Ditch DLS and Take Your Wi-Fi With You [Mobile Appraiser]

by Bryan McDonald on February 24, 2010

I can access the local MLS on my iPhone when I am not in the office. The problem is that the website is not optimized for a mobile device. Fortunately AT&T recently expanded their 3G network into my area. Even though my MLS is not optimized for mobile devices, at least I can access it at speeds that don’t drive me crazy.

I still need my laptop or desktop computer to access cable modem internet speeds. That might change soon.

Hello 4G! What is 4G? It is the high-speed successor of the 3G networks. 3G speeds average around 900 kbps while 4G networks will offer about double that, 1.5 mbps and might be as fast as 20-30 mbps as the technology improves. Not only are 4G connections faster but they are also more reliable. 4G might be good enough to say goodbye to your DLS and go all mobile all of the time.

Sprint has introduced the Overdrive (pictured to the left). The overdrive takes a 4G signal and turns it into a Wi-Fi hotspot that up to 5 devices can connect to. Since 4G networks are not available everywhere, the overdrive will also work on Sprint’s 3G signal. The Overdrive also contains a GPS receiver and a MicroSD card slot.

The Sprint Overdrive costs $99.99 (after a $200 instant savings and a $50 mail in rebate and a 2 year contract). The data plan is $59.99 per month for 5GB of data on the 4G network and unlimited usage on a 3G network.

You can check out Sprint’s 4G coverage here.

Sprint is not the only one with a wireless broadband option. Verizon’s MiFi takes a 3G signal and turns it into a Wi-Fi hot spot. According to the Verizon website, the MiFi is the size of about 8 stacked credit cards and weighs just over 2 oz. Up to 5 Wi-Fi enabled devices can connect to it at one time. The MiFi costs $49.99 ($99.99 – $50.00 rebate) with a two year contract . Verizon offers several data plans including a 5 GB usage for $59.99 per month.

If you don’t want to purchase a Sprint Overdrive or Verizon MiFi, you can probably track down a free Wi-Fi hotspot. A lot of restaurants and coffee shops including McDonald’s and Starbucks offer free Wi-Fi.

There are several web apps you can use to track down free Wi-Fi: jiwire, wifinder, hotspothaven, wi-fihotspotlist, and hotspotr.

There are more options for a mobile appraiser than ever before. Do you carry a laptop with you when your are out of the office?

I am not going to ditch my cable internet yet. Would you purchase a Sprint Overdrive if a 4G network was available in your area?

Article by Bryan McDonald

Bryan has written 177 blissful articles.

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{ 2 comments }

Ryan Lundquist February 25, 2010 at 10:31 am: I like the idea of having wi-fi everywhere. In my mind, it’s good business to offer free wi-fi to customers, but there are still companies trapped in a mindset to make you pay for it (I understand why – security). Something like this could come in handy.
Tom Horn February 28, 2010 at 4:10 pm: I recently talked to a sales rep for this device. You just carry it with you and, bam! you’ve got wifi. This particular vendor does not even require a contract so you can drop it whenever you want. I will probably get one soon.