Posted by BarbaraL_CA on 8/31/08 1:21am
Msg #262785

Prepaid Broadband Card for laptop?

Does anybody know where a person can buy a pre-paid broadband card with xxx minutes that doesn't expire until the minutes are used up? I really don't see the need (nor want) to pay $59.99/mo for a broadband card for my laptop.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 8/31/08 6:10am
Msg #262787

Barbara, I only pay $29.99 for my service through T-Mobile, I also have T-Mobile for my cell phone

Reply by 101livescan on 8/31/08 8:54am
Msg #262789

Margaret, do you like T-Mobile, is it consistent? I have Verizon WIFI but sometimes the signal is weak. My contract will expire soon and I won't renew it. I've done six ESignings so far, and it is painfully slow...it's nice to use when I'm riding the Amtrak here and there, but when you get into the mountains, the connection fails.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/31/08 9:04am
Msg #262790

T-Mobile

I have had T-Mobile for six years. I am happy with my cell phone usage.

I had the T-Mobile card for $29.99 for two years and stopped it after the contract ran out. I was not happy with it in my area. It was slower than dial up for me...even where I had good cell phone usage.

I think in other areas where there's "big city" needs that there are more cell phone towers and it works a lot better. Just within 30 miles of me there's zero coverage...within 10 miles of me there's crappy coverage.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 8/31/08 4:56pm
Msg #262822

I have an antenna I purchased on ebay and I get signals now that I did not get before.

Reply by BrendaTx on 8/31/08 9:05am
Msg #262791

Charles, you mention a "data card" - please tell us more

about it when you get a minute.

Reply by Charles_Ca on 8/31/08 10:34pm
Msg #262841

Re: Charles, you mention a "data card" - please tell us more

Hi Brenda, I hope you're having a great holiday weekend. I bought the Blackberry because of a couple of reasons and one was that you can use it instead of a data card for a lot less. AT&T had a deal on the 8310 and for the basic Blackberry package you can set it to use as a data card. The package costs $50 a month and includes the ability to transfer data, unlimited texting, unlimited data, and unlimited media transfer and Wi-Fi a package I found to be very cost effective for me. The Blackberry is also a surprisingly good Internet browser. I think its a good deal but I understand that some packages are actually better but I have committed to At&T for other services and I really like the combined billing.

Reply by LynnNC on 9/1/08 4:53pm
Msg #262891

What happens when you are using your Blacberry as a data...

...and you receive a phone call?

Reply by Charles_Ca on 9/1/08 10:31pm
Msg #262902

Great question but I don't know the answer, has not

happened to me yet and the manual doesn't say. I'll check it out and post it tomorrow.

Reply by BrendaTx on 9/2/08 5:37am
Msg #262906

Re: Charles, you mention a "data card" - please tell us more

Thanks. I remembered something called a data card back in the day when T-Mobile was VoiceStream. I think it acted as a modem, if I remember correctly. So is it a card outside of the phone? Something you plug into?

Or is it like the GSM radio card to replace a wireless air card when I was using it for internet access in my laptop when I had T-Mobile internet?

Reply by BarbaraL_CA on 8/31/08 3:24pm
Msg #262812

Thanks for the info, and...

yes, Charles - what is a data card?

T-Mobile would probably work well here, however I still have less than 2 yrs before I can end my Verizon contract without penalty. I can't believe they won't give me a break to end it! I've had the same verizon account for over 10 years!!!!

What is the download/upload time like on T-Mobile?

Anymore input or ideas would be appreciated.

Reply by Teresa/FL on 8/31/08 4:15pm
Msg #262818

Re: Thanks for the info, and...

I used to have a T-Mobile wireless card and found that the data transfer time was just slightly better than dial-up. I had no problem getting a signal, it is just that their network does not support fast data transfer.

I switched to Sprint and now have the equivalent of DSL speed. Of course, the cost is twice what the T-Mobile service cost but it is worth it to me. I've had my cell phone service with T-Mobile for almost 6 years and have no complaints there.

Cell/wireless service can vary greatly from area to area, so I would advise getting feedback from others in your immediate area.

Reply by Margaret_FL on 8/31/08 4:59pm
Msg #262823

Re: Thanks for the info, and...

I do not have a problem with the download speed, it sure beats driving home to download and print. For me it has worked great.

Reply by Angelina Saenz on 8/31/08 11:17pm
Msg #262843

Re: Thanks for the info, and...

Brenda what part of Texas are you in and which carrier do you use now for your broadband? thank you

Reply by NJ_Notary on 9/3/08 9:16pm
Msg #263139

Sprint PC card

I have sprint and don't regret it one bit. I had Tmobile yrs ago (about 3-4) and i had dial up like speeds. I live in a considerably rural area in southern NJ and have sprint. I get near cable speeds and couldnt ask for anything better.