| So you want to get wireless internet for your | | | | CLEAR and Sprint operate a 4G wireless |
| laptop, but you're not sure what you're options | | | | broadband network, whereas Cricket and the |
| are huh? This short article will help you to choose | | | | other cell phone providers use a 3G network. |
| the best mobile internet provider based on your | | | | -Slowest Download Speeds: Cricket Wireless, |
| circumstances. There a few criteria you should | | | | Qwest Wireless |
| consider when choosing a mobile internet provider | | | | -Fastest Download Speeds: CLEAR Wireless and |
| to receive wireless internet for laptops. They are: | | | | Sprint Wireless (4G) |
| Monthly Rate: Wireless internet for laptops is | | | | Coverage: There are differences in mobile internet |
| generally a little more expensive than internet for | | | | coverage amongst the wireless internet providers |
| your home. A mobile internet provider generally | | | | also. 4G wireless networks have not been built |
| charges $45-80 a month for their service with | | | | nationwide yet so its coverage is somewhat |
| $60 a month being average. | | | | limited. Currently 4G is available in over 25+ |
| -Lowest Cost Provider: CLEAR Wireless 4G, | | | | metropolitan areas nationwide (as of Jan 2010). |
| Cricket Wireless 3G ($45/month) | | | | Some of the larger city areas with coverage |
| -Highest Cost Provider: Sprint Wireless 3G/4G, | | | | include Las Vegas, Portland, Seattle, Atlanta, |
| CLEAR Wireless 3G/4G, Qwest Wireless ($80 | | | | Philadelphia, Dallas, Baltimore and Chicago. Because |
| month) | | | | of this limited coverage, 4G coverage with |
| Contract: Wireless internet providers generally | | | | CLEAR and Sprint are only offered in certain |
| require a 2 year contract. There are some | | | | areas. By the end of 2010 however, 4G will be |
| however that do not require 2 year contracts | | | | available in 80+ cities. 3G on the other hand is |
| and offer a month-to-month agreement option. | | | | available pretty much nationwide, although it is |
| Generally the cell phone companies will require 2 | | | | somewhat limited for rural coverage. |
| year contracts. | | | | -3G Coverage Only: Verizon, Qwest, T-Mobile |
| -Companies that Offer Monthly Agreements: | | | | -4G Only Option: CLEAR Wireless |
| CLEAR Wireless and Cricket Wireless | | | | -Both 3G and 4G: CLEAR Wireless and Sprint |
| -Companies that Require 2 Year Contracts: | | | | Wireless |
| Verizon, Qwest, AT&T, and Sprint | | | | As you have probably now gathered, you have |
| Download Speed: There is a large variance in | | | | lots of options when it comes to mobile internet |
| download speeds amongst mobile internet | | | | for laptops. What wireless internet provider you |
| providers. The slowest provider, Cricket Wireless, | | | | decide on will probably depend on the preceding |
| provides download speeds of 0.5-1.5 Mbps. The | | | | criteria I have discussed. I hope that this article |
| cell phone companies (Verizon, Qwest, Sprint 3G, | | | | helps you to make an informed decision in |
| and T-Mobile) offer wireless internet speeds of | | | | choosing your wireless internet provider. If you |
| 0.5-2.0 Mbps. CLEAR Wireless offers mobile | | | | require further assistance, please check out my |
| internet speeds of 2.5-10 Mbps. The reason for | | | | resource box and website below. |
| the great difference in download speeds is that | | | | |