Travel Technology - 3G laptop - tether a 3G phone or use a USB 3G stick devise ?

Hi

I am planning on getting a Netbook to travel with this year ,
I would like to set-up 3G in the USA and also be able to do the same in Europe or Australia.

So will it work better to tether it with a 3G phone by a USB cable,
or get a USB 3G stick and use that ?

I have cell phones for both GSM systems- USA and the rest of the world,
I just do not know if the reception would be better with the 3G phone or 3G USB stick,
its not a problem for me if I end up dragging an extra phone + charger around if it will get me better service,

Thanks for your advise,

Rally

You shouldn't see any discernible difference between the signal strength between tethering and using a USB stick.

Of course, with the stick you only can use it for the netbook; with a phone you can use it directly for limited browsing if you desire.

I was paying $60/mo for a verizon pcmcia card, but discontinued it when I got a Blackberry Bold. The fee for data on the blackberry including tethering was... $60! So for the same price I could have access on my laptop, or access on my laptop AND a blackberry. Seemed like a no-brainer.

There is no noticeable difference in performance (although AT&T uses a different technology than Verizon) - although I would say Verizon's 3G network footprint is larger.

Hi

If I am going to be GSM I need to be At+T or T-mobile in the USA,

I am happy with my T-mobile prepaid phone set-up , but right now AT+T has better 3G network than Tmobile so I might just use AT+T for the 3G data plan.

I really will not use it that much unless I am on a trip somewhere, its just nice to have web access as its hard to find open WIFI in Europe, and then I can use magicjack to call back to the USA if needed,

Anyway thats my thoughts right now , it will probably change once I hear how some of you do it,

Thanks for the info and keep it coming,

Rally

When I am traveling in Germany, I use one carrier for data (Vodafone for their €4.95/day unlimited internet) and another for voice (Solomo Pro). Having a data stick means I don't have to switch SIMs.

When I am traveling in Germany, I use one carrier for data (Vodafone for their €4.95/day unlimited internet) and another for voice (Solomo Pro). Having a data stick means I don't have to switch SIMs.

Given the prices I have seen for those data sticks in Germany, I'd agree that this is a good approach. Sadly, you can't get day rates and cheap 3G cards/sticks here in the US. It's always monthly rates, which led me to cancel my Sprint card earlier this year (even though I was getting a corporate discount and only paid $40). I've mostly replaced it with WiFi (free at Starbucks and many other locations) and my iPhone for lighter usage.

if you tether then you can't make phone calls while you are on line. So that's why I have a stick device. I may get rid of it at some point but for now it is insurance that I will always have access to the web even if I don't have wifi access, and that I can chat on the phone while on line.

With a PDA phone, you can use the data on the go including tools like Google Maps. Conversely, people are correct that with a USB stick you can split the two up as needed. ATT is the only US carrier that has GSM prepaid data in a laptop compatible plan. It will set you back $60 a month.

Vodafone in Germany has a great prepaid roaming SIM on the Vodafone network. Three has a plan called three like home which allows data roaming anywhere on the Three network at the same rate as your home network. I think that includes Oz, but don't hold me to it.

A solid PDA phone will perform as well as a USB stick. A 7.2 triband HSPA phone is probably still a high end order. You can get an unlocked ATT 881u HSPA card off ebay for a $100. Hint, be sure to download the Sierra Netwatcher software from Sierra's website if you plan on using the card with anyone other than ATT.

Even you are going with a netbook, be sure to identify the machine before buying the card. Most netbooks don't support Express Cards. ATT's new Mercury USB stick has potential compatibility problems with some Acer notebooks (read the ATT forum on this ).

If you are on a 3g network, not EDGE, you can carry a phone call while remaining tethered. You should also note that there are some programs out there that will turn some PDAs into virtual hotspots by basically rebroadcasting the cellular data out of their wifi adapter. For windowsmobile look at wmwifirouter.com. For Symbian look at jokuispot. Cradlepoint also has a nifty device which will turn a Sierra stick, a Windows Mobile Device, or a Blackberry into a portable router.

if you tether then you can't make phone calls while you are on line. So that's why I have a stick device. I may get rid of it at some point but for now it is insurance that I will always have access to the web even if I don't have wifi access, and that I can chat on the phone while on line.

I THINK with sprint Rev A, one can have 1xrtt fall back for data, AND voice calls coming through. At least that is the way it seems to work with my mogul and tethering and phone calls.

