Rocket Mobile Internet Stick

[Shades]

Anyone have any experience with using these? Thinking of getting one so I can connect my laptop when I'm out of the city...I have a Rogers connection now, plus Rogers BB. I was wondering how well they worked...and apart from the monthly "data" charge...what are the connect fees? Do you end up paying long distance telephone charges on top of the "data fees"? Any other costs I should know about?
Many thanks
S

 

[Shades]

No one with experience?

With the Rogers Rocket or Bell Turbo Stick???

 

[Sparkss]

It is generally just your monthly data package unless you roam off the Rogers or Bell network ( into the US etc )
It is going to really depend on where out of the city you are planning on using the stick. They are not going to give you serious speed. but they do give you a good connection as long as signal is strong.

Be sure that you have 4 bars minimum of digital service on your phone from wherever you think you might be using it. ( i'm assuming cottage etc )
I know up where I am *cottage country* that its hit or miss. So Talk to either Bell or Rogers about the area you are thinking.

They will all tell you that you get great coverage ..but you need to have them assure you that it will work. Push them on the area and ask if they have other data customers in that area.
Also , If i remember correctly you have 15 days to return it as long as you have only used a minimal amount of data transfer... in case it won't work from the area you want.

Hope this is at least partially helpful.

 

[dreamblade]

Actually, it's easier that that, you can find out if it will work yourself.

Honestly, don't bother asking CS about coverage, they have no clue, or they lie. They are pushing those sticks out on people in areas where they won't work.

Also, signal strength isn't everything. What level of data you connect to is just as important. For example, you won't get 3G speeds (3.6mbps) outside of urban areas.

Easy test you do yourself. Take your BB, Iphone, or PDA to the place you will use it in. If you can surf then your connection with the stick will be ok. If you can't, then don't bother with the stick, no matter what the phone monkey assures you.

 

[Shades]

Thanks for the input

I appreciate it.
My BB works to receive email at the cottage but as a cell phone the signal swings, depending on cloud cover, from 1-2 bars to maybe, on a good day, 3-4 bars. I haven't tried to surf the web yet on the bb there, so will try that...
You are right that when I talk to Rogers or Bell they will tell me everything will work just fine...that's why I'm seeking the wit and wisdom of my fellow terbites.
If I had a 25 or 30 dollar a month data plan with a stick...would I then be charged roam rates, air time on top of that? Would it be logged as a local call to the nearest tower...or be billed back to my 416 area code? Any ideas?

 

[dreamblade]

No, there's no roaming fees. But you will get charged for some stuff that goes with any telecommunication device, like svc access and 911

 

[Shades]

Thanks

...appreciate it.

No, there's no roaming fees. But you will get charged for some stuff that goes with any telecommunication device, like svc access and 911

 

[Sasha Jones]

You do realize that Rogers is now allowing tethering for free on phones that support it until the end of the year?
If your BB supports tethering via USB or bluetooth and you have a data plan for your phone they try the tethering.

 

[Shades]

Update

I have learned that it really doesn't matter how many bars you have on the data transfer...it depends on their areas. Rogers has two types of coverage; HSPA, which they advertise getting about 7-8 MB/sec transfer rate. An example of this type of area would be downtown Toronto....
Cottage country falls under the Edge coverage with a transfer rate of 100 to 200 KB/sec. Shades of the old dial up days!
Next step is to find a Rogers dealer in Bracebridge and see if I can borrow a stick to try out and see what 100 to 200 KB/sec feels like
If I get the speed...might be worth it!