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[Sirus]

I'm going to be working on the road a lot in the coming months, and I have no idea what opportunities there will be for public wifi networks. I'm thinking of investing in a mobile hotspot device so I'll have Internet access on the go, and I was wondering if anyone had recommendations for devices and providers. I'll need USA-wide service, or at least as much as possible, but it doesn't need to be blazing fast.

[Tellemurius]

Clear Wireless isn't bad, do you have a smartphone carrier that can let you tether?

[Sirus]

Not sure. I've tried running a hotspot off my phone before, but it didn't work.

[Tellemurius]

Not sure. I've tried running a hotspot off my phone before, but it didn't work.

some require extra service to activate it i.e. mo money. Who is your carrier and whats your phone?

[Sirus]

It's a Verizon HTC, running Android. Afraid I'm not sure how to be more specific, but it looks like it might require more money after all. Beats getting a whole second device and service plan, I'm sure.

[Tellemurius]

It's a Verizon HTC, running Android. Afraid I'm not sure how to be more specific, but it looks like it might require more money after all. Beats getting a whole second device and service plan, I'm sure.

that depends really, Clear has $50 devices for sale and their plans are unlimited upto $50/month (price depends on speed) and no contract.
http://www.clear.com/

[gimlet]

This is the best list I found to date: http://www.prepaid-wireless-guide.com/best-mifi-plans.html  also look at the link to broadband hotspots if you don't mind connecting with a usb cable.  I had been nosing around thinking of getting the t-mobile or verizon one, but the number of choices blossomed and now there's a lot  more stuff to look at - more choices should be better right?:p

This article had a couple of interesting options: http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-to-choose-the-fastest-cheapest-and-most-reliable-mobile-hotspot-to-stay-connected-everywhere-you-go\
This one was still current I think: http://androidandme.com/2012/10/news/top-5-pre-paid-wireless-plans-for-android-phones/

It LOOKS like the t-mobile sim-only or one of the other android phone plans might be interesting, it appears the HTC is t-mobile compatible? so you should get decent speeds on the ones they list as using t-mobile.  Plus maybe that tethering app (pdanet) listed in the lifehacker article if you want to hook up a laptop now and then.

I dunno, I'm not going to be travelling for a while so I can spend a few more months dithering among all the choices

[Tellemurius]

This is the best list I found to date: http://www.prepaid-wireless-guide.com/best-mifi-plans.html  also look at the link to broadband hotspots if you don't mind connecting with a usb cable.  I had been nosing around thinking of getting the t-mobile or verizon one, but the number of choices blossomed and now there's a lot  more stuff to look at - more choices should be better right?:p

This article had a couple of interesting options: http://lifehacker.com/5974761/how-to-choose-the-fastest-cheapest-and-most-reliable-mobile-hotspot-to-stay-connected-everywhere-you-go\
This one was still current I think: http://androidandme.com/2012/10/news/top-5-pre-paid-wireless-plans-for-android-phones/

It LOOKS like the t-mobile sim-only or one of the other android phone plans might be interesting, it appears the HTC is t-mobile compatible? so you should get decent speeds on the ones they list as using t-mobile.  Plus maybe that tethering app (pdanet) listed in the lifehacker article if you want to hook up a laptop now and then.

I dunno, I'm not going to be travelling for a while so I can spend a few more months dithering among all the choices

No, literally anything from Verizon is not compatible to any other carrier, only maybe Sprint, the radio technology is different.

[Sirus]

Since the topic has come up a couple of times, I'm specifically looking for a way to keep my laptop connected. Whether that's through using my phone as a hotspot or getting some sort of USB receiver, is the big question.

[foil]

I think you should be able to just use the usb wire and turn phone into a modem, tho u might have to pay extra for the service.  Unless you root it and tether for free of course.  No point paying 2x for the same data allowance to be used through the phone.

[Tellemurius]

I think you should be able to just use the usb wire and turn phone into a modem, tho u might have to pay extra for the service.  Unless you root it and tether for free of course.  No point paying 2x for the same data allowance to be used through the phone.

Imma state this now
WARNING: By rooting your phone to bypass carrier tether rules can lead to contract infringement and fines.

[werty892]

I think you should be able to just use the usb wire and turn phone into a modem, tho u might have to pay extra for the service.  Unless you root it and tether for free of course.  No point paying 2x for the same data allowance to be used through the phone.

Imma state this now
WARNING: By rooting your phone to bypass carrier tether rules can lead to contract infringement and fines.

Fuck the police. Seriously, they don't really give a fuck.

[Tellemurius]

I think you should be able to just use the usb wire and turn phone into a modem, tho u might have to pay extra for the service.  Unless you root it and tether for free of course.  No point paying 2x for the same data allowance to be used through the phone.

Imma state this now
WARNING: By rooting your phone to bypass carrier tether rules can lead to contract infringement and fines.

Fuck the police. Seriously, they don't really give a fuck.

Wanna bet 200 dollars on that? ATT and Verizon are the only carriers now that ram you with the tethering fees, they monitor your data steams and know if someone is illegally tethered, its not worth the risk and i rather keep my phone separate for tethering since i use it for other stuff.

[foil]

What about if you could put the sim into the laptop or some network dongle?  Its not tethering to/jailbreaking a phone so would it be fine without paying for it?

[Tellemurius]

What about if you could put the sim into the laptop or some network dongle?  Its not tethering to/jailbreaking a phone so would it be fine without paying for it?

That i honestly wouldn't know, most dongles i had to register it with the carriers i don't remember a sim card.