2011 Mobile Broadband Rental Review
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Since Event Radio Rentals uses Verizon, Sprint & AT&T broadband cards & mobile hotspots, the kind of speed you get will depend largely on which device you use.
If using a device on Verizon’s 4G LTE network, you’ll get average speeds of 5-12 Mbps downloading and 2-5 Mbps uploading.
If you’re on Sprint’s 4G network, speeds will average 3-6 Mbps downloading and up to 1 Mbps uploading.
If using Verizon, Sprint or AT&T’s 3G networks, you’ll see speeds ranging from 0.6 – 1.7 Mbps* downloading and 0.3 – 1.2 Mbps uploading.
*Of the three 3G networks mentioned, AT&T is the fastest.
I had the chance to test out Verizon’s 4G UML290 and Sprint’s 4G U300 using Event Radio Rentals. Here’s the kind of speed I got for each:
Look Out For Data Cap Fees
At a moment’s glance, Verizon 4G may seem like the obvious choice. However, it’s important to note that they limit their mobile broadband usage and you pay an extra $10 per GB if you cross the 5 GB or 10 GB line.
"But hey, that’s for Verizon though right?
Is it different for Event Radio Rentals since they’re a rental company reselling the service?"
Yes. It most certainly is.
Depending on the device, your Event Radio Rental will be limited to a 2 GB with Sprint devices even if on their 4G unlimited mobile broadband network and 1 GB for AT&T and Verizon devices.
If you go over there are overage fees of $0.10/MB ($102.40/GB). As crazy as this might sound, note that these are per week caps. That means you technically have 8 GB per month with Sprint and 4 GB per month with Verizon & AT&T. While 8 GB will be enough for most people, 4 GB might be limiting for some. For more info on GB caps, check out "How Much is 5 GB & Is It Enough?"
Also, to see which companies cap data usage and which don’t, check out the Mobile Broadband Rental Comparison to make sure you find a provider best suited to your needs.
Coverage
Just as your 4G or 3G speed will be determined by the network the device you get runs on, so will your coverage.
4G Coverage
Verizon 4G Coverage, although recently launched in December 2010, already cover 38 markets (i.e. cities) and 60 major airports. Plans are underway to cover 200 million people by the end of 2011 (almost the size of their current 3G network) and the entire nation with more 4G coverage than 3G coverage by the end of 2013.
Sprint 4G Coverage, reaches 110 million in 74 cities. They’ve got a decent sized 4G WiMAX footprint and have been in the game for 2 years.
3G Coverage
While Verizon, Sprint & AT&T all advertise nationwide 3G coverage, all 3G networks were not created equal.
Generally speaking, Verizon and Sprint have nationwide 3G coverage with AT&T pulling up the rear. However, its important to bear in mind that this doesn’t always hold true. In some instances AT&T actually provides better 3G coverage in some places than Verizon ‘the most reliable network’ or Sprint.
As always, check the on the ground coverage before you rent mobile broadband to be on the safe side.
Here are some quick links to check for yourself in your area:
Next, see the 3G/4G Rentals you can get.
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