PC card/Verizon & Sprint ?
Posted By: At Home MT on 2006-06-23
In Reply to: Wireless router - Passin through
I don't mean to hijack the OP question, but you mentioned you use a PC card for your Internet since you live in the country. I too live in the country and do not even have cable available - only dial-up.
I recently purchased a laptop and it only came with an ExpressCard slot (which it is my understanding that laptops in the future will be built with these and not PC slots). The ExpressCards have not hit the local Verizon or Sprint stores yet but I hear they are to soon and I plan to try one. I hope to be able to drop my dial-up ISP and just use my laptop for my on-line job. I also have my own local account where I pick up tapes and deliver their transcription and I can continue to use my regular PC for that work if I choose to.
Anyway, I would really appreciate knowing how you like your "card" for connecting to the Internet and how well it works out for you. Do you know if Verizon or Sprint has more coverage area? Have you traveled much with yours to see if you are able to get connections? How reliable has this been and how fast of a connection rate do you get on average?
I sure would appreciate any info you could share regarding this. Thanks so much.
Sandi
Complete Discussion Below:  marks the location of current message within thread
The messages you are viewing
are archived/old.
To view latest messages and participate in discussions, select
the boards given in left menu
Other related messages found in our database
Sprint or Verizon
I had nothing available for my area. Even Sprint and Verizon wireless cards (you can get one for a USB, you just have to ask specifically) say that it will not work in my area. My employer let me try one of their cards and it worked great even though no signal. Verizon would still not let me purchase one being "outside" the service area even though I had one proven to work. Sprint did let me and I believe they have a 14-day guarantee that if it doesn't work you can return it. A bit expensive on the front end for devices, even with rebates, but well worth it. I have never lost a connection...even in the most rural of areas.
air card Sprint or AT&T?
i looked at verizon and don't think i want that one. I was going to go through Sprint/Nextel, but then noticed that AT&T has a network as well. any advice? 
A laptop, wireless router or a card from say Sprint, good battery
you could work anywhere. Being wireless has great benefits, say if you are in the hospital, dying, why you could make a few bucks to pay for the funeral.
I use a Verizon card
when traveling. I have the Nationwide package, $60 a month unlimited. In heavily populated areas, it is almost as quick as my DSL at home, but even in low population areas it is still better than dial-up. I've traveled from coast to coast (mostly along I-80) and only lost signal in the usual remote places (certain stretches of Wyoming or in heavy tree coverage). You might want to buy a card from whoever has the best cell signals in your area.
Verizon air card
More info please. My husband and I are planning to do a lot of traveling and have been questioning the same things. I know we can leach off a signal if we are close enough to a wireless place such as a hotel, but what if we are up in the mountains or on a beach in the middle of nowhere?
Verizon has a card for laptops (sm)
$60 a month for unlimited high speed access from anywhere you can get a signal. I have a Verizon cell phone and get pretty good coverage with it.
verizon has broadband internet card
for laptops.. it is about 15 dollars/wk but you can write it off.. i do lots of stuff in the car and verizon works everywhere..
Anybody have any experience with Verizon Broadband Wireless (air card)...
Hello, I'm looking into buying as USB720 from Verizon Wireless. It is for wireless broadband access and simply is a modem with an antenna that plugs right into your USB port which I could use with my PC. It is $99.99 after a $50.00 mail-in rebate. The service itself is $59.99 a month with a 2-year commitment. I live out in the boonies with only satellite internet and dialup available to me. Also, I believe that it is compatible with a VPN. This certainly would be a nice alternative to pokey diaup and satellite. It is cheaper than satellite (the initial cost anyway) and it is faster with speeds up to 700 kbps. According to the map at Verizon, it is not yet available to me in the Las Cruces/El Paso area. But according to two reps at Verizon, it is available. I get a strong signal here at my house and there is a 30-day trial period. Is there anybody in this region that has been able to get this service with success? Also, any experience at all with the Verizon air card would be welcomed. Thanks in advance! Shelley
I love the Sprint commercial where Donnie Osman is talking to Sprint guy
and says now he can call all his relatives so on and so on and Tito. Then Sprint guy says Donnie doesn't have a Tito in his family. So funny. A play on Michael Jackson's family. I love the Sprint guy anyway.
