Cell Phone Carriers?

I have been with AT&T since 1996. Never had the need to play the change game. I got a 3gig air card for my laptop and use an external antenna for both. I rarely have a problem with my phone and can get a modest signal for internet almost any where in the USA. A lot of rest stops have free wifi and you can tap into a lot of others as mentioned before. Mc D's, most kwik trips, some Petro's to name a few have free wifi and a lot of other fueling stops, you just have to check it out. When in doubt I look for a communication tower and park so I get a good line of sight. If your close enough to a lot of hotels/motels/Inns you might be able to get their wifi. You can also use your points from TA, Petro, Flyn J and turn them into wifi air time.

AT&T also has hot spots all over the USA and you can get a listing of them for AT&T users. Most cities I have been able to get full signal and gig.

 

I've had Sprint, sprint's data card is quite nice. But I will admit their DATA plan seems to be far more reaching then their voice plan. I could play on the internet all through montana... god forbid I needed to make a phone call.

Tmobile's voice is far more reliable, their net is okay but its slow 80% of the time they only have 3 G in like 50 cities.

ATT likes to let you rack up charges quietly. We switched to unlimited text, they forgot to mention it wouldnt kick in until next bill cycle (none of the other two have that stupid stipulation) we got a bill for 800 bucks!

Verizon is on crack is far as I am concerned, too high.

 

Go with an iPhone, the thing is amazing out on the road. I had mine on with AT&T. Unlimited internet browsing, unlimited text messaging, useful applications, hands free, great sound over the engine and background noise, music if you want it, all wrapped up in a beautiful looking phone... If only AT&T had better plans for Canadian travel I would still have them instead of having my ###### BlackBerry on Telus.

sidenote: Anyone interested in buying a gently used iPhone for cheap, let me know!

 

I use Verizon for phone and aircard/USB modem. I've found that the aircard/USB modem is way, way better than trying to rely on WiFi. For one thing, good luck finding it. For another, security issues with your PC can become a very serious problem. I've been using a Verizon aircard/USB modem for several years now and won't ever be without it...until something better comes along. If my Verizon cell phone can pull in a signal, I can use the aircard/USB modem GENERALLY without issue. ~$50/month gets me unlimited useage. I also use an...um...USB extension cord (for lack of a better word) to get the device away from the computer and a little higher maybe (hanging it out the top of a mostly closed window) to help get a better signal. Also, there's one repair facility in particular where I can't get a signal unless I am seated by a window, with the USB device tossed over my shoulder to put it near the glass.

Verizon cell plans also have no roaming fees, and I have service in about 95% of the areas that I travel since they did away with analog service.

In the odd instance that he aircard/USB modem can't get a signal, I still have the WiFi built into my lap warmer and can try to go that route.

That's what I think. YMMV.

 

Can you explain the WiFi and the lap warmer thing? I don't get it.

Thanks!
B

 

Most laptop computers (aka Lap Warmers) come with WiFi built in. I always leave the WiFi turned off unless I'm actually using it...and I don't like to use it because of security issues. WiFi connections are very, very easy to hack. But, if I'm somewhere that my USB device won't get a signal, or won't get a good, fast signal, I'll try to find somewhere to use the WiFi if I have to. Some truck stops will have WiFi, but you usually have to pay for it. Many hotels also have WiFi connections, as well as hippie coffee shops, and even many McDonalds these days have free WiFi service...you just have to ask for an access code. You just have to remember that if you use a WiFi connection, chances are good that some ##### bag hacker can get into your computer if he so desires. they can anyway, but it's just much easier over a WiFi connection.

I prefer a laptop over other mobile devices because...well, I just do. I haven't gotten on board yet with the whole mobile web thing. I like the internet on my 17" monitor, and I can watch movies on the laptop, so I'm going to have it with me anyway.

Does that answer your question?

 

For the record getting into your computer via wifi is not nearly as simplistic as it sounds and would require you to either a) be far far behind in your updates to your pc and b) have no form of firewall.

Or c) have downloaded something to give them access.

Stealing data from a wifi connection is easiest when done as a leech, but its a pita and not really something you are going to see the average 'hacker' doing sitting in a truck stop with about 40 laptops trying to decipher signals from 20 different users. If they break into the access point and can filter through the ips I could see maybe worrying, but then youd still have to have a pretty crappy firewall. The fact is the effort is way too much for a POSSIBLE gain, whereas, they could just put up a fake site and get your info that way, switch the card scanners at the register to card storage readers, and or play the old broken atm game (ever wonder why they got rid of the atms you put the cards in at most places... lol you stick a paperclip in there just right it will trap the card, user things their card is stuck gets pissed after it wont come out, walk away, person who put pin in goes in, extracts pin out comes card)

 

The getting into the computer isn't the issue in most cases. Usually someone who is trying to steal data will merely setup a laptop that does nothing but record all traffic to the hard drive for a certain period of time. Then, they can take the computer home, and cipher through all of the data. As far as computer-to-computer access, WiFi and ethernet share the same properties, aside from the speed.

Unless you're posting your credit card info to completely insecure sites or worried about maybe them using your cookies to mock you at your favorite site (The Truckers' Report?), WiFi is just fine. Any professional banking site has SSL encryption.

When I access my work e-mail, that's when I'll route my traffic through a VPN. Not sure why they haven't setup SSL, but I guess I'll add that to my list of things to do.