| If you're tired of going to a book store or cafe | | | | and weaker areas of signal here and there. |
| and realizing that you have to pay for wireless | | | | However, 3G's coverage is much more extensive |
| access, then maybe it's time you got your own. | | | | than that of WiMax. Since it is still fairly new and |
| That's right. You can buy a simple card that plugs | | | | some of the kinks are being worked out, it is |
| into your USB port and never have to worry | | | | mostly only offered in major American cities for |
| about a wireless connection again, no matter | | | | the time being. |
| where you go. However, deciding which mobile air | | | | Pricing and contracts are the next steps. The cost |
| card is right for you and your laptop can be | | | | of 3G coverage with the major cell phone carriers |
| difficult with all the options available today. | | | | will run you from about 30 to 70 dollars. |
| Your first concern should be the strength of signal | | | | AT&T, Verizon and Nextel are just a few of |
| in your area. Just like cell phones, your internet | | | | the companies that offer wireless cards. If you |
| connection depends heavily upon the signal. That's | | | | live in one of the cities with coverage, you can |
| because wireless technology for internet uses the | | | | expect to pay around the same prices for a |
| same signal as cellular phones. With that said, | | | | WiMax connection. Some companies offer the |
| different companies have different signal | | | | most basic plan for a little less - starting at around |
| strengths. So, check each company's coverage | | | | 25 dollars. Beware that companies may want you |
| map and ask around to friends and neighbors to | | | | to sign a contract for two years for a lower |
| see what they think of their service. | | | | price. Keep in mind that if you don't want that |
| There are generally two types of wireless | | | | kind of commitment, you can always ask for a |
| networks available to receive signal from: 3G and | | | | one-year contract and just pay slightly more per |
| WiMax. The first has been around since about | | | | month. |
| 2001 and has since become the go-to signal for | | | | Once you've analyzed, contemplated, verified and |
| most major cell phone companies. The latter is a | | | | asked around, go ahead and make the best |
| newer and updated version of 3G that currently | | | | purchase you've made in a long time. A wireless |
| runs at about three to four times its speed. To | | | | card gives you so much freedom. You can sit in |
| provide scope, 3G is considered broadband | | | | the park and not have to worry about being |
| technology and operates at an average speed of | | | | within range of a nearby building's wi-fi. You can |
| about 20 times faster than dial-up. | | | | even get some work done on your morning |
| So, other than speed, what's the difference? | | | | commute - as long as you aren't the one driving. |
| Coverage is the most significant. The 3G network | | | | One thing's for sure: you'll be glad you found the |
| spans all across the United States. Of course, as | | | | right mobile air card for you. |
| with any cell phone service, there are dead spots | | | | |