 dbldbl
join:2006-01-23
San Francisco, CA | How does casual tethering usage come into play with this? I'm sure my fellow GenX-ers, now of the mommy/daddy age, are quite adept at finding and using tweaks/hacks to get at their unlimited data plans on their smartphones. Am curious if the sample is or can be bigger using this quantifier... | |
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| | Nuts
join:2006-04-27
Forest, OH | Re: How does casual tethering usage come into play with this? I've never had a contract for my Alltel aircard. | |
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Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT
clubs:
 ·Packet8
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| Re: How does casual tethering usage come into play with this? said by en102  :Alltel must be an anomoly. Most national carriers (AT&T/VZW/Sprixtel/T-Mobile) require 2 year commitment, or an outright purchase ($$$$) of the data card. My point being... if you have a cellphone, you don't need the data card. I agree I used my cellphone at a hotel so i would not have to pay the rip-off fees to use the internet. It got the job done and it was free due to bending around having to get a data plan.
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It's NOT Ni-kon It's NE-KON!
Check out my Gallery!
»/pics/dimaging/400265
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| | | | stufried
Premium
join:2003-10-13 | I am no contract on ATT. You pay a one time activation fee ($20 or $30) and bring your own equipment. | |
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| | | lvlorpheus
join:2008-02-17
Eureka Springs, AR | You might want to get one (A contract) soon. I am sure you love your unlimited data as much as I do. I would not count on Verizon leaving you at unlimited unless a contract says they have to for the contracts duration.
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| | voipdabbler
join:2006-04-27
Kalispell, MT
| I like tethering too, even though I don't live in an area served by EVDO; it's nice to be able to tether the laptop to the phone when traveling. Unfortunately, with Verizon acquiring my cellular carrier, Alltel, I'll lose that feature since Verizon doesn't like customers to tether phones (they want that extra money). With the imposition of caps on home-based broadband, I think it's inevitable that more who live in areas with decent cellular broadband signals and capacity will begin to chose to have cellular broadband only Why deal with two devils--make life simpler--deal with the one whose service gives you mobility. TW and Frontier have announced ridiculously low caps for home-based broadband and Comcast's announced cap keeps falling (I can see them dropping to as low as 8-10 GB per month if it looks like TW and Frontier won't get any local regulatory flack for their new stealth price increases via caps ). The baby bells are salivating and will chose the lowest cap they can get away with. If I were in an urban area with decent EVDO or 3G, I'd seriously consider dropping home VOIP and go cellular broadband only, even with the caps. At least the mobility is a great feature. | |
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Cjaiceman
join:2004-10-12
Aurora, CO
 ·Comcast Workplace
·Comcast
| said by en102 :I personally prefer tethering. 3. Phone and data can be used at the same time (HSDPA) I've had 1.3Mbps/380kbps throughput on my PoS Samsung ZX-20 tethered (USB) and +600kbps through bluetooth. I tether my phone to my laptop all the time. If you use GSM (HSDPA), voice and data can happen at the same time, but if you use EVDO, you can't. AT&T has their upsides (when your in a 3G area). | |
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Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI
clubs:
 ·Site5.com
·AT&T Midwest
·Comcast
| said by en102 :I personally prefer tethering. 1. No long term contract for the data card (vs. phone + card) 2. Pretty vanilla phone can be used (saving $$$) 3. Phone and data can be used at the same time (HSDPA) 4. Data plan is month 2 month add on (see #1). I've had 1.3Mbps/380kbps throughput on my PoS Samsung ZX-20 tethered (USB) and +600kbps through bluetooth. Same here, but tethering is something not every phone supports and some require special software or configuration to be done. For typical users, its not easy and a card is just that....easy. For BBR users, its a challenge to get working.  | |
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MisterMarcus
join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
| said by dbldbl :I'm sure my fellow GenX-ers, now of the mommy/daddy age, are quite adept at finding and using tweaks/hacks to get at their unlimited data plans on their smartphones. Am curious if the sample is or can be bigger using this quantifier... Then there's GenX'ers like me, who just don't want to have to fuddle with all that. Plug the card in and be done with it.
For the contract, that requirement will soon become null and void across the board, I'm sure. | |
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pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
| So Much For Recession! If this report is indeed true then it pretty much crushes the notion that people are running out of money to spend.
But why would someone use a data card that they pay for at home if they have broadband and presumably wifi?
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"At the moment of conception." | |
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| Mce Saint
join:2007-10-03
Saint Louis, MO
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| Re: So Much For Recession! Same reason someone would use something like "remote desktop" or "gotomypc" - your home computer is AT HOME tied to the landline . . . you are elsewhere with your laptop and need access to the files/programs on that home pc.
Mobile broadband can also serve as a "back-up" line for those who work from home (telecommute or home based business) if, say, the cable goes out (as has been known to happen).
And, I'd note, it hardly "crushes" the idea of a recession. LeBron James is probably still spending his Benjamins. Put differently, just because rich people are better suited to ride out a recession (by still spending money) doesn't mean that there isn't a recession . . . anymore that it did when the rich did the same during the Depression.