Oddly enough, if I don't use my bank card as a credit card in the billing cycle, I get charged fo
x
Debit card. They've got the credit card logo on them, so they
can be used anywhere a credit card can be used.
I used to send a card and gift card to my direct supervisor, but that's it. sm
She was the only one who knew me as more than an employee number, and the only one I had any respect for.
Can you get Sprint? sm
Sprint has unlimited usage per month for the same price as the 5MB plans from Verizon and AT&T. Go to www.evdoinfo.com, and there is information about how much usage 5MB is. The audio files for transcription are basically the same (as far as usage) as any other audio file like a music download. If you do decide to go this route, the online store associated with that site is incredible and can assist you with any information you need, even before you buy anything. I have had mine for just over a month now and would never go back to dial-up 
Have you tried Sprint?
Sprint offers wireless broadband too. I have an unlimited plan for $60 a month and I use just over 5 GB per month working full-time. In addition, I also watch all my TV shows online, so I am sure that accounts for a lot of my usage as well. They have a map on their site so you can see if you are in their covered area. It is very reliable (have been using it for a year now with no outages ever) and faster than DSL if you are in an area with a good signal. When I signed up, they did offer a 30-day trial period where you could cancel without penalty. A plus is that I can no go anywhere and have internet, so when I go to visit family, I just take my work with me.
Both Sprint and Earthlink have
"air" cards that allow you to go wireless provided you are in their service area. The service is about $50/mo I think and then you have to buy the card. I think the card is about $200, but they have deals sometimes where if you commit to 1 or 2 years that you get the card for free. You can probably go to the websites of both companies to check to see if you have service in your area.
We also have a service in my area called Clearwire. They have a modem that you plug into an outlet and you can take it and plug it in and get service anywhere within range. They have different levels of service, similar to DSL, where the faster the download the more the $$. I think the cheapest package is $25/mo. They may have the same service under a different name in other areas.
We also ran into this problem, but it was with Sprint. sm
My "unlimited" LD was $19 a month (plus taxes), but was of course limited. They offered me a small business for about $50 a month, with completely unlimited. So I just switched my LD from the main line, saved $19 there, and it cost about $30 extra a month (of course there are always extra taxes). However, they also wanted to switch my DSL, which runs $50 a month, and would have changed that to $80 a month. I said no, thanks, don't use it that much (since I use a C-phone). It costs a little extra, but no one should bother you again about limiting you "unlimited" LD. Life is complicated out here, but not impossible. Good luck.
Ack, Sprint that is, NOT Spring...nm
z
I use Sprint & have it through a router sm
My Sprint USB card is in my husband's PC, connected to a Linksys router and then to mine with Ethernet cables. You just have to run the internet connection sharing wizard on XP. I've been using this for almost 2 weeks now and absolutely love it. Also, Verizon has a cap on how much bandwidth you can use each month (5 GB) and you have to pay for overages. Sprint has unlimited usage for the same amount per month ($60). If you have any questions about it, I can give you the website where I purchased my equipment. My e-mail is pixie.chick@earthlink.net.
Sprint Air cards
I agree with the above poster, however, I know that when I visited North Carolina a little over a year ago, my cell phone coverage was terrible. The thing to remember with air cards whether they be from Sprint, Verizon or Cingular is that the speed that you get with using one of these is very dependent on how close you are to a cell tower. I have the USB air card from Sprint and can use it with either my desktop or my laptop.
Still have unlimited with Sprint.
Last time I checked I was close to 6 GB, but I do watch all my TV online.
What's Sprint EVDO? (nm)
.
Wireless Broadband/Sprint, etc.
Hi to everyone!
Is anyone out there using the wireless broadband, like Sprint or Verizon (not so unlimited)? I am currently using Verizon and have now found out the unlimited is not so. I have ordered Sprint and the USB modem will be here in a few days, but am now paranoid about 0ver-Use on that!
I just moved to a house in the country, with no DSL, no cable and am unsure about Wild Blue for satellite because of the start up cost and then not being satisfied.
Any country living transcriptionists out there with advice? I am in northern CA.
Thanks for any help!
