Hi,

I'll be moving to California (Mountain View / Palo Alto) next month, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend the best provider + plan + phone to bluetooth-couple with an N800? (By the way, is it as simple as whipping the IT out of your pocket, switching it on and surfing?)

At the moment I have a (not-locked) GSM Nokia 6300, but seeing as the best it can do is EDGE I assume I'll have to get a new (3G) phone anyway, or is EDGE fast enough?

I won't be using the phone much to make calls (so I'm not interested in free minutes), and that's also the only thing I'll be using it for next to the modem function (so, if possible, I'd like to stay away from blackberry's, smartphones or other big bricks.)

I've looked at a couple of wireless providers websites, but it's all a bit confusing (probably because I'm not used to the US-way of handling the cellphone business.)

The best I can contribute is that I wasn't very impressed with AT&T's 3g coverage when I was out there last Thanksgiving (though I was in SF more than anywhere else).

The idea is to leave the device on all the time. So, yeah, it's as simple as flipping it out, unlocking it, connecting and browsing.

EDGE'll net you something in the 6-12KB/sec range, which is acceptable for some people (I didn't find it too onerous before I got my 3g Samsung). It really depends on what you'll be doing. New 3g phones (especially with contracts) aren't all that expensive these days, so it might be taken as a good excuse to spend a little cash.

Yeah, the plans are a bit of a mess (I'm currently scrimping by on the $20/mo non-tethering mediaMAX 200 plan with AT&T) I think the most important consideration will be coverage for that area. Input from somebody who actually lives out there will probably be the most helpful.

What is this term "switching it on"?
If IT's with you isn't it ALWAYS on??

(unless your flashing, but then flashing in San Francisco might mean other things)

But seriously, the best p/p/p is of interest to many, especially since many of the major carriers are changing their rate structure and plans.

Forgot to re-quote that part of the OP's post.

Thanks!

Unfortunately, there's isn't a simple answer to this question. It depends a lot on a variety of different factors, location probably being first and foremost.