A more revealing question would be: how many mobile broadband users ALSO have a landline connections . . . and, then, what income bracket are most of those people (those with both mobile broadband and landlines) in? | |
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| rahvin112
join:2002-05-24
Sandy, UT | Because not everyone spends every minute of their day in their basement on the computer. Some people actually spend time outside their home with family and friends but still need occasional online access. Shocking as it may sound to some of you. | |
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| voipdabbler
join:2006-04-27
Kalispell, MT
| Most surveys aren't very reliable, so read them with a bit of skepticism, especially if they don't jive with real world conditions. There's no quality control to determine who's given accurate information to survey takers and who hasn't. Hard economic data collected by the government, which is based on objective, quantifiable data shows we're really in a recession. Heck, believe the reports about broadband numbers stagnating. I believe the next reports on the broadband subscription base will actually show it shrinking, if low caps really start to be implemented (not only do caps raise network neutrality issues, they're stealth fee increases). As I keep saying, broadband is not an essential, unlike food, shelter and energy. As people's budgets get stretched to the breaking point, non-essentials will get dropped, including broadband Internet. | |
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| DprssdIsntFn
Premium
join:2004-01-12
Pompton Lakes, NJ
| You asked "Why?"
The problem is the follow on part of your question which makes an assumption.
For example: My house is for sale and I've ended my cable modem connection some time ago. I had ended my landline even longer ago. My AT&T air card is my only personal internet connection. It's fast enough to suit my current needs. And travels with me.
It's not a matter of spending extra money for me. It's a matter of spending money _instead_. i.e. For air card instead of cable modem.
It's also nice because at work, I can get off of work's network and independently access the internet. Thus, I can maintain my privacy from work's monitoring of Internet usage. | |
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NetAdmin
join:2008-05-22
| said by pnh102 :If this report is indeed true then it pretty much crushes the notion that people are running out of money to spend. More likely than not, people are just continuing the spend, spend, spend and try to claim bankruptcy bullshit that's been going on for decades.
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Eleven years of carrying The Clue Bat... | |
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Jim_in_VA
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Millenicom
| Count me in ... Hey, if its a choice between EVDO and Sat, its really NO choice at all. EVDO hands-down. They are the only options I have, besides dialup, and Sprint works great for me.
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»evdo-tips.com/ | |
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insomniac84
join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN
edit:
August 19th, @12:12PM
| Landline ISPs are in trouble. I wonder how the land line ISPs are planning to make money if they ban heavy users, while all their light users migrate to portable options that are more than adequate for their needs. No way people are going to keep two services forever. Eventually they will drop the land line. | |
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| patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY
| Re: Landline ISPs are in trouble. said by insomniac84 :I wonder how the land line ISPs are planning to make money if they ban heavy users, while all their light users migrate to portable options that are more than adequate for their needs. No way people are going to keep two services forever. Eventually they will drop the land line. Cable Modem cap = 10GB
Cellphone cap = 5GB
There you go. | |
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kaila
join:2000-10-11
Lincolnshire, IL
clubs:
| They are darn convenient we have a sierra wireless compass USB based card through sprint. works completely as advertised, and has been great with cradlepoint's 3G router to share with others as well.
My wife is the primary user though and usually goes through 300MB/per weekday (she VPN's) on her 40min rail commutes into Chicago- something she'll have to curb with sprint's new 5GB limit. | |
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rawgerz
In Debt we trust
Premium
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA | Re: They are darn convenient Yet.. | |
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dMarks
Melting Faces For Fun
join:2007-02-09
Leslie, MI
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
edit:
August 20th, @10:05AM
| Re: They are darn convenient said by rawgerz :Yet.. As with anything regarding services offered by companies, things change. However, Millenicom is unlimited at this time and for the forseeable future. They only offer data service, not Sprint phone service. Also, if Sprint were intent on capping the service through Millenicom, don't you think it would be done by now? Millenicom is mainly a dial-up provider, not wireless, and their wireless service is simply resold Sprint wireless data service.
I highly doubt if Sprint were overly concerned about capping their data network that Millenicom could remain unaffected. Millenicom is a very small company compared to Sprint, even in the state Sprint is in currently.
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Windows XP Pro SP2|AMD Athlon 64 FX-57|2GB Dual Channel RAM|2x GeForce 7950 GT 512MB|250GB HDD | |
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swarto112
join:2004-02-17
Boise, ID
·CableOne
edit:
August 19th, @01:03PM
| tethered no data card I dropped the landline and internet, use a 3G wifi router tethered to a Moto V9 that also serves as the home phone line using the AT&T Media Max data plan. Saving over a $1000 per year.
3G wifi router - www.cradlepoint.com
Xlink bluetooth telephone adpater - »www.xlinkgateway.com/
Having been an early VOIP adapter my house was already setup to handle the switch. I can use the Xlink to run the cell phones thru the house wiring or just leave it hooked to my uniden basestation and expanable handsets. Also, wheh I go camping . I just grab the setup and take it with, walla mobile hotspot and home phone system. | |
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MrMaster
What If
Premium
join:2000-12-16
Austin, TX
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: tethered no data card No way I could drop internet at home for an aircard. Plain and simple.
