Bluetooth, EEE PC and Blackberry Storm

One technology I have not really gotten to experience is mobile broadband .  Basically, mobile broadband is the ability to access broadband speed internet using the mobile phone/cellular networks.  You can get dedicated usb and pc card modems that use the network, or some phones will let you "tether" or connect the phone a laptop. I try to connect up my EEE PC to wifi when I can, but often it is not possible (at least not for free), and I still want to get online.

Enter my new Blackberry Storm and the Verizon  3G network .  The Storm does allow tethering the phone to my EEE and I am getting some consistently nice speeds.  The latency i a bit of a drag, but I will get used to it.  I was able to hook Iain up to our Slingbox to watch some TV on Sunday when we were out to breakfast.  He liked that.

My favorite thing about the experience has been that I have yet to connect a cable to the EEE.  I have done all of my connecting through Bluetooth.  I am still getting close to 1mbs download speeds this way, and 200 - 300 kbs upload.  Not blazingly fast, but good enough.  This is exactly what I wanted to have when I paid for the tether feature from Verizon.  The cost is $15.00 a month for 5GB of usage.  I used  about 100mb watching 30 minutes from the Slingbox.  I think that I will be able to make good use of the 5GB without feeling that I am using too much or too little each month.  I would prefer that Verizon would offer a yearly plan though.  Pay $180.00 up front for 60GB of data anytime.  This would allow me more flexibility when I travel, which is not to often.

Regardless, I really like how much more useful this makes my EEE. It has been a long time coming, and I am glad it is finally here.