Dec 27, 2010
Almost as infamous as “Lightbar Threads” on StormTrack I give you Scott’s Guide on data cards.
I am going to break this down into a couple different types of users and I am also going to make some assumptions…
- You only need a data card for chasing and not the rest of the year.
- You chase ALL of Tornado alley, not just the south or the north.
And types of users…
- I want to do this the most economical way possible by tethering my phone.
- I want/need a data card.
Something about everyone: Unlimited 3G is dead. Repeat DEAD. Unless you already have a grandfathered Alltel/Sprint plan your not going to find a unlimited plan. Most are 5GB caps.
SO…. is 5GB enough?
YES For typical chasing activities and streaming you will be fine, if you are doing some crazy stuff (Like watching Youtube for hours instead of weather models) you going to have issues.
Ok lets start off by talking about the networks…
- Verizon: Without a doubt the FASTEST & most WIDE SPREAD FAST network on the plains… but it’s gonna cost ya. Also some noticable gaps in coverage (Western OK of note) because of long standing roaming fights that are rumored to being resolved however it looks like for 4G at this time. STRICTLY enforced 5GB cap on both 3g and 4g.
- Sprint: In my opinion one of the best for COVERAGE however when your outside metro areas expect a ton of 1x speeds. 4G foot print is only in some major cities and not really worth the time unless your going to use it for something other than Chasing. 5G 3g cap, unlimited on 4G. At this time Sprint is still running a “Soft Cap” meaning that you might get in trouble for going over but I have not seen anyone charged yet.
- T-Mobile and AT&T: These 2 carriers are somewhat worthless for Internet as their 3g networks don’t even leave the cities if at all. I would not consider either of these for a data card it will be slow and South Dakota? Forget about it. If your never going to leave the south this may work out well for you.
- US Cellular: Regional carrier and if a option to you I would check them out… looks like good roaming coverage but a hard 5GB cap that is strictly enforced. Their aircards are “off brand” and do not work with cradlepoint routers if you are looking at them.
- Cricket/Virgin Mobile: Only work in metro areas.
Ok so I am on a budget and want to do this as cheaply as possible…
Do you already have a smart phone?
Some people choose to “Tether” their phone, this can be done via a program or by paying your carrier extra for the right to use your data your already paying for.
This will work but expect your battery to drain like a open spigot and occasional crashes. You can’t use your data and phone at the same time.
If you get a call or txt message your data session will time out.
Here are some options for those not wanting to pay extra monthly fees…
- Blackberry: There is a program called “Tether” that costs $49.99 one time charge however is on sale all the time for $25 This installs on your Blackberry and Laptop and allows it to use the modem in your phone for no additional charge. I have used it and it works rather well. Requires no hacking.
- iPhone: There are programs that will let you tether in Cydia (Requires Jailbreak) however as I said before I would not trust AT&T’s network.
- Android: There is a program in the market called “WiFiTether” it’s FREE but is going to require a rooted phone.
- Windows Mobile: There is “WMWiFiRouter” it’s going to set you back 15 euros.
Ok on to Data Cards…
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE FREE AIRCARD/DEVICE AT VERIZON!
You can pick one up on eBay for next to nothing and start service with Verizon without a contract… Sprint will always require a contract to start anything, even your own device.
Ok now on to “Scott’s Pick” what should you use, Verizon, Sprint?
How about none of the above?
Yes that’s right don’t sign a stupid contract for your data card with the big boys because there are resellers who will do the same for less.
I am talking about Millenicom.
They offer 2 different “Services” as they sell for both Sprint and Verizon, the 5GB Standard and 20GB Advanced plans can be on Verizon, MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM YOU WANT VERIZON!
The Sprint cards they offer are “Sprint Locked” as they won’t roam.
Why use a reseller? Like I said I assume you are going to use this JUST FOR CHASING and will not use it in the winter.
Your cost of entry will be higher at Millinicom however you can turn it off when you don’t need it. Here is a 2YR Breakdown of the costs assuming you use it April/July 4Months….
Verizon
Device = $50 if you go Ebay OR Free (With Contract)
Activation = $34.99
Service = $239.96 or $1,439.36 Contract
Tax= $60.00 or $359.84 (Most states about 25%)
Total…
4 Months Service = $384.95
24 Months (Contract) =$1834.19
Millenicom
Device = Free (Or $100 to just buy the modem and not return)
Activation = $50.00
Service = $239.96 (4 months) or $1,439.36 (24 months)
Tax = None
Total…
4 Months Service = $289.96
24 Months (NO Contract) =$1489.76
As you can see you can save a LARGE sum of Cash using the reseller over Verizon directly, same network, same coverage.
