Fastest/best phone/service to use as wireless modem for laptop

[PEM]

Who offers the fastest service (and phone) to use as a wireless modem for a laptop computer? I hope this isn't a stupid question!

[Bugwart]

Certainly not a stupid question.

The fastest services currently available in the US are Verizon's Express Network and Sprint's Vision. Both use CDMA2000 1xRTT technology.

The actual speeds (from test archives on DSL Reprts) average between 60 and 100 kbps downlink and 50 - 60 kbps uplink.

Verizon Express Network test archives
Sprint Vision test archives

The GSM (Cingular, AT&T, and T Mobile) service providers offer GPRS. It will work, but it will be slower and more expensive.

All of these services will work either with an appropriate wireless PCMCIA card or via a cable through a cell phone.

None of these services are cheap. You can expect to pay $100 or more per month if you go for an 'all you can eat' package.

If you travel outside of major metro areas, Verizon will have the best coverage.

I have found that the Verizon tech service people for wireless data are very knowledgable.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

Sprint PCS is proabely your best option for Data Usage. There network seems to offer the fastest data speeds and you can get a unlimited data plan with them for only $80 a month.

[Bugwart]

Can you get Sprint Vision without a phone contract?

[DiverDown]

Verizon offers unlimited Express network for $75 a month.

[Bugwart]

I just looked at the Sprint PCS converage map of the US. Although there is coverage in major US cities and along many of the interstates, however, there are major parts of the US which have no Sprint coverage.

Thus before deciding on a high speed wirelss contract, be certain that there is coverage where you will need it.

[Luckie7]

It's true that Sprint does not have more coverage than Verizon, due to Verizon's many analog towers. However it is misleading to think you'd have more coverage for 3g data only on Verizon due to the fact that Sprint does have a larger digital network, and you wouldn't be able to use the Verizon Express/Get it now features in there analog service areas.

[Bugwart]

Originally posted by: Luckie7
It's true that Sprint does not have more coverage than Verizon, due to Verizon's many analog towers. However it is misleading to think you'd have more coverage for 3g data only on Verizon due to the fact that Sprint does have a larger digital network, and you wouldn't be able to use the Verizon Express/Get it now features in there analog service areas.

I agree with you about the analog only areas. However, I travel extensively, and I have not found very many places recently that lacked Verizon CDMA coverage. The SprintPCS map that I picked up at Frye's this week shows huge gaps throughout the western 2/3rds of the US.

For example, you can not drive from the Mexican border to Oregon on any route with Sprint coverage the entire way. On 101, service ends north of Cloverdale and on I-5, service ends just north of Reading.

Sprint may have the largest Digital PCS network in the US, but this does not mean that they have the largest digital network. I would venture a guess that both AT&T and Verizon have larger digital networks than does Sprint.

[AustinPowers]

Although slower than Verizon or Sprint, T-Mobile now offers unlimited data for 19.99 along with it's voice plans that are 29.99 and up. If you want the unlimited data alone, it is only 29.99 a month!

[vespagirl]

I have just purchased a motorola v70 with T-mobile service. I was hoping to be able to just hook up the phone to my laptop and use the phone as a modem. Do I need a separate internet plan thru T-mobile to do this? Can't I just use my nights and weekend minutes to surf the net this way?

[DiverDown]

Sprint doesn't have a larger digital network then verizon, in fact there's is also smaller then at&t and cingular. You just posted a total lie.

There commercials which are meant to fool the weak minded stat they have the largest only digital network, which means nothing. Verizon's digital network is at least twice as large as sprints, probably more like 4 times.

Get your facts straight before posting them.

[NYCDru]

Originally posted by: DiverDown
Sprint doesn't have a larger digital network then verizon, in fact there's is also smaller then at&t and cingular. You just posted a total lie. There commercials which are meant to fool the weak minded stat they have the largest only digital network, which means nothing. Verizon's digital network is at least twice as large as sprints, probably more like 4 times. Get your facts straight before posting them.

Incorrect.

1.) Verizon doesn't own al there digital coverage. Its called regional roaming partners.

