When is 3G, like No-G?

When you have a weak signal, caused by being in the wrong place, electrical interference or a downed nearby tower.

I am an AT&T subscriber, and am deliriously happy with the AT&T AirCard I’ve been testing:

• Plug-and-play operation (the software to connect is stored on a flash drive in the device).
• Immediate access to either Wi-Fi or GSM (cell) with no login (the card identifies itself to the networks).
• Reasonable management of Wi-Fi configurations (you know .. those painful WEP and WPA keys).
• Cool feature: you can stuff a MicroSD into the device and store connectivity goo (configurations and files) directly on the device).

However .. it doesn’t quite have the stones to say: “I have an incredibly weak signal .. you should stop trying to get to the InterWebs using me”.

I’m certain the bandwidth is (on average) 1.5mbps .. however, if if packet failures (due to connection or interference errors) exist, they must be re-sent:

• If half of the packets fail, you’re at an effective download / transfer rate of 750 mbps (not too shabby).
• If three-quarters of the packets fail, you’re at an effective download / transfer rate of 375 mbps (decent).
• If 90% of the packets fail, you’re at an effective download / transfer rate of 135mbps (reasonable .. back in the stone age, we called this DSL).

So, when is 3G really 3G? Well, it depends:

• You have good cell coverage (more ‘bars’).
• You’re in a low-traffic area (the more folks who log onto a tower the more folks .. which can include you .. get kicked off).
• The algorithm on the wireless card seamlessly reconnects you should you get bumped (on a call, you get dropped .. but for Internet browsing and email synching, Nirvana is only a retry away).

Ready to try it? I was (and am glad). Is it worth the cost? Do the math. Consider:

• Hotel rooms that charge $10 (or more) for a 24-hour period of Internet access. Three or four nights, and you’re even.
• Coffee shops or wireless providers that charge $30 (less, or more) per month for the service .. then you have to find one of those providers (it’s not impossible, but when in a pinch, delays are significant stressors). Pay for one month .. you’re halfway there.
• The inherent security risks of Wi-Fi Roguing (how do you know you didn’t just connect to a hacker-controlled honey pot? Pick up just one virus ..

Last but not least .. most important, actually: productivity losses when you’re offline. Yes: we can all survive when we’re disconnected. We can work offline, or send bits from our mobiles. However, I have encountered enough times where I needed to send something .. having connectivity would just have been easier.

I reference AT&T herein. They were the folks smart enough to loan me the card. With their return policy (read the fine print carefully), an AirCard is worth a try, especially since it’s on their dime. Other carriers provide the same services .. consider the deals .. read the fine print .. you know the drill.