Another wireless broadband question...

J

JamesTXSD

Active member
We visited a Verizon store yesterday to do some checking (and they updated the software in my dated phone). The new Mifi looks interesting - taking the place of a wireless broadband card and a wireless router. Up to 5 devices on the Mifi card. I specifically asked about download speeds and got generalities.

What I'd like to know: is there any improvement in speed and fringe area range with the Mifi? I didn't see any pop-up antenna like on the wireless broadband card. My Expresscard 34 is about 2 1/2 years old. The young man in the store really didn't have answers for me. Next step: take my MacBook Pro to the store and run a speed check with my wireless broadband card and their Mifi card... just to see if the technology results in better performance.

I tried out the various BlackBerries and a couple other internet capable phones... goodness - slow and small. When I've used my iTouch for internet (rarely), it has been much easier to use and a better screen. I don't see a change to any of the Verizon phone options in the near future.

We asked the young man about the possibility of Verizon being able to carry the iPhone when AT&T/Apple contract is up, and got a "We sure hope so." I can see why. :wink:

Looking at the coverage maps, AT&T isn't even close to Verizon's coverage areas. Can't tether the iPhone in the US (but that's available in other countries). Pluses and minuses all around.

What we have works: Expresscard 34 wireless broadband card that goes into my Mac or a Cradlepoint CTR350 router when we both want to be online. Two phones that more or less make and receive calls (mine seems better with the update).

I know what I want: a phone the size of what I have, with a 15" screen, connectivity like DSL, a real keyboard, a signal available everywhere, battery life of at least a week, and all for $19.95 per month. No need for the snow-blower attachment at this time. :mrgreen:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Ya, and I want 3 slideouts, and a 2 car garage in my motorhome - OH did I tell you it is a van ?

I see few reasons (except with a iPhone or ITouch) to use a MiFi, unless your present card doesn't support Rev A 3G. It does have its own battery, so if you are using your Touch you could have a connection pretty easily, without powering up the laptop - or your CradlePoint - limited to 4 hours (max) on the battery. I don't believe it would be any faster - 802.11 g is gonna be 802.11 g.

On edit - I see that they now have an external battery available for an extra 10 hours use.
 
come on over and try my air card. I upgraded from my first card to a usb modem that I put in a router, so we have hard wired and wireless in the coach when we travel. The upgraded card moved me from about 700kbs to about 1400 depending on the local site equipment and usage. We can turn it on and let you plug into one of the ethernet outlets. That should let you know if a new card will give you better performance. I have the same "old style unlimited" program.
 
Jim - I can speak to the fringe area portion of your question. My verizon mifi card works in areas where my verizon cell phone does not, specifically on Lopez Is. For some reason it is able to get a good connection where my cell phone shows no signal and cannot make phone calls at all. I use the mifi to connect to my office network which requires substantial bandwidth, and it holds the connection without bothersome disconnects even in the fringe areas.

Being able to position the card away from the computer makes it less prone to interference from the computer itself, and you can place it by a window or even outside to improve reception if needed.
 
toyman":swt2taob said:
What's a "snow-blower" got to do with a cell phone - I assume you're talking about a $100 bill > :roll:
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I was kidding, Dave. I'm a kidder... it's what I do. All that time we spent together and you thought I was being serious all the time? 8) Whenever a salesperson tells me about all the features of anything, I like to ask if it has "a snowblower attachment." :wink:

Herb, I need to get over to your place, anyway... you owe me supper! :mrgreen: It would be interesting to run a speed check on the different devices.

Jay, we've been able to get a signal on our wireless broadband card when we didn't have any bars on the phone. Of course it generally goes to "National Access", which means: slooooooooooooooooowwwww. I hadn't thought about being able to position the card for better reception - good idea.