You can also buy the modem and get the 20GB of data for a one time $100 charge, something Verizon won’t even dream of doing.
So in the end my advice is to put the glamour of 4G aside because out of the cities it’s not going to help you for a while (2 years) and go for the value of the 3G plans and devices.
The new 4G cards can’t use an amp or external antenna so this is your BEST BET.
If you want this thing year round I have a “Deal” I can get you on at Sprint, just email me and I will get you the instructions for 5gb @ $54.99/mo 24mo contract.
I personally prefer Sprint because of the universal coverage however limited at times by speed, you may feel the same as me.
As always any questions feel free to drop them in the comments or email me scott@endlessweather.com
I am not sure what you are referring to by “soft cap.” I worked at a call center for Sprint, doing Adv Tech Support until just recently. When the 5 Gig limit came out we had call after call with people that had gone over and had been billed for it. At first we explained it and got permission to remove charges, often hundreds of dollars. Now, they will not remove the charges, unless somehow you are very lucky in whom you get when you call. They have no soft cap type thing I know of, unless it just means you don’t get cut off. It doesn’t cut off your service, but it absolutely does start billing you $50 a Gig once you are over 5 Gigs, always. They describe charge at $0.05 per meg, but, it is easier to just think of $50 per Gig, in my opinion. This is one area where having a spending limit may save you, as it would act as a cap when you got very much over the 5 Gig limit. Hope this helps with the Sprint part, as this is my only area where I can comment as an expert. Well, that, and to agree that all services have the same 5 Gig limit on 3g data. I checked every provider I could find when it came out, as a defense, for upset customers.
Doug/kd5gua
Thanks for that info Doug! I have not personally had that happen… I did get a nasty letter for using my cell/data card outside the sprint area too much but it was a “Stop doing that” kind of letter I did not realize they were charging people!
I have had a couple people chime in about the sprint “Unlimited” plans that some companies get… I too have one of these but they are not EASY to get.
I have Pantech UML290 4G from Verizon which has dual external antenna ports. While performance has been awesome in the 4G coverage area around metro Los Angeles and Orange Counties in Southern California, I have been less impressed with it’s ability to perform in the outlying 3G areas. It has a problem switching down from 4G to 3G and I have to disconnect and reconnect, and even then it wants to hold on to a 1x signal only, especially when there is a solid full bars of 3G signal when using my older UM150 in that same area. I guess 4G won’t matter anyway for now, and since my data card is provided to me and payed for by work (which if I don’t use it, it is money in the wind) I am not worried about the cost other than making sure I don’t go over the 5GB cap.
That’s interesting Will! I know none of the Sprint devices have antenna ports. Good to know!
Good writeup! All the plans on the Millenicom site use Sprint devices…do they just primarily work with Sprint? Is that why you emphasized the need to tell them you want Verizon? I just don’t see anything on their site even mentioning Verizon.
Scott and Doug, I believe you are both wrong about Sprint. The 5GB hard cap applies only to data cards. 3G only phones are said to have the ‘soft cap’ that you would only hit while tethering, but I also just got (I think in October) a packet with a page that says “We’re standing by our commitment to unlimited data”. This page goes over how you can use as much data as you want, and in no way mentions a cap or unlimited being ’4G only’. Now it doesn’t mention tethering, but with the tethering method I use, all data my laptop uses appears to the network as on-phone usage. This page would be ‘Exhibit A’ if I were ever to get an over-gig bill. That being said, I went over 5GB several months last year and did not hear anything from Sprint about it.
Sprint also explicitly says that if you have a 3G/4G phone like the EVO, the $10 monthly “cool phone fee” you pay on them gives you unlimited 3G AND 4G data with no cap on either. With the EVO and Galaxy being Android, they can use tethering apps without the mobile hotspot fee. Those are just things they don’t want you to know about so they can salvage some customers paying for aircards and mobile hotspot.
Verizon has a no-contract plan…month-to-moth. http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/mobilebroadband/?page=products_prepaidmb
I noticed on Millenicom’s site, their plans do not allow 3G/4G hybrids or straight 4G devices to be used. Ouch.