Cross Country Trip, Need Data

J

jonahsmom

New member
I currently have a Sprint PPC-6700 but I really don't like it that much, too boxy. I want something that doesn't feel like I'm carrying a brick around in my pocket. Functionally it's great but battery life can be an issue too.

Anyway, we go on a two month RV trip every summer and I work. I currently have satellite data but would love to have something I could hook up to my laptop for internet when we're driving. My dad had an old Verizon phone that he could use as a modem.

I'll be out of contract by then. So which way should I go? Which manufacturere has the best data solution or even if there is a free solution with old phones or something. I only need it for about 2 mos a year and sprint wouldn't let me do that with my PPC, they wanted a year committment.

I'll switch to any carrier or phone if it's the right solution.
 
It really depends on where you are going. No one carrier has coverage in every crannie and corner in the US. Your eally need to check the carrier coverages where you think you will be traveling and where you might need the connection.

One possible solution is a data card. Currently Verizon has the best coverage of the EV-DO carriers (Sprint being the other). Cost is about $60 a month for unlimited data on a 2 yr contract. Speeds approach broadband speeds up to a max of 1.2 mbps. I have one and use it all the time when traveling. Beats paying $10 a day at a hotel for high speed if I don't have to - or Starbucks for that matter.

Cingular and T-mobile have EDGE in many locations, but that is typically 50-90 kbps up to a max of 236 kpbs.

Another solution is to get a new data capable phone. Again, my inclination is Verizon since it has the better high speed network.

If you try to tether a phone, you will need one of the new phones that is EV-Do capable and a tethering package for data. Otherwise it will be extremely s l o w. Depends on how old the phones are that you have and what their capabilities are. Not every one is tether or high speed capable.
 
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