It's no secret to anyone who knows me that I hate wires. Hence, I love
wireless.
So when Sierra Wireless offered me the chance to test its CDPD (Cellular
Digital Packet Data), wide-area wireless modem--the AirCard 300--I jumped at the
chance.
Installing the AirCard 300 in your notebook is easy. But before you insert
the card, you must install the software drivers and connection utilities. This is
a quick and simple operation, but requires a reboot.
After restarting, you insert the AirCard 300 into an open Type II PC-card
slot, attach its 3-inch antenna, and you're ready to select a wireless service.
Sierra Wireless provides the WirelessExpert program to ease setup and
configuration. When you run the program, a drop-down list of CDPD access
providers and their phone numbers appears; AmeriTech, AT&T Wireless, BC TEL
Mobility, Bell Atlantic Mobile, GoAMerica, and GTE Wireless are all on the list.
The next step is to call the provider of your choice, and have service
activated. WirelessExpert's second screen displays the AirCard 300's serial
number, and empty fields for the network entity identity (NEI), domain name
server (DNS), and other information your service provider will give you. Once
you've entered this information, click Next, and the program will establish a
connection. If you've entered your information correctly, and you're within your
provider's coverage area, you should be all set.
For corporations with several people using the same notebook, Sierra also
provides the AirCard Toolkit that allows you to view and change information for
up to four accounts. Lastly, the Watcher program displays the particulars of your
current communications session: Data transactions, signal status, and other
information that can help with troubleshooting.
My review unit came preconfigured with the AT&T Wireless service. After I'd
installed the card, there was no need to enter a username or password. I simply
fired up Outlook Express and connected to my Pac Bell account as usual.
However, you'll have problems if your ISP won't post outgoing e-mail relayed
from the wireless provider's server. One such ISP is Mindspring, with whom I
opened an account for emergencies like Pac Bell's biweekly e-mail brownouts. I've
since canceled the account; you should make sure that your ISP relays e-mail.
So how was my AirCard 300 wireless Internet experience?
Slow, but ultimately satisfying. The CDPD network maxes out at 19.2Kbps--fine
for e-mailing, but less than optimal for surfing. But after my expectations
ratcheted down from my desktop's 1.5Mbps DSL connection, surfing via CDPD was
more pleasant than I thought it would be.
After my recent experience with Internet-enabled phones, it helped to think
of the AirCard 300 as one of these units with a usable screen. Turning off
display of images and other multimedia content greatly helps speed browsing.
While CDPD wireless doesn't offer speed, it offers freedom in spades. With
the AirCard installed, you have Internet access in the park, the parking lot, or
just about anywhere you choose to roam. CDPD coverage isn't as pervasive as ARDIS
or RAM, the other major wireless data networks, but it still covers approximately
150 metropolitan areas. Links to CDPD coverage maps may be found on Sierra
Wireless' main page.
Freedom is one thing. Free--which CDPD and the AirCard most certainly are
not--is another. The AirCard 300 retails for a whopping $549, and unlimited CDPD
service costs upwards of $50 a month.
Of course, as with anything wireless, there are deals available.
Everythingwireless.com sells the AirCard 300 for $449, and Bell Atlantic will
sell you one for a mere $380, if you sign up for a year's worth of service with
their new Verizon service. If you happen to be signed up with AT&T's Digital One
Rate plan already, CDPD service is only an extra $15 a month.
While CDPD wireless and the AirCard 300 are too expensive for the casual
user, corporate or business users who need to stay in touch with Web-based data
and e-mail will find the card and service handy indeed.
Jon L. Jacobi is a longtime writer and technical consultant for PC World and
the author of the Take Note musical ear training program.
