Guide to Wide Area Network (WAN) Cards

Use wide area network cards in your mobile devices

You don't need a laptop or Tablet PC to connect to the WAN network. You can have other mobile devices, such as PDAs (personal digital assistants) or cell phones. Some devices either come with WAN network cards or they're already built into your system. If your laptops do not have built-in cards, you can purchase them at Best Buy or Circuit City. The wide area network card is the size of a credit card; just slide the card into a slot on your laptop. Your employees can connect to your network through your VPN (virtual private tetwork); they can access their e-mail messages, your file server, or intranet.

I recommend: Check out Sybase's iAnywhere OneBridge software. This application contains a wireless email server, WAN card networking equipment, which resides with your Lotus Notes or Microsoft Exchange system. With this system you don't need additional WAN card networking equipment, software, or accessories. This results in a cost savings. The software also encrypts your email message as it travels over a public network.

Access a wireless Internet provider's network

Wireless network area cards enable you to access a wireless Internet provider's network. The providers transmit your data to other network devices, including servers, routers, and switches. These devices are located both at the provider's network and the Internet. Carriers use different protocols. For example, AT&T uses UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access). Sprint, on the other hand, uses EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized or Evolution-Data Only). When you sign up with one of the wireless providers, make sure your WAN card is compatible with the WAN service provider's protocol.

I recommend: Check with AT&T or Verizon. Not only do they sell the plans, but they sell WAN cards and other WAN card accessories for computer networking. That ensures compatibility. Sometimes the WAN card is included with the carrier's computer network WAN card accessory package.

Sign up with a telecommunications carrier

You have a wide selection of telecommunications carriers to choose from: AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, and others. These wide area network providers are the ones who transmit your email messages to your recipients and vice versa. Your messages travel over their high-speed wireless networks. Their coverage is similar to their digital cell phone networks. They have invested heavily in reliable and high-quality WAN card networking equipment, such as Cisco routers and switches.

I recommend: Check out AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, or Sprint. With these companies you should not have any problems accessing the Internet in the U.S. You will need to purchase a separate contract because these providers only carry data over their networks. Also check out their WAN card networking accessories.