A broadband AirCard is a wireless modem used with laptops for high-speed internet access using cellular technology. It provides internet connectivity wherever cellular service is available, making it convenient for business and personal use. It can be purchased from a carrier and is available in various versions. It is useful for temporary access and can be purchased in weekly, two-week, or one-month passes. Businesses can get discounts by purchasing several AirCards and a corporate account.
A broadband AirCard® is a wireless modem manufactured by Sierra Wireless®, available in many proprietary versions. AirCards are primarily used with laptop computers to provide high-speed Internet access using cellular technology. Most AirCards are made to fit into your computer’s ExpressCard or PC Card slot, although some come with a USB adapter or connector.
With digital subscriber line (DSL), cable and fiber optic internet available to computers, you may be wondering what role cellular internet can play, particularly when it’s more expensive than most plans. As people are becoming increasingly dependent on connectivity in both business and personal life, it’s not always convenient or even possible to find a hotspot. A broadband AirCard® ensures that Internet connectivity is available wherever cellular service is available, and for most people it is virtually anywhere, anytime.
The sheer convenience of a broadband AirCard® justifies its higher price for those who need Internet access on the go without the hassles and restrictions associated with WiFi® access. An AirCard® not only takes the hassle out of finding a hotspot, but you can work from anywhere, even while in transit from place to place.
With the flexibility provided by a broadband AirCard®, it seems tailor-made for business. Field reps, street vendors, corporate executives and jet-setting CEOs can tap into everything from the company’s private network to cloud computing resources and online research without thinking or wasting a moment on how to get online from the road, from from a client’s office, from a taxi or even from a moored yacht.
It’s not just businesses, however, that can benefit from AirCard® broadband technology. Almost everyone with a laptop has found themselves wanting to get online at times when hotspots or other forms of access weren’t available. One of the best features of a broadband AirCard® is the ability to gain temporary access when you need it most. Simply link your card and purchase a 24-hour pass. Viola! Instant internet served hot and fast on site, no waiting required.
Cellular internet is useful in other situations as well. Taking a vacation soon? Buy a weekly, two-week or one-month pass and forget the hassle of connectivity during your travels. Using a broadband AirCard®, you can go online from that cozy beach cottage, browse roadside sightseeing options as you explore local color, check email from a scenic lookout or park, or see what’s happening in your downtown favorite socializing spot with your toes stuck in a white sand beach.
Since cellular carriers use proprietary AirCards, choose your carrier first and then purchase a carrier-branded broadband AirCard®. Ask about roaming coverage and costs before committing, and if you’ll be traveling internationally, make sure the carrier has international coverage in the required areas. In this case the broadband AirCard® will also need to support international standards, which usually means choosing one that is compatible with tri-band and quad-band frequencies. In all cases, look for a card that supports the latest cellular technology available at the time of purchase, as newer technologies provide faster data transfer speeds.
Businesses interested in buying several AirCards and a corporate account could get a big discount from major carriers. Unlimited plans require a monthly fee, while pay-as-you-go subscribers can choose to purchase blocks of time as needed.
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