I THINK with sprint Rev A, one can have 1xrtt fall back for data, AND voice calls coming through. At least that is the way it seems to work with my mogul and tethering and phone calls.

I would be very surprised to hear that it is actually working this way. It never was for me previously.

I would be very surprised to hear that it is actually working this way. It never was for me previously.

My understanding is that half the point of 3G (aside from the higher data speeds) is the ability to have simultaneous data and voice connections.

My understanding is that half the point of 3G (aside from the higher data speeds) is the ability to have simultaneous data and voice connections.

Yeah, but I do not believe that the EvDO Rev.A accomplished that. I am quite certain that it doesn't work on my Rev.A BB 8830 using the device for voice and data at the same time (voice wins). I haven't tethered it, but I am pretty sure that it would be the same effect - it wouldn't work.

Hi

thanks for all your ideas,

this is just in the planning stages now , as setting up a 3G netbook and trying to get it to work in many countries seems to be an "art"

plus it all needs to be prepaid which is a problem in some countries (USA is one of them)

I have an old unlocked Nokia phone and D2 sim for Germany , its worked fine for 4 years ,

the G3 thing is only for Data as far as I need it , but it would be interesting to know if G3 works for voice and data at the same time, just in case.

I have an ATT Sierra 881 USB stick that I got at a yard sale , once I figure out how to unlock it (I have not tried yet) and test that it works (anyone know how to test it ?) then I will have that set-up,

Another problem is that most of the world uses 3G 2100 , but of course the USA uses 3G 1900 , and it looks like Mexico uses 3G 850,
so you need a set-up that will do all of them .

Anyway I am learning a lot , keep it going

Thanks

Rally

You shouldn't see any discernible difference between the signal strength between tethering and using a USB stick.

I disagree; I haven't seen a USB 3G stick with a decent antenna. The data rate of my 3G PC card is quite sensitive to antenna oreientation in a lot of locations, and those 3G Sticks I have seen seem to have even less ability to orientate the antenna independent of the laptop. I guess that you could use a USB extension cord, but then how is that any better than tethering to a phone ?

I tether via my GSM phone sometimes, and the connection is relatively unstable. I attribute that to the phone versus a dedicated USB device.

YMMV, but I'd prefer a dedicated USB device in the future.

I tether quite often using bluetooth and USB cable on my train ride to and from work. I get awesome speeds using the following 3G phones. Treo 750, blackjack, and Moto Q9h. Also, you can certainly talk on the phone while thethering. In my experience, the speeds via cable is better than via bluetooth.

I tether quite often using bluetooth and USB cable on my train ride to and from work. I get awesome speeds using the following 3G phones. Treo 750, blackjack, and Moto Q9h. Also, you can certainly talk on the phone while thethering.

On CDMA or GSM service??

Sorry. I should have mentioned that it's on AT&T.

On CDMA or GSM service??

I had been using a data card on AT&T's network.

I switched to tethering on an AT&T phone last year. Cost difference on my plan is tethering is $10 per month cheaper.

Technical questions you need to answer when making the choice between tethering and data cards:

Is tethering supported on your phone?
Can you make and receive calls while tethering?
Is your operating system compatible with your phone?
Is your phone powerful enough to drive the maximum data rates available?


If you don't like the answers to any of the above questions, you may find that the data card option is better.

Last year, when making the choice, I chose an AT&T Tilt. It supports Microsoft Windows through either USB (best choice) or via Bluetooth. The Tilt also supports Apple Mac via Bluetooth. Documentation on using Mac via Bluetooth is spotty. Once you figure it out, it works great.

On both Apple and Microsoft, I'm able to make and take calls without dropping the data connection.

In unscientific tests conducted in San Antonio, the 3G network (HSDPA) gives approximately 700 kbps down and 350 kbps up. That is pretty darn good.

I have no regrets switching from data card to tethering.

if you tether then you can't make phone calls while you are on line. So that's why I have a stick device. I may get rid of it at some point but for now it is insurance that I will always have access to the web even if I don't have wifi access, and that I can chat on the phone while on line.

I've got a Samsung SGH A837 "Rugby" on AT&T tethered with Bluetooth and can make and receive voice calls when connected to 3G or EDGE. I also have an unlocked Novatel X950D Expresscard which I use less often now that I have the Samsung. I still use the Expresscard for Europe because it supports Band 1 W-CDMA 2100.

Bluetooth is properly gonna be the bottelneck in the speed to the internet! Bluetooth DUN whitch is used to connect your pc to your phone, is only going to give around 1-2 mbit/s, and that is crappy for a phone that is capable of doing 3,6 mbit/s!

