Broadband recommendations?

I currently use Verizon mobile broadband and was happy with that service. I kept a separate peoplepc account for e-mail, but had it set up so I could send and recieve email in MS Outlook.

Love note from Verizon, I can still get my e-mails from peoplepc account, but can no longer send. Verizon claims since that SMTP service was free, discontinuing it is not a change in the contract and they will charge me for early terminiation, $75.

I contacted AT&T and asked for a mobile broadband card. Less per month than Verizon, but limited to 5gb per month, I insert SIM card in the USB Mecury broadband card, plug it into the machine, stuff downloads, signal starts out 3 of 5 bars, unable to connect. Deleted then reinstalled program, same result with 1 of 5 bars, gives me error message that "network may be busy in the afternoon, try later" WTF??? I never got a "too busy" from Verizon, so I am getting ready to punt. Looking for recommendations for a broadband supplier for my laptop that will also give me email addresesses so that I can drop peoplepc. Travel is not a issue, I will be in the greater Chicago area at all times.

[Sigaba]

RR--

Have you considered Sprint? They say they intend to roll out their 4G network in Chicago by the end of this year <<LINK>>. (Admittedly, Sprint has been saying "by the end of this year" for its 4G network for two years....) During the interval, Sprint's 3G wireless network has served me well in SoCal since 12/06 and is offering a USB modem that is both 3G and 4G capable <<LINK>>.

In my experience, I've rarely had issues connecting and staying connected to the network. While download speeds aren't the greatest, using DownThemAll!, a Firefox plug-in, I've still managed to pull down approximately 16 GBs of research materials (mostly PDFs).

A question. Is using Gmail as your email server an option? There are detailed instructions for configuring Microsoft Outlook (2003 and 2007) to connect Gmail accounts via POP or IMAP.

ETA: I have an unlimited use service plan.

Originally Posted by Remington Raidr

I currently use Verizon mobile broadband and was happy with that service. I kept a separate peoplepc account for e-mail, but had it set up so I could send and recieve email in MS Outlook.

Love note from Verizon, I can still get my e-mails from peoplepc account, but can no longer send. Verizon claims since that SMTP service was free, discontinuing it is not a change in the contract and they will charge me for early terminiation, $75.

I contacted AT&T and asked for a mobile broadband card. Less per month than Verizon, but limited to 5gb per month, I insert SIM card in the USB Mecury broadband card, plug it into the machine, stuff downloads, signal starts out 3 of 5 bars, unable to connect. Deleted then reinstalled program, same result with 1 of 5 bars, gives me error message that "network may be busy in the afternoon, try later" WTF??? I never got a "too busy" from Verizon, so I am getting ready to punt. Looking for recommendations for a broadband supplier for my laptop that will also give me email addresesses so that I can drop peoplepc. Travel is not a issue, I will be in the greater Chicago area at all times.

Just a note of warning about that 5GB limit. You can reach it god awful fast. I got there in less than two weeks and the ONLY places I was going was Gmail and Ps. com, and the Lats and Atts bbs site. After that they charge by the Kb. It a whole new way to screw customers. IF you had a broadband card prior to June 2008, you are grandfathered in for the unlimited service.

I re-checked with Verizon, and they say I will be month to month unlimited, so I cnx AT&T for now. If Verizion screws with me in the next few months I will be looking at the 4G system.

[TDude90]

Don't get an email address from your new service provider, as you may realize, this is just something to lock you into their service, and you will end up needing to change it again down the line.

Get a GMail account. Its free, and its the best. It can also be configured for pop3/imap if you prefer to use a client such as outlook instead of the web based interface. They also have a very high capacity.

There are ways to get around the SMTP restrictions, such as tunneling thru an SSH or VPN server, but this is likely more hassle than its worth.

Thank you. Verion and Gmail are working for me. I am confident enough to order business cards with my new email on 'em. This board is an educational asset that I wish I had at 17. Onward and (hopefully) upward.

[LongWire]

Originally Posted by Remington Raidr

This board is an educational asset that I wish I had at 17.

For most of us that would have meant a Ham License, for some of these FOGS, its a messenger on horseback!!!!!

[JJ2K1]

Clear is launching in the Chicago area in the very near future. They have a partnership with Sprint on the 4G network. They charge about $30 a month for home use, and a small additional fee for remote internet for laptops.

http://www.clear.com/index/coverage