MIFI options

[woodstock]

Hi

I'd like to get a mifi card, if I am correct on the term? Something to plug into my laptop when I am not near wifi? Or, instead of plugging it in, it's a card you put in your pocket? Not sure.

At any rate, are you bound to a monthly fee OR can you get ones that you only pay during the month you use it?

Thanks.

 

[ScottM]

Hi

I'd like to get a mifi card, if I am correct on the term? Something to plug into my laptop when I am not near wifi? Or, instead of plugging it in, it's a card you put in your pocket? Not sure.

At any rate, are you bound to a monthly fee OR can you get ones that you only pay during the month you use it?

Thanks.

You can get monthly or pay to play plans. I know Clearwire has service by you with WiMAX and that they have day plans. I also have heard the VZW offers a 1xEV-DO card that has day passes too. Check with the carriers to see what they are offering right now.

 

[woodstock]

Thanks Scott. How is the speed?

 

[SCCutler]

All carriers have data cards; be sure to find out which carriers have good coverage and speed in the places you'll primarily use the device.

BTW, the MiFi is a stand-alone portable hotspot - it connects to Verizon's network, and you connect to it with WiFi - pretty cool gadget.

 

[pilot_dude]

I have a VZ card that plugs into the side of the laptop. It is a monthly fee paid by my employer so I'm not sure of the expense. Speed and reliability, generally, is pretty darn good.

 

[ScottM]

Thanks Scott. How is the speed?

The speeds for the WiMAX, 1xEVDO revA are pretty good. I have not yet a chance to play with of the LTE data products yet. On the order 20-30Mbps is typical for WiMAX. Cell loading can make a huge difference in all of the technologies.

 

[sba55]

Cell loading can make a huge difference in all of the technologies.

And that's really the most important point. Depending on where you are, the theoretical speed is irrelevant. For example, you'll be lucky to get dial-up speeds in downtown SF. If you're mostly in rural areas, it's a different story. So I'd look at cell phone population first of all.

 

[weilke]

I have a Sierra Wireless 3G card on the AT&T network. In locations that they have 3G, it is quite fast and I can run applications via remote desktop through a VPN. If it falls back on their GSM/EDGE network it is painfully slow.

I also have a little linksys router that accepts the card. Plop the card in, push a button and I have a backup internet connection for desktops, vonage boxes etc.

The 5GB monthly plan is not cheap though.

 

[wsuffa]

I have a Sprint wireless card and a Verizon Android that can work as a hot-spot (supposedly coming to iPhones "any day now"). Both are regular post-pay plans. I also have a mifi that I use internationally with a cheap prepaid SIM (done it in Italy & Spain very successfully).

Domestically, I think several carriers will sell you a prepaid mifi. Virgin Mobile (division of Sprint) is selling one -- they just PO'ed a number of people because they limited the capacity & speed and raised the price. As Scott notes, Clearwire also sells one, but a lot of folks have been very POed at them, too, over throttling. TMobile has a prepay data plan, Verizon *may*, and I think ATT does, but those are generally tied to their phones, not mifi units.

There are 2 options: a mifi unit or Andriod phone that converts the 3G signal to a wifi signal (no connection to your laptop), and a dedicated card that has to be used in a USB port. I prefer the Mifi - no wires, no software/driver overhead, and easier to place where you can get a signal.