Thread: Tornado chaser needs high speed internet in the USA

Obviously WiFi would be sketchy, but many US Cellular companies now offer high-speed broadband cards for a decent chunk of money per month. I know Verizon, Sprint, and Cingular all offer these services.

It should be noted that either with a data cable or Blue Tooth pseudo-COMM connection, it's possible to get a ~100Kbps connection thru your existing cellphone, taking only minutes out of your plan. If he doesn't mind spending something like 70 bucks a month for the broadband card, do that. If not, not many other choices other than WiFi hotspots or above mentioned DUN

Originally Posted by Zip-Lock

Verizon and Sprint have the fastest EVDO networks. Problem is they have only have their fastest networks in the major cities. It sounds like you will be in more rural areas where their networks are slower. You can check their coverage areas on their websites and also check their network speeds in the areas where you will be traveling through. Also check GSM carriers such as T-Mobile or Cingular. There are also regional carriers but it sounds like you would be best going with a national carrier like the ones I suggested above because you will be traveling across many states.

WiFi will be of no help on the road.

Cingular has 3.6mbps HSDPA!!! For about $59.99 if you already have Cingular service or $79.99 if you don't...

Get Started | Cingular Wireless

Get Started | Cingular Wireless

Rafster

Cingular's high speed network is nice, but the 3G (highspeed) portion of it is only activated in metro areas really, but outside of the major cities he'd still get EDGE speed which in my case can be around 60-100kbps or so, a little faster than a good dialup modem.

one word: ethernet!!!

I think they make them about 100 ft now, but you could prolly splice a few together...

LAN is the way to go

Thansk for all the response!

Verizon and Cingular with f.ex the Sierra Wireless Aircard 875 looks like a good solution but it is a little bit expensive. The possbility to use edge/gprs is very useful when he is outside of the big towns. Wonder if there is any possibilties to pre-pay for two months. Think I have to send them an e-mail because I do not understand so much about their plans, discounts and and so on.

I also wonder if the card can be used with providers back in Norway. I already have an external antenna that could come in use when he is driving around. I could also buy the card from him when he is back home. In my car I did plan to use a 3G phone with bluetooth but it could be even better with a 3G card.

I do think he have a Nokia 6233 with GSM/EDGE 900/1800/1900. If he can use this phone with edge/gprs it will be a lot cheaper than 3G and the 3G coverage is anyway probably to bad when he is driving around. The downside is that he then can't use an external antenna on the car roof.

Originally Posted by hercem

Thansk for all the response!

Verizon and Cingular with f.ex the Sierra Wireless Aircard 875 looks like a good solution but it is a little bit expensive. The possbility to use edge/gprs is very useful when he is outside of the big towns. Wonder if there is any possibilties to pre-pay for two months. Think I have to send them an e-mail because I do not understand so much about their plans, discounts and and so on.

I also wonder if the card can be used with providers back in Norway. I already have an external antenna that could come in use when he is driving around. I could also buy the card from him when he is back home. In my car I did plan to use a 3G phone with bluetooth but it could be even better with a 3G card.

I do think he have a Nokia 6233 with GSM/EDGE 900/1800/1900. If he can use this phone with edge/gprs it will be a lot cheaper than 3G and the 3G coverage is anyway probably to bad when he is driving around. The downside is that he then can't use an external antenna on the car roof.

Just get an unlocked PCMCIA card!!

eBay: NEW UNLOCKED SIERRA 860 3G UMTS HSDPA PC CARD AIRCARD (item 270102756974 end time Apr-01-07 17:33:55 PDT)

Rafster

Originally Posted by Rafster

Just get an unlocked PCMCIA card!!

eBay: NEW UNLOCKED SIERRA 860 3G UMTS HSDPA PC CARD AIRCARD (item 270102756974 end time Apr-01-07 17:33:55 PDT)

Rafster

Thanks for the tips!

I have just bought a Sierra 875 3G card from this seller.

Card 133$
Shipment 29,99$
Incurrance 10$
Total: 172.99$
+maybe 25% norwegian tax 43,25$

I needed a tri-band card because the 2100 frequence is used in Norway.
The card cost around 479$-->558$ in Norway. I think Option 3G card is a little bit cheaper but still very expensive.

Now my father only needs a sim card when he arrives in the USA. Hopefully he maybe can visit a mobil store and get one?

I do work for an ISP/Telephone company in Norway, so yesterday I ordrered a sim twin card that I should use with the 3G card. Then I don't need to use bluetooth and a 3G phone togheter with my carputer. I think this will be a great solution for me. At the moment I don't know but hopefully I also can make ordinary calls with the 3g card in my carputer.