connect via phone or modem?

[always-the-dude]

Hey TRSlings, I have a simple question for you all. Is it better to connect to the internet via a mobile phone like a Blackberry through a USB connection or get a modem from the phone store? I was asked this today and I realized that I don't know the answer.

[gglynn00]

Depends on what type of network you are in and if your blackberry is in roam, etc. If you are stuck in U.S. Cellular land like me with a CDMA phone, you are better off with dial up...If you watch Diggnation and hear them talk about the "Edge" network, it is slow and unreliable, that's what I have to use...Now if you are in a true 3G area with the right support, I am sure the blackberry will just act as a portal to the internet and be pretty quick...

[damnedeyez]

There's also the issue of contracts. Dial-Up, while slow as hell, is pretty much unlimited. Cell carriers sometimes throw in a lot of limits, even with the data plans (and connecting without a data plan, which they do frown upon, can work fine for checking mail and such, but can result in them cancelling service if you use it enough to catch notice.)

[tokenuser]

Verizon unlimited EVDO data plan + Blackberry 7130e + "tethered modem extortion fee" = wireless access pretty much anywhere.

I was sitting in an airport online for a couple of hours this afternoon. I am not going to stream video over the connection, and downloading is not particularly fast, but for web surfing, email, etc., it is awesome. I have even used it while driving down a freeway (OK, I was a passenger).

Its a great solution, but it IS expensive for the all you can eat plan.