.

[FedRich]

Free wireless is availabe at certain locations on campus like the Student Center (maybe the library too). There is also a coffee shop/cyber cafe across the street from the main gate but the hours are sporadic.

I recently used a Sprint air card up there and had mixed success with it. Had no problem getting a good signal in some places but it would go to roam mode and constantly drop out in 95/96. Besides FLETC, the Sprint card has worked well for me throughout the Southeast.

[DennisNJ]

No coverage with a Sprint aircard in 95/96. Strangely, in the library I had "five bars" and BroadBand Connect. Spotty elsewhere.

[MDFed]

I am doing something similar right now using my Verizon Smartphone (Moto Q) with a USB cable connected to the laptop. It costs $15 a month if you have a data plan for your phone for the Broadband Connect.

Coverage has been decent around campus. I am in the onsite leased dorms and it works well. Sometimes it works best if you keep the phone within a few feet of the window.

Using a PC card should theoretically get similar results.

Good luck...

[cpwclarke]

Thanks all. I have a Palm Centro which can work as a data connection through USB, but I have never tried it so may see how that works..

[MakeItHappen]

I've been using one for over three years. Your right about $60 per month but I believe the trade off in reference to portability is worth it.

PROS:
Portablity
Quick access
Newer laptops have the Verizon card built-in so the laptop is more stream-lined.
Cheaper than using internet access via your mobile phone in the long run (this all depends on if you have data access) but I'd much rather view any info on a 17" screen versus that of a mobile phone.

CONS:
Design (sticks out side of laptop and sometimes catches an edge)
Doesn't work everywhere as there are dead-spots but general rule is if you have a single bar on your Verizon mobile phone, you will gain access to the internet using the broadband card. However, this sometimes makes for slower loading times.

Hope this helps, I a bit biased as I only own laptops so the broadband card just made sense to me.

Good luck.

[Kahuna5150]

Can't give any specific advice on FLETC coverage (wish I had a card when I was there, but didn't). If you're looking at going with Sprint, 60 is a bit high. Do a google search for the "Sprint SERO" plans. They have a data only plan for 50 or so bucks. It used to be you needed to be invited by a Sprint employee, but if you do enough searching on the net, you'll find the email addresses opened to the public (site requires a referral sprint email address to sign up. one is sprintemi@sprint.com or some such)...

That should save you some $$ on service... Also... You can purchase an external antenna for your laptop card... do a search for external sprint evdo antenna and you can pick one up... Sprint (as others) also offer a USB modem that can be useful if you're going to use it on a desktop and/or you don't want to have to worry about the difference between a PCMCIA or Expresscard slot.

Finally, some companies make portable EVDO routers. They allow you to pop your card, USB modem, or attach your handset to them and they then act as a wireless access point/router. So you could actually share your connection with several people at the same time (if you wanted). Better yet, you would be able to put this router somewhere near your window or a spot with better reception and use your 802.11 wireless in your laptop to get on the net.

Lots of options... If you can get a good signal in a good coverage area (Revision A area) you'll be surfing broadband speeds wirelessly!

Good luck!

Kahuna

[agenttobe]

The G bar has wireless internet service. Sometimes you can see some people sitting in their cars trying to get the signal. I've been using verizon down here and haven't had any issues. Actually surprised how well it works. Also with Verizon they have a Gov/LE discount which I think is 17% off the monthly bill. I know a few down here that have others that don't work as well.

[outlawturtle]

I use a Sprint aircard for my work laptop and it sucks as bad as their voice service around the country. If I were you I'd look into Verizon...much more reliable.

-OT

[abenchwarmer]

My personal Sprint connection at FLETC was average-to-poor in the dorms. I had to point my phone antenna towards the dorm window/door to get un-drop connections. Network fade was frequent.

On the other hand, my work Verizon had no problems anywhere at FLETC.

In re Internet connection... yes, g-bar... you can go inside or sit in your car outside to get connection. But beware during peak time (I'd say between 7:30-9:00 pm)... everyone is there trying to log onto the network... you'll be lucky if you can find some bandwidth to connect.

I used People PC dial-up... at $4.99/month (you can get the free CD at Staples), it was just enough to get by... checking personal and work emails... and logging onto bank accounts in the dorm room. I used Skype webcam to connect w/ the kids, and dialup sufficed.

In re mobile broadband, you're at FLETC for 3 months (ok, if you're ATF or IRS or whatever, for 6 months)... at $60/month, I would have paid it... but I thought about the $60/month I had to continue to pay when I finished FLETC, or pay the penalty for early disconnect. I couldn't justify it...

Good luck...

[universible]

I've used a Verizon card for work (not at FLETC) and found it to have pretty darn good service. There were a few places that my AT&T personal phone had bars but the card did not, but not many. I am not sure how much it cost, but likely close to the $60.

I'd love to have wireless access but think the tethered idea is much more useful. I'm thinking something like an iPhone with a USB cable to my Powerbook...but seeing as I'm always at work I wouldn't get much use out of it.

[Kahuna5150]

I'm thinking something like an iPhone with a USB cable to my Powerbook...but seeing as I'm always at work I wouldn't get much use out of it.

Only problem with that idea is the slow EDGE speed you would get from your iPhone being tethered. I would say wait for the 3G iPhone to come out or get a 3G card or phone to do your tethering...

Just my .02...

Kahuna

[drano0127]

I work for Verizon if anyone has questions about this. Feel free to PM me or post up here.

[cpwclarke]

Thanks Drano. If I make it to FLETC I may pick your brain.