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Wireless Data Plans Reviewed

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the carrier-pidgeons dept.

prostoalex writes "The New York Times Technology section runs a review of available wireless data plans that provide a PCMCIA card for wireless Internet connections. Cingular BroadbandConnect seems to have won the comparison as far as quality, but the service is only available in 16 major metropolitan areas. Sprint Mobile Broadband has wider coverage for $80 a month. Verizon Wireless sells BroadbandAccess for $80 a month or $60 if you decide to commit to a 2-year contract, and this one has the widest coverage of 181 metropolitan areas."

4 of 105 comments (clear)

  1. Breaking The Terms by Linux+Ate+My+Dog! · · Score: 4, Interesting
    From the article:
    Another option is use-based plans starting at $20 a month with a cap of five megabytes of data and additional charges for transfers above that. In evaluating the Cingular service, I wanted to test how well the connection would hold while mobile; I started the service on a laptop, and using Windows Media Player tuned to a live radio broadcast. I then fastened the laptop to the passenger seat of my car and drove around Austin, Tex., for just under an hour.
    From Cingular's TOS for their plans Laptop Connect Unlimited, 80 bucks a month):
    Prohibited uses include, but are not limited to, using Services: (i) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, without limitation, Web camera posts or broadcasts, continuous jpeg file transfers, automatic data feeds, telemetry applications, automated functions or any other machine-to-machine applications, (ii) as substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections, (iii) for Voice over IP or (iv) in conjunction with WWAN or other applications or devices which aggregate usage from multiple sources prior to transmission. Unlimited plans cannot be used for uploading, downloading or streaming of video content (e.g. movies, TV), music or games. Furthermore, unlimited plans (except for DataConnect and Blackberry Tethered) cannot be used for any applications that tether the device (through use of, including without limitation, connection kits, other phone/PDA-to-computer accessories, Bluetooth® or any other wireless technology) to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose.
    Bolding is mine, but Cingular bolds this whole quote in their document. Meanwhile, I use T-Mobile's dirt cheap 30-bucks-a-month, around 40Kbps 'antiquated' GPRS system to Bluetooth my subnotebook at work to keep IMing, reading mail, downloading simple pages. These data prices seem outrageous to me for services I am formally not supposed to use any more intensively than I am doing with GPRS right now. If I am getting broadband I want to stream my own music down already. Instead I am just supposed to download my spam faster?
  2. The best plan depends on local coverage by vinn01 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    My advice: use the service with the strongest signal where you will be using your laptop. That may not be the service with the highest published data rate, or the lowest cost plan. Unfortunately, I have no advice for determining the service with the strongest signal other than testing each service.

    As with a cell phone, the signal strength can be very fickle. If your move you laptop to a different desk, your signal strength could plummet.

    You need a strong signal to make wireless broadband work. The published data rates are useless unless you get a perfect signal. What kills the data transfer rate is retries cause by weak signals. With a weak voice signal you can still go about your business, just with a little frustration. Not so with a weak wireless broadband signal. Your connection will slow to uselessness.

    Most all of the broadband wireless cards can be used with a larger antenna. My next bit of advice is to replace the cute little tiny antenna with something that has a higher gain. I've seen antennas that mount on the laptop monitor, table top, or car roof. Use whatever size antenna that you can manage.

  3. Re:Verizon would be neat, but... by rising_hope · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I've had 5 bills in a row now with two devices, both with in excess of 450MB per device. The plan clearly states "Unlimited." I've seen no evidence of SoftCaps that you suggest.

  4. T-mobile by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Not a very interesting, informative, or complete article.

    I've had T-mobile's $19/mo GPRS service for 2.5 years, and while it's about 1/2 the speed of Verizon's card, my experience is that it's quite reliable. Rural Louisiana, Seattle, the sticks of Idaho, Juneau, London, north shore of Iceland... no problem, 4-5 bars, 56k-ish. My Verizon & Sprint card buddies have faster throughput, but lose signal in the middle of metro downtown areas occasionally.

    I'm sticking with Tmobile. Oh, and one note: T-mo is now selling the $19 unlimited GPRS service as the "Blackberry Option" for your handheld. Same service, new marketing name. If you want a separate card for your laptop, it's gone up from $29 to $39, at least in my market. That's still 1/2 the price of the competitors, for 1/2 the speed and 2x the reliability.