Anyone use a broadband wireless card?

[lizziegrace]

Life is in a state of upheaval, as usual. I'm canceling my cable and will also cancel roadrunner if a broadband card from Verizon will give me internet access anywhere. I figure it'll save me from driving to a coffee shop or some other place that has internet. My neighbor has RR and has his network unsecured. He said I could use it if I need to.

It seems like a sensible solution since I have no idea where I'll end up or when.

Any opinions??

Thanks. :)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Hi, lizzie...

My laptop is wireless...

And we have a wireless system in our house...

It works very well.

Sometimes the signal is better than other times, but usually it's very good.

That's nice of your neighbor!

Good luck with it.

[NJmaverick]

2. Be warned there are restrictions with them

you generally can't use them for streaming media (like Youtube).

[lizziegrace]

3. That's what I can't seem to get straight answers about

Verizon has two plans - 50MB and 5GB I have no idea how to quantify that or how you'd know how much you use...

:shrug:

I can avoid streaming House episodes from Hulu and just get netflix someday to catch up, but I won't get to see Countdown or Rachel Maddow's show, so I'd like to stream the videos posted on DU.

[NJmaverick]

4. You need to go over the terms of service with a fine tooth comb

that's where the real issues are. As for how much bandwidth, that really depends on your amount and type of internet usage. Frankly if you are only going to have the card, you will probably need the 5GB. After all there are microsoft updates (for your computer) that are larger than 50MB.

[pokerfan]

14. Install a network bandwidth usage meter

There are a bunch of free ones for download. Then see if you can live with a little over 1GB per week. I think it would be tough if that were my sole internet.

[ikojo]

8. I have a Sprint USB card and access video on youtube

with no problems.

[lizziegrace]

10. What's your plan limit?

the most Verizon has (and AT&T) is 50GB. After that you pay an overage.

[lizziegrace]

5. Kick...

anyone?

:)

[littlebit]

6. I have a Sprint broadband card.

That's all I use since I am in a different city everyday. I was able to get an unlimited plan. But I found out a few months ago when I was trying to get one for my girlfriend that they don't offer that plan anymore. I am able to watch fancast and youtube with mine. I also download movies and music on Itunes with it. Depending on the area I am in I usually get a fast connection speed. Over all I am happy with it.

[lizziegrace]

9. How many gigabytes do you use a month?

I'm trying to get my head around the 50GB number and what it means...

[littlebit]

11. Last month I used

about 40. That was one of my higher months.

[lizziegrace]

12. Then it would seem that a 50GB plan should be fine

:)

Thanks. :hi:

[littlebit]

13. Your welcome.

:hi:

[lizziegrace]

15. Wait, that's not right.

now I'm confusing myself. I need to look at the plans again.

[ikojo]

7. I use one and I LOVE it!!

It's a Sprint wireless USB card. I get pretty good download times.

[struggle4progress]

16. I'm using one. I think 50 MB would be awfully restrictive: for example,

I wanted to update my OS, and the update was some 100+ MB. I've got a 5GB plan, but I really limit how much I do with sites like youtube

[struggle4progress]

17. dimmit dooped agin

[Critters2]

18. I have an AT&T laptop connect card. Is that what you mean?

I like it. I do get internet anywhere--anywhere there's At&T cell coverage. I'm using it right now.

It's slower than dsl, but not as slow as dial-up.