Need Advice: Wireless vs. Broadband Air Card

[Rusty]

I know very little about any of this stuff, so I'm seeking advice from the knowledgeable people on TBH.

I bought a new Dell Laptop, mainly for home use. Where I live, dial-up internet service was all that was available several years ago when we first got hooked up to the www. Been sick of dial-up ever since we first got it because it is slooooooooooow. I am wanting to upgrade my internet service and this is where I can't decide between a wireless internet service provider or a Sprint mobile broadband card thingy.

For the wireless internet service provider, there is a start up cost of around $300. They have to mount an antena on the roof tall enough to get over the tree's in the yard ( which are some large oak trees ) The neighbors have the wireless and their antena mounted on the roof extends approx. 30 feet above the roofline on a pole ( not very attractive) The monthly fee's are within $10 of each other for either service.

The reason I mentioned a Sprint mobile broadband card is because I am already a Sprint Customer, I just don't know anything about this technology. the Sprint website offers 5 GB of use a month for a set fee per month. Problem is, I don't really know how much internet usage that is, in layman's terms. I get a Sprint signal at my house, but it's weak, don't know if that matters or not.

I just need some good sound advice, because I don't have a clue which would be better, faster, or what. Thanks in advance for any advice given.

[SmTx]

Is dial up the only thing still available? If dsl is available I'd get that and just use a wireless router within the home. Going to be much cheaper, and you'll prolly end up with better service.

[Shane]

My parents have satellite internet through Dish or whoever they have TV with. It's nowhere near as fast as my cable, but it's WAY faster than dial-up. When it's rainy, the signal comes and goes, just like with satellite TV. Other than that, it seems OK. Maybe that would be a 3rd option for you?

[rberg]

I have a Sprint aircard for use when travelling.
I bought a router that the aircard plugs into and it creates a wireless network at home. You can also hard wire your computer to the router, but I haven't found much difference in the speed either way.
The router is a "DLink DIR 450".

Just be sure you have good cell coverage since the aircard is basically a cell receiver.

[Rusty]

DSL is not an option for me, it's not available at my house. Not enough customers on my road for verizon to run the line.

[CaptainDave]

I have a Verizon wireless card for my laptop. It fits into the USB port, so it will work on just about any computer that you load the software on. The speed is extremly fast compared to dial-up. However, cable modem is faster. My parents have satallite internet service through Hughes net, and my Verizon card is better. It will work anywhere that my cell phone will, so it will work a lot of places but not everywhere.

Verizon also limits you to 5 gigs per month, which is actually a lot. I use my card on a daily basis and connect and upload various information through my company's VPN. I would say that my most extensive use may have resulted in approx. 1.8 gigs of use, which is no where close to the 5 limit. My average month is closer to 1 gig. The Verizon rep told me the 5 gig limit is done to protect against potential abuse. Believe me, you have to be doing a heck of a lot of something to reach that limit.

As for cost, mine was something like $100, which included the cost of the card and the activation fee. The monthly fee is approx. $59 + tax. I'm sure Sprint is very similar on the rates. FYI, my parents satallite internet is approx. $65 + tax, and was something like $300 to install.

So, I would recommend the broadband card, but get one that plugs into the USB rather than the laptop slot. That way, you can use it on multiple computers and not just your laptop.

[TexasOkie]

i use a sprint air card for work and surf on here 90% of the time with it. works good in most places

[Rusty]

I checked on the satellite internet service, it seems to be in line with wireless. About the same start up and monthly fee's. Just means mounting another satellite dish. Still trying to weigh my options as to what will be the best fit. Keep the advice coming. Experience is the best teacher.

[SPUD]

I use an aircard for work. Depends on the service provider. You will have "dead zones"


But, you can take it anywhere.

[hoythunter]

I also have the Verizon Wireless aircard that plugs into a USB port on my laptop. Speeds are much better than dail up, but not quite as fast as my DSL at home. The unlimited use package is $62.26/month. I just got the latest aircard this weekend for $79 with a $50 mail in rebate from Verizon. My new card is much faster than my old one was and seems to stay connected with no problems so far. I would recommend it to anybody that needs mobile broadband or doesn't have a wired broadband at home (cable or DSL).

[Saltwaterag]

As someone said earlier make sure you have a good Sprint signal. Your air card will be useless unless it gets a good signal. I have an AT&T card through work and it wouldn't get 3G so I dont even bother with it at my house. I would see about being able to try out the Sprint card at your place first. Could be that it only works in certain parts of your house better and if you don't have a laptop to move around that's not worth it. Good luck!

[Heath]

I was in the same boat as you as the only service outside of dial up and Satellite. I went with a Verizon broad ban card and I have been very happy. I have cell service anywhere I go with my laptop. It has saved me at hotels that want to charge me for a daily use as well. I pay $59.99 with Verizon, but I am on an unlimited plan (they don't offer it anymore). I think if you go with the broad ban card you will be more happy with the flexibility it will give you and your laptop.

[wildaggie]

I have an AT&T aircard, and it's great when the cell signal is great. At home, i can talk on my AT&T cellphone, but just about forget about internet. I can be sitting in one spot, and the internet signal can just disappear. Tilt my laptop up a bit, and it'll come back, but it's never real good. To surf takes awhile, so I have to have quite a bit of down time to get on the internet at home.

[Heath]

Most of these companies offer a trail period so you can check it out at your house and then return it if it does not work.

[Bowtechlady]

I know very little about any of this stuff, so I'm seeking advice from the knowledgeable people on TBH.

I bought a new Dell Laptop, mainly for home use. Where I live, dial-up internet service was all that was available several years ago when we first got hooked up to the www. Been sick of dial-up ever since we first got it because it is slooooooooooow. I am wanting to upgrade my internet service and this is where I can't decide between a wireless internet service provider or a Sprint mobile broadband card thingy.

For the wireless internet service provider, there is a start up cost of around $300. They have to mount an antena on the roof tall enough to get over the tree's in the yard ( which are some large oak trees ) The neighbors have the wireless and their antena mounted on the roof extends approx. 30 feet above the roofline on a pole ( not very attractive) The monthly fee's are within $10 of each other for either service.

The reason I mentioned a Sprint mobile broadband card is because I am already a Sprint Customer, I just don't know anything about this technology. the Sprint website offers 5 GB of use a month for a set fee per month. Problem is, I don't really know how much internet usage that is, in layman's terms. I get a Sprint signal at my house, but it's weak, don't know if that matters or not.

I just need some good sound advice, because I don't have a clue which would be better, faster, or what. Thanks in advance for any advice given.

Go with the broadband card since you have a laptop that way you can take it with you wherever you go. I have Verizon and it makes lots of trips to the deer lease with me. My broadband also works on my desktop as well.