4G Hotspot Summer Takeaway: Options for Staying Wirelessly Connected

Sprint began selling the Sierra Wireless 4G LTE Tri-Fi Hotspot May 18. A first, the Tri-Fi can link users to three connectivity options: 3G, Long-Term Evolution and WiMax. Where there isn't a WiFi connection, devices like the Tri-Fi offer users a way not only to hop online but to connect multiple devices: It's becoming not unusual to see support offered for up to 10 devices. With all major carriers investing in 4G LTE rollouts to support increasing data demands, Verizon Wireless and AT&T have already announced they'll soon be offering data-sharing plans, and that the industry is moving toward a new sort of metric, where revenue is tallied not by the user but by account. The thinking is that each account will be tied to multiple devices, all sipping at a single, set allotment of data. An account could be held by a single user, a family or even a small business. With shared plans, users wouldn't need separate data plans for tablets& which would encourage more people to connect them using more than just WiFi, to the carriers' delight& or for hotspots. Inspired by the Tri-Fi, eWEEK rounded up a few of its competitors to take a look at what the options are, as more people get away from their desks and head outdoors this summer. - ...

First Solar Finisar Fei Company Fairchild Semiconductor International Fair Isaac