Aircards and tethered phones

[Beabop]

Is there an aircard with unlimited service that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? And how does a tethered phone work and cost. My verizon phone with office kit was free on weekends and after 9 but my new Vista computer won't recognize the office kit. Thx

[RVThere]

No sure about aircards but I've been using a teathered phone for years to hook up to the internet.

With a teathered phone you have to:
- get an unlimited data plan for your phone ( i get a bundled cost for data, minutes, and other extras for about $99 a month.) As my company pays for it, price is not a big deal but having access to email is a big deal.

- connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable (big connector on one end and small connector on the other).

- run an application on your phone to put it into 'data mode'. On my phone, it is called 'Modem Link'.

- on my computer, I run VZAccess Manager which I downloaded from Verizon. It usually recognizes that my phone is attached and I click the connect button.

- From there I can surf the net, hook up to my company's VPN, etc.

- Some programs, such as a wireless printer server, will compete with VZAccess Manager so you need to shut down those programs so the modem works.

- in some areas of the country, this will not work. It will not work with an analog signal. You need a 'Ev' or '1X' to appear on your phone to show you are in a digital zone and it will work.

[denochs]

Hey folks, for a good price and performance, try Phone Power. This is a company that I use at home and on the road. Using Bell South DSL Lite $19.95 mo. and the VOiP phone service this company provides 19.95 mo. I have all the features a local company can give for 75-100 a mo.

In addition, this company has a "virtual number" you can carry with you as long as you have internet access in the campground you are staying

[Route 66]

I have a VZW tethered phone.

The cost of tethering a phone is about the same an aircard.

The speeds are the same if your phone is 3G REV A which is the fastest right now until 4G is rolled out.

Although the phone has unlimited data usuage, tethering is limited to 5gb a month just like an aircard, and all providers have the 5gb limit. Free weekends and nights doesn't enter into it as data is limited to 5gb. If you go over 5gb, additional data is quite expensive.

You will need to download a newer version Access Manager for Vista. I had the same problem.

Click here for Access Manager downloads.

[Bill Adams]

Beabop,
You would have to define how much and arm and a leg costs, but I suspect the answer is no. Depending upon the plan you choose you are going to pay $50-$60 month for air card internet service or a tethered phone option. If you don't need the service for the entire month you may be able to use a tethered phone for $2/day. I understand that Alltel still is offering unlimited service but most every other cellular internet connection has a 5GB per month limit. If you exceed this limit you will incur additional charges.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The Mobile Broadband tethering option for Verizon phones has been reduced to $50/month, so it is $10 cheaper than an air card (modem card). Of course, you have to have a Verizon phone and voice plan to add the feature to, but if you are going to have a cell phone anyway that is no extra burden.

[Elkhartjim]

I succesfully use an Alltell aircard but since they have been bought by Verizon a few months ago, I don't know if the same card is available. I mention this because I first tried a Verizon air card which is my cell provider but I couldn't get adequate service at my rural home. The Alltel works fine. My understanding from a friend that works for Verizon, "The voice and data service are different frequences so just because you have cell service you don't always have data service".