Sprint Mobile Broadband sm
I have been using this service for the last 3 months or so and would never go back to dial-up. However, be aware that there is a 5GB limit per month with any of the $60/month data plans offered by Sprint (starting next month), AT&T, and Verizon. I have been checking my usage, and even with downloading a ton of songs for my son's MP3 player, work, and occasional youtube type stuff, I am averaging about 3.5GB for the month. Also, check what service has the best coverage for your area. I went with Sprint because of the unlimited package they had at the time, but since that is going away, there is no difference to me in carriers except their coverage area. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me, and I can give you the website where I purchased my equipment. They have incredible customer service and even helped me get my modem switched out when it broke (my fault but I had the total protection plan on it, only $7 per month and well worth it).
Also - new vs old Sprint for unlimited usage sm
Any new Sprint accounts as of 11/2008 are subject to the 5GB cap. From what I am understanding, accounts created before then say that they can throttle your speeds, terminate service, or charge overage fees for going over 5GB but so far have not really done so.
sprint limited usage
Do you work more than your 5GM? I just wondered since I am thinking about getting a card. I think Verizon and ATT do the same. My daughter has 5GM on her cable and she went over once, but they did not charge extra.
Thanks a lot.
Has anyone disconnected the internal sound card and replace with another sound card?
I am having problems with my sound on one of my computers. Several different ExText program have been on it so I don't think it is the program and the sound is just now as clear as on my other computer. Has anyone switched (disconnected the internal sound care and replaced) to a new sound card? Did it make a difference.
Everyone on this board is so knowledgeable, I really appreciate you. You have helped me many times.
Sprint advertises they have the largest coverage area. They should have
a map on their website showing coverage area. I haven't used a broadband card yet. I know someone who used a Verizon air card and they said they were able to get service everywhere they went. They were on the west coast, where it seems more reasonable that there would be a wider range of service. You can check Verizon's website for coverage area too. Another option may be for you to get dial-up at your mother's house. You can get People PC for $10.95/month, but I don't know if they require a contract. If none of the big ISPs have a local number you can get service through a small local provider and they usually do not require a contract. I have traveled extensively and have spent several weeks in some places where dial-up was the only available option at the time and even though I had an ISP they did not have local service.
Another option is to try the free trials with various ISPs if they have service in your mom's area. There is no charge is you cancel before trial period is up.
Verizon has one....
I think it is $0.99 per call (might be per day charge), then $0.10 per minute. If you call other Verizon customers, it is free, except the $0.99 connection fee still applies, I think.
I use Verizon and...
have a C-phone account. They have never cared that I use it for transcription. In fact, I told them that this is why I needed it when I added it to my account. It is $49.94 per month.
no Verizon available here, but thanks anyway
f
Do not go with Verizon either, they did that to me without
telling me. I signed up for unlimited long distance and went about my business for a whole month dialing in and working, etc. and then I received a bill in the mail for $2500. Their take on it was that I could not use their unlimited $39.95 plan a month for what I was doing because it was considered business and not home use. They switched me to the per minute plan without notice and sent me the bill. I fought with them over the bill and they reduced it to $800 that I was responsible for. Anyhow, if anybody has any idea what to do I would like to know. Also, how about all the hospitals we dial into just get 1-800 numbers. Just seems like the logical thing to make their MTs happy.
Verizon DSL
I have used Verizon for a couple months now - not a problem so far.
I had Verizon - sm
If you read the information pamphlet they send you after you sign up, you will see that it clearly states if they feel you are using more than the "average" consumer, they will change your plan to the talk 30 (I think it was) plan. Some people were even billed for what they considered over their limits. I'm not sure if Verizon puts a cap on their minutes. It might be different in other areas. Be very careful though. I would definitely make sure they know what you are using it for up front.
Verizon has one, but you have to have
a cell plan of theirs and then it depends on where the wireless towers are.
Verizon
I work for Webmedx and use the air card when we travel in our RV.
currently trying verizon
i am currently trying verizon on my laptop in an effort to find service i can travel with and i really am not impressed. it is faster than dial up, but unless you have a really strong signal it's not as fast as dsl. i have my verizon cell phone sitting next to me with full signal and my laptop is showing no bars - verizon customer support says this is always a possibility and it will run at dial up speeds when no bars are available. my concern is not uploading reports or losing reports while i'm typing. sorry for not using caps i'm just being lazy. have a great day.
