Wireless Internet - Is it worth it?

[ScottieFL]

Is the reception good? Are the downloads quick?

Am I better off just using truck stop WI-FI hot spots?

Or should I spend the $60 a month for Wireless Internet on my laptop? I'm considering the Cingular Wireless Internet service, which has really improved recently. I'm also already a Cingular customer, so that makes it convenient.

[Skywalker]

Here's my experience so far:

On a few occasions I have used TA's wi-fi...and generally have been fairly dis-satisfied with it. Sometimes it will work well, and other times not worth a flip. I sat in one TA with a direct line of sight to the antenna...and more than half the time I couldn't get a signal worth squat. On other occasions it was "spotty" and slow. Haven't tried Flying J's...don't go to them very often at all.

What I use...which is what I am using now is T-Mobile's GSM/GPRS service. I have a Sony/Ericsson GC-79 Aircard that is both cellular and wi-fi. My laptop is also wi-fi capable...a Winbook. The GSM/GPRS service has been more than reliable, and works quite well. I pay $29.95 + st...a total of $31.23 a month for unlimited service. About the only place that I can't use it is in N & S Carolina. Its not the fastest, but its as fast as most of the others and it has met my needs. I've been using it for about a year now, and probably will continue using it until they come up with something competitively priced but faster.

[JackHammer]

I am currently useing Sprints Evdo wireless service and I love it. when your in a highspeed area you can get average 700k download speeds.
out of the high speed area's I get around 2-3x what a 56k dialup would provide.
I pay 80 bux a month but that will go down once I switch my celphone company to sprint.
The card itself is free with a 2year signup.
Better then sliced bread.

[cdreid]

I use a verizon wireless card. I dont think ive been anywhere in the country that i didnt have net access, though im sure if i parked in exactly the wrong place it would happen. Im on it now in fact sitting in a TA in jacksonville. I literally leave it running wherever im at. Tried the TA/PILOT hotspot SCAM. Talked to a tech at one finally and he told me that in large areas the hotspots didnt actually work yet.... So I was out the 7 bucks a day or whatever i paid at each spot. Learned my lesson quick. Its DEFINITELY worth 60 a month. Id suggest verizon because of the coverage areas. Theyre moving to broadband and you get broadband now in Big cities, but most of the time you get national access which is Around 3x dialup speed. Fast enough for online games, web browsing, chat etc etc etc. If you do filesharing well.. not so much though you can let it run 24/7. When you do get a broadband connect its nice.

[meanbone79]

Very useful...I use it all of the time.

[GMAN]

Is the reception good? Are the downloads quick?

Am I better off just using truck stop WI-FI hot spots?

Or should I spend the $60 a month for Wireless Internet on my laptop? I'm considering the Cingular Wireless Internet service, which has really improved recently. I'm also already a Cingular customer, so that makes it convenient.

Scottie, I have use the WiFi at Flying J, Pilot and TA. I prefer the Flying J but the down side to any of them is that once you leave their parking lot you don't have service. I tried a couple of dial up services and they are a hassle when you are on the road. There can also be additional fees if you connect at truck stops. I have had a Spring air card for about a year or so now. So far I have had decent service from it. I pay $60/month for the service with unlimited national access. Most of the major providers are in this range, except for T-Mobile who has offered the service for about half that amount. The primary advantage to having an air card is that you can use them anywhere you have a cell phone signal. I use the internet for searching for loads among other things. The anytime access is worth a little extra for me. If you do a search you will find much that has been written about the air cards and various services.

[turboman]

Very useful...I use it all of the time.

dam your signature kinda freaked me out HAHA

I was goin for the rifle :wink:

[meanbone79]

What I found out to be pretty cool is to be a truck stop, get out the old web cam, set it on the dash pointed out toward the front and show everybody at home what I'm seeing....

[shahan]

the verizon service is only $59.99 if you have a verizon cell phone as well. if you dont its $79.99.

[dieselgrl]

As far as the truckstop hot spots go, I've used them all, but prefer Flying J. The J has even set up antennas on some T/As! Pilot is still working on getting service after the downfall of truckstop.net... the new company, Sirricomm has good intentions, but I've had major problems with their service.

