Martin O’Donnell has been talking to me about getting mobile phone service exclusively for connecting his laptop to the Internet while he’s out of the office. He wants access in lots of different locations, so simply signing up for a public access WiFi service like T-Mobile HotSpot will not be sufficient for him.
This morning, I found a mobile data how-to article on JIwire.com which talks about the practicalities of using mobile data services from carriers like AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless. The article includes information about:
- required hardware,
- data plans available from these carriers, and
- buying recommendations.
An example of the kind of mobile data cards you can get for your laptop is the Sierra Wireless AirCard 750 which can be used on T-Mobile and other carriers that use GSM at the 900, 1800, or 1900 mHz frequencies. I’m highlighting this one because it’s pretty widely available.
If you are interested in getting into using this sort of wireless networking, do your homework. This is not the kind of service that any U.S.-based wireless carrier sells a lot of, although they all probably have specialists in their wireless data groups who can help you if you can get them on the phone. Don’t assume that the people in the local T-Mobile or Cingular store are going to know much about the hardware if you stop in.
I also don’t think that the carriers’ stores are going to have two or three different wireless data cards at different prices from which to choose. Your best bet may be to buy directly from the carrier you choose on-line or over the phone. Also, this may be a good opportunity to buy from large on-line computer equipment dealers like PC Connection or CDW. [ via jepstone.net ]