Survey: Home is where the wireless data card is
August 19 2008 - 2:04 pm ET | Gary E. Salazar | RCR Wireless News
Many people aren’t leaving home when it comes to accessing the Internet using a wireless data card, according to a new report by Nielsen Mobile.
Wireless data cards, gadgets that allow laptop and PC users to connect to the Internet using a cellular network, are popular with business travelers but are now fast becoming a popular way to access the Internet at home.
“Data cards aren’t just for road warriors but also for couch and kitchen warriors,” Nic Covey, Nielsen Mobile director of insights, said in a press release.
As of the second quarter of this year, Nielsen Mobile reports there are more than 13 million wireless data card users in the United States. More than half of the cards were bought within the past 12 months.
The research firm surveyed 1,300 mobile data card users and 43% reported they most often use their data card at home. Fifteen percent say they use the card at work and 21% head outdoors. Nine percent report they use the card while commuting.
But respondents are not ready to solely use the data cards for Internet service at home. Virtually all of those surveyed — more than 99% — reported to Nielsen Mobile they also subscribe to home Internet, and the data cards typically augment high-speed home service.
Covey said as carriers continue to promote mobile data cards and expand network coverage, some consumers will consider the cards as an alternative to their home Internet service providers.
“Consumers don’t like to pay for the same thing twice,” Covey said. “It’s the next frontier of cord cutting.”
Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp. offer data cards from as little as $50 to as much as $130. Prices are based on discounts by entering into a two-year contract. With a two-year contract with AT&T Mobility, the nation’s largest wireless carrier, the operator offers rebates for a free refurbished card or $50 for a new one. Nielsen Mobile reports consumers spent an average of $65 on their data card, excluding service costs.
August 27, 2008 02:13 pm
I've had a Sprint Wireless Data Card for a couple of years now. I have up-graded to the Sierra 597 which is a USB device. It works vey well on my laptop and desktop. Sprint, by far seems to have the fastest, most consistant service country wide. The 597 also has GPS which is a bonus.
August 25, 2008 02:01 pm
I have used the Aircard at home with a Top Global 3G Phoebus router for almost 3 years. I had a company paid aircard already and read David Pogue's review article in New York Times in early 2006. I cut my cable internet after I got the Phoebus router. Simply plug in the aircard, I have my whole house covered with WiFi. I take the aircard with me when I am traveling. The savings from 30+ month of cable internet can already pay for 3 Phoebus routers. I even change the aircard to a faster card, the Phoebus router still works like a champ. I love it ! No more wire for me.
August 20, 2008 06:07 am
Great article. Use my EVDO wirless Verizon card at work, home and when camping. At home whole house coverage/access is achieved with a Cradlepoint 1000 EVDO wireless router.Will consider internet service for large files however for now the EVDO service suffices.
August 19, 2008 02:07 pm
I'm a Verizonwireless dealer in Cali. We always offer a Free (Brand New) card on a two year agreement. Btw, the EVDO service rocks. Fast and very reliable.
August 19, 2008 02:30 pm
I'm a cord cutter. I hated Comcast internet and got an Alltel data card that I use exclusively at home. They could never get my TVs and internet service to work at the same time. I even bought a wireless router for it so my Wii can use Wi-Fi. Speeds aren't quite as good as they were with my cable modem, but now I can use all my TVs. It never even occurred to me to keep Comcast and also pay for my Alltel service. I canceled my Comcast internet as soon as I got my new data card installed. Who pays for things twice???