Hey all, I don't post much in the OT, and this might sound like a sales pitch for a product, but I do think it might be of benefit to others in the same position I am in.
For those that don't know, I've been cursed to use Dial-Up internet for the past 9 years. I live in a somewhat rural part of Ohio, and have never been close to a location with Cable access.
I've waited, and waited for Cable to come to my area...Even moving to a house that "supposedly" had it, only to find out that I was about 1,000 feet away from the properly line needed to recieve a good Cable (or any sort of DSL) connection...But to no avail.
However, with my job change (I'm getting hired by a video game company for professional analysis), I finally needed a connection...Any connection faster than a stinkin' 28k dial-up connection that DLs stuff at 2kbps.
So my only *known* option was a stupid, bulky, expensive Sat. dish....But those are $50+ a month + installation + the unit itself. Definately not something real great.
But fortunately for me, I found a MUCH better option. Sprint has a Moble Broadband plan that allows for unlimited access wherever you can get Sprint Cell Phone service. You can find the plans at http://nextelonline.nextel.com/NASApp/onlinestore/en/Action/DisplayPlans?filterString=Data_Plan_Filter
Now, it's not a flawless plan: it doesn't work everywhere in the US..So Sat. is better in some respects (ie, if you were in the mountains of WV). But their networks cover about 75% of the US...And you can get good coverage if you live just outside of typical Cable/DSL connections (like I do).
For my story, I paid for my plan yesterday at my local Sprint dealer. I got my Wireless Broadband card today (USB, about $100 USD). Took about 30min to figure the thing out, but once I got it working, it's VERY good.
Right now, despite being outside the range of Cable/DSL, I am getting a solid 1.2MB connection downstream, and 200kb upstream. The Sprint Data Network claims that "peak" speeds are upto 3.1MB.
The pricing isn't to shabby (IMO), for what you get: It's $60 a month, requires no other commitment to the Sprint network (ie, you don't need one of their phones to get the price), you get free roaming in other data networks, and there are basically no real strings attached.
I don't know if anyone else might find it helpful, but where I live ALOT of people in my county are getting these Sprint Broadband cards, and are getting very good connections where they live...Again, outside the typical reach of Cable/DSL.
To see if you can get coverage, and get on a network fast, goto:
www.sprint.com/coverage and type in your address, and then goto Data, Email and Multimedia>PowerSource Devices. If you're in the Orange coverage areas, you'll get speeds of 600k-1,400k pretty easily, and can peak at much more.
Again, it might not be for everyone, but for me (since I might be traveling alot), it's affordable (compared to Sat. or other high-end options), mobile, fast, and from what I've seen thus far, good.
Back from the dead, I'm afraid.
