Kent Callison
Item Reviewed: T-Mobile Sierra Aircard 750
Where to Buy: T-Mobile Hixson
5226 Hwy 153
Hixson, TN 37343
(423) 876-9022
Price: $249 (after $100 mail in rebate)
Monthly fee: $19.99 unlimited (T-Mobile voice subscribers)
$29.99 unlimited (for non-T-Mobile voice subscribers)
If you spend more time on the road than in your office, you probably have a love/hate relationship with your laptop computer. You love being able to work from the road, prepare sales reports and read your email from the hotel room. However, love turns to hate when you need access to the corporate network and there isn't a phone line connection anywhere to be found.
Such moments usually occur when a client calls you as you wait for your flight in some city a thousand miles away. The client needs you to email a certain document right now. You frantically call your assistant back in the office and have him or her scour the network for a copy of the file (which no one can remember where it was last saved), email it to the client (with an explanation as to why someone they don't know is emailing them) and report back to you on the status.
These are not the productive moments you dreamed about when you bought your laptop computer.
However, thanks to T-Mobile and Sierra Wireless, those moments are a thing of the past. Introducing the T-Mobile AirCard. The AirCard fits in any laptop computer equipped with a PCMCIA slot and grants the user wireless access to the internet, email and corporate networks.
So, instead of harassing your assistant back home, you simply turn on the laptop, dial up to your corporate LAN via the wireless connection and send the file on its way. Imagine how impressed the client will be when they learn you did all this while waiting for Delta to figure out exactly where your plane is.
The tri-band card works on T-Mobile's wireless network utilizing all three GSM frequencies used throughout the world. That means whether you are in Tennessee or Trinidad, you can be connected to the information you need when you need it.
Installation and setup is a breeze. Everything you need to begin wireless web surfing is included. Just plug in the AirCard, pop in the included CD-Rom and you are good to go. Having trouble? T-Mobile offers 24-hour technical support to help you get up and running.
In my test of the Sierra AirCard I found the connection and transfer rates acceptable for most uses. The 56k AirCard maintains an average connection speed of 42-46k--plenty fast for email and most internet sites. However, like your dial-up modem at home, large files will take some time to download. Keep this in mind especially if you receive large file attachments or access large documents on the corporate network.
One remarkable feature of the AirCard is its ability to provide service "on the move." T-Mobile boasts one of the largest nationwide coverage areas. Kevin Maxfield, Manager of the Hixson T-Mobile store says, "The AirCard works in all major metropolitan areas, as well as, small towns like Dayton, Lafayette and Lenoir City. Users have wireless access along every major highway and interstate in the country."
In our test we drove from Chattanooga to Knoxville and remained connected to the internet during the entire trip. This is ideal if you receive a lot of critical emails throughout the day. Just put the laptop in the seat next to you, log onto your email client and let the AirCard do the rest.
For about the price of a couple of laptop computers, a company could outfit their entire sales force with these wireless wonders and keep them connected wherever they may roam. And speaking of roaming, there are no long distance or roaming charges when using the AirCard. If you currently have a T-Mobile voice plan, unlimited wireless access is only $19.99 a month----about the same price as a land-line based ISP. Already have a mobile phone provider? No problem. You can still buy the AirCard and use T-Mobile's unlimited service for only $29.99 a month.
Fast, easy and convenient access to all your information, low monthly subscription rates and a $100 mail in rebate make this a road warrior's dream come true.
(Kent Callison is a freelance writer and public relations consultant. He is a former editor with wCities.com, the world's largest online travel guide. His reviews of travel destinations have been syndicated in over 100 online publications. Kent is also a writer of non-fiction and inspirational works. He is currently working on a new book for parents of children with disabilities titled, "Fountain of Joy." Kent is a graduate of Covenant College, a member of the Public Relations Society of America, and sits on the fundraising committee of Siskin Children's Institute.)