Cellular Fills Gap Between Hotspots

So which cell data plans are best for you? We've compiled a chart of unlimited-use laptop data plans for the major networks below. Although the chart provides an overview of the current state of the networks, they are all growing rapidly, as well as improving speeds. Let?s take a look at the expansion plans of the four major nationwide networks in turn. You may also want to consider smaller or regional providers like Alltel, ACS Wireless (Alaska), and SunCom.

Finally, think about getting a smartphone capable of laptop tethering via USB or Bluetooth instead of a PC Card. Using a phone as a modem is not quite as convenient as a dedicated PC Card or ExpressCard, and you won't get anywhere near as good performance over Bluetooth 1.x as with a data card, but total contract costs (unlimited PDA plan plus laptop modem plan) are often a little cheaper overall, and you won't have to carry two devices. Note that only Cingular's HSDPA network is so far capable of simultaneous voice and data.

AT&T/Cingular Wireless

Cingular bought AT&T Wireless, and has merged the two networks under the AT&T brand. AT&T has GSM/GPRS/EDGE coverage almost everywhere, and its high-speed 3G HSDPA network has been rolling out over the last year to major cities across the country. However, 3G coverage still lags behind that of Sprint and Verizon. The unlimited laptop data plan costs $60 for voice subscribers, and $80 for others with a 3G PC Card. Using the 3G Samsung BlackJack or Palm Treo 750, you can sign up for unlimited PDA Connect service for $45. An unlimited BlackBerry plan with laptop tethering costs $80 per month.

Two big points in AT&T/Cingular's favor for road warriors are that the GSM standard supports extensive international roaming, and that the company offers a discounted Wi-Fi plan for cell subscribers. With a 3G cell card that has quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, like the Option GT Max 3.6 or Sierra AirCard 875, you can roam to hundreds of countries around the world (although a much smaller number at UMTS/HSDPA speeds). Frequent travelers should check out the special DataConnect Global roaming plans. You can add Cingular/AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot service to your cell data plan for just $20 per month.

Sprint

Sprint (and Nextel) joined the EV-DO party a little late, but in a big way. Its Mobile Broadband service currently covers 209 million people across the country in more than 10,000 cities and 1,000 airports, and EV-DO Rev. A already reaches 109 million of those people. But Sprint's big attraction for many prospective buyers will be is its discounted $60 unlimited plan data plan, which does not require a companion voice plan, like AT&T. This is a full 25 percent less than the typical $80 charged by competitors for similar service, and will save you nearly $500 over the two-year contract period. Sprint also has a unique Flexible Data Plan, in which the first 40MB of usage is $40 per month, but additional usage is capped at maximum of $100 per month. If your usage only spikes occasionally when traveling, this can be the best high-speed data deal going.

Sprint offers several Rev. A-capable cards and adapters, the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595 PC Card, the Pantech PX-500PC Card, and a trio of Novatels: the Merlin S720 PC Card, the Merlin EX720 ExpressCard, and the Ovation U720 USB adapter.

Sprint also has unique PAM (phone-as-modem) plans for certain 3G smartphones, including the Treo 700wx and BlackBerry 8703e. Unlimited laptop connection service is $60 per month, with a 1-year contract if you don't have a voice plan, and no contract if you do. The ability to add and subtract unlimited laptop data from your voice plan on a monthly basis could be perfect for infrequent travelers, who can use their smartphones' built-in email and Web surfing capabilities at other times. There's also a Flexible PAM plan that costs $40 for the first 40MB per month, with a $70 monthly cap if you run over.

There is little international roaming with EV-DO technology, but you can purchase or rentpurchase or rent GSM phones from Sprint for use overseas. Roaming can be very expensive, however. We'd recommend simply going with a foreign GSM provider directly, or using hotspot service while abroad, together with free or cheap VoIP. Sprint has a fairly large U.S.Wi-Fi hotspot network that costs $30 per month.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless currently offers 1xEV-DO coverage to 200 million people in 242 major metropolitan areas and 180 major airports from coast to coast, and Rev. A service to 135 million of those in more than 131 metro areas. It offers several EV-DO Rev. A card options, including the Sierra AirCard 595 PC Card, theNovatel V740 ExpressCard, and the Novatel USB720 USB adapter. All three will work with Mac OS X as well as Windows, and are available in the Verizon online store. As with AT&T and Sprint, unlimited data plans are $80/month, but there is no discounted rate for voice plan subscribers. Verizon also has a $15 add-on laptop tethering plan called Broadband Access Connect for certain EV-DO Rev. 0 smartphones, including the Treo 700p and 700wx, the Motorola Q, and several BlackBerries, but they do not yet have Rev. A phones. That $15 fee is on top of the regular $45 unlimited PDA data service, as well as a qualifying voice plan. For international roaming Verizon offers sales and rentals of GSM-based phones, but we'd recommend simply going with a foreign GSM provider directly, or using hotspot service while abroad, along with VoIP. Verizon has no Wi-Fi hotspot network.

T-Mobile

Although T-Mobile's unlimited-use plan is the cheapest we looked at, it is also one of the slowest, as it uses only EDGE technology. For just $30, you can get unlimited data on your BlackBerry or SideKick. However, T-Mobile is planning to add HSDPA technology during 2007, and it has a very popular network of Wi-Fi hotspots, to which voice subscribers can get unlimited access for an additional $20 a month. With the Total Internet plan for $50 per month, you get EDGE on data cards like the Sony Ericcson GC89 PC Card, plus unlimited Wi-Fi hotspot service. This makes it a good deal for those who do most of their surfing at hotspots, but want to connect via cell data occasionally.

* No voice plan required.