Anyone here know anything about "Air Cards"

[Reverend Maynard]

I don't know if Air Card is a product name or a description of the product. What it is is a PCMCIA wireless modem. My dad is using one on his Compaq Ipaq right now, but he is getting an upgrade.

The city will basically buy him any air card he wants, so he asked me to find out which is the best. I know nothing about them, as is clearly apparent in the first part of my post.

Anyone here have any experience or recommendations for me?

[Jammrock]

I know air cards!!! Oh, oh, oh, oh... *raises hand*... at least if you are in the US and talking about Sprint PCS Air Cards...

[shameless plug]

Basic low down. Sprint PCS has a product called the Air Card (I don't know if other people do...but not to my knowledge). An Air Card is a PCS phone built into a PCMCIA card with an antenna sticking out. There's a piece of software you install on the PDA that will use the PCS wireless digital technology as a wireless modem.

Currently, the Air Card speeds SUCK! We are talking 14.4 kbps. With Blue Kite (free software) working you can get compression that makes it feel like 28.8 - 56k. PCS is about to roll out 3G (or G3, depending who you talk to), which will boost their speeds to ISDN like speeds (125 kbps if I remember right) on 3G ready devices.

Here's my opinion on the matter. If he needs lots of speed on the wireless side, like for graphics and attachments, wait a few more months and get a G3 Air Card w/ G3 service. Since the city is paying for it, it shouldn't be an issue. If he doesn't need break neck speeds, just text emailing and messaging, etc, just grab a regular Air Card.

You can get more details at a local Sprint PCS (who can tell you when/if G3 will hit your area soon) store or online:

https://www.SprintPCS.com

[/shameless plug]

Jammrock

[Sasq]

I shouldn't tell you we have isdn 'air cards' here then should I
Sadly the tech is not compatable

hmm also NTT has started working on G4 phone tech that will allow 100Mbs transfer

God I love this country

Dan

[Gurm]

There is, however, rather fast aircard-like service available in metro NY. Flat fee, 256k. Not setting the world on fire, but "better". I forget the name of the service but if it comes back to me I'll post.

- Gurm

[Wombat]

Is that Ricochet

[Gurm]

Could be, ya.

- Gurm

[xortam]

Unfortunately, Metricom (makers of Ricochet) has gone belly up.

[Wombat]

But Aerie Networks bought Ricochet, and is bringing it back in its more popular markets

[xortam]

I hadn't heard that. I hope they do a better job than Metricom. I inerviewed with Metricom before they launched their networks.