GL: Broadband air cards

[Jim Healy]

Sue,

You may be constrained by the fact that you have T-Mobile cell phone service
today.  If you are still in a contract window, it may not be feasible to
change carriers until you are done with the existing contract.  I'm not sure
if this is the still the case, but the rates you were quoted may have been
based on *also* having cell phone service with the same carrier as the
broadband service.  I know 18 months ago when I got my device from Verizon,
the $59 monthly rate was based on also having our cell phone service with
Verizon.

I have had Verizon from the beginning, and that's my experience base.  What
you now need is a "USB Modem" ("air card" is actually an obsolete term, as
PCs no longer have PCMCIA card slots) that is a "Revision A" device.  We
have a USB720, Rev A Modem.  It has a Verizon logo on it, but I think the
device is made by Audiovox.  Some software components are made by Sierra and
some by Smith Micro.  Don't worry about any of the techno babble; it's
tourist information.  Everything you need will come in the box.  The only
thing you need to remember is "Rev A."  The USB720 comes with a short cord
that fans out to two USB connectors, one for power and one for the data
signal.  If you use them both together, thruput of the device is faster.
However, for email and simple browsing, the device alone is quite acceptable
with a single connection.  DO NOT get an older, non Rev A, device from eBay,
for example!!!  The Rev A devices are much faster and more likely to connect
in fringe service areas.  With ours, we did the entire Great Loop with only
brief lapses of coverage when we anchored in the outback of the Georgia Low
Country.  Coverage in Canada was fine, but expensive.  That's a service
pricing issue that has nothing to do with the technology.  Coverage in the
Bahamas - I'm told - is nil.  Others can correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Be aware that this year, there will be another round of new devices made
available - and concomitant hoopla - as the wireless companies roll out
their "next generation" of wireless network capabilities.  Information about
the rollout is in the technology and lay press already.  But based on how
you described your intended use, I think the USB720 is the way to go.
There's nothing in the new rollout that you need to wait for, so don't let
salesmen confuse you with technobabble.  BTW, you buy the device, just as
you buy a cellphone, and from then on it belongs to you.  You don't "rent"
it from the wireless company.  With promos, they generally cost in the range
of $100 bucks, +/-, but some promos are better.  The service is a recurring
monthly charge.

It does not matter what windows operating system you have.  The connection
manager Software that comes in the package runs on Win2000, XP and Vista
just fine.  When you install the package, it will automatically select
device driver software that's compatible with your operating system.  You
may have to download the latest version of the software from the Verizon Web
Site.  It's an easy thing to do if it's necessary at all.  Since you only
have two built in USB ports, the device attachment cord will occupy them
both.  That may be inconvenient if you have an external mouse you like to
use.

Enjoy.  You'll like the freedom of wireless internet.  This technology is
much better than WiFi for connectivity, and the speeds are catching up.

Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
currently at Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda, FL
AGLCA # 3767
MTOA # 3436