Mobile Unlimited Internet Device...?

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V1P3R

V1P3R

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I suppose it's too much to ask for...?

The closest thing I could find to what I was looking for is Cell phone companies that sell the USB dongles to connect a laptop to their service, but they charge an arm 'n a leg... Not to mention they aren't unlimited. :rolleyes:

USB_4modems.gif


I guess it won't happen period? Got any other suggestions?

Oh, btw... before any Apple fanboys mention an iPhone I'm not interested and I'd rather sacrifice portablity/size of the device for a cheap plan that won't bankrupt me.
 
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I think you're looking at what, $60 a month for an unlimited plan through Sprint on their EV-DO service. As I recall, its within $10 for AT&T on their 3G network as well.

I guess I'm not completely sure what you're looking for here. Your only options are a smartphone, pocket PC, or a crackberry which will cost you the phone, a phone plan, and a data plan (about $70 a month + the phone), or you have to strap one of these ($50-80 for the receiver, plus monthly fees) to a laptop.

There are laptops available now (the Dell Mini 9 comes to mind) with 3G cards built-in. But, you still need to pay for the AT&T service to use it anywhere.
 
I basically want to access the net from where ever I am. I care more about having the connection than what I can get the internet on. I already have a laptop that will work just fine and an ipod Touch, but it's the connection that's the problem (I'd prefer my laptop). There are places like at my grandma's where they don't have internet and never will because nobody there believes it's important to have. With this said, it's casual use, not business so that's why I don't want to be paying an arm and a leg to just check my email for example.

I suppose this is an admission of being addicted to the internet too...
 
You really don't need anything 'unlimited', then. You'd be able to live with 1GB of data a month, I bet. It's not your main internet connection, and so you won't be using it for anything data intensive anyway.

I don't know what the situation is over in the US, but it used to be the case that mobile internet dongle things were horribly expensive. I mean you were talking £50 a month for a few hundred megs of data. Now, though, the prices are actually nearer that of ADSL - £15 for 3GB, for example. If it's horribly expensive right now, just hang in there - the price will come down.

I bought a dongle for 3 (the network with the best 3G coverage over here) and on the whole I've been impressed. When it does get reception, it's perfectly usable in terms of speed. As is always the case though, where I actually want to use it often has signal problems. It can be a case of moving a few feet to get a far better signal, but it is a right pain when you have to do it.

It's a great little device, but I certainly wouldn't spend more than £15 a month for one.

(P.S: Ours look better than the US ones too :p)

3-mobile-broadband-the-huawei-e169g-usb-modem-in-my-hand.jpg

(Although I've got a chunkier black one)
 
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Actually... it would be my main internet connection. My thinking is if I'm gonna have to pay for a connection I might as well be able to use it when I'm not at home too. Whenever I can move out of this hell hole that is... I'd also, be doing some :cough: slightly illegal stuff too. (although, probably not the greatest idea) :cough:


When it does have reception...? Christ. : sigh: I'll be waiting for a while then. :rolleyes:
 
Ahh, I see. Before you make the switch though, you've got to remember that these are in no way stable, solid connections. Even when you're in range and have full signal, it's still a bit like using a dodgy wifi connection in terms of consistency. Don't expect it to handle anything intensive (gaming, torrents etc). I shouldn't think webcam conversations work too well either. And even on HSDPA networks it won't be that quick. About 1mb/s, realistically.

Essentially, it's fine for someone who's just browsing, sending emails, watching YouTube etc. It's no replacement for your cable/ADSL though if you're going to be doing more intensive stuff.

EDIT

And actually, I've just remembered. Everything with the word 'unlimited' is usually subject to a fair use policy that prevents you from going mad with your downloads. And because it's mobile broadband, the limit will be lower than normal. Just make sure you read the small print ;)
 
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You could always figure out which city will start offering city-wide Wi-Fi provided by the city and move there.

Another thing is that once upon a time there was talk of TV broadcasters using their extra bandwidth provided by the digital switch to create wireless ISPs. But that was like five years ago when I heard that kind of talk and I haven't seen any mentions of it since. But that is at least six months to a year away, at the earliest.
 
Thanks for the help guys.

Jondot
Ahh, I see. Before you make the switch though, you've got to remember that these are in no way stable, solid connections. Even when you're in range and have full signal, it's still a bit like using a dodgy wifi connection in terms of consistency. Don't expect it to handle anything intensive (gaming, torrents etc). I shouldn't think webcam conversations work too well either. And even on HSDPA networks it won't be that quick. About 1mb/s, realistically.

Essentially, it's fine for someone who's just browsing, sending emails, watching YouTube etc. It's no replacement for your cable/ADSL though if you're going to be doing more intensive stuff.
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Ok, good to know... Also, now I know Verizon's usb offering of internet ANYWHERE is bull. 👍

I guess I'm hoping for too much.

FoolKiller
You could always figure out which city will start offering city-wide Wi-Fi provided by the city and move there.
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Actually, what prompted all this is that where I needed the net the most at my grandma's they stopped providing free Wi-fi... That was really irritating, but it was pretty worthless anyway because it was worse than dial-up speeds. I think they purposely made the connection weak for that reason.

:mumbling: That's still better than ringing up a $65 bill off the c phone data rate... :mumbling:

FoolKiller
Another thing is that once upon a time there was talk of TV broadcasters using their extra bandwidth provided by the digital switch to create wireless ISPs. But that was like five years ago when I heard that kind of talk and I haven't seen any mentions of it since. But that is at least six months to a year away, at the earliest.
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Yeah, see I wouldn't go that route anyway because they will be worse than the c phone companies in terms of raping you. You just wait til this digital stuff really kicks in an there are restrictions or charging on free tv. :rolleyes:
 
We have them in Kentucky too, but it is designed more for rural home use than mobile use.

And isn't what you would call fast either.
 
Sprint is supposed to start offering a WiMax system in bigger cities like Chicago and NYC to cover the area with 3G/Broadband speeds, anywhere and everywhere. But, so far the tests have been pretty limited, and I have no idea what the cost would be.

To me, it really sounds like your only option is to get one of the data packages from a cell phone company. If its going to be replacing your ISP at home, you're going to be hard-pressed to find a better unlimited deal for $60 or less... Give or take, about what it would cost to have a line at home anyway.
 
Yeah... I guess that idea is just gonna have to die. I guess I'll just have to tough it out... I ain't paying just to check my mail that's for sure.
 
Thought this was interesting except that still doesn't solve the service problem...

In other news...

The closest solution I've potentially found is this...
 

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