2.) ATT has the same situation.

3.) I don't think anyone realy knows who has the largest self owned digital network.

[DiverDown]

Do a little research, and you'll find out that Verizon has the largest digital network in the U.S.

Yes no BS, i don't work for them and could care less, but I am stating a fact to you, and yes many people know the order of largest to smallest, as of 2002, The three companies with the most digital towers (be it CDMA, TDMA, or GSM), before roaming agreements were.

1. Verizon
2. AT&T
3. Cingular.

Though Cingular is #2 with a Customer Base. Verizon is #1 with the most customers in the U.S. and At&t is #3 though they have the 2nd largest amount of towers.

So it actually makes sense that Verizon has the most digital towers considering they are the largest company. Oh and that B.S. about Analog, let me tell you the % of analog towers that verizon has left is scant, and it is totally non existent for most Verizon phones to go into analoag (not counting being 40 feet below ground or in a brick builiding inside a brick room coverd by a lead wall.... and all that Jazz).

And Dru why would you think that know one knows who has the largest, I'm pretty sure that even the most meager wireless company has a list of which company is the largest and which is the smallest, whether they tell you is another story.

Or they can use vague language like Sprint and make you think they have a large foot print.

[stufried]

It is my understanding that with Sprint you can go month to month for $10 more per month.

With respect to TMobile's wireless data program, it is $29 with a voice package, but the package includes unlimited hotspot access. It is my understanding that they no longer offer the $19 a month plan.

EDGE is not 3g, but it is not bad and TMobile's unlimited means you can leave it hooked up for long periods of time. Whether you want to spend more for the additional speed is an open question. It is my understanding by the way that TMobile will be rolling out 3g later this year. Chances are your old EDGE plan can be used for 3g when it becomes available.

[hf1khal]

Originally Posted by stufried

It is my understanding that with Sprint you can go month to month for $10 more per month.

With respect to TMobile's wireless data program, it is $29 with a voice package, but the package includes unlimited hotspot access. It is my understanding that they no longer offer the $19 a month plan.

EDGE is not 3g, but it is not bad and TMobile's unlimited means you can leave it hooked up for long periods of time. Whether you want to spend more for the additional speed is an open question. It is my understanding by the way that TMobile will be rolling out 3g later this year. Chances are your old EDGE plan can be used for 3g when it becomes available.

I wonder if this is a record for a revival of a thread. This thread is close to 4 years old.

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by hf1khal

I wonder if this is a record for a revival of a thread. This thread is close to 4 years old.

Yeah really, but at the same time the arguement is still pretty much the same. But keep in mind, for everyone, don't use this thread as a reference anymore, it's out of date, with all the constant changes ongoing these days, your best off asking and waiting for a response rather than referencing something more than a month old.

[xenophon]

Originally Posted by DiverDown

Sprint doesn't have a larger digital network then verizon, in fact there's is also smaller then at&t and cingular. You just posted a total lie.
Verizon's digital network is at least twice as large as sprints, probably more like 4 times.

Get your facts straight before posting them.

You have your facts wrong. Both Sprint and Verizon natively cover 255m with CDMA voice though Sprint's CDMA and iDen combined is approaching 270m native. Sprint has been adding CDMA sites at a much much higher rate than Verizon in the last year and may more native CDMA coverage by now.

Sprint's EVDO network is currently larger than Verizon's, and the RevA gap is even larger in Sprint's favor.

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by xenophon

You have your facts wrong. Both Sprint and Verizon natively cover 255m with CDMA voice though Sprint's CDMA and iDen combined is approaching 270m native. Sprint has been adding CDMA sites at a much much higher rate than Verizon in the last year and may more native CDMA coverage by now.

Sprint's EVDO network is currently larger than Verizon's, and the RevA gap is even larger in Sprint's favor.

Down Xenophon, down, that post you just replied to was from 2003.

[stufried]

Mees thinks that I've created a monster. I accidentally replied to a long closed thread. Everything above my first post is from three years ago. Perhaps this would be a good one for the moderator to lock.

With apologies.

Stu