EmailBest Reviewed
Mobile Broadband
- Best low-cost mobile broadband plans AT&T DataConnect *Est. $20
- Best coverage for frequent travelers Sprint Mobile Broadband *Est. $60
- Fastest wireless broadband, but limited coverage Clearwire *Est. $30
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Best low-cost mobile broadband plans
- Low-cost limited plans available
- Free Wi-Fi and modem with 5 GB plan
- Good coverage
- Roaming coverage in 35 countries
- Better in cities than rural areas
- Low ratings for customer care
- Two-year contract required
March 2009. AT&T DataConnect mobile broadband earns kudos for offering three plans with different usage limits: 10 MB (*est. $20 per month), 50 MB (*est. $40 per month) and 5 GB (*est. $60 per month). The lower-cost plans are useful if you need the service mostly for checking e-mail and some quick online research. Reviews recommend AT&T DataConnect for fast connection speeds where its 3G network is available -- in many metro areas and along major highways. Speeds there can reach 1.7 Mbps (though the average is lower). Elsewhere, connection speeds drop off sharply. The main drawback, however, seems to be poor technical support and customer service, compared with that of T-Mobile Total Internet (*est. $50 per month) and Verizon Mobile Broadband (*est. $40 to $60 per month).
We found objective tests of AT&T mobile broadband at Gizmodo, where it's compared with Sprint and Verizon, and at Computerworld, where it's compared with Verizon and Sprint in one review, and with Xohm WiMAX in another. At Mobile-Broadband-Reviews, Marc Aaron compares AT&T with the four other major 3G providers, with some evidence of hands-on testing. DSLReports.com ranks AT&T in comparison with even more mobile broadband providers, based on detailed reviews and ratings from nearly 60 users. The massive survey by J.D. Power and Associates also compares the major cell phone providers, but focuses on voice service, as does a smaller survey at Consumer Reports. TopTenReviews.com covers mobile broadband specifically, but we rank it lower because it's based on features, with no evidence of testing or usage. At Amazon.com, users review the air cards or modems used with laptops to get mobile broadband, indirectly reviewing the providers as well.
Our Sources
1. Gizmodo
Tests of connection reliability and speed in eight big cities rank AT&T below Sprint on average, but AT&T outperforms Sprint in Austin and Raleigh. Where AT&T excels, in general, is in upload speeds. Its weakest area (among the eight cities) is in Boston, but results vary even within each city.
Review: The Definitive Coast-to-Coast 3G Data Test, Wilson Rothman, Dec. 17, 2008
Testing mobile broadband providers on his notebook computer in various situations within 50 miles of downtown Manhattan, reviewer Brian Nadel finds AT&T faster (averaging 614 kbps) than Verizon and Sprint. The only drawbacks apply to all three: inconsistent speeds and shorter laptop battery life (by about 40 minutes per charge).
Review: Review: Which 3G Network is the Best?, Brian Nadel, May 13, 2008
Not surprisingly, tests in Baltimore comparing AT&T mobile broadband (in its 3G network) with XOHM WiMAX find the latter much faster.
Review: Sprint's 4G Xohm WiMax: How Fast is It?, Brian Nadel, Oct. 10, 2008
According to comparisons here, AT&T is fastest in some metro areas, especially in the northeast, but not elsewhere. However, the review notes that AT&T is increasing its speeds during 2009. Overall, AT&T ranks in the middle of the pack here.
Review: AT&T Wireless Internet Review, Marc Aarons
Nearly 60 users review AT&T (formerly Cingular) wireless here. Users seem happiest where 3G coverage is available, with some reporting download speeds of 1.7 Mbps. The main criticism is of customer service. A separate comparison chart on this site, updated weekly, ranks the company eighth out of 11 wireless providers, with especially low ratings for value and technical support.
Review: Cingular Wireless (AT&T) Reviews, Contributors to BroadbandReports.com
Based on a survey of over 22,000 wireless-plan customers in six regions of the United States, AT&T slightly outranks Sprint for ratings of customer care and call quality. However, both rank toward the bottom.
Review: Wireless Customer Satisfaction Survey 2008, Editors of J.D. Power and Associates, April 24, 2008
7. ConsumerReports.orgDetails/Subscribe
A 2008 survey of about 52,000 users (in 23 metro areas) compares AT&T voice plans with those of Sprint, Verizon, Alltel (now owned by Verizon), and T-Mobile. Each provider is rated primarily for call quality, not for data services or mobile broadband.
Review: Best Cell Phone Service, Editors of Consumer Reports, Jan. 2009
8. Amazon.com
Among mobile broadband modems and air cards, it's a 3G USB modem for AT&T that gets the highest average rating in user-written reviews here. Owners praise the AT&T connection speed and reliability and find the service easy to use.
Review: Mobile Broadband Cards, Contributors to Amazon.com
Based on a comparison of features, Cingular (now AT&T) gets first ranking here among seven mobile broadband providers. However, there's no sign of any actual testing, and the very dated use of Cingular rather than AT&T as the provider's name make us doubt that the ratings were revised in 2008, let alone 2009.
Review: 2009 Mobile Broadband Service Product Comparisons, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
Mobile Broadband Runners Up:
4 picks including: Gizmodo, Computerworld.com…
4 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: Prepaid Reviews…
