Question and confusion about wireless ISP's & USB modems. Also, what is the best, most economical wireless ISP?

Question

I've been using Roadrunner for the last couple years, and the service is good, but also pretty pricey compared to others I've seen. I could save up to $25 every month if I switched to Cricket or Clearwire, but I don't get how the USB modem works. There's a 5gb limit on Cricket & various limits with Clearwire, and there also seems to be limits on the type of content you can view on the internet. Does the 5gb or whatever other limit apply only to things you download, or does it include any other internet browsing as well, and how would I know how much browsing I do in an average month, if that is the case? And what exactly can I NOT do online with wireless USB modems?

What, in your opinion/from your experience, is the best and **cheapest** wireless ISP for my situation?
My only computer is a laptop. I don't have a land line. I have prepaid cell service, and very basic cable (like 20-ish channels), so no need for a cable or cellular package deal kind of thing.

Answer 1

Compared to typical cable internet service you will be severely disappointed with Cricket or any of the other cellular-based broadband services.



At their best, these services are much slower than cable Internet's typical 6 to 20 mb download speeds. If you are in a G3 service area (and I can't verify if Cricket offers G3 service as their website doesn't mention it) you might get around 1.5 mb down and maybe 128 kb up. If you are in an EDGE service area you'd be lucky to see 128 kb down and 40 kb up.



The 5GB limit applies to ALL internet traffic. Web browsing, downloads, e-mail, streaming video and audio, chat, etc. are all included in that limit. Cricket does not allow streaming audio or video or P2P file sharing according to their TOS http://www.mycricket.com/broadband/acceptableuse/ among other things. If you exceed the 5GB limit they reserve the right to limit your throughput or terminate your service completely.



Services such as Cricket are intended for the "road warrior" business user primarily. I have a similar service with AT&T on my cell phone that lets me pair my phone with my laptop and use it as a modem. It's fine when I travel but I'd never even think of using it at home unless my cable broadband was down. In G3 service areas it's passably fast but in EDGE service ares it SUCKS badly. And in the occasional CDPD service area it's barely suitable for basic e-mail as bandwidth is no better than a very slow dialup connection.



If your only use is light e-mail and occasional web surfing then it may be suitable if money is the only consideration, or if you are on the road constantly and tend to stay in hotels that don't offer complimentary broadband then it may work for you. If you are the typical home user you probably won't be very happy with it. If you're a hard-core 'net user you will be VERY unhappy with it.

Answer 2

Cricket mobile internet is not recommended by most of its users. I have rarely ever found a good review for their service.



The 5GB limit refers to anything you download on the internet. Anything you do takes up bandwidth, and they limit your download bandwidth traffic to 5GB per month. If you just browse the internet, use email, you will be fine. But if you would use youtube, stream music/radio (pandora, etc.), or if you download many files (music, videos, software, etc.) then you will have a problem. There is also an upload limit, but it is highly unlikely you will ever have a problem with the upload limit.



I honestly do not know much about clearwire, but I have heard that they are pretty good. Although I would look into them before I would switch, because they are not unlimited, and they are a wireless service. Clearwire will likely be a lot faster than Cricket.



Your not alone when it comes to people wanting cheaper internet, many people do. Although neither one of these services will likely be as fast as your cable internet.



I would highly recommend you look into it further before you switch.

Answer 3

Do you recommend a instantaneous Router? if so, then sure, you ought to use whichever one you like. You plug the Router into your ISPs modem and then configure the Router and your desktops instantaneous Adapters to connect with a minimum of one yet another. the comprehensive community gets its internet Connection by making use of the Modem your ISP presented. some, yet not all, ISPs, provide help to purchase particular Modem/Router mixtures. Ask your ISP which of them they recommend to apply for his or her provider. i understand that Cox as an occasion supplies a decision of their Modem/Router mixture, or one your can purchase at maximum shops. even if, different ISPs have particular Modems you ought to apply after for you to purchase any Router and hook it as much as the Modem.