Your opinion: which wireless internet?

**amthar** · 09-13-2005, 11:44 AM

I did some searching on the boards, did not really see anyone's comparisons of the different wireless internet options here in the states. To give you an idea, I am a bandwidth addict, but I realize mobile broadband on a wide coverage scale is just not there yet. First, of course is dependability. I'd like to not be dropped as I drive around. Secondly I'd like a large coverage area, even if it means slower speeds when I'm off in the boondocks, but high speed when I'm in metro areas, I'm willing to give up speed for wider area. And of course, speed is great.

A couple of services I've been looking at include Cingular (it seems their generic GPRS coverage is huge, and their high speed "EDGE" coverage is rather large, though if it's anything like the rest of Cingular the dependability sucks), Sprint (their coverage seems large too, ?though slower speeds than cingular?), Verizon (smaller coverage area but that EV-DO looks pretty fast and people seem to think it's reliable).

Opinions? Suggestions? In the end I've alwasy got good ole' 9600kbps CDMA, but who wants that nowadays (someone is gonna flame me for that one).

Thanks all.

**Rafster** · 09-14-2005, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by amthar

I did some searching on the boards, did not really see anyone's comparisons of the different wireless internet options here in the states. To give you an idea, I am a bandwidth addict, but I realize mobile broadband on a wide coverage scale is just not there yet. First, of course is dependability. I'd like to not be dropped as I drive around. Secondly I'd like a large coverage area, even if it means slower speeds when I'm off in the boondocks, but high speed when I'm in metro areas, I'm willing to give up speed for wider area. And of course, speed is great.

A couple of services I've been looking at include Cingular (it seems their generic GPRS coverage is huge, and their high speed "EDGE" coverage is rather large, though if it's anything like the rest of Cingular the dependability sucks), Sprint (their coverage seems large too, ?though slower speeds than cingular?), Verizon (smaller coverage area but that EV-DO looks pretty fast and people seem to think it's reliable).

Opinions? Suggestions? In the end I've alwasy got good ole' 9600kbps CDMA, but who wants that nowadays (someone is gonna flame me for that one).

Thanks all.

Well, actually as far as dependability, I can tell you, there's a reason why Cingular is #1 out of the 5 cellular services. No, it's not only because they have 50mil + users and more signing up each day, it's because when they bought AT&T Wireless, they got AT&T's 850MHz band and their amazing data network.

I can tell you, as an Ex Verizon user, I could not be more happy with Cingular's service dependability and features. Verizon just kept nickel and diming me to death.

Just in case your interested this is the order in which the cell phone companies rank right now. 1= best 5= worst

1= Cingular (We're #1!!!)
2= Verizon
3= T-Mobile
4= Nextel
5= SprintPCS

You can do what ever you feel is in your best interest, but if you go with Verizon or Sprint, get ready to be nickel and dimed for everything.

Good luck!

Peace,

Rafster