Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T

[david diehl]

I have used both Cingular/ATT, and Verizon for data, and I have to say that Verizon is the best choice.
and if you do not want to have a 2 yr contract, you can use the data card on a day by day usage, however that price is a bit steap at $15.00 per DAY, ouch, I think I will stay with the $60 mo.

 

[David Drummond]

I should throw in an alternate experience with Sprint. I am a customer of 8 years now. The data coverage is better than ever before. Sprint or roaming, I get data 98% of the places on the plains.

Customer service used to suck horribly though. However in the last year or so I have been noticing them making significant inroads to improving that.

Over the years I have had the occasional billing problem. Almost always a month or two after I switch plans. A quick email to customer ecare usually fixes it right up.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I'm with David. For the 2 years I've used it, Sprint has been absolutely amazing and their coverage is expanding by the day. 2 years ago I could only get EVDO coverage down to just north of I-80 in Illinois, over the last year they have expanded EVDO well south of there and are now covering most all of C. IL. Also used to only be able to get EVDO in S. Wisconsin, it has now expanded into Central and N. Wisconsin. This is happening all over the country, and I expect to have better than the great coverage I had in the plains the last 2 years.

 

[Adam Lucio]

For sprint users..what about states like IA/NE and SD? Their coverage map doesnt look too impressive and according to the site your only allowed 300mb on roaming networks.

My AT&T 2yr contract is up at the end of this month, I know what to expect when Im out there, and while it does go out in those really rural areas of the plains, whenever we can get to a main road its enough to get an update and I dont think Ive been without data for more than 30min.

I guess id rather have so-so coverage over a larger number of states than have 2 states covered greatly and others covered poorly. I chase everywhere.

 

[David Drummond]

I haven't been to IA or SD since 2004. If I remember there was some coverage in IA. But I can't tell you since then. I had coverage in most of the area south of the Interstate in NE. It got spotty in the sandhills. Then again, this was 2004 and I have seen massive improvements on the states south of there out in the boonies. I suspect the same may be true up there.

Granted some places are still 1xrtt (like out here in west Texas for some reason), but it's been plenty to stream and get data on.

I can't speak to the bw limits. My data card is on a 20+ line corp account.

 

[Scott Roberts]

For those considering tethering vs. a data card, you may want to look at what I learned last night while testing ChaserTv.com....

(Usual caveats apply...one guy's experience, YMMV, etc., etc., etc.)

See the Blog Post

(In a nutshell, the tethered phone couldn't hold EVDO, while the data card locked on and stayed...I think Verizon is crippling the phone, which used to hold EVDO just fine -- both devices are Alltel)

 

[J Kinkaid]

Scott what PRL are you running on your E815 and have you updated it recently?

 

[Scott Roberts]

Scott what PRL are you running on your E815 and have you updated it recently?

I'm pretty sure I updated it Sunday when I first noticed this. 30035 is current....updating....yup, still 30035.

 

[David Williams]

I'm thinking of going with the Verizon month-to-month mobile internet plan, but I'm wondering if there are any recommendations out there for the type of Aircard or wireless modem. Would I need to get an external antenna to get the best reception?

 

[Scott Roberts]

I'm thinking of going with the Verizon month-to-month mobile internet plan, but I'm wondering if there are any recommendations out there for the type of Aircard or wireless modem. Would I need to get an external antenna to get the best reception?

I'd heavily recommend an external antenna as the minimum. I upgraded to a cell booster mid-season last year and haven't regretted it.

 

[Rick Wilson]

I'm thinking of going with the Verizon month-to-month mobile internet plan, but I'm wondering if there are any recommendations out there for the type of Aircard or wireless modem. Would I need to get an external antenna to get the best reception?

I picked the Sierra Wireless AC 595 for two reasons:

1. Very robust external antenna connector unlike my first card. And by happy coincidence, also fits my Motorola cell phone.

2. My experience with Sierra Wireless modems that were installed in the squad cars where I used to work. Never had a problem at all. Very reliable.

IMHO, an external antenna and amp is very worthwhile. I have been in locations with zero signal and the amplifier gave me two bars.

 

[Chris Gullikson]

(In a nutshell, the tethered phone couldn't hold EVDO, while the data card locked on and stayed...I think Verizon is crippling the phone, which used to hold EVDO just fine -- both devices are Alltel)

Interesting, I am getting EVDO just fine here in WI using a tethered phone. I don't have the "proper" PRL on my phone, should try a *228 and see if my speeds change.

 

[Jeff Russell]

Does anyone use the Verizon USB727 card? With or without a external antenna? Coverage problems?

Jeff