That said, I still have problems, and obviously I can't always get into a Flying J. I figure I'll eventually upgrade to a wireless card and break my truckstop tether.

[choperbob]

tough to answer. i pay $80 a month for sprint. but i love using the net, so it is worth every penny just to be able to surf whenever i want. don't like staying in truckstops, i spend too much,lol. just shower, fuel, coffee, and audio books. how much do you use the internet? then judge if it is worth the price.

[mtdewr]

I have Verizon and I love it! I havent taken it on the road yet but have taken it on trips and so far it has worked everywhere. It is kinda slow but I use it mainly to chat and email.

[btinc]

You can learn a lot about wireless cards at this site.


www.evdoforums.com

[Kintama]

Pilot needs to get their crap straight, their service is slower then dial-up!
Flying J is the best for the moment.

[dj4monie]

I still have accounts at T/A's and Flying J's...

I also have a Cingular Wireless card, I don't have to use it. My current laptop has bluetooth and I connect to the internet with that and my Motorola V551. I also have Motorola Phone Tools 2.0 loaded on there. I'm on Cingular's GSM network with the phone so I get impressive speeds on it. I should say that Limewire and A*** works just fine with it.

Make sure to upgrade your phone package when you get it...Do you don't have $300 Cell bills

[tbaarr]

man its the greatest

i got a toshiba laptop from bestbuy with internal wireless modem

for 0% interest for a year

ie 75 bucks a month and it was paid off same as cash

t/a is working on their wireless

i check it with my modem to see if its ok then use my roadmiles to sign on

as other trucker said/some t/a locations suck

fly j is great but you cant use your roadmiles


now a secret

the petro in joplin mo and the fly j in west memphis ark

both have a hotel near their lot

a good wireless laptop can bump a free connection


download speed is usually very fast

if you drive through iowa on 35 or 80

you will be able to get 1 hr of free wireless internet at their reststops

be aware sometimes the antenna is down at a certain stop

just drive to the next reststop

if iowa reststops had showers and fuel i would never need a truckstop in iowa

[shortstroke0317]

e="ScottieFL"]Is the reception good? Are the downloads quick?

Am I better off just using truck stop WI-FI hot spots?

Or should I spend the $60 a month for Wireless Internet on my laptop? I'm considering the Cingular Wireless Internet service, which has really improved recently. I'm also already a Cingular customer, so that makes it convenient.[/quote] yes verizon is the **** never have any proplem

[bus_jockey_dart11]

I just upgraded my cell phone to a samsung a920. It is $39 a month for broadband instead of $59 for the laptop card. I just added a blue tooth usb dongle to the laptop and no wires are needed to connect now which lets ya charge the phone while online.

I also use microsoft streets with a gps to navigate and plan trips. I forget where i bought it but for $45 I got a pcmcia tv tuner card. Anything to lessen the junk in da truck is worth it's weight in gold.

[dewakluster]

Browsing using my cellphone is too small plus I want to watch TV.

Here is the solution I found. Thanks to my buddy who is a tech geek.

I am currently using Cingular for my cellphone provider. I bought this laptop card called Sierra Wireless 860 aircard on the internet ( www.unlockcellular.com ). It works perfect. I can connect internet and watch my TV anywhere also my Tivo programs thru my Slingbox (the best thing in the world). Connection is very fast over 1Mbps.

The card is only $99, no contract required, which is good. It is only $59.99 a month for Cingular data plan. It is unlimited.

The aircard can also works with T-Mobile (the seller told me it is unlocked card). T-Mobile data plan is cheaper though only $29.99 unlimited. But I like Cingular better.

PM me if you have any question.

[Wolfhound]

I got real sick of the "truckstop tether" too.

I had much better luck with T.A. then I did witht the Pilot's sirricom.

Nowadays though, I use the sprint wireless card.

It cost $59.00 a month and i have been real happy with it..

It's a little slow in some spots, and occassionaly I will not get service( wayyy rural Wyoming type places)if you are travelling to fairly populated areas it's great.

Best wishes.