Wireless Broadband

3G Comparison 

Coverage Maps by Carrier

Verizon Wireless 3G Coverage (EV-DO)

Sprint 3G Coverage (EV-DO)

AT&T 3G Coverage (HSPA)

T-Mobile 3G Coverage (HSPA)

* 3G coverage is publically available information gathered prior to 11/30/09. Voice and data is available outside 3G coverage areas, however data speeds will be far slower.

Broadband Wireless

The variety of choices available to users for accessing the internet at impressive broadband speeds has become greater as broadband access has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Wireless broadband is one of the choices that is now available to users and with it comes the ability to use their broadband internet wherever they like, at work or in their home, which is an invaluable tool.

Getting access to wireless broadband

There are two options to choose from for any users looking for access to wireless broadband. The first choice is to find one of the many wireless broadband providers that offer these wireless broadband packages and the second choice is to buy a wireless broadband router from an IT store and take out a regular broadband package. A preconfigured router that merely requires plugging into a phone line and perhaps a little router management software is usually provided by the wireless broadband providers chosen by the user. For any users who are comfortable using IT equipment, the other option of purchasing a wireless broadband router to use on a regular broadband connection is ideal, although these routers will need to be configured according to each provider’s individual settings. Although these choices are both fine to use, the routers supplied by many of the wireless broadband providers can often be quite limited so for anyone who knows a little about IT the second option will be the best option to choose.

Who will use wireless broadband?

There are many reasons why broadband wireless will be suitable for a wide range of internet users. The ability to access wireless broadband from wherever they want means that users have the freedom to go anywhere at work or at home and still be able to get online. Using wireless broadband allows users to work and play without being stuck in the same location as the need to be near to a router or a network port is eliminated. There is also no need for extensions or long cables to be able to use two computers as wireless broadband allows users to use two or more computers from anywhere in the home.

What is wireless broadband competing against?

Wireless broadband looks to have a serious rival in the form of 3G broadband technology or mobile broadband which is becoming increasingly popular. Users of wireless broadband are limited by the distance users can get from the wireless router before they lose connectivity but with mobile broadband these limitations do not apply. Access to mobile broadband is provided through mobile phone networks and as such is available from any place a mobile phone can be used. Speed is the only big difference between wireless broadband and mobile broadband with users of wireless broadband  internet having much faster internet access due to them accessing their wireless connections at DSL speeds. It is also worth noting though that as the number of wireless hotspots increases, as they currently are, the freedom that mobile broadband users enjoy may soon be rivalled by that of wireless broadband.

Further Reading on Wireless Broadband