I have not been back for a while but was wondering if non-contract 4g LTE accounts are available for use with USB modems in the US now? I have a backup ADSL line but use a USB stick modem for 99% of my on-line access and always found it really frustrating to find internet access in the US unless as a coffee shop or some commercial wi-fi access point. For travelers, access without being tied into long term expensive contracts is about as poor as anywhere in the world. I can get a temporary phone number from AT&T but it is really expensive for data access or even calling, but only with an unlocked GSM phone, which luckily the rest of the world has almost universally.
My 4G LTE carrier recently upgraded their software and it makes a speed difference that is dramatic. Before, late at night I got 40mbs down and 20mbs up but now get 87 down and 26 down even in business daytime periods, for unlimited data, and internet TV which I do not use. That is about $34/month. Big difference from back when I had a T1 line to the house at $1500/month for the un-imagined speed of 1.5mbs in the early 90's. Just about any place I go in the world is really well connected now. I was on a bus heading to Finland this week and the bus had free wi-fi. The train I rode last time had wi-fi that was really fast, 100 miles from the nearest town. I see that trams also have access points here in St Petersburg now, trying to get more young people to ride the trams. There are 1500km of trams lines in the city and they hardly have riders unless over 60 y.o. so there is an effort to make them seem cool for a new audience.
My 4G LTE carrier recently upgraded their software and it makes a speed difference that is dramatic. Before, late at night I got 40mbs down and 20mbs up but now get 87 down and 26 down even in business daytime periods, for unlimited data, and internet TV which I do not use. That is about $34/month. Big difference from back when I had a T1 line to the house at $1500/month for the un-imagined speed of 1.5mbs in the early 90's. Just about any place I go in the world is really well connected now. I was on a bus heading to Finland this week and the bus had free wi-fi. The train I rode last time had wi-fi that was really fast, 100 miles from the nearest town. I see that trams also have access points here in St Petersburg now, trying to get more young people to ride the trams. There are 1500km of trams lines in the city and they hardly have riders unless over 60 y.o. so there is an effort to make them seem cool for a new audience.
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