Internet access via broadband has become a standard requirement for almost all businesses and home offices. Individuals can easily find and afford DSL and Cable Internet. Businesses, on the other hand, often opt for T1 lines, DS3 bandwidth, and Ethernet connections. However, challenges arise when venturing beyond the confines of a traditional workspace. Without WiFi hotspots, staying connected becomes difficult. How can tasks such as delivering presentations, accessing inventory, or entering orders at a client’s office be accomplished if they necessitate a broadband connection? The answer lies in a small device known as an aircard.
An aircard, also known as an air card, functions as a wireless modem. It empowers your laptop or notebook computer with 3G cellular broadband Internet connectivity. Essentially, wherever there’s cell phone reception, you can likely establish an Internet connection, as both voice and data signals originate from the same towers. Each cellular carrier possesses a designated number of channels at each tower location. Some channels are allocated for voice calls, while others are reserved for broadband data. To tap into the data channels providing Internet service, a smartphone or a plug-in aircard is necessary.
While most aircards today are built for 3G access, they can revert to slower 2.5G or 2G speeds. This downgrade occurs if the reception is poor or a specific tower hasn’t been upgraded to 3G. Major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint have been intensely focused on upgrading their tower site base stations over the past few years. The demand for 3G access is booming, driven by both aircard users and the surge in newer smartphones equipped with built-in 3G capabilities. Prime examples include the Apple iPhone and BlackBerry Storm. Broadband service is crucial for activities like streaming video, running web-enabled applications, and enjoying full HTML browser browsing. While lower speeds suffice for email and text messaging, they fall short for more demanding tasks.
Just like cell phones, aircards are tied to specific carriers and necessitate service contracts. Currently, wireless service plans for aircards hover around $60 per month.
It’s worth noting that the technology used for transmitting cellular broadband differs. Verizon Wireless aircards, Sprint PCS aircards, and Alltel aircards operate on CDMA networks, employing a technology called EVDO. The basic EVDO service compares to entry-level DSL, offering download speeds around 700 Kbps and bursts up to 2.4 Mbps when network traffic is light. However, upload speeds are significantly slower, typically around 150 Kbps. This network was primarily designed for simple web browsing and video clip downloads. The latest EVDO Rev A network upgrades have significantly boosted cellular broadband speeds to match cable modem levels. Users can now experience download bursts of 3.1 Mbps and faster upload speeds of 1.8 Mbps.
AT&T aircards utilize a different technology known as GSM, which has a broader global presence. Their standard wireless broadband service, EDGE, operates at approximately 250 Kbps, the same technology used by the first Apple iPhone. However, AT&T has transitioned to a faster network called HSUPA, delivering download burst speeds up to 7.2 Mbps and upload speeds as high as 2 Mbps. While actual speeds in heavily populated urban areas might be slower, they remain comparable to EVDO networks.
Obtaining an aircard for your laptop is a straightforward process. Comparison shopping for aircards online, categorized by model and carrier, is a convenient option. In addition to carrier compatibility, wireless modems are available in two main styles. The traditional form factor is a PCMCIA card, designed to be inserted into a slot on your laptop. However, many modern laptops, favoring a smaller profile, have phased out PCMCIA slots. As an alternative, USB models are available, effortlessly plugging into a USB port like a standard USB flash drive. When choosing an aircard, it’s essential to carefully consider the features of each model. Certain models are compatible exclusively with PCs, while others support both PC and Mac. Additionally, some USB aircards feature a slot for microSD memory cards, enabling their use as both a flash drive and an aircard.