Looking for Data Plan Options

[Patrick Romans]

I'm sure theres most likely already a thread addressing it but I haven't been able to find it. I'm in the process of shopping for the best mobile data connection for my area for the best price and I'm looking for advice. I generally chase anywhere in Kansas, northern and northeast Oklahoma and into western Missouri. Can anyone tell me what's the most dependable service for that area or what service you have have the best luck with.

 

[Tony Laubach]

Most dependable would have to be Sprint, but they've since limited to 5GB month with 300mb roaming, so that may restrict a bit... $59.99/month, but excellent coverage overall.

AT&T is useless, so stay away from them.

 

[Verne Carlson]

Most dependable would have to be Sprint, but they've since limited to 5GB month with 300mb roaming, so that may restrict a bit... $59.99/month, but excellent coverage overall.

AT&T is useless, so stay away from them.

Tony, what happens when you hit that limit? Does it stop sending/receiving or do you silently start racking up charges?

 

[Jay Cazel]

I'm sure theres most likely already a thread addressing it but I haven't been able to find it. I'm in the process of shopping for the best mobile data connection for my area for the best price and I'm looking for advice. I generally chase anywhere in Kansas, northern and northeast Oklahoma and into western Missouri. Can anyone tell me what's the most dependable service for that area or what service you have have the best luck with.

Any of the CDMA carries (Verzion, Sprint Alltel) will work well. They all have the same price of $59.99 a month. Alltel is the only one that still has an unlimited plan. Verzion and Sprint just roam to Alltel towers. I use Alltel now and so far has worked well. I know Sprint and Verzion work just as good as Alltel, but they do have a cap like Tony said.

 

[Patrick Romans]

If I go with Alltel any suggestions on the type of equipment. I know they have a card and a USB option. Does it really make a difference with reception?

 

[Eric Friedebach]

Tony, what happens when you hit that limit? Does it stop sending/receiving or do you silently start racking up charges?

It’s my understanding that you don’t get hit with an extra charge if you happen to go over the limit, but if you repeatedly do it, your account could be terminated.

 

[Jay Cazel]

If I go with Alltel any suggestions on the type of equipment. I know they have a card and a USB option. Does it really make a difference with reception?

I went with the usb one....Works good, just use the cable that comes with it to get it away from the computer alittle bit and the speed will pick up. The pcmcia cards also wotk well, just depends on what you like. Either option works.

 

[Lou Ruh]

It’s my understanding that you don’t get hit with an extra charge if you happen to go over the limit, but if you repeatedly do it, your account could be terminated.

Funny thing, I just got a letter today from Sprint about this very thing. It said "You are receiving this letter because a recent review of your Sprint Mobile Broadband card ... indicated an unusually large amount of roaming use over a three-month period". It cited a section of the "Sprint Subscriber agreement" where it shows that Sprint "reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred; and to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if usage either exceeds (a) 5 GB per month in total or (b) 300 MB per month while off-network roaming" (a section that was not in the agreement when I signed up, but, was added recently).

I called Sprint to get more info and, the rep I spoke to could not tell me:

1 - Which three-month period they were talking about (the rep said it had to be some time between January and May).

2 - How much roaming or roaming data usage they actually detected (there could have been a lot ... two weeks storm chasing in May and streaming video during that trip)?

3 - How many failures to abide by those "guidelines" would actually cause any disconnections (but, she did say that an isolated event would not be sufficient).

She did say that the letter has been sent out to a whole slew of customers to ensure that they are aware of the guidelines and also said I can cancel without penalty and even get a month's refund. So, I also will be checking to see if I can get a better deal from a different carrier (not sure if Alltel will actually accept me as a customer if I use my own address).

 

[John Erwin]

I know they have a card and a USB option. Does it really make a difference with reception?

I'd recommend a USB option if available. Newer laptops are now equipped with "Expresscard" slots instead of the older PCMCIA slots, and who knows what other interfaces are being developed. USB for the time-being is likely to be around for quite a while.

Regardless of what model you pick plan on using an external antenna (and amp perhaps) for the best coverage.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

If I go with Alltel any suggestions on the type of equipment. I know they have a card and a USB option. Does it really make a difference with reception?

I bought the Alltel version of aircard and ran it one day; it was very disappointing to say the least. It was supposed to be EVDO too.
Then, I got a 'Hue' from Alltel and got nationwide minutes/minimum plan w/data tethering - it was much faster for some unexplainable reason.
That's is what I know...

 

[Clarence Bennett]

I have AT&T and haven't had any problems with signal or usage. I have the 881u aircard with an external roof mount antenna and it zips! I have used it all over the midsouth with no problems.

 

[Brandon Ivey]

I had Verizon in 2006 and 2007. They had really good coverage and speeds, but I dropped them for 2008. I went with Alltel and have been very happy with them. Better coverage for NW OK and western Kansas is great. I haven't been impressed east of I-35 in Oklahoma. I don't chase that region much, but it would be nice to have good coverage in that area. I would just go to the providers web site and look at coverage maps. The company you want to go with will be different from region to region. For the central plains, my vote is with Alltel.

 

[Jason Foster]

I mentioned this before...if at all possible...get more than one aircard and service. I've used Sprint since they came out...but lately they have been sending a lot of letters out. I'm on an old special plan not subject to the 5mb limit...so I'm real don't want to give it up...but I'm worried that it'll shut down anyway....or the agreements with other companies aren't in place anymore, and coverage will be limited. My next choice is AT&T because they're the next best here in DC region...where I use it also.

 

[Tony Laubach]

Tony, what happens when you hit that limit? Does it stop sending/receiving or do you silently start racking up charges?

Don't know; I haven't done it yet, but I haven't been notified that my plan has changed, either. So with that said, the first time it happens, I plan to raise hell! My guess is you silently rack up charges.

 

[Tony Laubach]

Ya know, its odd you mention this because I had the exact same letter arrive in the mail for me today. I'm figuring on starting my 12 round battle with them starting tomorrow. Cause seriously, this is the FIRST I have heard about this for MY account. Ah, gotta love it!

Funny thing, I just got a letter today from Sprint about this very thing. It said "You are receiving this letter because a recent review of your Sprint Mobile Broadband card ... indicated an unusually large amount of roaming use over a three-month period". It cited a section of the "Sprint Subscriber agreement" where it shows that Sprint "reserves the right to limit throughput speeds or amount of data transferred; and to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if usage either exceeds (a) 5 GB per month in total or (b) 300 MB per month while off-network roaming" (a section that was not in the agreement when I signed up, but, was added recently).

I called Sprint to get more info and, the rep I spoke to could not tell me:

1 - Which three-month period they were talking about (the rep said it had to be some time between January and May).

2 - How much roaming or roaming data usage they actually detected (there could have been a lot ... two weeks storm chasing in May and streaming video during that trip)?

3 - How many failures to abide by those "guidelines" would actually cause any disconnections (but, she did say that an isolated event would not be sufficient).

She did say that the letter has been sent out to a whole slew of customers to ensure that they are aware of the guidelines and also said I can cancel without penalty and even get a month's refund. So, I also will be checking to see if I can get a better deal from a different carrier (not sure if Alltel will actually accept me as a customer if I use my own address).