Mobile (cellservice) Internet Access? HELP!

[summit]

I have an opportunity to do my job from most anywhere so long as I have internet access... so I need access that is reasonably fast (200kbps would be nice, 100kbps works) and has good coverage.

Obviously, I'm in the mountains but there is good coverage around here from the Verizon, Sprint, Cingular, and Tmobile networks...

Anyone had experience with this type of internet access? How good is it? If can make a phone call can you pretty much surf as well? Is one companies system substantially better/worse than the others?

They all seem to offer the goods for about $60/mo or so... but everyone wants a one year contract. If the service won't work for work, it is of no use to me. If I leave my job, the mobile service is of no use to me. So, I don't want a year contract. Does anyone know of any monthly services out there that contract through the major cell networks (the way prepay cellphone companies work)?

I would like to be able to do my job from anywhere there is power and cell service. The ultimate goal is to be able to do outside pursuits with mobile internet and a small/light laptop on my workdays since my work is sporadic throughout the day.

Additionally, anyone know of any small, lighweight, yet relatively durable and relatively durable laptops??? (I don't want a $5000 Toughbook). Performance is not key.

Thanks mag!

[Spats]

With most cell services, you only get the Internet in some places. With Cingular, if you don't have the little "G" in the corner of the screen (for GPRS), you can't get the direct Internet connection. I forget what the symbol is on Verizon phones.

You can test this by going to the places you're likely to be working. Whatever service you have, try to borrow a friend's phone who has the other one so you can compare.

[ShiveringSkier]

apple macbook.

end of story. best computer i have ever used and will not be going back to windows anytime soon, but if you need windows for work you can install it no problem.

not expensice, very small, realativly durable as far as i can tel, and they make custom fitted neoprene covers that should make them really durable.

just a great computer experience.

shivSki

[Sinecure]

For the laptop, I'd look at the small Apple MacBook. Its a good size, fairly durable (I crashed my Powerbook at 20mph onto the pavement - it was inside my unpadded briefcase - and it still works great, even if it is dented a bit), and its a mac so it keeps on running.

Verizon's service is called EVDO. Coverage for EVDO is limited so check with them (and the other carriers) for where their high-speed data service is available. They have been expanding coverage beyond metro areas lately, so you may get lucky. If its not available where you are, you can still use many phones as a dial-up modem for your laptop, but its going to be slow - like 56k? - I'm not sure on that DUN speed. I'm not sure on the voice call and data simultaneously. It should work, but knowing Verizon they have some reason for why they don't enable it.

T-Mobile's service is currently not really high speed. It might be acceptable, but I'd try it first if I were you.

Do you need to get on the internet for the job, or do you just need email connectivity? If its the latter, consider a Blackberry or similar device with push email service.

Most are going to require you sign a contract, or pay a premium for the device you get. Most have at least a 14 day return/cancel policy (which by law is 30 days in California) so you can try them out. I did that with T-Mobile's Blackberry service and returning it was easy. T-Mobile's data plans are cheaper than VZW's, but like I said above - its slower. That won't matter if you are just getting email delivered to your handheld, but it will be noticeable when you connect a computer.

[altagirl]

I have a Verizon aircard and my internet connection is often just as fast as our T1 at work. It works almost everywhere that I have good phone coverage. I did have some problems getting it to connect in Wendover, but it works great in Moab.

As far as voice and data simultaneously - it's two separate accounts, two separate phone numbers etc. - so yes - you can be on the phone and internet on your laptop at the same time. And when you log in it logs you in on broadband, and if it's not available there's a dialup option.

Unless you're talking about an internet connection on your blackberry instead of on your computer.

[summit]

Thanks guys!

Definately needs to be internet access for a laptop as this is more than email.

I just wish I could find some way to do this without a 1 year contract.

Laptops looking like a used Toshiba Protege R100 or R200 (tiny, thin, 2.2lbs) if I do that.

