How to choose a mobile broadband card.

Mobile Broadband Card Basics

Mobile broadband cards are used to get online wirelessly. They connect your computer to a high-speed internet connection without a cord. This allows you to surf the internet and go where ever you want to go.

You can imagine the advantage this would give in a number of scenarios. A Real Estate Agent is able to take a picture of a new property and have it listed within minutes of his first visit. A Contractor can get a Change Order approved and billed without leaving the job site. A Sales Person could demonstrate product options, check inventory, and place the order before she ever left the client's office. The list goes on and on.

The mobile broadband card can be great for recreational use also. Just take a broadband card with your laptop the next time you go on an RV trip. Use it for downloading the latest roadmaps, emailing your vacation photos before you get back, and checking the local classifieds in the town your visiting before you've had your first cup of coffee. You can even make online reservations at many campgrounds using reserveamerica.com while driving down the road.

Three important factors to consider before purchasing a mobile broadband card for mobile internet.

• Location - Where will you be located when you want internet access?

• Form Factor - What type of equipment will fit the computer you want to get online?

• Price - What does it cost to get mobile broadband?

Location- Where do you want to be able to use your mobile broadband card to get online?

These cards connect your computer to the internet using the same radio waves as cell phones. Because of this, your card must be able to transmit and receive a signal from a nearby cell tower. This means you will not be able to get your mobile broadband internet service while visiting a remote mountain range, on an airplane cruising at 20,000 feet or inside most elevators. They have the same limitations and advantages as cell phones.

It is important to consider which service provider offers the best coverage in the area you want high-speed internet access. In my experience AT&T and Verizon offer the best service on a national level. With each carrier having their own advantages in certain locations. Sprint and T-mobile seem to have strong service in their coverage areas, but the coverage areas are more limited.

Each mobile broadband carrier will offer a map of coverage on their website. When checking a location for coverage, make sure you not only check for coverage but make sure you check for broadband or 3G coverage (which stands for 3rd Generation cell phone technology). Just because a carrier has strong cell phone service in a specific location doesn't mean their cell towers have been upgraded with the latest equipment to get you high-speed internet. You could end up connecting to an older tower and getting the dial-up speeds that were common in 2004 or worse, no internet at all even though there is a strong cell phone signal.

Form Factor - What type of mobile broadband equipment will work with my computer?

There are 3 types of mobile broadband cards, USB, Type2, and ExpressCard. The USB card is a completely external card attached at the USB port on your computer. Both desktop and laptop computers have a USB port so this is the most universal card available. Because the USB card is external, it is less convenient for travel. It would not be possible to put your laptop away in its case while the USB card was plugged in.

The Type2 (also know as Type-II) is the most common type of mobile broadband card. It is a little thicker than a credit card and slides into the PCMCIA Type2 port most often found on laptops. About 80% of the card slides into the port leaving only 20% of the card extending from the laptop. Often there is a retractable antenna on this card that can be used for better reception.

The ExpressCard is the newest type of mobile broadband card yet offers the same speed as USB and Type2 cards. This is the most confusing format because ExpressCards can come in two types. A slim and a regular version. The regular is about the same width as a Type2 while the slim version is about 60% as wide. Both versions fit the same ExpressCard slot and neither will work in the Type2.

Without being familiar with the difference in Type2 and ExpressCard slots, the only way to tell the difference is to look at the specs of your laptop. A laptop with a Type2 slot is often identified as having a "Type II PC Card Slot". While one with an ExpressCard slot will say "Express Card 34, Express Card 54".

Price - How much does it cost?

These mobile broadband cards are sold just like cell phones. Sure you can get the latest equipment, but without service they don't work. Prices for cards range from $50-200. Sometimes you can get the card for free by signing up for a service plan. Often times you get what you pay for and only the cheapest equipment is given away. The more reliable equipment still costs something.

A mobile broadband carrier typically charges $60 per month for unlimited internet access. Sometimes a plan is available with limited monthly internet use for around $40, but if you go over the limit, additional charges will apply and can exceed the savings you gained with the cheaper plan.

Additionally, all mobile broadband carriers require you sign a 2-year service contract and run a credit check in order for you to become a customer. Occassionally, a smaller carrier will offer a 1 year service contract, but in all cases there is a penalty for early termination.

A recent inquiry made at AT&T Wireless showed their Type2 and ExpressCard mobile broadband cards being offered for free and their USB card discounted to $50 as an incentive to get you to sign a 2-year contract for $60 per month. Thats $1,440 over 2 years plus the typical taxes and list of cell fees.

An alternative to the 2-year contract.

If you don't need mobile broadband on an everyday basis you should consider renting a mobile broadband card from a rental service instead of signing a long-term contract with a carrier.

WifiRents.com has mobile broadband cards available from multiple carriers. Cards are rented by the week or month for one easy to understand price. No hidden fees or surprise charges. Just place your order online, choose the date you want it to arrive, and how long you will need it. WifiRents will deliver a ready to use mobile broadband card to your door. They even include free shipping on all orders which covers both delivery and return shipping of the equipment.

Whatever you choose, mobile broadband use is growing fast. Coverage areas are expanding, internet speeds are getting faster and more information is available online everyday. Check in to a mobile broadband plan or rental and enjoy the benefits of high-speed internet with the freedom of mobile access.