Tethering speed

[momof2inmn]

I don't know much about internet speed and am hoping someone could help me out with this. I am considering using tethering as my only access to the internet and am wondering how much slower it will SEEM with tethering.

I just found a link through my wireless card and ran a test of my current provider's speed and got the following results:

Latency to server 359 ms
Download Speed 1210 Kb/s
Upload Speed 411 Kb/s

I realize that how it will seem will depend on the viewer but just comparing numbers won't help me much. Will it seem like dial up, will it be just slightly slower than what I have now, will it be somewhere between dial up and what I have now?

Thanks for helping a newbie out!

[philchang]

I tethered my BB to my powerbook via bluetooth and the speeds were more than satisfactory. I used it only when I was away from a data connection (in the mountains, at my mother-in-laws... yeah, she doesn't have a computer and only just now got cable). I was on Verizon though. Don't know how that would compare with AT&T. If you are considering tethering as your only internet connection why don't you look into a mifi, those portable wifi hotspots. I know verizon has them. Maybe AT&T does as well.

[momof2inmn]

I don't have ATT though, I have T-Mobile. I forgot to mention that when I posted, sorry!

Also, I don't know what a mi-fi is.

[ebongo91]

right now you're getting 1200 kb/s which is pretty fast. DSL is usually significantly slower than this. Since your device is reception based, it will depend on your coverage and reception in your area, but even if you have full 5 bars it will be slower. It will be like the lowest level of dsl you could get. It wont be terrible, but it wont be blazing fast.

[kc8pdr]

Originally Posted by momof2inmn

I don't have ATT though, I have T-Mobile. I forgot to mention that when I posted, sorry!

Also, I don't know what a mi-fi is.

mi-fi is a small wireless router that link's up to 5 wireless units to your internet access from your cell phone company instead of paying for 5 wireless computer you just pay for one