If you’ve considered accessing a mobile Internet connection, you may be thinking to yourself, “What is an air card?” The answer is the key to your ability to getting online wirelessly. You can surf the web while on vacation, camping in the wilderness, or eating lunch in a restaurant that doesn’t have Wi-Fi available. You can finally gain the freedom to get online at any time regardless of your location.



So, what is an air card exactly? It’s a small, proprietary device that you can plug into your laptop to gain mobile access to the Internet. It easily connects into a port on your computer and provides access to the Internet over a cellular network and allows you to surf the web from almost any location without the need for a Wi-Fi hotspot. After signing up for a service plan provided by a mobile carrier, you can gain nationwide and worldwide wireless web access. These cards are manufactured for different mobile access providers by Sierra Wireless.

An air card can plug into your laptop a variety of ways. Some can be installed into a USB port, just like your flash drive. Others are plugged into PCMCIA and ExpressCard slots. The last two typically provide faster connection rates, but if a specific slot is not contained on the side of the laptop for them, installation could be much more difficult and may even require a professional. It’s typically recommended to just purchase an air card that plugs right into the side of your laptop.

Now that you’ve answered the question “What is an air card,” you might be asking yourself “how easy is it to set one up?” Thankfully, the answer is that it’s an easy step-by-step process. Once you have activated your service, plug the device into your computer. Next, load the installation CD and follow the simple instructions provided on the screen. The program may walk you through a few configuration changes. It’s as easy as that. In fact, it can sometimes be even easier; some cards have the installation files preinstalled, allowing you to skip the CD.

In order to connect to the Internet with an air card, you will need to sign up for a service plan with a mobile provider. The price you pay will typically depend on how much speed you need and how often you will connect. Some plans provide a data limit, while others restrict how often you can connect. The monthly rate on an unlimited plan is usually substantial, leaving users seeking alternatives. One of these alternatives is the prepaid plan. Once you have connected the air card to your computer, you can pay a set upfront amount for the best service plan that meets your needs. Once your limit is reached, the service will discontinue, saving you the overage charges that other companies charge. Each air card is designed to work for a specific carrier’s mobile network, so it’s very important for you to choose a plan before you purchase an air card. Some vendors will even offer the card for free if you sign up for their service for a set length of time.