Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Georgia

Readers love Sprint's Mobile Broadband service, but some say its customer service needs improving.


1 . Local Companies

Comcast Spotlight
770-559-2731
2975 Courtyards Drive
Norcross, GA
XG Marketing
770-990-4711
2018 Brittania Circle
Woodstock, GA
Vectronix
(770) 205-7848
105 Enterprise Dr
Cumming, GA
Henderson R & Associates
(770) 423-9535
Marietta, GA
Staples
(678) 474-0245
3630 Peachtree Pkwy Ste 201
Suwanee, GA
Staples the Office Superstore
(770) 345-9472
108 Riverstone Pkwy
Canton, GA
Internet World
(678) 990-3600
6293 Peachtree Industrial
Atlanta, GA
I S 3 Corp
(770) 222-7070
5745 Wendy Bagwell Pkwy
Hiram, GA
Staples the Office Superstore
(770) 413-0722
5370 Stone Mountain Hwy
Stone Mountain, GA
Advanced Imaging Systems
(770) 943-3312
5101 Brownwood Dr
Powder Springs, GA

2 . Introduction

Back in December, I reported on my experiences activating, using, and then deactivating Sprint's Mobile Broadband service. In my tests, the service itself worked flawlessly. But setting up and canceling the service would have reduced even Muhammad Ali to tears.

In that column I asked readers to share their experiences using the Sprint or another cellular wireless data network. This week and next, I'm excerpting some responses from readers. Their comments provide a glimpse into the problems you might face if you sign up for a cellular wireless network plan. But as you'll see, readers have also had positive experiences.

My comments and explanations are in italics and marked by brackets.

3 . Technology, A-; Customer Service, D+

"The Sprint Mobile Broadband technology is incredible, but only after you find the right hardware and software setup.

"I live in the country and had Direcway [a satellite Internet service, now HughesNet] for 4 years or so. We switched to Sprint's wireless data network and the Sierra Wireless AirCard 595U USB modem. I spent several weeks trying to make this work. I gave Sprint the modem back and purchased a Linksys WRT54G3G-ST wireless router [current online prices: $202 and up] with a PC Card slot for the Novatel Merlin S720 modem [$99 with a two-year contract]. [The Linksys router makes it possible to share a Sprint Mobile Broadband Internet connection among multiple computers.] My family and I share this connection with five home computers. We normally get 1.1 to 1.3 megabits per second. Streaming video, music, and so forth is very fast. It's always on, and we love it.

"The bad news: Sprint has terrible, ill-equipped customer service. Even the local Sprint store(s) don't understand their product. They seem to be prepared to manage cell phones but not the Mobile Broadband service. Every time I contacted them...I was transferred three to four times before someone could help me. I would wait for 30 minutes or more to talk to someone.

"Overall I would give Sprint customer service a C- or D+, though once I got to the right person, they worked really hard to make right. Sprint's broadband technology would get an A- or B+.

"I hope they get the support figured out. They have a "winning horse" with their Mobile Broadband service.
--Daniel Pilarski, Rockford, Michigan

4 . A Happy Sprint Camper

"I took the leap and got a Sprint broadband card for my laptop. I have been a happy camper ever since. I didn't have the problems you mentioned in the start-up phase, but I purchased my card from a third-party source who walked me through the fairly simple process over the phone.

"I recently switched my cell phone service from T-Mobile to Sprint because of a better plan and I have to say, Sprint did a really nice job, customer service-wise. A customer service rep even called me to see how things were going several days after I began using Sprint. She was amazingly helpful and polite. Without question, their broadband service is just what I had in mind."
--Ed Cadena, San Diego

5 . Featured Local Company

Comcast Spotlight

770-559-2731
2975 Courtyards Drive
Norcross, GA
www.atlanta.comcastspotlight.com

Regional Articles
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Acworth GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Albany GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Alpharetta GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Americus GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Athens GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Atlanta GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Augusta GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Austell GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Baxley GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Blairsville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Brunswick GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Buford GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Calhoun GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Canton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Carrollton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Cartersville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Cedartown GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Chatsworth GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Columbus GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Conyers GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Cordele GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Covington GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Cumming GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Dacula GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Dahlonega GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Dallas GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Dalton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Dawsonville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Decatur GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Douglas GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Douglasville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Dublin GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Duluth GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Eatonton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Elberton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Ellenwood GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Ellijay GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Evans GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Fairburn GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Fayetteville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Fitzgerald GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Flowery Branch GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Forest Park GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Fort Benning GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Fort Valley GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Gainesville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Griffin GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Grovetown GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Hartwell GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Hephzibah GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Hinesville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Jesup GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Jonesboro GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Kennesaw GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Kingsland GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 La Fayette GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Lagrange GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Lawrenceville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Lilburn GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Lithia Springs GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Lithonia GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Loganville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Mableton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Macon GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Marietta GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Mcdonough GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Milledgeville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Monroe GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Morrow GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Moultrie GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Newnan GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Norcross GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Peachtree City GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Powder Springs GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Ringgold GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Riverdale GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Rockmart GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Rome GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Rossville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Roswell GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Saint Simons Island GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Savannah GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Sharpsburg GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Smyrna GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Snellville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Statesboro GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Stockbridge GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Stone Mountain GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Suwanee GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Thomaston GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Thomasville GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Thomson GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Tifton GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Toccoa GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Tucker GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Valdosta GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Vidalia GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Villa Rica GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Warner Robins GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Waycross GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Winder GA
- Reader Feedback: Mobile Broadband, Part 1 Woodstock GA
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Dates: 10/29/2009 - 10/31/2009
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