Air Cards

JohnO · Jun 27, 2007

I currently have a Verizon air card and for the most part satisfied with the service and coverage. I've heard from several users of Cingular air card that their coverage is larger plus they are satisfied with the service.

So anybody out there used both services and what were you thoughts?

LDB · Jun 27, 2007

Can't comment on those but can tell you the Sprint card has far better coverage and much better speed than the T-Mobile card. From all I can tell the Sprint card is faster than any of the others. I get a high 9x % coverage area with my Sprint card so it's good almost anywhere.

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The Enemy · Jun 27, 2007

I agree with LDB. I run Sprint's Novatel U720 wireless card that plugs in the USB port. The speed is just a bit slower than my Cable modem at the house. There are some areas where sprint is slow, but thats usually way out in the boonies.I have noticed that as long as I have a signal on my Sprint phone, I have an internet connection. I have had the card for about 2 months and I'm satisfied with it. One thing I do recommend, whatever carrier you decide to go with, make sure you get the additional insurance on the item, well worth the money.

flatbedin · Jun 27, 2007

JohnO,

Each time you log onto your verizon in a different tower area, make sure that you refresh your tower capabilities. If you run the wizard your signal strength will be alot better.

ihamner · Jun 27, 2007

We have a Sprint card, also, and we are really happy with the coverage. We can connect almost anywhere unless we are out in the middle of nowhere and we can't see any cell towers. india

India Hamner
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targuard86 · Jun 27, 2007

I'm on a sprint card now in New Port, RI and it is as fast as my cable internet at home. Some places its slow but if you GOTA have it, slow is better than nothing...........

greg334 · Jun 27, 2007

I went the Cingular (AT&T) path and sat in the middle of the desert in Utah with a great connection. Most places I have no problems but I think that either Cingular (AT&T) or the state of Wyoming has figured out a way to block the access to the internet by a Cingular (AT&T) card. I can drive on a road that crosses back and forth between Utah and Wyoming and I go into the wyoming more than 300 feet, I lose the connection. Go back into Utah, I get back on line.

LDB · Jun 27, 2007

Whatever anyone goes with, I'd suggest looking into an external unit like the Novatel U720 that Spring uses. The new crop of laptops have a new card slot design that's shaped sort of like the state of Utah. Your old card that's a rectangle won't fit. If you have an older notebook with the true rectangular card slot and buy a card for it then when you upgrade, and eventually everyone will, you'll also have to buy a new aircard. I just got the U720 because I upgraded notebooks and my old card wouldn't fit. I also think having the unit outside the notebook gives a better connection and more speed than the card being inside the notebook but that may just be a perception thing.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
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FAMILYEXPDT · Jun 27, 2007

Some new laptops have what is called an express slot INSTEAD of a pcmcia slot. Usually the low end laptops....high end will have both. Express slot technology is at least 1-2 years away from having cards designed with the same frequency as pcmcia cards. There is an adapter you can use for your old card to fit with the new express slot. As far as external cards working better...according to performance reports by pc mag, that is a perception

As far as service I use alltel after having tried several others...more than pleased with alltel.

-charlotte

dhalltoyo · Jun 27, 2007

Currently, the Verizon wireless card is FREE.

I like free.

If I upgrade my computer in a couple of years, and it requires a different card, the free card from Verizon will not be a financial loss.

Verizon has the largest footprint and that is crucial for an expediter.

LDB · Jun 27, 2007

I figured it was just perception, and even said so, but I'm pretty sure it's definitely at least as fast. Also, I tried the old style card in a new notebook with the new "utah" shape slot and it wouldn't accept the card so as far as I was concerned there was no using an old card in a new notebook. Verizon may have the largest footprint on paper but having had Verizon and Cingular in prior lifetimes I didn't get as good service as I do with my Sprint aircard. The others also aren't as fast, and that's not just perception either.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

nightcreacher · Jun 28, 2007

john, right now best air card there is is sprint,my 2 cents

pelicn · Jun 28, 2007

We had Sprint, and changed to Verizon, big mistake! We bit the bullet paid the "early termination fee" and went back to Sprint. Sprint had better coverage and faster speed overall.

Side question.....What can you use while in Canada to avoid the extra charges? Any suggestions?

dhalltoyo · Jun 28, 2007

I looked at the external modem Novatel Wireless (Ovation U720) that plugs into a computer's USB port and I see exactly what Leo is talking about.

Although I have Verizon as a cell phone provider, based upon the positive comments listed here, I am inclined to go with Sprint for my mobile broadband needs.

That is what makes EO such a wealth of information!

Thank you for your responses.

JohnO · Jun 29, 2007

Appreciate all the positive feedback.

Looks like the Spring Novatel U730 is the best way to go.

Thanks again.

Rikk · Jun 29, 2007

I have used Cingular. Ther network is ssss.l.o.w... They do not have the number of high speed towers that Sprint and Verizon has. I am using Sprint now an have the EVDO connection more than not.

One thing to think about also, is possibly using a cellular amplifier. The one I use is made by Wilson Electronics and can be picked up at just about any Interstate Connections or truck stop. With an outside antenna and the amp you get cut off less frequently

Best Wishes, and stay safe.

Rikk Sullenberger
KG4AAO
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tec1959 · Jun 29, 2007

Pelicn,Hi I think you can paid $5.00 a month extra with sprint/nextel and no extra charges for Canada I think someone was telling me that.Ask Leo I'm sure he knows about It...

slfisher45 · Jun 30, 2007

Leo-
In response to message #9

I figured it was just perception, and even said so, but I'm pretty sure it's definitely at least as fast. Also, I tried the old style card in a new notebook with the new "utah" shape slot and it wouldn't accept the card so as far as I was concerned there was no using an old card in a new notebook. Verizon may have the largest footprint on paper but having had Verizon and Cingular in prior lifetimes I didn't get as good service as I do with my Sprint aircard. The others also aren't as fast, and that's not just perception either.
Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
Highway Watch Participant, Truckerbuddy
EO Forum Moderator"

I hear all the time, "Perception is reality".

ebinrich · Jun 30, 2007

Sprint aircard the past year and a half. Completely happy. Speed equals some cable modems in the broadband service areas. Especially like using it to watch the weather radar when moving through bad weather. Problem is that some of the worst weather is in the out of service areas like the mountains and canada. Next upgrade will be to broadband satellite. --eb

Dunbar87 · Jun 30, 2007

Take that, AT&T! Take that, EDGE! Take that Jobs, and anyone else who wears black mock turtlenecks! Everywhere in Verizon's current EV-DO network, downloads are jumping from 600kbps to 1.4Mbps, with uploads cruising around 500kbps and 800kbps. That's only 8 seconds to download a 1MB file. Or more scientifically, quite fast.

$79.00 package has been reduced to $59.95

NO cellular package/bundle'ing required.

In my forth year with Verizon wireless and i'm 100% totally stickin with um.