Which Cellular service?

[Mahatma]

I used FreedomPop for cellular service for my x280. It provided a micro-sim, and access to the AT&T network. I do not recommend it.

What service is recommended?

Will Spectrum work? It requests my "IMEI number"to test (what's that?) and I don't know if Spectrum provides the necessary "micro-sim"

I only need service occasionally -- just those now and thens when WiFi isn't available.

Thanks.

- Charles

[rkawakami]

My quick answer is to first determine who has the best cellular coverage in the areas you frequent. That should narrow it down some. You may have to do some digging into which network is really being used for some of the smaller players (e.g., FreedomPop using AT&T).

As far as the IMEI number is concerned, every cell phone / data modem should have a label on it with this number. AFAIK, Spectrum wants to have the number so they know your hardware will work on their system and/or the hardware has not been flagged as stolen. There are several online sites that can check your number:

https://www.att.com/deviceunlock/
https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/bring-your-own-phone
https://www.verizon.com/od/prepaid/brin ... heckDevice
https://www.imei.info/

Each cellular service should supply you with the proper SIM card once they know your equipment and you've subscribed to their plan.

A few years ago I was in a similar situation. However, instead of using a dedicated data modem in my laptop, I went with a hotspot (actually three different ones over a period of time). If you don't know what that is, it's a small box which takes the cell service connection and turns it into a WiFi access point. The advantage is that you can use ANY WiFi enabled device to connect to the internet. If you have a cell phone released in the last 5-6 years, it can probably be used in the same way. You may have to pay extra to enable hotspot usage with your cell phone but if you have an "unlimited" data plan, I think most companies nowadays allow for a certain amount of full-speed data to be used. Consult your cell phone service description.

ref: /viewtopic.php?f=58&t=111953 (Virgin Mobile hotspot)
ref: viewtopic.php?t=116655 (T-Mobile hotspot)

[pianowizard]

A year or two ago I tried Mint Mobile for my Microsoft Surface 3 and was happy with it: https://www.mintmobile.com/

[Mahatma]

My quick answer is

Fast and helpful answers THANKS!

- Charles