Sierra Wireless intros AirCard 880U / 881U USB modems

Hot on the heels of the AirCard 595U, Sierra Wireless is expanding its HSUPA offerings with a new duo of USB modems. The AirCard 880U and 881U both connect to your Windows or OS X-based computer via USB, sport the company's TRU design features, and offer up a "theoretical maximum [upload] speed of 2Mbps," while downlink speeds tout a "theoretical maximum of 7.2Mbps." Additionally, in areas where HSUPA networks aren't available, both modems are "fully compatible with HSDPA, UMTS, EDGE, GPRS, and GSM network technologies on all frequencies currently used worldwide." The 880U is said to be "optimized for Europe and Asia, while the AirCard 881U is optimized for North America," and both units are slated to ship out next month.

[Via Macworld]

[Nick Charlton @ Aug 30th 2007 1:32PM]

I don't understand the point in these things. Wouldn't it be a hell of a lot better and easier to just do it via your phone? I know most people don't have bluetooth on their machines. I do have on my laptop and phone and it makes life a hell of a lot better than carrying another device around.

[Scooter @ Aug 30th 2007 2:37PM]

unless you have a 3G phone, the speed of data transfer is terrible. And you will be paying your mobile provider a lot more for data than most ISPs will charge.
But these things are mostly only of interest to folk with old laptops (and even desktops) who don't have a decent internal wifi card.

[Dale @ Aug 31st 2007 2:42AM]

I use the 595U on my Mac and it's dreamy. Much less faffing around than syncing with my phone via Bluetooth.

[Ton80 @ Oct 11th 2007 12:56PM]

881U on ATT next week!

[iuliu pop @ Nov 18th 2007 9:27AM]

Can i have internet along my US trips as a truck driver ? please detail . thanks a lot