Thanks for the responses. All experiences with Mifi are welcomed.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Jim,

Marcia and I are MAC users and until recently used our laptops with the Verizon Air Card that you mentioned. Due to all of the valuable stuff on my MacBook Pro I have been leery of continuing to travel with it for fear of damage or loss. As a result, we went shopping and bought a very small notebook (Eee PC) with 3.5 hours of battery life for $289. We also upgraded to the MiFi card and the combination is incredilby fast, many times faster than either of our Macs! It also runs videos without pausing as the MacBook Pro with the AirCard did. In addition to being able to use two computers at the same time, it seems to have a greater range than the AirCard. We were in Key Largo last week and my Verizon cell had no bars showing and dropped the one call that I was able to get through. However, we could get fast coverage with the MiFi in the same location. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
Yep, Nick, that really does help. Looks like we'll be off to Brownsville and back to the Verizon store for our own real world test. :D

And, Dave, I can see I'm going to have to explain that whole kidding concept to you yet again. :roll: I have BIG pockets; the 15" screen on the phone is actually the diagonal width with the slideouts. My prototype is almost ready - I decided to go "retro" and put a DIAL on the phone. :mrgreen:

Best wishes,
Jim
 
toyman":2jg0gxep said:
OH, now I understand - kidding, a neat concept. But isn't a 15" screen to large to fit in your pocket ? :P
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Not too big for Jim's pockets. In case you have not noticed, they are big and deeeeeep! 8)

Charlie
 
Discovery":y0w6uaug said:
Jim,

If you change hardware do you loose the "unlimited" Verizon plan? All the new plans have a fixed usage limit.
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Hi Brent and Dixie,

The guy at the Verizon store couldn't tell me that. He said, "We'll have to wait until we ring it up and then the till will tell me." I told him, "Well, we aren't going to get that far unless you know."

Standoff. :wink:

We do occasionally run over the 5 gig number per month.

Looking forward to seeing you next month.
Best wishes,
Jim
 
Jim, my understanding of these limits is they are "soft." If you only go over occasionally, and not by a huge amount, I don't think the cell phone company cares that much. They are more concerned with consistent and significant overage, like the people streaming Netflix to their laptop on the go. At least that's my understanding of the whole situation.
 
Jim,

I think Verizon has great technical solutions, but I have had nothing but grief from their business side. When I signed up, I was qualified for a business discount. It got sideways somehow, and after I retired they refused to allow it. We moved the account to my wife's name so we could get the business discount under her employment... They messed that up, too. Never again will I go with Verizon for any service! I am back with ATT and happy again.

Oh, they gave me the business discount as a retiree.

Steve
 
We had supper with Herb and Wilma Saturday night and I had the opportunity to check my data card against his - virtually identical speeds. So, the newer USB card isn't any improvement over the card we currently use.

I will be replacing my phone soon. The numbers/letters on it are nearly unreadable in bright light or dim. It had been turning itself off for no reason, but that seems to be cured by the software update I had done last week. So, I've been "considering"... if there's something out there that would give me better service and utility, I'd go that route. If a phone could tether to my computer AND our Cradlepoint router, maybe I'd go that route instead of the wireless broadband card?

Sheesh, I've never had "phone anxiety" before and rarely envy what others have... but the iPhone looks very interesting and got me thinking. I could see the value of a smart-phone, using it for navigation, checking weather, and internet browsing. I don't text, don't even make that many phone calls... but, it would be nice to whip out the phone and check to see who has the best prices for fuel at the next town. My trusty GPS, Jill, tells me where the stations are, but not how much? I don't see giving up my laptop because I use it for writing and photos, but we rarely use it while going down the road... the co-pilot (sometimes called the nagigator Wink) isn't a big fan of using the laptop while we're rolling.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Verizon's current TV ads, showing their 3G coverage vs. that of AT&T, are impressive. Assuming the ads are correct, and given your roaming tendencies, I would think you would elect to stay with Verizon.

Warren
 
Doryman":32nom9z0 said:
Verizon's current TV ads, showing their 3G coverage vs. that of AT&T, are impressive. Assuming the ads are correct, and given your roaming tendencies, I would think you would elect to stay with Verizon.

Warren
Click to expand...

No intentions of switching from Verizon. Just waiting... patiently, actually, to see what how their Droid performs. My crappy ol' phone still works, the wireless broadband has been very satisfactory. If I can get better on either by upgrading and not spending much money, even better.

In the meantime, it's interesting to see what others are using and how it's working for them.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
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