High-speed Internet access via USB

Posted: Friday, June 08, 2007 4:14 PM

Access to a Wi-Fi network is a great computing tool when you’re home or at the office.  But sometimes it’s difficult to find one to connect to when you’re on the move.

The cellular phone industry has come up with a solution.  With the proliferation of new, higher speed, wide-area cellular data networks (such as Verizon’s EV-DO) laptops began to sport built-in modems.  Even if you decided against paying for the service you were stuck with the modem inside.

Now, we can choose the wide-area, high-speed data provider and the services we prefer.  Just plug in a nifty, new high-speed USB modem and get connected nearly anywhere on the planet.

I’ve been testing two very similar modems both made by Sierra Wireless.  The AirCard 595U works on Sprint’s U.S. Mobile Broadband (EV-DO) network.   The AirCard 875U works on AT&T’s Broadband Connect (UMTS/HSDPA/EDGE) network in the U.S. and participating networks worldwide.  The two wireless technologies are nearly identical in operation.

Both modems plug directly into your computer’s (PC or Mac) USB port and connect you to their respective networks.  Each comes with the proper software to set-up the device on your computer.  In both cases, installation was very straightforward.

Using these modems is easy.  All you have to do is start the newly-installed software and connect to your cellular provider.  It should take you less than a minute to connect online.

I’ve found both the EV-DO and the UMTS coverage were very good in the New York City area (usually not a great place to try wireless services).  While a little slower than my home Wi-Fi network (Cable connection), obtained EV-DO and UMTS speeds were very fast.  It was a pleasure not having to sit in a coffee shop to surf the Web and get my email while on the road.

I was also able to test the AT&T device in Europe.  It worked flawlessly in a number of areas where high-speed Internet connections are, at best, impossible to find - and if you do you’ll find them they’re usually very expensive.  The AirCard 875U provided me with fast, wireless services everywhere I tried using it – indoors or out.

Sprint is currently charging $79.99 for their AirCard 595U with a 2-year, 40MB/monthly service plan costing $39.99.  Sprint’s unlimited access sells for $59.99 per month. 

AT&T Wireless is asking $49.99 for their USB modem (after $100 rebate) with 2-year service plans ranging from $19.99 (for 5MB of data per month) to unlimited services for $59.99 (with some voice plans) or $79.99 (with no voice plan).

Using these USB modems isn’t cheap.  But if you do a lot of travelling – or usually find yourself in location, or maybe a hotel where the high-speed Internet is on the non-existent – these devices will pay for themselves many times over.  They are both highly recommended.

 

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