Verizon
I just switched from Cingular Wireless to Verizon and I love it. It is working great and FAST! I go camping a lot plus vacations and needed a way to work on my laptop.
I have Verizon
I have used Verizon unlimited long distance for 2 years until just recently after switching to voip. I was never questioned about my usage. Unless anything has changed, you should be okay.
Yes, I have Verizon, and my
total bill last month, including regular phone, unlimited LD and caller ID was $66. 
verizon ULD
Verizon is our only available carrier for local and I have a choice of either Verizon or AT&T for my long distance, both of which offer unlimited long distance packages. Start with Verizon since that is your carrier and call them up to ask about an unlimited long distance service. It is none of their business what you use it for, personal or not. Who knows, things may not work out at the new job and you have to find something else. Our bill local and long distance through Verizon runs roughly $65 to $70 a month. Also, you would have to Google 'unlimited long distance plans' but there is a site that will ask for your local phone number and it will show you what should be available where you are at. I hope this helps and hope the new job goes well.
verizon
I have been doing this now for three years using Verizon. I have yet to be charged anything other than the flat rate for long distance. I have not seen anything anywhere about a cap of minutes. I don't know where you are at but there are probably differences in locales re: the way one is billed, etc. I don't know, as I do not work for Verizon. For that matter, in my dealings with them, chances are there are people that do the job that don't know for sure.
Verizon
Try uninstalilng norton and installing AVG free antivirus. Sometimes when norton upgrades they turn interfere with certain programs such as security. AVG is a free antivirus that can be found if you Google avg free - make sure you pick the free version. I have used it for sevearl years now and it has never interefered with interent (we have moved twice and had different providers) or with any of my platforms.
I know someone who has the Verizon version and they
are very pleased with it. The service area is limited though.
No problem with Verizon
I have used Verizon unlimited long distance for close to 9 months now and have had no problems. I was up front with them what I was doing and they never questioned it.
Is this the same with Verizon. I have no idea. nm
:
Would you consider Vonage or Verizon the best bet?
Verizon FIOS
I've been using it for over a year now with no problems. It only goes down when the land lines do - so that is something to gauge it by. Comcast was another story totally and they charged about $20 more a month.
Verizon USB modem
I have been using a Verizon Wireless with 5GB limit as a backup internet connection the past couple months and for traveling. I have successfully worked with it without using very many MB (that's MB, not GB) at all. On evenings when I work and don't surf, my usage comes up to less than 100 MB for about 3-4 hours of work. 5 GB translates to 5120 MB. The evening that I decided to watch a Netflix video in a hotel room, I used over 500 MB, so I really wouldn't recommend trying to watch videos very often if you want to stay under your 5 GB limit. However, Medquist's DocQScribe program doesn't use much at all.
Also, when I have to use it from home because of my cable internet being down (frustrating, but it seems to happen a lot!), the whole thing works slower because I only get 1 bar of service here. From home, I can't even watch Netflix at all on Verizon because the connection speed isn't fast enough. From the hotel with full bars of service on Verizon, Netflix worked as well as it does from home when my cable connection is working properly.
Good luck! But seriously, if you're only working and doing emails on your Verizon, it should be within your usage limits without any problems!
I just signed up for Verizon Freedom - sm
Unlimited LD. I told them when I signed up what I would be using it for and they told me that was not a problem at all. Is this the plan you had?
K
Long distance Verizon
I am getting a new account and will be using long distance for it. Any experience with Verizon on this. I see some posts about other companies. I do not want to get in a bind of them charging me extra for my line.
Check your Verizon bill... sm
When I first signed up for DSL, they added all kinds of charges and extras - one was for a backup dial-up account in case DSL went down for some reason!! Yeah right! I was able to get at least that one removed, if not more, and now my monthly fee is around $35 or so.
We live in a rural area and waited forever for DSL, but I know my mom is also very happy with her cable, which, as someone else mentioned, might be a good option. I know it's really fast.
|
