All Topics > Internet > Business Productivity Software > Business Buyer's Guide to Mobile Broadband >

Business Buyer's Guide to Mobile Broadband Michigan

How to choose the best hardware, carrier, and service plan to take your business on the road.

1. Local Companies

2. Introduction

3. Technologies

4. A Look at 3G Devices

5. Featured Local Company

1. Local Companies

LanZing Internet
1-800-961-9464
222 W. Howe Ave.
Lansing, MI

Internet Information Services, Inc.
810-794-4400
PO BOX 323
Algonac, MI

Diamond Computer Systems
(989) 799-6047
5789 State St
Saginaw, MI

Royal Oak Internet
(248) 541-8886
1505 E 11 Mile Rd
Royal Oak, MI

Honovi Solutions
(248) 994-4735
28700 Cabot Dr Ste 300
Novi, MI

Localnet Corp
(906) 932-2539
Ironwood, MI

Wood County Internet Council
(517) 263-8491
Adrian, MI

Web Book
(231) 237-0801
5339 M 66 N
Charlevoix, MI

Dundee Internet Services
(734) 457-2837
Monroe, MI

Wireless Giant
(810) 244-7300
4298 Corunna Rd
Flint, MI

Business travelers know that staying productive on the road requires serious connectivity. That's where 3G (third-generation) cellular data services come in. By adding a mobile broadband connection to your laptop, these wireless wonders give you anytime access to the office, the Internet, and the world. Here's what you need to know to get your notebook online from anywhere.

3. Technologies

Currently three major types of cellular broadband technologies exist: EvDO, UMTS, and EDGE.

EvDO: Evolution-Data Optimized (EvDO) wireless service is the most established type of 3G data connection available in the United States. Offered by Sprint and Verizon Wireless, EvDO cards feature data rates of up to 3.1 megabits per second in a covered service area. In areas where EvDO service is not available, most EvDO cards will still run via the carrier's slower and older (but more widely deployed) 1xRTT data service. Most metropolitan areas enjoy excellent EvDO coverage, even in outlying suburbs.

UMTS/HSDPA: The Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) has been growing in the United States, thanks to its adoption by Cingular in 2004. Now known as AT&T, the company has continued to offer UMTS service and devices. At this writing, AT&T's UMTS network remains less developed than the EvDO networks of Sprint and Verizon Wireless, though it is available in major urban areas throughout the country. If you require service in outlying suburbs, UMTS may not be ready for your business--yet. Older UMTS hardware offers data rates of up to 384 kilobits per second, while newer hardware using the High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) protocol can reach speeds of up to 3.6 mbps.

EDGE: Not generally considered a true 3G data technology, Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) data service is still widely used by AT&T and T-Mobile. It is much slower than either UMTS or EvDO, with maximum data rates of around 236 kbps. Though EDGE provides acceptable performance on cell phones, it can seem painfully slow on a laptop. If online performance matters to your business, stick with EvDO or UMTS/HSDPA.

4. A Look at 3G Devices

Your notebook's add-on slot will dictate the right type of 3G card for you. Here's a look at the available options.

PC Card: Most notebooks made in the last decade feature a PCMCIA Type II, or PC Card, slot. About the width of a credit card, a PC Card slides into the side of your notebook and draws power from your notebook's battery.

ExpressCard/34: Smaller than a PC Card, an ExpressCard/34 device also slips into the side of your notebook. ExpressCard is common on newer notebooks only.

USB: These days Universal Serial Bus is, as it name says, universal on PCs and Macs. While many ultralight notebooks may not offer either a PC Card or ExpressCard slot, you'd be hard-pressed to find any modern computer lacking a USB port. USB data adapters are a great choice if you're planning to use a single device with a variety of different computers.

Built-in: As 3G Internet connectivity has grown, so have the options for delivering it to your PC. Many major manufacturers, including Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic, Sony, and Toshiba, now sell laptops with built-in mobile broadband adapters for EvDO and UMTS/HSDPA. Built-in mobile broadband typically adds about $180 to a notebook's retail price.

5. Featured Local Company

Internet Information Services, Inc.

810-794-4400
PO BOX 323
Algonac, MI
http://www.i-is.com/

Read more about Business Buyer's Guide to Mobile Broadband

- Web Travel Resources, Part 1 Michigan
- Broadband Internet - Top 5 Providers Michigan
- Advanced Protection for Mobile Endpoints Michigan
- Options Multiply for Small-Business Broadband Michigan
- Ad Serving in a Mobile World Michigan
- BPL: Is It Worth It? Michigan
- Mobile Authentication in Financial Services Michigan
- Supporting the Mobile Workforce Michigan
- Can You Survive On VoIP Alone Michigan
- Managing the Mobile Workforce Michigan

Regional Articles

Rate Article

Save to My Articles

Articles Insider

Advertising	Fashion	Nightlife
Business Services	Financial Services	Online Database
Career	Franchise	Real Estate Resources
Cars	Health	Software
Chamber of Commerce	Holidays	Technology
Computer Hardware	Home Appliances	Telecommunications
Construction	Home Electronics	Trade Shows
Education	Home Services	Travel
Educational Content	Internet	Weddings
Entertainment	Legal	World History
Family	Miscellaneous

Advertising	Educational Content	Home Appliances	Real Estate Resources
Business Services	Entertainment	Home Electronics	Software
Career	Family	Home Services	Technology
Cars	Fashion	Internet	Telecommunications
Chamber of Commerce	Financial Services	Legal	Trade Shows
Computer Hardware	Franchise	Miscellaneous	Travel
Construction	Health	Nightlife	Weddings
Education	Holidays	Online Database	World History

Searching...

Business Buyer's Guide to Mobile Broadband Michigan

1. Local Companies

2. Introduction

3. Technologies

4. A Look at 3G Devices

5. Featured Local Company