So this question came up in another thread about Aircards, which are basically modems/antenna that plug into your computer that allow you use a wireless network for accessing the internet from pretty much anywhere depending on coverage.

Typically you purchase a service agreement through one of the cell phone providers like Verizon, AT&T or the like and the aircards plug into the USB port or a docking station. Here is a link to a comparison of the different aircards.

I think cards can cost a couple hundred of dollars and service plans can be around $60 a month. This can be an option for people who need access anywhere or who can't get DSL at home but have good cell coverage.

I'd like to hear from others who use this or have experience using an aircard and whether they thought it was a good investment.

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Kimberly
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When we were looking at rental houses here we considered getting an A-frame up in the mountains which would have left us with two choices for internet connectivity - satellite and air cards. After much research I was far too nervous to trust the fate of our livelihood to something that could be adversely affected by stormy weather, especially with the amount of snow we would have gotten up there.

I think the concept is great but the connectivity just isn't reliable enough - but I say this based on what I've read of others' experiences...so perhaps there are those who have great things to say about how the cards work when there's snow and fog and wind and rain

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Let me tell you, I have my Verizon Broadband USB modem card and I could not live without it. I currently work FT at another job and do not have access to the net at my station. I use the modem card to keep in the loop and the boss doesn't really say anything. (because it's not on "their" net they don't give a darn what I look at.) Anyways, I'm always gone so being "mobile" is an essential part of my VA business. It allows me to complete the tasks I need to do immediately!

The downloading is a bit slow but for e-mail, internet researching, posting to the forum , and other tasks as these, it's really good.

It is an extra $60 a month for about 50GB of transactions. Trust me. I'm on it constantly and I'm lucky if I get 27GB. 50GB is more than enough.

Hope this helps,

Thanks Tess & Lisa.

It's good to know that there are also size limitations with the aircards.

We have a daily download limit with our satellite service and while most days we don't even come close, we did go over one day by doing a Windows update downloaded along with a 12 min. video download and they put us on "restriction" for 24 hours, which basically means we were without internet for a day!!

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Kimberly
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Most of the restrictions is that you get a signal (I have Verizon and have never had a problem getting a signal) and you don't reach your data limit. You will reach your limit if you download a lot of movies. The modem card is quick for that e-mail or a project that needs to get out. Forget about the downloading movies with the card. It will take you forever to download and you will reach 50GB very quickly. There isn't a daily limit on the cards, just a data limit. I've been know to have the card in for 3 hours without a glitch.

Hope this helps,

Yes, I was referring to the download limits. We don't have any time limits. Although they do allow a free period to bigger downloads that don't count toward the limit...it's from 12 am to 3 am. So we can schedule for bigger downloads if we need to.

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Kimberly
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