Realistically, what kind of speeds can one expect from cellular PC cards?

[iamwiz82]

We are looking into cellular cards as a solution for mobile offices. Cingular claims 135kbps, but how realistic is that? Is that only when we park them next to a tower?

I'm pushing for blackberries, personally.

 

[freegeeks]

depends what technology is used
GPRS, UMTS, EDGE ....

 

[iamwiz82]

I believe Cingular is GPRS/EDGE

 

[freegeeks]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
I believe Cingular is GPRS/EDGE

I never got anything more then 96kbps using GPRS, I have no experience with EDGE, UMTS service here is rated at 384kbps

YMMV because I am on the other side of the great pond

if I remember correctly there are some faster data service available in the USA comparable with UMTS (Sprint?)

 

[w0ss]

I have the aircard 750 wiwth Tmobile all you can eat internet for 20$ a month. I would call it comparable to dialup. I do get speeds higher sometimes. One thing to remember is latancy is much higher. I average 500-1000ms for a ping sometimes it goes as high as 2000ms. For 20$ a month you really can't go wroung but for an office I would just get a regular pots line it will be faster. Now if your talking about "fixed wireless" you can usually get high speeds but I think it is only available in select markets and is pretty expensive.

 

[iamwiz82]

POTS is not an option because we need them to be able to have connectivity at customer offices. Analog lines are nearly impossible to find anymore other than fax machines, and they don't want our sales people unplugging those. Most will not allow access to their LAN, either.

 

[w0ss]

ah I misunderstood what you where looking for. I use the aircard to connect to my office via a VPN for remedy,notes and various other apps. As long as everything you need to access can be reached via the blackberry it may be a better solution but I like ethe pc card because I can do whatever I want. Even stream MP3's at 30-56k.