1. caps on aircards
2. speeds could be better on aircards
I'll probably get an aircard sooner rather than later (next 3 months is my guess) but it will definitely complement my other internet access options. (blackberry phone and Roadrunner at home)
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One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done. -Marie Curie | |
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antwanp
ObamaBiden 2008 I voted, did you?
Premium
join:2002-05-14
Cedar Hill, TX
clubs: | Re: tethered no data card Why don't you just tether off of your BlackBerry? | |
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MrMaster
What If
Premium
join:2000-12-16
Austin, TX
clubs: | Re: tethered no data card tethering via vista on an 8300 is hit or miss with individuals. Unfortunately I have one that won't.
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One never notices what has been done; one can only see what remains to be done. -Marie Curie | |
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| | swarto112
join:2004-02-17
Boise, ID
·CableOne
edit:
August 20th, @01:43PM
| I'm tethered not using an air card. 3G speeds are relative to standard DSL service and I'm not using it to file share. I used 2.5 GB last month and if I get close to 5GB I have two other phones with the same data plan. So I'm really paying for 15GB per month of access plus the EDGE speeds aren't bad when I'm camping in the boonies. If you've got AT&T you can tether without paying for it as they don't have it locked down. The trick here is to use what you're already paying for i.e. cell service. In my case, I ported the landline (aka once was Qwest then Packet8 then Cable VOIP) to a third cell line and dropped cable internet. I'm running the whole house both phone and internet off of a Motorola V9. My Tivo and Direct TV HD DVR use both the dial up and internet connections and the family does as well with no major glitches. Now if i were into downloading tons of movies like I was once upon a time this plan wouldn't work.
At one time, I had a T1 at my house when I worked for a telecom. After I left, I still had the need for speed (back when 1.5Mbps was fastest). So I found a SOHO WAN balancer from Xincom and used DSL & Cable at the same time tuning the downloads for cable and uploads for DSL. But when I really needed bandwidth the router opened up both pipes. It was really sweet but once my son went to college and no longer was maxing out my connection. I backed off on needed super high speeds since I no longer had the time to use or need P2P myself.
Xincom - »www.xincom.com/products/502/overview.php
Old Network World story that introduced me to the twin wan concept - »www.networkworld.com/reviews/200···l?page=2 | |
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pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA
·Mediacom
edit:
August 19th, @04:49PM
| If not for those pesky caps... ...3G mobile broadband card use would be overtaking the other methods. I'm sorry, 5 gigs a month isn't sufficient. At least allow the end-user to purchase extra capacity instead of cutting off their service.
Or maybe I'm just bitter because neither AT&T (nor anyone else, save for a limited Verizon coverage area) has 3G services here. It's pretty much 1xRTT (yuck) or EDGE (not much better...) | |
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tater_gunz
Shoot to kill
Premium
join:2003-08-22
Toledo, OH
·buckeye cable
| I'd switch to EVDO only... If the following conditions didn't exist:
1. I didn't get my cable modem service for next to nothing (one of my work benefits).
2. The caps were in the 50 - 100 GB area. As it stands now, 5 GB just isn't enough to warrant using EVDO as a full time means of connecting at home.
I'm curious what kind of caps the Japanese have on their 100 Mbps wireless connections...
- Tate
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Happiness is an OC-768 in your basement... | |
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| EPS
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA
| Re: I'd switch to EVDO only... 100 Mbps wireless? Now you're just making things up. From NTT Docomo's website (which conveniently has a lot of its pages in English), the "Flat-Rate Data Plan HIGH-SPEED" offers 3.6 mbps up and 384 kbps down, symmetrical 384 kbps outside of the high-speed service area. AU by KDDI's English website claims a maximum of 3.1Mbps downstream with no readily available upstream, and Softbank Mobile's (the old Vodafone Japan) English website wasn't too useful. These I believe are the three largest Japanese wireless carriers.
As for caps, annoyingly in Japan ISPs and networks are separate- you have to buy network access from a carrier like NTT Docomo, and then buy internet access from one of several ISPs. All of these ISPs pages are only in Japanese, so I can't get many details. | |
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tater_gunz
Shoot to kill
Premium
join:2003-08-22
Toledo, OH
·buckeye cable
| Re: I'd switch to EVDO only... Have a look at this:
»www.informationweek.com/blog/mai···eds.html
I know it doesn't say anything about currently deployed services in the 100 Mbps range, but field testing on 100 Mbps via cellular was successfully conducted as far back as 2005, so I have to believe that they're making some sort of progress with it. You're right though; I don't see anything anywhere that definitively states that 100 Mbps cellular is availble in Japan yet.
- Tate
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Happiness is an OC-768 in your basement... | |
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3G Data Cards Hot Among Soccer Moms (and Dads)
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*Breaking News* Internet popular amongst all