I get asked this question fairly frequently now via email and instead of repeating the same answers privately, here is a quick, intentionally incomplete list of the options for Mobile Broadband Internet Access that I'm aware of. As for pricing and availability in a particular area, please refer to the web sites listed - they'll have the most up-to-date information.
In February 2006, the best overall option for Mobile Broadband Internet Access on a national basis that I'm personally aware of is Verizon Wireless Broadband Access (1xEV-DO). If 1xEV-DO service isn't available (outside urban areas) the card and service will fall back to slower NationalAccess (1x-RTT) service.
Sprint Mobile Broadband is also a 1xEV-DO service. Sprint deployed 1xEV-DO service later than Verizon.
In 2006, Cingular is making available BroadbandConnect (HSDPA), and their slower EDGE system has been available for some time. Cingular still has lingering issues with their integration of AT&T Wireless Services spectrum, systems, billing, etc. so BroadbandConnect/EDGE may not be the smoothest Mobile Broadband experience. If it were me, I'd wait on Cingular for a bit.
T-Mobile offers Internet Unlimited, but it uses a technology (GPRS) that's even slower than EDGE. T-Mobile used to be a decent deal for around $30/month, but the price is now equivalent to what Verizon Wireless, Sprint, and Cingular charge, so it's no deal at all (unless they're bundling in access at T-Mobile HotSpots like at Starbucks, but that's not much help when mobile).
In Denver/Aurora, CO and San Diego, CA, Ricochet has been brought back to life. While Ricochet typically isn't considered Broadband any more (128 Kbps), the price is a bit more reasonable than the options from Verizon Wireless, Sprint, or Cingular.
If you're in an area that has a Wi-Fi Cloud Network (ubiquitous Wi-Fi coverage of a metro area you might be able to use that for Mobile Broadband Internet Access. You will need a better way to access the Wi-Fi cloud than just a PCMCIA Wi-Fi or built-in to your laptop. Generally you will want a high-powered Wi-Fi card and an external antenna to boost the signal into the Wi-Fi Cloud.
Junxion makes a box that does "Cellular Broadband In / Wi-Fi Out". This allows one Cellular Broadband connection to be shared using Wi-Fi. Doing so is generally against the terms of service of the Cellular Broadband.
The Kyocera KR1 Router does much the same thing as the Junxion system. This was co-developed with D-Link, so there should be a D-Link version available soon.
Satellite Mobile Broadband Internet Access is feasible, but only for a vehicle the size of a motorhome (or a dedicated smaller vehicle such as a "Comm Van SUV"). Ground Control, KS Audio Video, and KVH Industries have some more information. If you investigate this route, be sure that you understand whether the system can be used while mobile or not. Most (and most affordable) such systems can only be used while the vehicle is stationary for an extended period of time. Also the usual cautions about Satellite Broadband Internet Access apply - it's unsuitable for VOIP and gaming (unless you're very patient with the former, and don't mind getting killed a lot doing the latter).
Update 2 - While Clearwire probably isn't willing to offer it to commercial or retail customers (only public safety), it is possible to do Mobile Broadband Internet Access on a Clearwire system with the use of a NextNet Wireless Expedience Mobile Subscriber Unit.
Update 1 - Frank Bulk, Contributing Editor to Network Computing Magazine writes: I follow this 2.5G/3G space quite closely, and I think T-Mobile is pretty close to 100% EDGE service, not GPRS, even though their website suggests otherwise.
http://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=1357
http://www.t-mobile.com/company/about/technology.asp (near the end)
After Frank's tip, I called T-Mobile's Public Relations listed Press Relations telephone line to try to get a bit more detail on "whither EDGE" at T-Mobile. While I received an informative email back that confirms Frank's inputs (that puts EDGE deployment at 95% of T-Mobile's network), I requested but did not receive permission to quote the contents of that email message here. So, while T-Mobile (unstated) offering of EDGE services is a slightly better deal than what I suggested than "mere" GPRS, as was the case with Cingular, and AT&T Wireless Services before it, the available speeds with EDGE aren't deemed to be competitive with the speeds available now with 1xEV-DO. The email message from T-Mobile PR concludes by saying that T-Mobile will offer "3G services" in "2007".
By Steve Stroh
This article is Copyright © 2006 by Steve Stroh. Excerpts and links are expressly permitted (and encouraged.)
Categories:
- Broadband Wireless Internet Access / Broadband Wireless Access / Wireless Broadband / Wireless Access / Fixed Wireless
- 3G / Cellular / 1xRTT / 1xEV-DO / 1xEVDO / GPRS / UMTS / HSDPA
- Satellite Broadband Internet Access
- Steve Gets Email / Q & A / Correspondence
- Wireless Cloud
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