How It Works
You can access Cricket’s wireless network via a small modem that plugs into the USB port of your computer. The small modems are ideal for laptops and provide wireless Internet access anywhere within Cricket’s coverage area. The connection software comes preloaded on the modem, so you simply install the software and you can connect or disconnect from Cricket’s network at any time. Although it is technically a dial-up connection, the cellular network provides faster speeds than a dial-up connection through telephone lines.
Speed
According to Cricket’s website, they offer download speeds of up to 600 kilobytes per second. That is a little over half a megabyte per second. However, that is optimum speed and depends on the strength of your connection. By comparison, wired broadband providers such as Comcast and Verizon offer downloads speeds varying from 12 megabytes per second to 50 megabytes per second. Traditional dial-up through a telephone line is approximately 56 kilobytes per second under the best conditions.
Coverage
Cricket broadband is only available in certain areas. Before purchasing a Cricket broadband plan, you need to first go to Cricket’s website and determine if service is available in your area. The company’s website provides a national map of their cellular-phone coverage area, but requires you to enter a specific zip code to check for broadband coverage. Users who travel frequently to various parts of the country may need to consult the website often to see if coverage is available at their destination.
Pricing
Cricket’s website prompts you to enter the zip code for where your service is being activated before it will display current pricing plans. However, since this is always subject to change, you should call 1-800-922-5159 to speak with a live representative to see which pricing plans or current specials are available in your area. Pricing and special promotions often change quicker than they are updated on the website, so it is worth the extra time to speak to a live customer service representative.
The Limitation
Cricket imposes a 5-gigabyte-per-month limit on your best connection speed. The company does allow usage beyond 5 gigabytes per month; however, your connection speed is reduced after that limit is exceeded. The company’s website does not state specifically how much your Internet download speed will be reduced if you go over the 5-GB per month limit. For users who frequently download large files such as movies, the limitation could severely affect their connection speed.