[Platinum Pete]

I used to sell this stuff for T-Mobile and I recommend against using their service for your needs.
You'll be fastest with Sprint or Verizon (same technology, just a coverage difference). EV-Do is the fastest wireless data access widely deployed in the US right now. Cingular will do a lot of catching up when they get a full deployment of UMTS and someday HSPDA, but for now they and T-Mo are mostly EDGE, which is a vast improvement over the old GPRS but would only be impressive to someone who usually works on dial-up. T-Mo is the furthest behind on wireless data right now, first off they are late to the game on rolling out edge because they wanted to wait for UMTS and skip the edge step, then they didn't have spectrum (they'll prolly buy the 2100 spectrum coming available soon which will make sharing with Cingular's 800/850/1900 not work so well and fuck up the value of unlocked devices), and T-Mo loses on device launches.
Anywhoo.... For your situation, you have a contratual "buyer's remorse" period of 14-30 days depending on carrier to test the service and see that it works where you want to be. Don't be too afraid of contracts, there seems to be 2-3 incidences per year where cell service providers are changing their services to a drastic enough degree that users are given a contract opt-out where you can terminate early for no fee. This has happened with all the major carriers in the past yearat least once for dumb reasons like changing the price of text messages, or some other dumb small thing. The providers like to keep these "free exodus" opportunities on the low but you can often find them posted around the net.
On the hardware side, laptops with imbedded EVDO service are available and they may allow you to avoid the contract period since the contracts serve, in part, to guarantee revenue to make up for giving you a free peice of hardware. You may also look at some of the windows mobile 5 devices (motorola Q, HTC Apache, etc.) since they are required to have the same drop test minimum standards as the phones and are definitely more portable. Depends on the apps you need. Unless your new laptop has embedded EV-do you'll get a PCMCIA card (which I don't believe the new MacBooks have slots for??), it plunks right in and figghts with your windows connection manager until you sort out the workaround to get your connection. I strongly recommend buying the unlimited data plan (vs. he per mb or mb in chunks) because you will love having mobile broadband like you loved your first experiences with wi-fi.

[summit]

Platinum Pete thank you for the very informative post!
The opt out is especially interesting.

I don't think I'll be able to take advantage of broadband due to my mountain location (I know this isn't in Verizon's broadband area, just their 1x National Access). Coverage and a minimum speed is most important. I really only need 100kbps to do my business.

So far what I can see is:
Verizon=good price, good coverage
Tmobile=bad coverage, best price, free tmobil hotspot access
Sprint=different coverage than verizon, seem to want longer contract
I'll have to ask about that bring my own card=no contract. That would make my decision much simpler too.

[Platinum Pete]

Coverage and a minimum speed is most important. I really only need 100kbps to do my business.

Be wary of the speed claims, puffery and "optimal environment" claims abound. The wireless industry pays everybody on commissions so greedy half truths are to be expected. Think of the people who would also need remote access in those areas (real estate agents? UPS drivers? news reporters?) and get their feedback on actual experience.

[jed peters]

The wireless industry pays everybody on commissions so greedy half truths are to be expected.

Not in the development area, which is what I am in.

We get consulting fees or milestones.

As for what service to get, a verizon aircard is your only "real" option.

Go with that.

[joshbu]

EVDO is the shiz. That's for sure.

Be aware that Verizon at the least does not have Mac drivers for their service.

Now, you can also get a cell phone or PDA with the EVDO service and use modem access to connect to the net through your device. Also cool, also probably doesn't work on Macs.

[summit]

Tethered phone as a 1xRTT or EVDO modem... wonder how much that is or if it is any different.

[altagirl]

Not in the development area, which is what I am in.

We get consulting fees or milestones.

As for what service to get, a verizon aircard is your only "real" option.

Go with that.

Depends on your area - Sprint is supposedly better than Verizon now in the SLC are, but both are good. Just check your specific area.

[gh444]

i use the verizon cell service that runs through my pc card slot and it works great. $60 a month, hardware was free with 2 year contract. see if your company will let you expense it or if one of the IT guys can sign the contract under the company name. business get better rates, i think. i however only use it in airports, convention centers, hotels, and other urban areas.

so this post was useless, sorry.....

-aaron

[summit]

Sprint wants 2 years no compromise they are out.

I think Verizon is going to hook me up with $52/mo national access or possibly contractless $60/mo national access. I'll try it out!

[RShea]

In addition to the help here, you may want to check out some threads on both Howardsforum.com and evdoforum.com for info. The EVDO is the fastest connection speed out there, but requires the faster signal (Verizon calls it the Broadband Access, versus the closer to dial-up speed of their National Access) Verizon has a tethered option which is $15 per month and does not require an annual contract (you can call and turn it on and then turn it off as needed. It does require a cable and a data capable cell phone and it still uses minutes unless you have a data plan added. Verizon's terms of service are very strict too for what the daa service can be used for- so read up on that before signing.

[Platinum Pete]

Here's a link to an article about getting out of your cell contract: http://consumerist.com/consumer/wire...ips-190037.php