[LUNI] Cellular internet access & Linux

[Seva Epsteyn]

I was actually considering switching to Sprint because of their new 
unlimited plan and horrible AT&T customer service.  Even though my current 
AT&T plan includes enough data, voice, and text messages to be effectively 
unlimited and is cheaper.

I was considering getting an EV-DO Blackberry like the 8130 or the 
apparently upcoming 8330.  However, I just learned that their new 
unlimited plan doesn't include Blackberry devices so I am back to waiting 
for a 3G phone I like, perhaps for a WiMax device or a 3G iPhone in the 
future.

-Seva

On Thu, 28 Feb 2008, William Scott Lockwood III wrote:

> Well, depending on the type of technology you go with, vendor lock in
> isn't a problem. Vaio's can be unlocked to work with any SIM from any
> carrier. Sprint and Verizon can use a lot of the same tech as well. We
> use these at work on the Sprint network (which rocks, it's fast, and
> unlimited really does mean unlimited) which has been excellent for us,
> since they now also offer international service.
> 
> I'll CC our guy at Sprint - if you have questions about devices, he's a
> good source of information.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mike Scott <luni at pyewacket.org>
> Reply-To: Linux Users Of Northern Illinois - Technical Discussion
> <luni at luni.org>
> To: luni at luni.org
> Subject: [LUNI] Cellular internet access & Linux
> Date: Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:54:22 -0700
> 
> I am considering a new laptop and was wondering if anyone out there is
> using a Cellular data plan.
> I was figuring that a PCMCIA card would be better than built-in so I am
> not locked into a particular provider (at least no longer than the
> contract term for the plan vs the life of the laptop).
> Which of these cards work well with Linux (or is it transparent)?
> 
> Also which carriers should I avoid?  I seem to remember Verizon had some
> fine print whereby they could terminate your service if you do streaming
> audio/video and they determine you are streaming if your monthly
> transfer rate exceeds a certain threshold 9even though their plan is
> billed as "unlimited".
> 
> - Mike Scott
> 
>