I’ve been following cell-carrier wireless data options here at MaisonBisson (here and here), but I have to admit that I don’t actually use any such solutions. I live and work (and usually travel) in range of ethernet and WiFi, so I might get a pass on this but the real reason is laziness.
Engadget has a nice write-up on the process with CDMA-based phones like the ones you get from Sprint and Verizon. GSM users, like those on T-Mobile should look here.
The Engadget article hints at higher speeds on Verizon’s 1xRTT/1xEV-DO “Express Network,” (now called “National Access” ) but remarks that it “can be funkier to set up,” then doesn’t give any hints about where to look to do so.
Connection speeds on Verizon range from 14.4Kbps for the solution detailed in the Engadget story, to 50-70 Kbps for 1xRTT and 300-500 Kbps for 1xEV-DO. The advantage of the 14.4Kbps serivce is that it’s free with standard plans (and compatible phones), while National Access isn’t. I can’t tell if National Access can be added to an existing plan, or if it stands on its own, but I did find some tips on how to connect: PDAPhoneHome has a story about connecting via Palm OS devices (you can extrapolate these instructions, can’t you?), and there’s this rather cryptic message that offers similar info (though, it is based on these instructions).