Internet Access while traveling

Been thinking of upgrading my basic cell phone for a blackberry with internet access. I currently have ALLTEL service which is switching over to Verizon soon. I'm told you can do almost anything on the blackberry with internet access that can be done on a laptop. Any info on pros and cons would be appreciated.

SUBLDO

I did a careful review of all options when I purchased my IPhone. The Iphone provided a larger screen and the fact you do not have to use a cursor. The Blackberry did. A new Iphone is either out or coming out that is cheaper. Don't know that your service offers the Iphone, think right now it's only AT&T. Internet service not as fast as I would like, but offers everything a laptop does. I have a friend who has both the Blackberry and a IPhone. Uses them to run his business. Each has it own uses. Investigate both before you buy.

dbentley

One option you may look into is renting a mobile broadband card or a router and see if it will work for you. You can consider adding a mobile broadband card to your plan and keep the phone you have. (this is especially great when you are travelling and more than one person needs the internet access.) One company that I found was www.WifiRents.com and you can rent the cards or the routers by the week or the month from either ATT or Verizon. I haven't had the need for internet service all the time so just when I go on vacation I rent the cards from them. I have enjoyed using them and they might just work for your needs too, check them out for yourself! :)

Wow, at $99 a week, I'm in the wrong business!

Blackberry and Iphone is At&t only I believe according to what I saw in the news report about alltel and the sell to verizon to At&t. A note to Verizon buying Alltel, they were forced to sell by the FCC because supposedly they had too much control and the FCC made them sell to At&t in order to give equal competition. They say it will take a year to get everything said and done.