WI-FI service

BigBusBob · Mar 1, 2006

I don't see much talk about the Cingular air cards, has anybody had any luck with them? I'm a cingular customer, and so far after going on 3 years with them, I'm happy. Before that I used pre-paid cell phones, nation-wide pagers, and/or cell phones the employer took care of.
I'm new to the laptop wireless internet world, but I like it.
Right now I'm just using the aircards at the T/A or the J for about 5 bucks a pop, I get on once or twice a week. That's sufficient to me for right now... though I would not mind getting online more often.
I've checked into Cingular, because sometimes when I have a low signal on my Belkin wireless card (it's just an antenna that gets the wi-fi signal to me as best I understand it) I look on my Cingular Sony Erickson phone and I have a great signal. I'm told by Cingular and 2 other drivers that use Cingular that the signal I have on the phone is the same I'll have on the air card from Cingular.

Cingular's deal is $200 for the aircard, with a $100 mail-in rebate.
Then if gotten before March 31st of '06 it's $60 a month... for unlimited internet time. After Mar. 31st it's $80 a month.
There's a 2 yr. contract for the offer.
I'm very interested in it. one driver said he uses Cingular and also uses the J for Wi-Fi, 'cause Cingular can be slow at times.

Bob.

klippencott · Mar 1, 2006

I'm a heavy duty internet user. I use a Cingular air card. The coverage and speed are excellent. I agree with the other person you mentioned, I also use Flying J's WiFi service if I need to.

I don't care for "Cingular" the company as far as customer service goes but I seldom use customer service anyway. Cingular has more coverage than any other air card company.

They say they are going to end their 60 dollar a month unlimited usage on Mar 31st. I doubt the price will go up. Right now they are trying to lock in as many 2 year contracts on their current system as possible. They are adding a new internet high speed system, 3 times faster than "Edge" the current technology. It is in beta testing in a few major cities as of Jan. 1st. The new system will be as fast or faster than DSL when used with a new air card.

Kathy

BigBusBob · Mar 2, 2006

You just sold me completely on Cingular's internet aircard.
Regarding Cingular's customer service... When I've had to use them, they're very friendly and usually very helpful and patient. I let them know right away, at the start of the conversation, that I'm on the road and let them know to call me back in case my signal drops out... usually they will too - IF the signal does drop, and usually it doesn't.

Thanks for the info.
Bob

TeamDrivers2 · Mar 2, 2006

What kind of download/upload speeds you get off Cingular ??

Curious to see how it compares to my Verizon.

Using this link for test sitting just south of Atlanta:

http://myspeed.visualware.com/

my results:

greg334 · Mar 2, 2006

Your upload speed is better than my connection, 2.74 MBS down, 384 MBS up.

I would like to see someones Cingular speeds so I can make a decision.

TeamDrivers2 · Mar 2, 2006

> 2.74 MBS
>down, 384 MBS up.

And whooze wireless provider you using Greg ??? Thats fast, man !!!!

I've never seen anyone ever advertise anything that fast, unless wer'e home of course.

klippencott · Mar 3, 2006

The only way you can get a fair comparison is have both cards side by side or at least in the same parking lot. Lots of things effect speed such as wind, rain, clouds, heat ect. Also Cingular has three generations of technology out there. If you're in an area that supports EDGE you will get the fastest speed, if in an area with one of the older technologies I will only be about half as fast as EDGE. Take a look at the coverage map: http://onlinestorez.cingular.com/cell-phone-service/maps/pop_coveragemap.jsp?zip=75007&mapt=dataMap

I don't think you will see a lot of difference since both Verizon and Cingular can use the same air cards if they are unlocked. The real difference is coverage. Cingular has more coverage! Somewhere on their site they actually give you there data rates.

Verizon coverage map http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/CoverageLocatorController?requesttype=ZOOM OUT

Kathy

blucolr · Apr 17, 2006

Question from an un-geek. If you have an air-card from someone like Sprint or Cingular, with unlimited minutes, can you hook your cell phone to the laptop to use the same minutes? If so, explain how and what parts are needed (English version, please). Thanks.

Mike