[gt350mike]

Sorta long so stay with me…………..Since AT&T doesn't provide DSL service and my local cable company doesn't offer internet service to my home, we have used a satellite as our ISP for the past 2 years. Our first year with Hugh's network and the second with AT&T (Wild Blue)……..Wild Blue was ok but Hugh's was beyond pathetic. Six months ago we switched to a new ISP that uses the same type of technology that we all use with wireless router inside the house/office, but on a much larger scale (I think the acronym is WISP). Last week we found out that because of the economic times, the company is going out of business and we're left with just three choices:

1) Use dial-up

2) Go back to Wild Blue ($125 up front plus $60 for 512k download speed to $70 for 1m download speed). They will not let me use my old satellite modem.

3) Use our cell-phone company's wireless card (Sony GC79) from T-Mobile at a monthly charge of only $30 per month for about 256k download speed).

I went ahead and ordered the T-Mobile card and should receive it tomorrow. My question is this; Is the "advertised" download rate close to the actual rate and has anyone used this type of service (is it good, bad, or just plan terrible)?

My overall assessment of the situation is this; I’m screwed! My son plays internet games and I know that the T-Mobile card won’t support the games, but he’ll be going to college (hopefully in 8 months he'll be at American University/D.C.)......I hate to pay that kind of money to Wild-Blue, especially since I already have their @*%$ equipment, just so he can play games for such a short period.

On the bright side I can return the T-Mobile within 20 days for a full refund if I (we) don’t like the service!

Any comments would be welcomed!