What is your oppinion of internet cards?

Question

i am trying an air card out.

which provider is the best for internet cards? which has the best tech support? are they secure?

also this one keeps malfunctioning and tech support has not been able to help me (so i don't think i'll stick with this company) but overall to internet cards tend to work well or do they malfunction a lot?

what else should i know about them before i commit? thanks

Answer 1

Sprint has a larger Mobile Broadband network then either Verizon or AT&T in the U.S.

As for Tech Support / Customer Service -- You'll find people with experience on both sides of the fence.. both good and bad.

Personally, I have had bad experience with AT&T and only good things from Sprint.

I have only been with Sprint for about 4 months and had ZERO problems.

A previous employer has had Sprint for about 1yr. and had little problems with failed cards.

Speed varies alot based on the interference between your location and the closest cellphone tower. There is no way any of the carriers can guarantee you'll get the fastest mobile broadband connection EVERYWHERE.  

My speed varies from 568 to 768 kilo bits per second on almost a daily basis from my farmhouse.

Most people get about 768Kbps download speed.

Test your speed by going to DSL Reports and using their Flash Speed test. - http://www.dslreports.com/stest

99% of the Carriers use the same Aircards from a company called Novatel.  There are only like 4 major manufacturers of aircards.  Even if the aircard (sometimes called a datacard) says AT&T or Verizon on it.. That doesn't mean they made it.  Most carriers buy the cards from another company (of which there is only 4) and put their stickers on them.  This means changing carriers isn't going to have much affect on the realiability of the AirCards.  So don't choose based on which you think is more realiable.. as they are 99% the same.

As for security -- they are pretty secure. You are essentially initiating a secure connection between you and the Cellphone carriers' tower.  A hacker would need to know a lot about cellphone communication and digital encryption to hack into your connection.  I'd definitely say there is MORE information on the internet on how to hack your home wireless connection then a cellphone connection. -- So on a scale of 1 thru 10, I'd say mobile broadband is a 9 ..just because so few people know how to hack it.

You will most likely be signing up for a 2yr. commitment.  Hopefully a faster and cheaper wireless service like WiMAX won't come out in your area in the next year because you won't be able to get out of your contract.