I just bought one of these combined 3G usb-modem/wifi-routers, that when you plug it in the wall, it can be used as a normal broadband router, just that it connects by the 3G connection, or plug it into the computer, and it will be a 3g usb-modem! It got one RJ11 jack for connecting a phone, and will work in parallel with the 3G internet connection! The speed for that router is 7,2 mbit/s and flatrate!
http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/products/view.do?id=1120

And I also got one of the standard Huawei E220 3G usb-dongles, that is more straight forward! Plug-in and go! It too provides 7,2 mbit/s, but not all networks in europe has yet implementet that speed!

Verizon is either voice or data, however with their 3G services, incoming calls ring through even if you are using data services.

I am not sure if AT&T services offer simultaneous voice and data, however in my experiences Verizon's 3G services are far more widespread and significantly faster than AT&T's.

I am not sure if AT&T services offer simultaneous voice and data, however in my experiences Verizon's 3G services are far more widespread and significantly faster than AT&T's.

With AT&T devices you can get simultaneous voice and data. I use it all the time since I canceled my Verizon PCMCIA modem. I will agree that AT&T's footprint is smaller, but I would not agree about the speed.

With AT&T devices you can get simultaneous voice and data. I use it all the time since I canceled my Verizon PCMCIA modem. I will agree that AT&T's footprint is smaller, but I would not agree about the speed.

Speed on any 3G network will be very dependent on location and time. The more people using a particular cell tower, the slower your data will be. I get anywhere from 80 kbps to 2000 kbps on AT&T 3G here in Chicago depending on location, time, whether I'm in motion or not, and signal strength.

When I am traveling in Germany, I use one carrier for data (Vodafone for their €4.95/day unlimited internet) and another for voice (Solomo Pro). Having a data stick means I don't have to switch SIMs.

Is this still €4.95/day? According to this (http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_relations/news/local_press_releases/germany/germany_press_release/vodafone_reduces_its.html) press release, it is €7.95/day as of 1 May, 2008.

We're going to FRA in February, and €4.95/day is competitive with Boingo global, but €7.95/day is not as much so given that there are a good number of participating hotspots.

Cheers.

Is this still €4.95/day? According to this (http://www.vodafone.com/start/media_relations/news/local_press_releases/germany/germany_press_release/vodafone_reduces_its.html) press release, it is €7.95/day as of 1 May, 2008.

We're going to FRA in February, and €4.95/day is competitive with Boingo global, but €7.95/day is not as much so given that there are a good number of participating hotspots.

Cheers.

is there a monthly rate ? Maybe thats cheaper

Rally

I disagree; I haven't seen a USB 3G stick with a decent antenna. The data rate of my 3G PC card is quite sensitive to antenna oreientation in a lot of locations, and those 3G Sticks I have seen seem to have even less ability to orientate the antenna independent of the laptop. I guess that you could use a USB extension cord, but then how is that any better than tethering to a phone ?
If you go with a USB stick, you might also want to think about Cradlepoint's pocket routers. Plug your USB stick in them and you have an accesspoint. You can put the AP in the window or something as an extension. For PDAs there are programs that will turn many PDAs into virtual accesspoints, but only in ad hoc mode.

Recently in Dubai, my wife and I shared a cellular modem that way for many days which was considerably cheaper than the hotel wifi at our hotel. I have a Sirius Stilleto and I actually drove around listening to Sirius via internet (long off the satellite path) using a Cradlepoint router.

If you go with a USB stick, you might also want to think about Cradlepoint's pocket routers. Plug your USB stick in them and you have an accesspoint.

Also, it's CES (Consumer Electronics Show) week, so lots of new stuff coming out: http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/06/hands-on-with-novatels-mifi-3g-hotspot/

Lots of ways to go here.

Finally, several USB/Expresscard sticks have external antenna ports. Using a decent external antenna can -dramatically- increase your ability to have a nice fast conversation with the tower, and minimize dropouts.

many things are announced at CES that never show up ,

So unless its for sale now do not believe them when they say something will be available in the "second" quarter etc, more so with the smaller companies...

I always hated showing at CES Vegas, the weather is so cold at night and the hotels are full price !

Rally

I always hated showing at CES Vegas, the weather is so cold at night and the hotels are full price !



From what I've read, the prostitutes in Vegas don't like he geekier trade shows either as the business is not as good.

Cheers.

Dupe.