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Until recently, hardcore photojournalists and high-powered executives on an expense account were about the only suckers willing to pay exorbitantly high fees for a sluggish wireless Internet connection. Now you can connect to the Web wherever you are, often at broadband speeds, for about the cost of a 1,000-minute cell-phone plan.

Wireless wide area network cards from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon bring broadband speeds to many of the nation's urban and suburban areas. WiFi networks are convenient and aplenty in many American cities, but access to these networks requires the user to maintain close proximity to the wireless access point. Access points at coffee shops and airports often charge single-usage fees, which can add up faster than you'd expect.

Connecting via cellular networks, however, you can often surf the Web and transmit files at speeds comparable to those you would expect from a cable or DSL modem, provided you stay in range of a broadband cell tower. Wireless providers are constantly adding high speed, 3rd-generation (3G) towers to their networks, expanding broadband coverage. But in areas not served by 3G networks, connection speeds are comparable to dial-up. You can access these slower, previous generation data networks virtually anywhere you can get a cell signal.

Hardware pricing, contract length and service charges are fairly consistent between the three major service providers. Though it's possible to purchase and use a wireless card without signing a 2-year contract, you'll often pay more for the wireless card and monthly service to do so.

Wireless cards are available with PC Card, ExpressCard or USB 2.0 connectivity. Because USB devices are compatible with most PC and Mac notebooks, we tested USB wireless modems from AT&T, Sprint and Verizon. We compared download/upload speeds and pricing for cards and service when signing 2-year contracts with the three major providers.

AT&T's 2-year contract price for their Sierra Wireless 875U Aircard is $149.99, though the company offers a $100 mail-in rebate card when the device is purchased online. Monthly service ranges from $29.99 for 10MB of data usage to $79.99 for unlimited nationwide service. If you plan on using your wireless card for more than occasional email checking, you'll likely need unlimited service, as you'll reach your monthly quota after sending only a few images with the 10MB plan. Because AT&T uses GSM technology, the world's most popular mobile phone standard, the wireless card will work in many other countries; a global DataConnect plan is available for $139.99 per month including unlimited domestic usage and 100MB of international usage.

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